Leonard E. Goland

Leonard E. Goland Athol – Leonard E. Goland, 77, died Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the Palmer Healthcare Center in Palmer.      He was born in Keene, New Hampshire, December 29, 1933, the son of Raymond H. and Edith E. (Barden) Goland.      Leonard grew up in Athol, attending Athol schools graduating from Athol High School with the class of 1953.      He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, based out of Kingman Air Force Base in Arizona and served a tour in Japan specializing in radar repair and technology.      Upon his return to civilian life, he became a certified burner technician.  He eventually accepted employment with Simplex Time Recorder Company, from which he retired in 1996 after more than thirty years of employment there.      Leonard loved to hunt and fish and saved all of his vacation time to participate in those sports.  His long time best friend, James (Sonny) Miller was his frequent ‘hunting buddy’.  He also enjoyed attending game suppers with his friends and was an avid Red Sox fan, often gathering a group of “the guys” to go to a ballgame at Fenway Park.  In his younger years, he was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  He was always a music and movie lover, introducing his children to an eclectic array of musical artists and movie genres.      He leaves a daughter, Sherry Berube and her husband Chuck of Petersham and a son, Raymond H. Goland, II of Gardner; grandchildren, Jamie Hatch and Jessica Berube of Petersham; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Julia Hatch of Petersham; a sister, Gayle Calvi of Florida and many nieces and nephews.      At Leonard’s request, there are no calling hours.  His burial will be at Silver Lake Cemetery, (upper section Horrigan Ave. entrance) where a graveside service will be held for family members and friends on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with the Rev. Debra Arnold, pastor of the Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham, officiating.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contribution in Leonard’s name be made to: the Athol High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA  01331.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol is directing the arrangements.  For more information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });