Frederick J. Hellen

PETERSHAM - Frederick James Hellen, 86, of Monson Turnpike, Petersham, who died Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA, enjoyed a long and loving life. He was born April 10, 1921 in Amesbury, MA and was the son of the late James and Nettie (McKinley) Hellen of South Hampton, NH. He moved to Petersham in 1952, where he and his wife ran a small family farm. He graduated from Sanborn Seminary in Kingston, NH and the University of New Hampshire, and received his Masters of Education from Fitchburg State College. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. Mr. Hellen was a science teacher and athletic director at Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School for 21 years, before retiring in 1978. He first began his teaching career in New Salem, and later taught at Athol High School, then was Principal and a teacher at Petersham Center School. He was a strong steward of the land, and with his wife he raised sheep and kept horses and domestic animals. His dogs provided him companionship over the years. As a keen observer of the natural world around him, he enjoyed outdoor activities such as skiing, sailing, and hiking. He played first base on the UTD Industrial Team in Athol. Sports were an important hobby, and as a long-suffering Red Sox fan, Mr. Hellen celebrated the two recent World Series Championships. Active involvement in his community included service on the Petersham Town Board of Appeals, the Crime Watch Team, and Harvard Forest. He was a member of the First Congregational Parish Unitarian for over 50 years, and also sang in the choir. He served on numerous boards and committees, and in March of 2007, he initiated the ongoing weekly Peace Vigil that meets under the church banner, "Support Our Troops, Bring Them Home." Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed traveling with his family. He and Sue embarked on several trips throughout the USA and Europe. He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue (Florence) (Bartlett) Hellen; four daughters, Mimi (Miriam) Jones of Washington, D.C., Susan Fitzgerald and her husband William of Athol, (Kathleen) Beth Brault of Newport Center, VT, and Nancy Hellen and her husband Stephen Crowley of South Burlington; three brothers, Walter Hellen, Douglas Hellen, and James Hellen; two sisters: Alice West and Virginia Wadleigh; eleven grandchildren: Linda (Jones) Teel, Evan Frederick Jones, Joel Frederick Harris, Kerry Fitzgerald, Wm Isaac Fitzgerald, Albert Frederick Brault, Roxanne Brault, Heather Brault, Matthew Crowley, Daniel Crowley Hellen, and Damien Crowley Hellen; and one great grandchild, Donovan Teel, as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Hellen was predeceased by his brother, Donald Hellen; and by two sisters, Idella Morley and Lucy McLaine. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 2 p.m. in the First Congregational Parish Unitarian Church, on the Common, Petersham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred Hellen's memory may be made to Mahar Teachers' Association Scholarship, Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School, 507 South Main St., Orange, MA 01364, or to Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, 1461 Old Keene Rd., Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskefuneralhome.com Fiske Funeral Home 1356 Main Street, Athol, is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });