John P. Ledgard

ATHOL - John Philip Ledgard, 60, of 108 Kelton St., Athol, died at home on Thursday, December 11, 2008 after a brief illness, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on April 15, 1948 in Gardner the son of the late Edward J. and Winifred H. (Bulman) Ledgard. John grew up in Athol and attended local schools, graduating from Athol High School with the class of 1966. He received his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from St. Michael's College in Winooski, VT. Upon his graduation, John purchased and ran Teeples Messenger Service, after five years he purchased James D. Kimball Insurance Company. Over the years, he continued to expand his business by purchasing two other local insurance companies. He later pursues his culinary interest by opening Eddies' Restaurant in Athol in 1994. In 2004, his son, J. J. joined him in operating the business. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Orange Business Association, and a board member and former chairman of the Athol Housing Authority. John enjoyed traveling and going out to dinner with his wife, he enjoyed his grandchildren, spending time in the Command Center and starting every day with a coffee in his Caddy. He leaves his wife of 37 years, Susan C. (Amidon) Ledgard of Athol; his son, J.J. Ledgard of Athol; his daughter, Tracy J. Kenniff and her husband Andrew of Athol; his mother, Winifred H. (Bulman) Ledgard of Athol; two sisters, Maryann Rabideau and her husband Stephen of Athol, Janet Harris and her husband Fred of California; one brother, Ted Ledgard and his wife Mary of Athol; four grandchildren, Michael, Madelynn, and Samantha Kenniff, and Matthew Ledgard; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 2-5 p.m. at the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });