Richard R. "Dick" Hall

ORANGE- Richard (Dick) Ralph Hall of North Orange, Ma died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 after a courageous battle with squamous cell carcinoma, with his loving family members by his side.

He was born in Fitchburg, MA at the Lucy Helen Hospital on February 19, 1932.  He was the son of Archibald and Emma (Gorman) Hall.

His family moved to Athol, MA in 1947 as his father was hired to be an electrician at the former Union Twist Drill. He graduated in 1950 from Athol High School and for many years thereafter he coordinated the class reunions concluding with the 71st year reunion. 

He worked in the Athol Clothing Store until he entered the U.S. Army serving in the military police unit during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954.

On May 19, 1956, Richard married the love of his life Jeanette (Johnson).

From 1954-1960 he worked as an Assistant Manager at the Western Auto Store in Athol, Ma. After that he operated the Greenhall Restaurant in Orange, Ma until it was destroyed by fire in 1962. In 1963 he began his 32 year employment at the L.S. Starrett Company managing the Micrometer room until his retirement in 1995.

In 1959 he moved his family to North Orange where he remained until his death.

Moving to North Orange provided him the opportunity to become involved in various organizations with the town.  There were too many to mention,  however, there were a few that he was most proud of.  In 1969 he was elected to the Board of Assessors, serving for 30 years.  In November 1997 he was honored by being named the Orange Citizen of the Month for his continued service as a town assessor.

After being an assessor, he became the Chairman of the Tully Fire Station committee to build a station for the residents of North Orange and Tully and had a dedication ceremony on May 1, 2010.

He was chairman of the Orange Town Republican committee for 40 years and the most memorable events were attending both the President Ronald Reagan and President H.W. Bush inaugurations.

Richard had a flair for cooking Kayem hot dogs which allowed him to donate his time to the Athol Memorial Hospital auxiliary and the North Orange village fairs.  He was a member of the former Bethany Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and his singing talent was witnessed for over 25 years when he began the annual Town Meetings with the singing of the National Anthem.

For many years and ending around year 2000, he began the Christmas season as he rode on the fire truck dressed in his big red suit to the delight of many children as he turned on the lights in the Memorial Park.

On September 12, 2015, Dick was pleasantly surprised when a thank-you celebration was organized honoring him for his lifelong contributions to the quality of community life receiving citations from Governor Charles Baker and by State Representative Susannah Whipps.

Richard leaves behind his wife, Jeanette, of 67 years of marriage and his daughter, Laurie (Hall) Dornig and her husband, Edward of Medfield, Ma, daughter-in-law Lurene Hall of Orange; Granddaughters, Jillian (Hall) Bastine and her husband, Cory, of Orange, MA, Bethany Dornig of Medfield, MA and his great granddaughter, Brooke Bastine of Orange.

He leaves his only living sibling, David Hall and his wife Linda of Arkansas along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Archibald and Emma Hall, Dick was predeceased by a  son, Bryan Hall, a grandson, Philip Hall, brothers Archibald, Jr, Robert, and Wilfred along with his sister Lois Crocker/Nims.

Calling hours for Richard will be held Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 1-3 pm at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA. A funeral will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Jones Cemetery, Orange, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club, c/o Santa Fund, P.O. Box 193, Orange, MA 01364

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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