Reginald A. Boutot

ATHOL - Reginald Albert Boutot, 89, of Athol, died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. He was born in Passadumkeag, Maine, on April 24, 1921, the son of the late Andrew J. and Agnes (Kimball) Boutot. When Reggie was three years old, the family moved to Athol so his father could find work. He was educated in the Athol schools and graduated from Athol High School in 1939. While in school he was very active in sports as a member of the Athol High School basketball and baseball teams. He was first baseman in the 1938 State Championship Playoffs with Brockton High School. The game was played at Fenway Park, and although Athol lost to Brockton 6-4 the events leading to the State Championship was a town-wide event as various organizations were stepping up to send buses of supporters. Reggie was also an avid swimmer. He was on the swim team and the basketball team at the Athol YMCA where he spent many hours with his friends. In December of 1939 he began working at the L.S. Starrett Tool Company as an errand boy and then to the dial indicator room. When war broke out on December 7, 1941, Starrett's was part of the war's supply line and Reggie was unable to leave as there was no one to take over his critical job. He was given a deferment for six months. On May 14, 1942 he married the former Rita MacDonald, his childhood sweetheart. They enjoyed 57 years together. In August of 1943 he signed up for the Marine Corps. He trained on Parris Island and then to NCO school. During his time as NCO he took training in light and heavy automatic weapons and combat infantry tactics at Camp Lejune. Reg was shipped overseas in May of 1944 with his first assignment: the battle of Fonte Ridge in Guam. This was one of the last battles, which secured the island. Reggie also battled on Iwo Jima where he landed 500 yards from Mount Siribachi. He was wounded there and was sent back to Guam for surgery and recovery. After recuperating he spent time on a destroyer escort, then went back to Guam to train replacements. After the Japanese surrender he left Guam on the USS Baxter. He was discharged on December 22, 1945 and made it home for Christmas. Reg worked for the L. S. Starrett Tool Company from 1939 until his retirement in 1984. He worked in many departments but was foreman of the milling department and worked up to be one of the two superintendents managing up to 450 people until his retirement. He was a member of the Athol-Orange Elks and the American Legion Post 102 in Athol, and the Marine Corps League's Pequoig Detachment 1168 who recently honored him with a plaque for his combat action on Iwo Jima. He leaves his daughter, Chris-Anne Beaulieu and her husband Louis of Bernardston. He was predeceased by his wife, Rita M. (MacDonald) Boutot and by his son, Dennis A. Boutot in November 2009. He leaves four grandchildren, Scott Boutot of Kirkland, WA, Michael Beaulieu of Tempe, AZ, Stephanie Beaulieu of Phoenix, AZ, and Jeffrey Beaulieu of Greenfield; and a daughter-in-law, Lana Boutot of Boca Raton, FL. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol. Calling hours will be held Friday, June 4, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in his memory to Quabbin Valley Healthcare Activities Fund, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, Ma 01331 or to the Athol Animal Control c/o Animals Fund, 280 Exchange Street, Athol, MA 01331. $(document).ready(function(){ });