Gregory Farnum

Athol – Gregory Farnum, 80, formerly of Bellevue Drive, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Legend Center in Gardner.      Greg was born July 26, 1930 in Athol, Massachusetts, the son of the late former town clerk, Walter E. and Irene (Fairbanks) Farnum.  He grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1949 and attended Becker Junior College for one year.  He then joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving in the Korean War.  He attended Radio School in Boston and worked for Woods Hole Oceanographic and sailed on the Atlantis.  He later joined the Merchant Marines and for 19 years traveled the world working as a radio operator on various ships.        As a youth Greg enjoyed many years as a camper at Camp Wiyaka.  Following his retirement from the Merchant Marines he returned to Athol, also spending summers at his camp at Laurel Lake in New Hampshire.  He was a member of the Athol Congregational Church and the Sportsman’s Pond Association.      Greg leaves a brother, Donald Farnum of Worcester and a sister, Jean Freeman and her husband Robert of Yarmouthport, MA.  He was a loving uncle to Dean and David Farnum of Athol and to four nieces, Janice Streeter of Athol, Elizabeth Chapin and Susan Halloran, both of Virginia and Diane Hammond of Hopkinton, MA.        A graveside service will be held at Silver Lake Cemetery at a date and time to be announced in the spring.  The family suggests contributions may be sent in Greg’s memory to Camp Wiyaka (for camperships), c/o the Athol Area YMCA, 545 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });