Randall Winfield Vining

Royalston – Randall Winfield Vining, 70 died Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Redstone Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in East Longmeadow after a long battle with diabetes.      He was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, on Sunday March 17, 1940, the son of Randall Othello and Arline Emma (Shine) Vining.  He attended Royalston schools and graduated from Athol High School in 1958.  He spent most of his life in Royalston, but spent many years in Lexington and Winchester, Kentucky.  Upon graduation from high school Randall joined the United States Army serving at Ft. Dix, NJ, and several stations in Germany.  While in the Army he was a member of the motor pool division.      He worked at the former Bickford’s Garage in Athol, MA throughout his high school years and upon his discharge from the military.  Randall also tried his hand at textile manufacturing at the Troy Blanket Mill in Troy, NH, but was always happiest in a less restricting environment.  He also worked as a Customer Engineer Technician at the Lexington Office Equipment, and would repair the equipment in the shop and offices throughout the area.  He later returned to “The Farm” in Royalston where he served many years as assistant to “The Postmistress” and companion to his mother.  He dabbled in auto racing at the Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, NH and was also an avid reader. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, working his way through the ranks.      While living in Royalston he was a long standing member of the First Congregational Church, serving as usher for many years, and a member of the church youth group and the Pilgrim Fellowship.  He also held many positions in the now disbanded Royalston Grange.  Though his health declined, both his mother and father preceded him in death.      He is survived by his son, Randall Paul Vining, his grandson, Corey Allen Vining, his step-grandson, Cody Ceresale, a sister, Ann Bedaw and her husband Ronald, two brothers, Ted and his wife Eileen and Glen and his wife Trahesa.  He also leaves several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends nationwide.  Warm thanks to all of his “special friends” and extended family, especially those who made his times away from “home” special and comfortable.        A private burial will be at Lawrence Brook Cemetery in Royalston.   Contributions would be welcomed in his memory to the: Royalston Fire and EMS, c/o James Putney, P.O. Box 53, Royalston, MA  01368 or the Phineas S. Newton Library, Main Street, Royalston, MA  01368. $(document).ready(function(){ });