Harold H. Kuniholm

Athol- Harold (“Harry”) H. (Heinrichs) Kuniholm died on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. He was 91. Born in Gardner, Massachusetts, to Mr. and Mrs. C. Harry Kuniholm, Harry attended Williston Academy in Easthampton MA and later went on to Union College in Schenectady, NY. In the late 1940’s he served in the Navy as a medic and was stationed in Texas. While in Gardner, he met his wife of 61 years, Frances Pearl Gardner, who at the time was a nurse at the Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. The family lived in Petersham before moving to Athol where they resided for over 55 years. Harry spent the better part of his life running Kuniholm Jewelers in Athol and later in life worked for his brother Carl at North American Manufacturing in Holliston. Harry loved to swim and sing and was a talented painter and artist. While in college he was on the swim team and when the family came along built a swimming pool in the back yard. He was an enthusiastic singer and belonged to the Singing Men of Athol and the Yankee Male Chorus. He loved taking trips with Fran to sing at one of his many concerts and taking trips to visit Fran’s family in Nova Scotia. Harry carved birds while Fran quilted and the house quickly filled up with birds that surrounded their house in Athol and ones seen on their trips to Nova Scotia. Harry also enjoyed salmon fishing with his brother Carl. Above all, Harry loved Fran and enjoyed the many years of having family and friends to the house and were totally dedicated to each other after Harold was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Harold is predeceased by his wife Fran and leaves behind his children Alan Kuniholm and his wife Marie Dubois of Portland, ME, Barbara Bellar and husband Don Bellar of Baldwinville, MA, Beverly Abelow and her fiance Steve Pratt of Manchester, NH, James and Marie Kuniholm of Athol, and Erik and Ruth Kuniholm of So. Grafton. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, Kyle Fiske and Chylie Crossley, Jennifer and Jamie Gilman, Ian Kuniholm, Dana Kuniholm, Jeffrey Kuniholm, Matthew Kuniholm, Hannah Abelow, Douglas Abelow, Noah Kuniholm, Ethan Kuniholm, and one great-grandchild Erica Gilman. Harold leaves behind his brother Carl Kuniholm, brother Roland Kuniholm, and brother Thor Kuniholm. The family would like to say a special thank you to Joy Risatti and Frank and Rachel Gonzales who helped Fran and Harry make their last years together in Athol with family and friends possible. The family would also like to thank the staff at Wachusett Manor and Compassus Hospice for their care and support. Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial service on Friday, February 24th, at 11AM, at the Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home at 146 Main Street in Athol, Massachusetts