All Obituaries

Russell E. Jones CHICOPEE- Army Air Corp Veteran, Russell “Buzz” Jones, left this world on June 23, 2019. He was born August 11, 1923 in Athol to William and Martha Whitney Jones and graduated from Orange High School in 1941. He enlisted in October, 1942 and took his basic training in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At Goldsboro, NC, he graduated top of his class in Aircraft Mechanics and was made an instructor. Buzz then volunteered for gunnery and was sent to Buckingham Air Base...

ATHOL- Judith Fradd Herbert, formerly of 375 Pinedale Road, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Friday morning, June 21, at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. She was born in Manchester, NH, on January 25, 1920, daughter of James M. and Agnes (Woodbury) Fradd. She was a 1937 graduate of Manchester Central High School, and attended Hesser Business College, also in Manchester. Judy worked for the New Hampshire Fire Insurance company until she enlisted and joined the US Navy as a WAVE,...

Eileen M. Perkins ORANGE- Eileen M. Perkins, 84, a life long resident of Orange, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 10, 2019 at her residence. She was born in Athol on January 25, 1935. Eileen attended Orange schools and graduated from Orange High School. Miss Perkins’ professional career as an educator spanned 48 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State College and her Master’s Degree from Worcester State College. Her first assignment was as...

Jean F. Hanlon ORANGE- Jean F. (Prentiss)(Williams)Hanlon, 101, formerly of North Main Street, died peacefully Saturday morning, June 8, 2019, just days shy of her 102nd birthday, at Applewood Home for Elders in Athol. Born in Orange on June 18, 1917 she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth (Field) Prentiss and spent most of her life in Orange and graduated from Orange High School in 1935, the last living member of her class. Jean had been married to Gordon Williams and Thomas J....

NEW SALEM- Joan M. (Wood) Johnson, 78, of Neilson Road, died peacefully at home on Friday, June 7, 2019 following an illness, with her loving family at her side. Born in Taunton on February 15, 1941, she was a daughter of Frances (Smith) Wood and grew up in Waltham. On October 3, 1960, Joan married Richard E. Johnson and they enjoyed over 58 years of marriage. Joan was best known as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Orange and always had a smile and kind word for everyone. She had also worked at...

NEW SALEM-  Robert E.  “Bob” Harris, Jr. , 77, of Neilson Road New Salem, President and owner of Orange Oil Company, died unexpectedly on Wednesday June 5th at Athol Hospital after being stricken ill earlier at home. Bob was born on November 16, 1941 in Montague Massachusetts.  He was the son of Robert E. Sr. and Marie Harris and raised in Orange and New Salem.  He graduated from New Salem Academy in 1959. Bob had an amazing work ethic that was evident early...

Janet M. Woodbury ORANGE- Janet Martha (Fournier) Woodbury, 84, of Battle Street, died on Monday, June 3, 2019 at Athol Hospital. Born in Athol, MA on September 22, 1934, she was a daughter of Lillian Alice Sweeney and Rollin Rodman Fournier and grew up in Orange and graduated from Orange High School in 1952. Janet was married to Roland “Woody” Woodbury on July 28, 1956 and enjoyed almost 63 years of marriage. Janet’s jobs included working for Erving Paper Mill’s...

May 20, 2019 Gregory R. Songer ATHOL- Gregory Ross Songer, 72, of White Pond Road, died unexpectedly on February 25, 2019 at his winter home in Ft. Meyers, Florida. Born in Westfield on January24, 1947, he was a son of the late Maurice and Gladys (Allard) Songer. From 1962-1965, Greg was enrolled in the Machinist Program at Greenfield Vocational School. On July 6, 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam before his honorable discharge on June 27,...

Paul H. Waryas ORANGE- Paul H. Waryas, 67, of East Main Street, died on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare Campus in Worcester after being stricken ill earlier at home. Born in Montague on February 6, 1952, he was a son of Henry J. and Pauline C. (Garbiel) Waryas. On January 24, 1974, Paul enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving during Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on January 18, 1977. Paul has been with Diane Swan for 20...

BROWNVILLE, VT- Clayton "Dick" R. McCullough, of Brownsville, VT, age 85, died Friday, May 10, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in Newport, RI on May 15, 1933, to Kermit and Mabel McCullough. Dick was full of stories of his many escapades during his youth. In 1951 he joined the military and proudly served his country all over the USA, Japan and Korea in the USAF and in Panama as a member of the US Air National Guard. He was honorably discharged from the...