Arthur J. "Buddy" Eskola Jr.

Arthur J. 'Buddy' Eskola Jr. Fitchburg Electric Co. retiree, Navy vet; 83 FITCHBURG Arthur J. 'Buddy' Eskola Jr., 83, formerly of 54 Maplewood Terrace, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, in HealthAlliance Leominster Hospital, after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. His wife of 60 years, Jane M. (Siciliano) Eskola died in June of 2008. He leaves four children, Arthur J. Eskola III and his wife, Judy, of Wallingford, CT, Senia M. Peluffo and her husband, Cesar, of Fitchburg, Maria C. Spagnoulo and her husband, Michael, of Ashburnham, and A. Shaun Eskola and his wife, Colleen, of Leominster; one sister, Constance M. Ringquist of Westminster;10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Jane M. Parmenter of Shirley, and Ann Louis Xarras-Gianakis of Leominster. Mr. Eskola was an Electrical Engineer, and later a Consumer Aide for the Fitchburg Gas & Electric Co., retiring in 1983, after 33 years. He was a member of St. Bernard's Parish in Fitchburg, was a Third Degree member of the Fitchburg Knights of Columbus, Joseph P. Keating Council #99, and a former member of the Cristoforo Colombo Regina Elena Lodge #169 of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America. He was a member of the Fitchburg Amvets. and was a 1943 graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School and attended U. Mass, Amherst. He was a Veteran of World War II, U.S. Navy, serving as a Radarman Second Class, seeing action in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He later served in the Massachusetts National Guard for many years. He was born in Manchester, N.H., on March 21, 1925, a son of the late Arthur J., and Delia M. (Nolan) Eskola Sr., and lived here most of his life. ESKOLA His Funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Bernard Church, 240 Water St., Fitchburg. Burial with Military Honors will be held at St. Bernard's Cemetery. Calling hours at the Funeral Home are on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.