David R. Michaud

David R. Michaud Athol - David R. Michaud, 57, after a long illness passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, August 15, 2012.  David was the beloved husband of Jean (Perry) (Doucette) Michaud to whom he was married for 28 years.      He was born in Lowell, MA, on August 23, 1954, and was the son of the J.Paul and Elizabeth (Reedy) Michaud. He received his early education in Lowell schools and graduated from Lowell High School in 1972. After attending North Adams State College, David grew to appreciate the beauty of western Massachusetts and the North Quabbin region.     In 1983, David, Jean and their family moved to Athol. Soon after, David began employment with the United States Postal Service in Athol. For over 20 years, he was the primary rural letter carrier for the town of Phillipston, MA. While employed at the USPS, David was very involved in the Massachusetts Rural Letter Carriers Association as a local and area steward, as a Rural Letter Carrier Academy Trainer, and as a Quality Work-life Team member. He attended many state and national union conventions representing his members' interests.      David was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church and assisted with its paper and bottle recycling program when no other was locally available. David was a member of the "Sons of the Legion" of the Edward J. Phillips American Legion in Athol, MA and the Lowell Firefighters' Club of Lowell, MA. He was also very active in local politics as a member of the Athol Democratic Town Committee and attended many Democratic State Conventions.      While raising his sons, David was actively involved in Gardner Youth Hockey, Pack 18 Cub Scouts in Athol, and Chuck Stone Little League. With his family and friends, David loved to travel the country and especially enjoyed camping in the White Mountains and at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. David was an ardent sports fan. He enjoyed watching Boston sports - Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox - and discussing the games with his brothers. He also greatly enjoyed winter sports including ice hockey and snow skiing. In the winter of 201O, he skied in the Alpine Super G of the Massachusetts Senior Games at Wachusett Mountain.     Besides his dear parents and beloved wife, David is survived by five sons and their families, Lawrence J. Doucette of Tewksbury, MA; Robert J. Doucette of Athol, MA; Henry L. Michaud of Athol, MA; Marshall J. Michaud of Royalston, MA and Ethan P. Michaud of Athol, MA. He also leaves two brothers, Richard Michaud of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Norman Michaud of Huntington Beach, CA and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol (those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to church) with burial following at the Lower Cemetery in Phillipston. Calling hours will be Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol, MA.      In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in David's memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, c/o Mary Ellen Taplin, M.D., 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02115 or to The Cancer Connection, 41 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com $(document).ready(function(){ });