Jan O. Modzeleski,

ATHOL - Jan O. Modzeleski Sr., 63, of Athol passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at home with his wife, Sherrill, and family by his side after enduring the challenges of a long illness. Jan was a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Born in Gardner and raised in Athol, he was the son of the late William and Myrtle (Grant) Modzeleski. He graduated from Athol High School in 1962 and served as Class President. He was also a graduate of Worcester Junior College and attended American International College in Springfield. He then served honorably in the US Army as a medic. Jan and Sherrill owned and operated the Sears Catalog & Appliance Store in Athol for 14 years. Jan served on both the Town Finance Committee and Planning Board for the Town of Athol. For the past 15 years, he was employed by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. He was a Reentry Program Case Manager at the Walpole facility and most recently at the Concord facility. Jan received several awards for outstanding performance during his career with the Department including Employee of the Year in Lancaster, 1999; Beyond Excellence, 2004; and in September 2006, the Ira Greiff Community Partnership Award in recognition for his work with the St. Francis House Moving Ahead Program in Boston. Jan was a past District Governor of Lions District 33A. He was the recipient of the distinguished Melvin Jones Fellowship Award which is Lions Club International's highest recognition to acknowledge an individual's dedication to humanitarian service. He had many cherished friends and memories from his service as a Lion. Jan was an enthusiastic and caring man who loved and enjoyed life, his wife, his family, and people in general. He had a smile and greeting for everyone. He was known for his generosity, tireless spirit, and strong work ethic. He will be missed by many. In addition to his devoted wife Sherrill (Mosso) Modzeleski, he is survived by his son, Jan Jr. of Athol, daughter Amy of Athol, and daughter, Kim Whitmore and her husband Gregory of Spotsylvania, VA; and grandsons Jack Gordon and Joel Lewis Whitmore. He also leaves his sister, Eva-Gene Schimanski and her husband Horst of Picture Butte, Alberta, Canada; in-laws and special friends Joyce & Steve Lanciani of Greenfield and sister-in-law, June Modzeleski of Petersham as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William Modzeleski. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at 10 a.m. in the Athol Congregational Church 1225 Chestnut St., Athol. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2007, from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. in the Fiske Funeral Home 1356 Main St., Athol. Donations may be made in Jan's memory to the Athol Lions Silver Lake Project, c/o Athol Lions Club, POB 293, Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskefuneralhome.com. Fiske Funeral Home 1356 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });