Rudolph J. Sundstrom

TEMPLETON- Rudolph J. Sundstrom, 90, of Templeton died Monday, July 2, 2018 at home. He was born August 5, 1927 in New Bedford, Massachusetts the son of Rudolph J. Sundstrom and Alice (Kohler) Sundstrom. He moved to Gardner at a young age and attended Gardner schools. He left to go to the Mass Radio Institute of Technology in Boston. He worked for an airline after leaving the Radio Institute. Mr. Sundstrom was a veteran of World War II where he received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Theatre Medal. He also served in the Korean War serving in the United States Navy. After leaving the Navy he assumed the presidency of Sundstrom Manufacturing in Gardner. He was president of Sundstrom Sawdust Company. In 1957 he started Sundstrom & Son Construction Company building homes and additions in the local area. He went on to work at Crocker Burbank Paper Manufacturing Company in Fitchburg, where is was head millwright. He went on to work at Weyerhaeuser and then to Crocker Technical, at the same time he taught Industrial Arts at the Mini School part of CAPS Collaborative. He started purchasing income properties in the mid-1970s with his son Paul he manage the properties until his passing. He enjoyed woodworking and made grandfather clocks and furniture and sold them locally. He was a member of the Gardner VFW Post 905, Central Mass Submarine Veterans Club, American Lithuanian Club of Athol, Templeton Historical Society, Ridgely Club of Templeton, and a member of the Templeton Congregational Church. He enjoyed driving around his 1926 Ford Model T and leaves his beloved dog Hilda. He is survived by two sons, Peter R. Sundstrom of Horshoe, North Carolina; Paul R. Sundstrom of Athol; one daughter, Pamela A. Skorko of Templeton; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Beverly A. (Foster) Sundstrom who passed in 2007, by one brother, David Sundstrom and by one sister Eleanor Harding. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 at 2 PM in the Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. A calling hour would be held Friday, July 6, 2018 from 1 to 2 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Templeton Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton, MA 01468. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Homes – Lamoureux – Smith & Poliks Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner are directing arrangements.