Theodore H. Newton,

ATHOL - Theodore H. Newton, Jr., 81 of Athol, died peacefully Sunday, April 3, 2011 at home.   He was born in Athol on September 10, 1929, the son of the late Theodore H. Newton Sr. and the late Beatrice W. (Smith) Newton.   He worked for over 25 years and retired from the L.S. Starrett Company in Athol. In addition, he owned and operated his own successful income tax preparation business for many years.   Mr. Newton served during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force as a Surgical Technician from 1948 until he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1951.   Mr. Newton enjoyed working in his home workshop and creating unique tools and devices. He also enjoyed his many travels with his family to Hawaii and Europe.   He leaves his beloved wife of 55 years, Rita J. (Seskas) Newton; two daughters, Margaret A. Christensen and her husband Michael of Athol, Christine A. Wilson and her husband Barry Meehan of Orange; two sons, Joseph R. Newton of Orange, Daniel S. Newton and his husband Christopher Flynn of Boston, MA; two sisters, Joan Songer of Orange, June Parmenter of Athol; four grandchildren, Carla (Strom) Stork, Craig Newton, Eric Newton and Shawn Wilson; and several nieces and nephews and great grandchildren.   He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Newton who died in 2003, sister, Barbara Hover who died 1983 and by a grandson, Lloyd Newton who died in 1989.   Funeral services will be private. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ted’s memory to Meals on Wheels, c/o Franklin County Health Care, 330 Montague City Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376 or the Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA 01331.   $(document).ready(function(){ });