All Obituaries

ATHOL- Derek J. Hartin, 32, died unexpectedly on Friday, July 31, 2020 Born in Greenfield on July 22, 1988, he was a son of Irvin J. “Butch” and Katherine “Kathy”(Killay) Hartin and grew up in Royalston and graduated from Athol High School in 2006. Derek loved the outdoors, especially fishing. He also loved his bikes and hanging out with his friends. Derek had worked for Electro Wire in Leominster. Previously and while in high school, he had worked for Mount Tully...

ATHOL- George Prasinos, 86, of Pitman Road and formerly of East River Street in Orange, died early Thursday morning, July 30, 2020 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. Born in Vallejo, California on August 13, 1933, George was the son of Constantinos Tznikis and Maria Prasinos and grew up there and graduated from Vallejo High School. Following high school, George took an interest in photography and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a platoon photographer, serving during the...

ORANGE- Shirley A. "Porky" Zani, 85, of Wheeler Avenue, died Wednesday evening, July 22, 2020 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. Born in Orange on September 18, 1934, Shirley was the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Mafalda (Leonesio) Zani and lived her entire life in Orange, and graduated from Orange High School in 1952. Shirley worked at the Erving Paper Mill and retired in 1992. An avid Red Sox fan, Shirley was a season ticket holder for many years and shared her tickets...

It is with much sadness we announce Aurora Jade Morgan, born July21, 2020, became an angel the next day on July 22, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She leaves her grieving parents, Lily Melanson and Dyani Morgan, and extended family. Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

ORANGE- Frank A. W. Cacciolfi, 49, of Orange passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 10, 2020 at home. Frank was born on December 1, 1970 in Athol to the late Karin (Copeland) Escott and Francis Cacciolfi of Orange. He grew up in the Athol-Orange area and spent many years in Gardner and Greenfield as well. Frank was skilled with his hands and was a roofer and framer for years. Frank was an avid fisherman and went nearly every day. He loved the New England Patriots and enjoyed watching...

ORANGE- Natalie E. (Belden) Rzasa, 75, of Tully Road, died Friday evening, July 10, 2020 at home following an illness, with her loved ones at her side. Born in Athol on October 27, 1944, she was a daughter of George and Margaret (Armitage) Belden and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1962. On June 15, 1979, she married Robert Rzasa and they enjoyed 26 years together until his death in 2005. Natalie had worked at the Tom McCaan Shoe Company, Duall Plastics and Ray...

ORANGE- Monika G. (Kline) Harris, 67, of East River Street, Colonial Acres, died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020, after being stricken ill. Born in Germany on April 13, 1953, she was a daughter of the late Lothar and Hilda (Brown) Kline and came to the United States at the age of 19. Monika married Alfred G. Harris on Christmas Eve, 1970 and they enjoyed 32 years of marriage until his death on July 8, 2002. Monika was employed as an assembler at the L. S. Starrett...

SWANZEY, NH- Alice Pearl Harper Gordon passed away surrounded with the love and comfort of family, on July 5, 2020, at the home of her daughter Eileen Longe in Swanzey, N.H. She was the eldest child of Clara Smith Basset and John Harper.  She was born on August 5, 1925 in Dorchester, Mass. where she resided until the age of ten before moving to Petersham, Mass. with her mother and two sisters.  She finished elementary school at Petersham and graduated from Petersham’s Center...

ATHOL- Kent L. “Gunjo” Peterson, 54, of South Main Street, died on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare Campus in Worcester after suffering an accidental fall down stairs. Kent was an organ donor and has already helped more than three people. Born in Athol on November 1, 1965, he was a son of the late Gilbert and Dora (Ferrari) Peterson and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School with the class of 1984. Following high school,...

ATHOL- Barbara A. (MacLean) Wallis, 86, of Shore Drive, died at home June 29, 2020, on her birthday, following a battle with cancer, surrounded by family. Born in Toronto, Canada on June 29, 1934, she was a daughter of Duart and Thelma (Bridges) MacLean. She was married to Edward M. Wallis, who predeceased her. There are no calling hours or services. Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting with arrangements. You may offer your sympathy online at...