Robert Blackwelder

ORANGE -- Robert W. Blackwelder, 58, of 73 Pennington Drive, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, in Athol Memorial Hospital, after an illness.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1948, in Fitchburg, son of retired Deacon Edgar B. Blackwelder and the late Mary M. (Banahan) Blackwelder. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. Mr. Blackwelder was a 3rd Order Franciscan and a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Fitchburg. He was a good-hearted man who loved his family, friends and, first and foremost, his faith in God.

He was predeceased by his mother, Mary M. (Banahan) Blackwelder, on Oct. 29, 2004. He leaves two sons, Eric R. Blackwelder and his wife, Karen, of Westfield and Nathan J. Blackwelder and his wife, Stephanie, of Hawaii; three grandchildren, Jeremy, Elizabeth and Emily Blackwelder; four brothers, David E. Blackwelder of Wisconsin, Paul B. Blackwelder of California, Richard M. Blackwelder of Fitchburg and Joseph P. Blackwelder of Alaska; two sisters, Mary M. Guglielmo of Springfield, Va., and Teresa Pierce of Fitchburg.

BLACKWELDER -- The funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 22 Cottage St., Fitchburg. Burial will follow in Saint Bernard’s Church. Calling hours are Friday, Oct. 5, from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for a Smokefree America, P.O. Box 492028, Los Angeles, CA 90049.