Michael J. Grimes

WINCHENDON – Michael J. Grimes, 76, of 27 Pine Street, a retired First Lieutenant of the Winchendon Fire Department, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon, April 18th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Mason City, Iowa on June 24, 1939, son of the late Basil C. and Margaret (Rochford) Grimes and had lived in Winchendon since 1970.

Mike was a 1957 graduate of Loras Academy in Dubuque, Iowa and then joined the United States Army.  He served in Africa and Ethiopia until his discharge in 1961.  He lived in Detroit, Michigan for 7 years until moving to Winchendon.  Mike was a licensed electrician from 1958 until 2004 and was a member of IBEW #96.

Mike served on the Winchendon Fire Department for 26 years and retired with the rank of First Lieutenant.  He was a former member of the Finance Committee for the Town of Winchendon and was a member of Wendell Clark YMCA.  He greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren and had a talent for woodworking.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Esther M. (Williams) Grimes; two children, Anne M. Castriotta and her husband Michael and a son Steven R. Grimes and his wife Pamela, both of Brookline, NH; three grandchildren, Maegan Castriotta, Patrick Grimes and Kaitlyn Castriotta.  A brother, Patrick Grimes, preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 21st at 10 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Wednesday, April 20th from 5 to 7 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Winchendon Fire Department, 405 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475 or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Renovation Fund, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.

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