Wesley F. Laford

ATHOL – Wesley F. Laford, 86 of Athol passed away Friday, November 5, 2021 at St. Francis House in Worcester after a period of failing health. Wes was born on February 6, 1935 in Athol to the late Tuffield Laford and the late Elizabeth (Hebert) Laford. He was a lifelong resident of Athol and Orange. He graduated from Orange high School with the Class of 1952. He married Joyce A. DeTour on April 27, 1957. He was a communicant of St. Peter’s Church in Petersham and Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol. He was a skilled machinist, working for Rodney Hunt Company for 12 years, John Bath Company in Worcester for 6 years, Union Twist Drill in Athol for 22 years along with Erving Paper Mill and Leavitt Machine Company in Orange. Wes umpired for local softball leagues, was a Cub Scout Leader for the BSA and a Little League Coach. He enjoyed gardening, camping, spending time with family and friends. He was an Amateur Radio Operator, and was licensed as Extra Class, KA1XR for over 40 years; from 1953 – 1961 he was a member of the Company F 181st Infantry with the Massachusetts National Guard, 26th Yankee Division and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Bishop Philip Garrigan Assembly. Wes is survived by his wife of 64 years: Joyce A. (DeTour) Laford of Holden; three sons: William P. Laford and his wife Donna of Gardner, Robert F. Laford and his wife Diona of Petersham, Thomas P. Laford and his wife Andrea of Lunenburg; one daughter: Linda Lee and her husband Ernest of Danielson, CT; eight grandchildren: Andrew, Jeffrey, and Joseph Lee, Erin Machado and her husband Jon, Sara and Juliette Laford, Christie White and her husband Kevin, Kelly Mailloux and her husband Allan; great grandchildren: Ryan Lee, Kyle and Ryan White, Colby Mailloux, Lindsay Conner and her husband Richard; two great great grandsons: Brentley and Greyson Conner; one brother: Richard J. Laford and his wife Carmen of FL; sister-in-law Pam Detour; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Reta Laford who passed in 1932. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol, MA. A calling hour will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. prior to the funeral in the Fiske- Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to the parish appeal of either St. Peter’s or Our Lady Immaculate parishes, 192 School St., Athol, MA 01331. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange is assisting with arrangements.