Edward J. Atter

Edward "Eddie" J. Atter, 96, born in Gardner, MA, January 11, 1929, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Sterling Village Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Eddie lived in Gardner for most of his life, attended Gardner Schools and graduated from Gardner High School in 1947.

He received a BS degree in Business Administration from Boston University and was commissioned as an officer in the US Air Force in 1951.

Ed was the base Finance Officer at Westover Air Force Base and then advanced to Staff Finance Officer serving at Atlantic Division HDQTS at Westover Air Base. Ed was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1954.

Edward returned home to work and co-manage the family businesses with Sam Atter: Atter's Market, in Gardner, MA and Atter Brother's Farm in Temple, NH. Later in life, he earned an MBA in Finance from Anna Maria College in 1983 and taught Finance at MWCC.

As a local businessman, Edward has been very active in Gardner as a part of several area organizations:

He was dedicated to the Monadnock Council Boy Scouts of America; serving as President, Treasurer, Manager of Camp Collier as well as Trustee and Treasurer of Monadnock Trust.

In addition, Edward served as King Lion of the Gardner Lions Club and President of Associated Cooperative Grocers. Edward was also a Fourth Degree member of The Knights of Columbus.

Eddie and his long-time fishing friend, Jim Foley founded the Millers River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a catch and release group who then expanded under his buddy Bill Mansour as part of the Wounded Warriors project. Eddie, as a veteran, was thrilled to show wounded veterans how to fly fish on the Millers River.

In addition to these groups Eddie served the Local Banking Industry for almost 50 years as a committed Director of the Board and member of the Finance, Security and Audit Committees. Eddie retired from Colonial Cooperative Bank, after 47 years of service; the last 30 years as Chairman of the Board.

Eddie has been involved with and a contributor to many local non- profits. He has been a Major Contributor to the Boys and Girls Club of Gardner, Templeton Historical Society, Gardner Museum, Wounded Warriors project with Trout Unlimited and Mount Grace Land Trust

In 2023, Edward was awarded Citizen of the Year by The Gardner Chamber of Commerce. He was also honored to serve as Grand Marshal of the Gardner Centennial Parade that same year.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Peter "Mike" Atter and by his parents, Joseph and Lama Atter.

Edward is survived by his sister, Salma Jabbour of Tiverton, RI, brother, Franklin Atter and his wife Barbara of Chatham, MA and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. In addition, Eddie leaves his long time, best friend, Eleanor "Ellie" Fox of Knightdale NC.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. John's Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38109, or on their website at (www.stjude.org).