Grover R. "Bud" Ballou Sr.

ORANGE- Grover “Bud” Roscoe Ballou, Sr, 95, died at his home, surrounded by loved ones, on the evening of December 24, 2024.

He was born in Springfield, Vermont on September 18, 1929, the son of Grover E. and Beryl (Bosworth) Ballou. He was brought up by his mother and grandparents in Chester, VT where he worked on the dairy farm and learned to hunt and swim before graduating from Chester High School in 1947. He later attended Northampton Commercial College (MA). While there, he met President Calvin Coolidge’s wife Grace at the restaurant where he worked.

In 1948 he joined the United States Marine Corps, obtaining the rank of Sergeant and served during the Korean Conflict. During his time in the service, he was stationed at Paris Island, SC, Camp Lejeune, NC, Washington DC-MC Headquarters, and Camp Pendleton, CA.  In Washington, DC, Bud sat in church next to President Truman with the Secret Service sitting a row behind them. While stationed in California he attended Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College where he learned Russian. He also met John Wayne and Robert Ryan while they were filming “The Flying Leathernecks” at Camp Pendleton.

After his honorable discharge in 1952 he returned to Chester, Vermont where he met his wife Irene M. (Baker). They were wed on October 18, 1952, and began an amazing 72 years of married life that included raising 4 children, becoming a Boy Scout leader (for 30 years) and a member of the Girl Scout Council. The family camped and traveled all over the country, and he also took trips with his wife to Nova Scotia, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Scotland and Ireland.

Bud worked for the L. S. Starrett Co. in data processing for 20 years, S. Bent Brothers Furniture Co. in Gardner, Rodney Hunt Company for 8 years, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Social Services for 10 years before retiring in 1993. He then worked for his son Grover R. Ballou, Jr at Amherst Glass and he spent time working with his daughters Luanne Pierson and Lurene Hall at Lu’s Flower and Gift Shop.

After retiring he enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, swimming in Florida where it was warm, going to church, and visiting with family.

He was also very active in the community. A lifetime member of the Orange Historical Society, he served on the board of directors and the investment committee, as well as the Grout committee, which preserved a couple of Grout automobiles made in Orange. He was a Master Mason of the Orange Lodge of Masons for over 65 years, the Royal Arch Chapter, Knights Templar, Melha Shriners, as well as the Grange, Eastern Star, Sons of Union Veterans- Civil War, and the Marine Corp League. A long-standing member of the Orange Central Congregational Church, he served on the Finance & Deaconate committees and was active in the bell restoration efforts. He was also a member of the New England Car Show, and of the Central Mass Steam, Gas, and Machinery Association for 35 years. In New Port Richie, FL he was very active in the Orchid Lake Community and was an associate member of the Community Congregational Church, New Port Richie, FL.

Bud is survived by his wife, Irene M. Ballou, his four children, Lucille E. Songer, Grover R. Ballou Jr., Luanne I. Pierson, Lurene T. Hall, and their families:   

Daughter Lucille E. Songer, her husband Kenneth, and children: Jocelyn Songer, Brian Olson and their daughter Willow Songer; Evan and Beth Songer and their children Lillian and Owen; Travis and Kristen Songer and their children Nora and Bridgette; Jennifer Songer (deceased); Asa and Dan Wehner and their children, Clara, Leo, Roman, and Esther.

Son Grover R. Ballou Jr., his wife Leanne and his family: Bryant Green, Kaylon Green and Kaylon’s daughter Alexia, and Miss Molly Ballou.

Daughter Luanne I. Pierson, her husband Charles, and family: Charles E. Pierson III and CaitIla Symonds, her husband Stephen, and daughters Kaylin and Avajean.

Daughter Lurene T. Hall, her husband Bryan (deceased), her son Philip (deceased), and her daughter Jillian Bastine, her husband Cory, and their daughter Brooke.

He also leaves his siblings, John D. Ballou and his wife Jeanine, Patricia A. Ballou Drown and her husband Richard (deceased), and Pierre L. Ballou and his wife Cora (deceased). He was predeceased by his siblings Edmund L. Ballou, Clifford H. Ballou and his wife Lucy, Bertrand A. Ballou and his wife Virginia (living), and Chester Ballou.

Additionally, Bud was predeceased by his parents Grover E. and Beryl (Bosworth) Ballou and his stepmother Thelma D. (Place)(Ballou) (Tinker) Ellis.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

Interment with military honors will be held at Warwick Center Cemetery, 75 Orange Road (Route 78), Warwick, Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Donations in Bud’s memory can be made to:

The Orange Central Congregational Church (Bell Tower Fund), 93 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364,

The Orange Historical Society, P.O. Box 28, Orange, MA 01364,

The Marine Corps League, Pequoig Detachment 1168, 325 Pequoig Avenue, Athol, MA 01331

The North Quabbin Lodge of Masons, 336 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.

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