Paul Richard Pakkanen

Paul R. Pakkanen Athol – Paul Richard Pakkanen, 85, died Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH, after an illness.      Paul was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on May 9, 1928, the son of Martin and Laine (Laukkarinen) Pakkanen.   He grew up in Gardner where he attended schools, graduating from Gardner High School  and later from Boston University.   Paul entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 during which time he attended the Air Force Officer Candidate School.  His second enlistment was from 1952 until his discharge in 1956 as First Lieutenant.        He worked as a health care worker at the former Gardner State Hospital and the Worcester State Hospital for many years until his retirement.  Paul has lived in Athol for many years where he developed many friendships.  He talked with the many people during his daily walks downtown or at the Athol Senior Center, the Athol Public Library and was a regular at the Athol House of Pizza.  He attended  St. Francis of Assisi Church, enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing scratch tickets.  Paul will be missed by his many friends in the community.        A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at St Francis of Assisi Church, 105 Main St., Athol with the Rev. Fr. Krzysztof Korcz, pastor officiating..  A private burial will be in the family plot at Wildwood Cemetery in Gardner.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });