Thomson Services
ATHOL - Funeral services for Harold W. Thomson, 83, of 85 Western Ave. were held Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Higgins - O'Connor Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol - Orange Baptist Church officiating.
Burial followed at Silver Lake Cemetery and the bearers were; Lucas Congdon, Corey Lehoux, Robert Beyette, Barbara Beyette and David Lanfair.
Gilbert King
PETERSHAM - Gilbert King, 85, of 62 South St., died Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 in the Hillcrest Nursing Home, Fitchburg.
Fiske Funeral home of Athol is handling the funeral arrangements.
John R. "Bob" Rauss
Raised Beagles, Horses
ORANGE - John R. "Bob" Rauss, 83, of 30 Lake Mattawa Rd., died on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004 at the University Of Massachusetts/Memorial Healthcare - Campus Hospital, Worcester, following a brief illness.
Born on Nov. 9, 1920, in Youngstown, Ohio, he was a son of Samuel V. and Winola F. (Caler) Rauss. He grew up in California, graduating from the Torrence (Calif.) High School in 1938 and then Compton Junior College, Compton, Calif. in 1940.
He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on Dec. 12, 1941 and served during World War II in the Pacific Theatre as a Chief Petty Officer on an attack transport. He was Honorably discharged on July 5, 1946.
He was married to Agnes E. "Peg" (Westerberg) Rauss, who died April 28, 1997.
A material control manager, he was employed by the Rodney Hunt Company in Orange for 35 years, retiring in 1982.
An outdoorsman, he enjoyed raising Beagles for many years and had competed in and judged field trials throughout New England and Canada. He had also raised Morgan horses for a number of years.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 172 in Orange.
He is survived by a goddaughter, Kathy Hatfield of Fitchburg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church. The Rev. Fr. William Lunney will officiate.
Interment will follow in South Cemetery.
Visitation will be held prior to the Mass on Saturday at Witty's Funeral Home, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Franklin County Humane Society, French King Highway, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Pauline V. Truchinskas
L. S. Starrett Retiree
ATHOL - Pauline V. (Vaitekunas) Truchinskas, 88, formerly of 106 Hampstead Place, died on Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare Center.
She was born in Athol, daughter of Antanas and Martha (Trybe) Vaitekunas, on July 21, 1916. She was a graduate of the Athol High School, Class of 1933.
She was employed by the Orange Shoe Company for many years and then worked for 15 years at the L.S. Starrett Company, retiring in 1981.
She was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Church, the St. Francis Women's Guild, and the Athol Golden Agers.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, who died in 1953.
Survivors include her son, Anthony Truchinskas, and daughter, Irene Brown, both of Athol; a sister, Antena Kulczyk of East Templeton; six grandchildren and seven great - grandchildren.
The funeral service will be Thursday, Oct. 28 in the St. Francis of Assisi Church with a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Calling hours at the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, will be Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations be made to the St. Francis Church Building Fund, 105 Main St., Athol, 01331, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Harold W. Thomson
World War II Veteran
ATHOL - Harold W. Thomson, 83, of 85 Western Av., died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner.
He was born on Sept. 1, 1921 in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada, a son of Hiram and Lillian (Follette) Thomson. He came to Athol in 1928, attending schools here and has resided here most of his life.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, worked at the L.S. Starrett Company for many years until his retirement. He had previously worked as a custodian for several area businesses. He was a member of the A.A.R.P., local chapter and the Athol Golden Age Club.
He leaves his wife of 12 years, Edna A. (Flagg) Thomson; two step - sons, Robert Beyette of Athol and Richard Beyette of Petersham; three step - daughters, Rita D. Lindblad of Holden, Marilyn Lehoux of Gardner and Christine Martin of Savannah, GA; a brother, Gordon Thomson of Athol; several step - grandchildren and great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. His first wife of 48 years, Rita D. (Richards) Thomson died in 1993. A brother, Elden M. Thomson and a sister, Evelyn Thomson, also predeceased him.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Higgins - O'Connor Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol - Orange Baptist Church officiating.
Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery and there will be a calling hour Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Athol - Orange Baptist Church, 131 Ridge Ave., Athol, MA 01331.
Kenney Services
ORANGE - Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 25, 2004 at the Orange Central Congregational Church, for Barbara S. (Stockbridge) Kenney, 91, of 383 East River St., a Charter member of the Orange Historical Society and member over 60 years, who died Oct. 19, 2004 in Athol Memorial Hospital, after being stricken ill at home earlier.
The Rev. Barbara Seamon, Pastor, officiated. Janet Paoletti was the organist.
Interment followed in South Cemetery.
Following the committial service, a reception was held at the King James Community Center.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, directed the arrangements.
James R. Stockdale
ORANGE - James Richard Stockdale, 43, recently of the Athol and Orange area, died on Oct. 13, 2004, after being hospitalized in Boston following a brief illness.
Born on June 3, 1961 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was a son of George and Barbara (Shimkunas) Stockdale. Rasied in Gardner, he graduated from Gardner High School where he was one of the light weight wrestling champs.
During the 1980's he had owned and operated his own real estate business, later trying his hand at several other jobs.
He loved his music, comic books, James Bond movies, and being with his friends.
He leaves behind his dearly beloved friend and companion of many years, Linda Lou, and will be sadly missed.
Arrangements with Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, are pending.
Taft Services
ATHOL - Funeral services for Anna M. (Kasputis) Taft, 74, of North Orange Road, were held Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home. Pastor George Small officiated.
Burial followed in Gethsemane Cemetery. The bearers were John J. DiPilato, Timothy DiPilato, Joseph DiPilato, David DiPilato, Paul Johnson and Bruce Johnson.
Members of the Edward H. Phillips American Legion Post No. 102 who provided military honors included: Peter Krustapentus, Adjutant; Victor Litchfield, Past Finance Officer; and Glenn Frenette Post Commander. Litchfield presented the United States Flag to Mrs. Taft's daughter, Cynthia DiPilato. Mr. Frenette played taps.
Pauline V. Truchinskas
ATHOL - Pauline V. (Vaitekunas) Truchinskas, 88, formerly of 106 Hampstead Place, died Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, in Quabbin Valley Healthcare.
Funeral arrangements under the direction of J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home are incomplete.
