All Obituaries

ATHOL- Kathy (Kathryn Elizabeth) Richards passed away on March 25, 2023 of ALS at her home in Athol, MA. She was 58 years old. Her sister, Lisa was her caregiver throughout Kathy’s illness. Kathy was born in Baton Rouge, LA to Wayne and Dawn (Emerson) Richards on December 29, 1964. Kathy grew up in Madison and Medford, NJ and graduated from Shawnee High School in Medford. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Rider College (now University) in Lawrenceville, N.J, Class of...

ATHOL- Thomas P. King, 65, of Main Street, died on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. Born in Woburn on February 25, 1958, he was the son of the late Joseph R. and Marilyn J. (Meuse) King and grew up in Woburn, graduating from Woburn High School in 1977. Disabled for many years, Thomas still managed to care for his mother during her later years. Thomas is survived by a brother, Joseph King and his wife, Margie, of Attleboro; a brother in law, Jeffrey Miller of...

ATHOL- William E. “Bill” Lefsyk, 76, of Beach Street, died Sunday, May 21, 2023 at home following a brief illness, with his loved ones at his side. Born in Gardner on November 9, 1946, he was the son of the late Edward and Frances (Drew) Lefsyk and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1964. Bill attended the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston for a couple years. In 1967, Bill married Linda Torchia and have enjoyed 56 years together. For 32 years Bill...

NEW SALEM- Anthony Wayne Haydocy 60, of New Salem MA passed away May 19, 2023 at UMASS Memorial. Born March 26, 1963 in Camp Pendleton California to Barbara A. (Bednarz) and Eugene Haydocy, Tony was the oldest of four boys. At the age of 14, Tony worked alongside his Uncle at the Orange Cash and Carry lumberyard. That job aided in creating a successful career in the lumber and building business for over 40 years. Tony’s broad knowledge of the trade made him deeply respected and highly...

FLORENCE- It is with great sadness to announce that our mother, Elaine Marguerite (Young) Dressel, 82, passed away on May 18th, 2023, at the home of her son Richard and his wife Lori Oliver in New Salem Massachusetts. She was surrounded by love, her favorite music and her favorite flowers, Lilacs.   Elaine was born on February 17h 1941, to the late Richard and Rita (Fortier) Young of Easthampton Mass. She attended schools in Easthampton and graduated from Easthampton High...

ORANGE- Valentina Amore, infant daughter of Courtney Marie Lawton and Troy Lorenzo Mitchell, was stillborn on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA. Though she didn’t spend anytime with us, she touched many of our hearts. Survivors include her parents, Courtney Marie Lawton and Troy Lorenzo Mitchell; her maternal grandparents, Eric Lawton (Orange, MA) and Tammy Lawton (Hinsdale, NH); her paternal grandparents, Troy Mitchell and Nicole Thompson...

NEW SALEM, MA- Thomas P. (Tom) Haskins,60, formerly of Ridgewood, N.J, died peacefully with family by his side on May 16, 2023, in Hartford, CT. Born on May 21, 1962 in Teaneck, N.J.  to his parents Gerald and Mary (Stuart) Haskins who predeceased him and was one of seven children. Tom was a 1980 graduate of Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. where he earned All-State honors as a member of the football team. Tom served a term as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Don Bosco. He was a...

PHILLIPSTON- William (Bill, BP, Billy to family) Spencer Peal, was called home to the Lord God on Saturday May 13, 2023.  He was 65 years old.  He was predeceased by his father, Oscar Turner Peal, and his mother Carol Anne (Koldys) Thompson, his sister Katie Peal, and his aunt Bonnie Bezio.  Bill is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Deb, who will greatly miss him and cherish all the years they had together.  He also leaves behind his brother Marcel...

ORANGE- Bessie A. “Bess” (Whipple) Stowell, 90, of Clifton Street, died Thursday afternoon, May 11, 2023 at the Greenfield Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Bess was the 2nd of 7 children born to Fay and Nellie (Hutchins) Whipple in Orange, MA on September 9, 1932. She went to Orange Elementary and graduated from Orange High School in 1950. She met David Stowell and they were married in 1954 following his discharge from the Navy. They enjoyed 52 years together until his...

ORANGE- Judith A. (Lowell) Talbot, 84, of Red Brook Lane, died on Tuesday morning, May 9, 2023 at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston. Born in Putnam, Connecticut on February 22, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Marguerite (Calvi) Lowell and grew up in Athol. On April 23, 1960, Judith married Arthur Talbot and they just celebrated 63 years of marriage last month. Besides spending time with her family, Judith enjoyed sewing and coloring. Survivors include...