Victor W. Litchfield

ATHOL - Victor W. Litchfield, 88, of 542 Spring Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Athol Memorial Hospital with family by his side. He was born in Athol on October 2, 1918, the son of the late Frank R. and the late Annie (Barlow) Litchfield. Mr. Litchfield was a life-long resident of Athol and touched the lives of many with his love for family and friends, his service to the community, and his kind and gentle heart. He loved sports and music and was known to be quite good on the dance floor. He was also an avid record keeper and enjoyed documenting the details of all aspects of his life. He had a joyful spirit and always remained young at heart. He possessed a genuine love for people, and his greatest pleasures came from spending time with his dear friends, his large family, and especially his grandchildren. Vic graduated from Athol High School in 1936 where he played baseball and was a high scorer for the ice hockey team. The senior quote in his yearbook reads, "Happy men have many friends." He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. 874th Bombardment Squadron as a radio operator and mechanic on a B-29. He flew numerous missions in the Western Pacific, Ryukyus, and Air Offensive Japan battles and campaigns. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1945. In 2003, he was honored at a ceremony held in the Athol Town Hall where he was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross. During his life, Vic was involved in several organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the American Red Cross, and the local STEBS club. He was very active in the Athol American Legion Post No. 102 where he was a life member and served as Financial Officer for many years. He was the bookkeeper for the Legion Bingo and spent countless Friday nights with his friends running the bingo events. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Honor Guard that provides military honors for local veterans. Vic was employed by the J.F. McElwain Company and retired in 1980 as the assistant plant manager. For many years, he and his wife also owned the L&M Catering business with long-time friends, Evie and Duck Merron. After retiring, he worked for Catholic Social Services as a home health aide. Vic was predeceased by his first wife of 25 years, Virginia (Ferrari) Litchfield and two of his brothers, Fred and Charles Litchfield. He leaves a brother Robert of Athol and his wife Bernie, and a sister Betty (Litchfield) White of Orange and her husband Robert; his ex-wife, Barbara (Ginn) Henault of Jaffrey, NH; two daughters, Peggy Litchfield of Athol, Linda Cotter of Athol and her husband John, and their two daughters, Meaghan and Caitlin; three sons, Jerry Litchfield of Belchertown and his wife Bridgit, Mike Litchfield of Winchester, MA, and his wife Brenda and their two daughters, Carly and Celia, Shawn Litchfield of Athol and his fiancee, Alicia and her daughter Taziana; three stepsons, Alan Bushee of Winchendon, Todd Bushee of Athol and his wife Judy and their two daughters Danyelle and Brittany and their grandson Jayden, Ty Bushee of Royalston and his friend Holly and his daughter Amber; his long-time companion Ruth Saven of Athol; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street. Burial in Gethsemane Cemetery will be at a later date. Calling hours will be held Monday, June 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Athol American Legion Scholarship Fund c/o Beverly Tarolli, 37 Wallingford Ave., Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book, please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com. The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home 137 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });