Obituaries

Craftsman of the Framingham Soliders Harold Purington Has Died

Harold Purington, 93, earned 4 battle stars in World War II while in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Harold Elmer Purington, 93, of Fairhaven, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, May 10, 2014, on the eve of his 71st wedding anniversary.

This gentle man was born in Framingham on June 3, 1921 and lived there for 82 years before moving to Fairhaven 11 years ago. He was the middle child of Charles A. and Alice M. (Metcalf) Purington.

After graduating from Framingham High School, Harold attended Wentworth Institute in Boston and was working at Quincy Adams Shipyard when he was called to serve in the US Army Air Corps during WW II.

He was a crew chief on C47's and flew missions in North Africa, Italy, and the Balkans. He earned 4 battle stars and a good conduct medal and was promoted to Staff Sergeant before being discharged in September 1945.

A skilled craftsman and model builder, Harold worked with his father and brother in the family owned business; at Atkins & Merrill in Sudbury,  creating models for the space industry; and at Barss Construction as a project supervisor.

He is best known for his work at Shoppers World in Framingham, where he designed and constructed the iconic wooden soldiers showcased on the mall each year during the Christmas season.

Purington was an active member of Plymouth Church, UCC, where he served as a deacon and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

In Fairhaven, he joined the 1st Congregational Church. He was a Past Master of Middlesex Lodge AF & AM and Past Patron of Orient Chapter #31 Order of the Eastern Star.

He enjoyed woodworking, boatbuilding, fishing, square dancing, and traveling. He was cherished by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who called him Boppa.

He is survived by his wife Marian; their children Martha Seymour (John) of Overland Park, KS, Susan Burr (Norman) of Fairhaven, and Harold C. Purington (Paula) of Framingham; his sister Phyllis Marks of Camden, SC; sister-in-law Mary Purington of Holliston, MA; brother-in-law John Felch Jr (Judy) of Coopersburg, PA; A.F.S. student/son Kiyoshi Kondo (Michiko) of Osaka, Japan; 9 grandchildren, Melanie Morgan, Jay Michals, Julie Schutzler, Chauncey Burr, Kenneth Burr, Adam Burr, Seth Burr, Tara Mulligan, and Troy Purington; 27 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His older brother Ralph and brother-in-law Charles Marks predeceased him.

A Celebration of Life service was held yesterday in Fairhaven.

Burial  is scheduled for this weekend at Edgell Grove Cemetery, Framingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory be made to either 1st Congregational Church of Fairhaven or the Framingham Heart Study, c/o Boston University School of Medicine, Office of Development, 72 East Concord St. L-29, Boston, MA 02118.


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