ROYALSTON- David C. Putney, 87 years old, died at his home in Royalston on April 3, 2022 with his loving family by his side, after losing his battle with cancer.
Born on July 14, 1934, David was the son of the late Roger A. and Margaret M. (Deland) Putney.
David enjoyed 67 years of marriage with “his bride” Shirley A. (Serre) Putney.
A lifelong resident of Royalston, David was born, raised, worked and lived his life in the spot that he called home. He attended Royalston and Athol Schools.
In his younger years, David was an avid Boy Scout, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed baseball, was an avid gardener, and in earlier years enjoyed trips to York Beach, Maine where he and his family enjoyed the ocean, fishing and boating, and also enjoyed trips to the White Mountains and Vermont apple orchards. In recent years, he enjoyed driving his property in his John Deere Gator, and many hours of golf cart dog walking with his wife Shirley. David loved dogs, and together with Shirley, adopted 25 dogs in his lifetime.
Through church and Grange, David devoted many, many hours of service to his beloved Royalston community.
After high school, David was self employed having partnered with his father Roger in the family woodturning and sawmill business, Roger A. Putney and Son, with his son James later joining them making it a 3- generation business. The original mill burned down in 1985 and was rebuilt with much support from the Royalston community, re-opening in 1986. David still enjoyed working and doing what he could in the mill beside his son James until recent weeks when his health would no longer allow. A jack of all trades, he also enjoyed logging, machining, carpentry, and maple sugaring. He built and operated Putney’s sugarhouse for 30 years, and recently enjoyed seeing his granddaughter Jessica start the sugarhouse back up. David drove bus for Wright Bus Lines for several years.
David served his country in the Army and Army Reserves.
Besides his loving wife Shirley, David leaves his son, James M. Putney and his wife Brenda L. (Divoll) of Royalston, a daughter, Joann M. St John and her husband Edward of Athol; granddaughters, Jessica A. Schanz and husband Erich, Emily R. Putney, and Amy M. Putney and her partner Justin Pucko, all of Royalston, and granddaughter Laura R. St John of Athol.
David leaves 4 great grandchildren, Gunnar, Evelyn, Olivia and Jason.
Besides his parents, David was predeceased by father in law and mother in law, Ralph and Evelyn (Newman) Serre, his brother in law, Ralph Serre and his wife Beverly (Lefrancois), and his granddaughter, Amanda Lee Putney.
The family would like to extend gratitude to Beacon Hospice of Leominster for their incredible guidance and support in the last precious days.
There are no calling hours.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 11 a.m. in Lawrence Brook Cemetery, Route 68, Royalston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to MassQHYA for the Amanda Putney Memorial Fund, c/o Brenda Putney, 185 N. Fitzwilliam Road, Royalston, MA 01368, or to a dog shelter of one’s choice.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
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