Orie W. Blankenship,

ATHOL - Orie W. Blankenship, Sr., 84, of 28 Boyce St., Athol, died Friday, April 24, 2009 in the Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. He was born in Crawford, Mississippi on April 21, 1925, the son of the late Flem and the late Pearl (Isacck) Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship grew up in Mississippi and attended schools there. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge from the military he moved to Massachusetts, and has resided in Athol for over sixty years. He worked for the former Anson's Shoe Company in Orange, the Cass Farms of Athol, and the Worcester County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff. He later worked as a Bus Driver for the Atlantic Coach Lines in Greenfield for over thirty years, and for Simon's Paper Company in Gardner. More recently, Mr. Blankenship was employed as a chauffer and building handyman for several local doctors. He was a member of the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks, the Worcester County Sheriff's Department, and the National Law Enforcement. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, and NASCAR. He loved spending time with his dog, Sparky. He leaves two sons, W. Brian Blankenship and his wife Diane of Athol, Richard O. Goodwin and his wife Kathy of Palm Coast, FL; four sisters, Dixie Italiano of Tampa, Florida, Beulah Ray of West Point, Mississippi, Pauline Ryder of Plant City, Florida, Ruby Lynn Bolin of Starksville, Mississippi; seven grandchildren, Kristie Blankenship of Athol, Ryan Blankenship of Gardner, Josie Blankenship, Blaise Blankenship, both of Tampa, Florida, Russ Goodwin, Randy Goodwin, both of Jacksonville, Florida, Renee Driver of Palm Coast, Florida; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Phoebe Rousselle, who died in June 2000, by his son, Orie W. Blankenship, Jr., and by three brothers. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Silver Lake Cemetery, Silver Lake Street, Athol. Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 30, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 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. $(document).ready(function(){ });