Ernest Basile Athens

ATHENS, Ernest Basile (Ernie), 90, of Hubbardston, MA. Passed away at home on 2/3/2017 with family and his beloved cat Smokey around him. The son of Basile and Nikoletta (Chronis) Athens, he grew up in Winthrop, MA and also lived in Arlington, MA, Arvada, CO, and Acton, MA. He graduated from Winthrop High School and Boston University. Ernie spent his military service in the Air Force in Italy at the end of WWII. His unit was tasked with returning prisoners of war to their respective countries. He continued his service in the US and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. Trained as an accountant, he worked as an Insurance Claims Adjustor for Liberty Mutual and Employers of Wausau Insurance Companies. He also bought a Mr. Donut franchise in Denver, CO and loved making and selling donuts. He retired very young in order to travel with his wife Dottie and their three daughters. In two separate year long trips, the family traveled around the US, throughout the National Park System, and into Mexico. He later traveled with Dottie to Europe numerous times and spent six months with her in New Zealand. He loved activity and adventure, as well as being at home. He played many sports well, including baseball, softball, skiing, ice skating, ping pong, hiking, and bicycle riding. He loved traveling and taking unknown routes to get somewhere. He greatly preferred back roads to highways, and finding numerous ways to get somewhere. He had a very strong mental compass that enabled him to travel without maps and with great accuracy. In his later years, he enjoyed being driven around on back roads, delighting when he came upon a road unknown to him. He was very satisfied with his life, having loved his parents and brothers, the Greek community in Winthrop where he grew up, his wife, daughters and foster son. He and Dottie invited a Mexican boy, Victor, to join their family in 1976 and became foster parents to him. Victor was a son to them, and a brother to their daughters. Ernie felt that having Victor come into the family was one of the best things he had ever done. Ernie had a great sense of humor and could entertain a group with a well told joke. He had a flair for timing and drama that made the family laugh deeply - a regular event in his household. He was also quite modest, and surprised when he was recognized for his athletic ability, kindness, or appreciation. He brought love and joy to many people, but could not easily accept that he had done so. Ernie was predeceased by his wife Dottie in 2011. He is survived by his brothers James Athens of Harwich, MA and Peter Athens of Rockport, MA, his daughters Janet Athens of Brattleboro, VT, Natasha Delima, Nancy Tonelli of Winchendon, MA, his foster son Victor Mendez of Rock Hill, SC, and his grandchildren Timothy Tonelli of Winchendon, MA and Hannah Kasnitz of Brattleboro, VT. His cat Smokey survives and will be taken care of by family members. Ernest's family would like to express gratitude to the GVNA hospice caregivers for the exceptional care given to their father. The funeral will be held Saturday, February 11, at 11:30 A.M. In Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, a Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. Guests are welcome to begin to arrive at 11:00 A.M. Burial will take place in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to GVNA Hospice, 34 Pearly Lane., Gardner, MA 01440.