Ero W. Ahola, 92, a lifelong resident of Hubbardston, died peacefully Thursday, March 10, 2011 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus in Worcester following a lengthy illness.

Ero, son of the late Otto and Saima E. (Tuominen) Ahola was born in Worcester on June 2, 1918. A decorated soldier in the United States Army, Ero bravely served our country during World War II and received the Silver Star, Silver Star with Bronze Oak Leaf, the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for wounds he received in Italy, two landings in Africa and on Anzio Beach in Sicily.

Ero worked for several local furniture manufacturers prior to his retirement including the former Thayer Manufacturing, Modern Contract Furniture and Conant Ball Co. He was a member of the Ovila Case Post 905 Veterans of Foreign Wars in Gardner. Ero enjoyed playing horseshoes and cribbage and was an enthusiastic fan of the Boston Red Sox.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of eleven years, Avelina Ahola; one son, Robert E. Ahola of Hubbardston and his girlfriend Ann Marie Flynn; one daughter, Janice Taylor and her husband Richard of Florida; six grandchildren, Wanda, Melissa, Jessica, Jamie, Suzanne and Crystal, nine great grandchildren and two nieces. He was predeceased by his first wife, Amelia C. (Dopkant) Ahola who died in 1969; one brother, Tauno Ahola and one sister, Vieno Prentiss.

Family and friends are planning to honor and celebrate Ero's life by gathering for his funeral service to be held in the Community Chapel of Lamoureux Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 10AM. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. A calling hour at the funeral will precede the service from 9 AM until 10 AM on Monday.

www.fletchercares.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lamoureux Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, Gardner.

obituary and photo from Lamoureux Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, Gardner, MA

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