William C. Mehr,

William C. Mehr, Jr. Orange – William C. Mehr, Jr., 74, of South Main Street, died Thursday, September 5, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family after a six month battle with ALS.      Bill was born on May 15, 1939 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the son of William C. and Barbara (Ragati) Mehr.  He grew up in Fairview and Cliffside Park, NJ, graduating from Cliffside Park High School High School in 1956 and since 1971 has resided in Orange.      After high school Bill worked at The Bergen Record in Hackensack, NJ for 12 years.   Bill learned the sport of parachuting in Lakewood NJ.  He also worked in Aspen, CO as a ski patrolman.   He worked and jumped at the Lakewood Sport Parachuting Center in NJ from 1965 to 1970.  He moved to the Orange in 1971 and went to work at Parachutes Incorporated/ Orange Sport Parachuting Center at the Orange Municipal Airport.  From 1979 until 1983 he was co-owner of the former Cupola Restaurant.   In 1986 he started Mehr Aviation which he operated until his retirement in 2012.  He created the memorial circle in 2009 at the Orange Municipal Airport in honor of the 1962 World Parachuting Championships.  Bill was also founder and president of the not for profit Phil Nystrom’s Blacksmith Shop.        A big part of Bill’s life was parachuting and aviation with his first jump being December 16, 1962 in Montgomery, NY.  He did his 500th jump and Gold Wings, June 4, 1967 at Lakewood Sport Parachuting Center in NJ and his 1000th jump October 2, 1971 at the Orange Sport Parachuting Center.         Bill enjoyed golfing, walking, hiking, bicycling, fly fishing, making friends and especially spending time with his family and grandchildren.         Bill is survived by his wife Adele O. (Hempel) Mehr, sons William C. Mehr, III and Daniel C. Mehr and his wife Amanda and their two children Cora and Gabriel.  He also leaves a brother Robert J. Mehr of Jewett OH, sisters Barbara A. Barrios of Cliffside Park, NY and Loretta Schloerb of Mahwah, NJ along with many nieces and nephews.      A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Universalist Church, 31 North Main St., Orange, MA with the Rev. Meredith Anderson, pastor officiating.  Those wishing to make a contribution in Bill’s name may be sent to:  Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, the Bill Mehr Sport Parachuting Memorial Fund, 649 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420.   Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.  If you wish to share a memory with the family go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });