Dana G. Putnam

WINCHENDON - Dana G. Putnam, 65, of 2 Juniper Street, a well known auctioneer and former Town of Templeton elected Official, died Wednesday, May 17th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner. He was born in Gardner on July 4,1940, the son of William D. and Daisy B. (Progen) Putnam, and had lived in Baldwinville for 40 years until moving to Winchendon two years ago. Dana was a graduate of the first class of Narragansett Regional High School in 1958 and attended Northeastern University before going to work for the F.B.I. Identification Division in Washington, D.C. for a few years. He then worked for 38 years at General Electric Co. in Fitchburg, ending his career as training coordinator for the Fitchburg plant. During his working career in Fitchburg, he took a role in his union local, serving as President after being Secretary, Trustee and Shop Steward. He was active in town politics in the Town of Templeton, serving in elective office for 25 years. He served as Selectman, Town Clerk, Town Moderator, Tax Collector, and as a member of its Board of Health and Justice of the Peace. He held the three positions, that of Selectman, Town Clerk and Tax Collector at one time. He also was chaiman of the Templeton Democratic Committee and served as a delegate at many of the state conventions. In addition to Town Politics, he was active in the Democratic on the County and State level, becoming involved in several campaigns. He was elected and represented 13 towns on the County Charter Commission. He was also a Worcester County Deputy Sherriff. Active in many community affairs, he was a Little League Coach, President of Pop Warner, founding member of the Snowbound Club and member of the Otter River Sportman Club. He had owned and operated Putnam Trading Company in Winchendon since 1985. His hobbies included fishing, watching the Red Sox and Patriots, as well as his love for trading and attending auctions. He was a member of Memorial Congregational Church, Baldwinville. He leaves his wife, Cheryl (Bent) Putnam, whom he married on December 31st, 2005; his son, Dana W. and his wife Lil, their sons, Kyle and Travis of New Windsor, N.Y.; two daughters, Lisa M. Putnam of Branchburg, N.J. and Leigh A. Craft and her husband Justin, their sons, Tyler and Jamison of Phillipston; a brother, William Putnam and his wife, Hope, of Baldwinville, as well as several nephews and nieces. His first wife, Elinor (Miettinen) Putnam, died in 2002. Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, May 20th in the Memorial Congregational Church, 4 Elm Street, Baldwinville. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Templeton. Callling hours in the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon will be Friday, May 19th from 5 to 8 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the Elinor Putnam Memorial Fund, care of Athol Savings Bank, 50 Elm Street, Baldwinville, MA. 01436. www.snow-ladeau.com