Richard W. Partridge

ATHOL - Richard W. Partridge, 89 of 91 Monadnock Ave., Athol, died Sunday, July 23, 2017 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner. He was born in Worcester, on January 29, 1928, the son of the late Frank and the late Irene (Tivnan) Partridge. Dick attended South High School in Worcester, Worcester Junior College and the University of Vermont. Mr. Partridge served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He lived in South Carolina for several years and worked as a disc jockey. He moved to New York City where he was a prime time radio personality on station WNEW in New York City for 5 years. He was an interviewer on NBC’s “Monitor” and a staff announcer for ABC TV. Dick was an announcer on every major radio station in New York City. He did a lot of commercial work for major products. After that he moved to Boston, where he was a TV News Anchorman and Game Show Host. He always had a goal of owning his own radio station. In 1975, he moved to Athol and formed P&S Broadcasting, Inc. and purchased WCAT-AM in Orange. In 2000 he and his wife put a tower up on Bearsden and built 99.9 FM Athol. He ran Home Shows in Athol and Gardner every spring to bring business to the area. In later years, after selling the corporation, he traveled throughout New England doing a program called “Dick Partridge Presents” which was music from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He wrote a column for the Athol Daily News called “Bird’s Eye View” and later published a book of the same name. Dick was a licensed pilot and enjoyed sailing his boat in Newport, RI. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and close friends. He was a caring, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, who will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He leaves his wife of 36 years, Jean S. (Harris)(Robichaud) Partridge; three sons, Richard W. Partridge Clark and his wife Julie Fredrickson of Boylston, Ross Partridge and is wife Jennifer Lefleur of Los Angeles, CA, Craig Robichaud of Athol; five daughters, Lauren Hannon and her husband John of Denver, CO, Sherri Ostalet and her husband Jeffrey of New York, NY, Leslie Sachs and her husband Sun of New York, NY, Hilary Partridge of Kingston, NY, Laura Ambrozy and her husband Richard of Athol; six grandchildren including Jacob Robichaud, Ryan Ambrozy, Rachel Ambrozy, two great grandchildren and several nieces. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Partridge and a sister Joan Skiff. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 11:00 am in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial with military honors will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Kitty Rescue and Adoption 11 Plantation Dr. Jaffrey, NH 03452 or to ASPCA ,American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals @www.aspca.org. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.