Richard Coburn

ATHOL – Richard D. Coburn, 76 of Athol, died Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Vibra Hospital in Leicester, MA. Dick lived his entire life in Athol. He was born to Carolyn and Burton Coburn on April 28, 1942 in Worcester, MA. He lived and went through schools in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1960. He was a delegate at the Massachusetts Boys’ State Program in 1963. He was selected as an alternate to the West Point Military Academy and attended Norwich University in Northfield, VT where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelors in education and music. At Norwich Dick was the Principle Percussionist and Manager of the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra from 1964 through 1968. He performed for and danced with Maria Von Trapp of the famous “Sound of Music” family. For four years (1964 through 1968) he was the Director of the oldest city band in America - the St. Johnsbury City Band. His greatest love was as the Conductor/Music Director for the Vermont Green Mountain Boys’ State Band for 50 years (1965 through 2015). Dick worked as an educator of music in Vermont from 1964 through 1968, in addition he worked for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. He was Educator of Music at Athol High School from 1971 to 1976. He was a math teacher at Great Falls Middle School in Turners Falls, MA from 1976 to 1993. He later went on to own and operate Bay State Academy the Real Estate School from 1993 to 2010. He served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Athol from 1994 to 2018, currently serving as Vice Chair. He was a member of the Friends of the Council on Aging serving as Treasurer. He was an avid golfer. He loved to play with his parents at Ellinwood Country Club. He hosted the U.S. Coast Guard Band on numerous occasions for the pleasure of the Athol community. He sang with the Greater Gardner Community Choir. He leaves his wife of 42 years, Diane (Keville) Coburn; one son, Michael Coburn of Alexandria, VA; one daughter, Jennifer Coburn of Lancaster, MA; one granddaughter, Maddison Coburn. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 14, 2018 at 12 p.m. in the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home. A calling hour will precede the service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Green Mountain Boys’ State, c/o Dave Cobb, Director, 227 Brigham Hill Rd., Essex Junction, VT 05452 Contact number: (802) 535-2716, Email: dave.cobb.vt@gmail.com To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange are directing arrangements.