Walter R Hedlund Jr. Obituary (1921 - 2015)

CHELMSFORD- Walter R. Hedlund, Jr., 94, a distinguished longtime resident and civic and community leader of Chelmsford passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late V. Edna (Berry) Hedlund who passed away in 2002. He was born in Lowell on June 7, 1921 a son of the late Walter R. and Grace A. (Butcher) Hedlund, Sr. Mr. Hedlund grew up in Lowell and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the class of 1939 and went on to attend the Lowell Textile Evening Division of Accounting. In 1944 he attended the Cite University in Paris, France and in 1946 he graduated from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Science. Mr. Hedlund proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was a D-Day veteran serving as a sergeant in the 29th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, 115th Regiment, Company I. He received the Expert Combat Infantry Badge during the Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland Campaigns. He was a decorated war veteran earning several medals including, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with two oak leaf clusters, three Purple Heart Medals with two oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, ETO Medal with four battle stars and bronze arrowhead, German Occupation Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation. Mr. Hedlund served for 35 months overseas. During that time, he spent 14 months as a member of 29th American Rangers doing special pre-invasion work with British Commando Units and he received a Battlefield Commission during the Battle of Brest Campaign. In April 2013, Mr. Hedlund was honored to receive the Legion dHonneur which is Frances highest distinction in honor of his wartime service. After his honorable discharge, Mr. Hedlund went on to own and operate the former Saunders Funeral Home in Lowell until his retirement. He was very active in the funeral service industry and was the past president of both the Greater Lowell Funeral Directors Association and the Massachusetts Funeral Directors association, and a past Chairman of the Massachusetts State Board of Embalming and Funeral Directing. Mr. Hedlund was a very involved member of the local community. He was a former Chelmsford Volunteer Firefighter until the department transitioned to full time. He served as the Chelmsford Emergency Management Director for 40 years and was named Director of the Year in 2000. He was a member of both the Massachusetts and International Associations of Emergency Management Professionals. He was the Chairman of the Chelmsford Town Celebration Committee for over 40 years and in 1994 was Marshal of the annual Chelmsford 4th of July Parade. A life member of the Chelmsford Lodge of Elks #2310, he was also a member of the William North Lodge A.F. & A.M. for over fifty years, former Vice Chairman of the Lowell Salvation Army Advisory Board, former Chapter Chairman for the Greater Lowell Red Cross and former member of the Merrimack Valley Red Cross, Post Chaplain for the 29th Division Association Post 93, a life member of the Reserve Officers Association, National Order of Battlefield Commission member and a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Edith Nourse Rogers Chapter #25. Mr. Hedlund leaves his son, Walter R. Hedlund III and his wife Diane of Hollis, NH; three granddaughters, Jennifer Klesat and her husband Keith of Flemington, NJ, Kendra Hedlund Barbanti and her husband Christopher of Chelmsford and Melanie Hedlund of Hollis, NH; four great-grandchildren; Katherine Edna Klesat, Thomas James Klesat, Christopher Charles Barbanti, and Andrew Walter Barbanti; a sister in law, G. Irene Hulslander of Chelmsford and his longtime companion Delia Loiselle of Chelmsford. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3 to 7 pm at the Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St. Chelmsford. Mr. Hedlunds Funeral Service will be held Monday at 10 oclock at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Rd. Chelmsford. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment with military honors will follow in Edson Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Walters memory may be made to the Walter R. Hedlund, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Lowell Five, 23 Fletcher St., Chelmsford, MA 01824. Visitation July 5, 2015 3:00pm - 7:00pm, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information July 6, 2015 10:00am, All Saints Episcopal Church 10 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment Location Edson Cemetery 1375 Gorham Street Lowell, MA