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Walter D. MacDonald
Machinist, Veteran
ORANGE - Walter D. MacDonald, 84, of 35 Red Brook Lane, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004 at the Athol Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Athol on Nov. 19, 1919, a son of Thomas and Laura (MacLean) MacDonald. He grew up in Athol, attended Athol schools and after returning from the Army, moved to Beverly where he lived for more than 30 years and since 1985 had resided in Orange.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II with the 330th Group, was a crew chief and aide to General Lumberg and also while in the Army he won several trophies for his swimming ability.
He was a machinist, working at United Shoe Machine Corporation in Beverly for 30 years, retiring in 1985. He was known to his family and many friends as “Mac” or the “Colonel.” He was an avid hunter, fisherman and sportsman.
He was one of four who founded and organized the Beverly Midget Football League. He enjoyed trap and skeet shooting, belonged to several organizations and social clubs, including the American Legion, VFW, the Franco American Naturalization Club, the ICC in Beverly, the Athol and Orange Gun Clubs and the Wheelerville Community Club, and enjoyed going to Foxwoods.
Mac was known as a beautiful dancer. In his later years he enjoyed riding through the woods and looking for deer tracks and being a true deer hunter he hunted as long as he was able. He enjoyed his family and many friends and was loved by all who knew him.
He leaves a son; Douglas D. MacDonald of Orange; two brothers, J. Raymond MacDonald of Orlando, Fla. and David C. MacDonald of Athol; his significant other of 35 years Carole Wilcox of Orange; her sons, Gary Wilcox of Salem and Bill Frazier of Stoneham; several nieces and nephews and his former wife, Angela (Corti) Best of Massachusetts, 11 Vanderbilt Ave., Suite 105, Norwood, MA 02062.
Thelma M. Barnes
Retired Bookkeeper
ORANGE - Thelma M. (Richardson) Barnes, 81, of 126 Prentiss St., died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004 in the Athol Memorial Hospital.
Born in Northfield, Feb. 15, 1922, a daughter of Charles and Mabel (Miner) Richardson, she grew up in Northfield and graduated from Northfield High School in 1940.
A resident of Orange more than 50 years, she was bookkeeper for Barnes Waterproofing 30 years until retiring in 1992. She loved spending time with her family, enjoyed traveling and participating in the activities of Orange Senior Citizens of which she was a member. An enthusiastic Red Sox fan, she also was skilled at knitting, gardening and playing cards.
Her husband, Bernard A. Barnes, died in 1983 and a son, David Barnes, died in 1965.
She leaves five sons, Ralph Barnes of Sevierville, Tenn., Calvin Barnes of Vernon, Vt., Thomas Barnes, Larry Barnes and Malcolm Barnes all of Orange; two daughters, Loretta Bergquist of Orange and Gloria Zbikowski of Bear Creek, Penn.; two brothers, Charles Richardson, Jr. and William Richardson both of Orange; 21 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; several nephews and nieces.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. in Witty's Funeral Home. The Rev. Edward T. Boren of North New Salem Congregational Church will officiate.
Burial will follow in South Cemetery.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Orange Senior Citizens, 135 East Main St., Orange, 01364.
Ernest A. Guyer Jr.
Roofer For 30 Years
ATHOL - Ernest A. “Ernie” Guyer Jr., 55, of Spruce Street, Keene, NH, and formerly of Athol, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 27, 2004, in his home following a sudden illness.
He was born in Bellows Falls, VT, on Feb. 17, 1948, the son of Phyllis A. (Hodgman) and Ernest A. Guyer Sr.
He grew up in Surry, NH. He moved to Athol, residing there for many years before moving to Keene three years ago. He worked for more than 30 years as a roofer, working the past three years with Guyer and Son Roofing of Keene. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1413 of Keene and enjoyed riding his Harley motorcycle.
He is survived by two daughters; Becky L. Bunker and Jessica M. Guyer, both of Orange; three brothers, Tony Guyer of Somersworth, NH, Bruce Guyer of Westmoreland, NH, Dale Guyer of Keene; two sisters, Mary Swift of Northfield, VT, Brenda Guyer of West Swanzey, NH; one granddaughter, Desyre S. Miller of Orange; and six nieces.
A funeral service will be held Friday at noon in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court St., Keene. Rev. Fay L. Gemmell will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 11 a.m. to noon.
For those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Guyer's memory to the Keene Community Kitchen, P.O. Box 1315, Keene, NH 03431.
Richard K. Wheeler
Vietnam Veteran
ATHOL - Richard K. “Dick” Wheeler, 52, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he earned a bachelor of science degree. In 1989 he retired, an avid horticulturist having received an award of recognition for his many years of teaching landscape architecture at Haywood Community College in Michigan; four cousins, Francis Bradshaw of Wendell, Thurley Henderson of OH 44720, or the Greenfield Animal Shelter.
Athol's Oldest; 105, Dies
ATHOL - Alice V. (Streeter) Robinson, Athol's oldest resident at 105 years, and formerly of 70 Wheeler St., died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at the Applewood Home for Elders where she was a resident, after a period of failing health.
Her life, spanning three centuries, began in Newark, N.J. on July 11, 1898 where she was born, the daughter of the late John A. and Annie M. (King) Streeter.
At an early age her family moved to Vermont where she resided until marrying her beloved husband, Hial O. Robinson, who died in 1977.
She was a former resident of King James Court in Orange and while there received the Boston Post Cane.
For over 20 years, she worked the voting polls in Athol. She played piano for Headstart and was an active member of Starrett Memorial Methodist Church .
She is survived by two sons, Clyde H. Robinson of Jacksonville, FL and Lewis W. Robinson of Auburn; one daughter, Claire S. Roth and her husband Bernhard of Leesport, PA; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A graveside service will take place in Wardsboro Cemetery, West Wardsboro, VT sometime in August.
There are no visiting hours.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Starrett Memorial Methodist Church, 40 Island St., Athol, MA 01331.
Arrangements are by the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home.
