Witty's Funeral Home

09/12/2025

September 12, 2025

Donald J. Lapenas

ORANGE- Donald John Lapenas, 73, of Orange, MA, passed away on September 10, 2025.
He was born on February 4, 1952, in Athol, MA, to the late John and Leona (Rand) Lapenas.
In his adult life, Donald proudly served his country in the United States Navy, where he received an honorable discharge.
To his friends he was simply “Don”—a man who found joy in the little things. Whether he was casting a fishing line, metal detecting for hidden treasures, picking blueberries on a summer day, or scratching off a lottery ticket with a grin (thinking Gram didn’t notice—though she always did), Don lived life with a quiet appreciation for simple pleasures. An outdoorsman at heart, he loved nature and the peace it brought him.
Family was always at the center of Don’s life. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Leona Lapenas, his wife Linda Lapenas, his brother-in-law Ron Rowe, his granddaughter Ellie Lapenas, and many beloved family members and friends who surely welcomed him home.
He leaves behind his loving sisters, Judy Rowe of Orange, MA, and Debbie and her husband Steve Rowe of Orange, MA; his daughter Heather and her husband Matt Watling of Westfield, MA, along with their children; and his son John Paul and his wife Sara of Waterboro, ME. Don is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Don’s memory will live on through the love of his family and the many ways he touched the lives of those around him. There are countless others who were part of his journey, each of whom either left an imprint on Don’s life or carry the imprint of his on theirs.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA, immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, remembered for his humor, his warmth, and the quiet strength with which he lived his days while living the simplest of lives.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Witty's Funeral Home will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and r...

09/08/2025

September 8, 2025

Johnna B. Mackenzie

ORANGE- Johnna Beth Mackenzie, 62, of Orange, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with her family by her side who loved her so much after a long and courageous battle with colon cancer.
Johnna was born in Athol, Massachusetts on February 12, 1963, to the late John and Tillie Hicks.
Johnna was a hairdresser for over 20 years at Haircrafters in Athol, MA and took care of her son right up to her passing.
She was a faithful, strong, loving, generous, and spunky woman who would light up a room whenever she’d enter.
Johnna was a woman of great faith and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with her whole heart. She loved to sing praise songs with her tambourine by her side at church and worship the Lord. She exuded joy everywhere she went, even on her worst days. She had a passion for horses, music, reading, and simply just having a good time. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and loved ones.
Johnna is survived by her children, Beth Mackenzie and her fiancé Nate Bernard of Orange, MA, John Mackenzie and his wife, Nicole Mackenzie of Orange, MA. She leaves 3 granddaughters, (who fondly referred to her as Lil’ Ma), Ella Bennington and her husband, Ed Bennington, Mabel Mackenzie, and Pearl Mackenzie. She also leaves her sister, Diane Wong and her husband Glenn Wong of New Salem, MA, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and her loving church family.
Johnna was predeceased by her husband, Ned Mackenzie, in August 2019.
There are no calling hours.
A celebration of Johnna’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Steeple Fellowship Church, 793 Main Street, Lancaster, MA 01523.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
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09/07/2025

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09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day. I want to thank the staff at Witty’s for always helping to make things run smoothly and being available when our services are needed.

08/27/2025

August 27, 2025

Royal H. Roach Jr.

NAPLES, FL- Royal H. Roach Jr., formerly of Zephyr Hills, Florida and Orange, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025 at the age of 87.
Born in Athol, Massachusetts on October 4, 1937, Royal was the son of Royal H. and Anna H. (Urban) Roach Sr. He grew up in Orange, Massachusetts and graduated from Orange High School, class of 1956.
Royal served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1955-1957.
After working with his father for ten years operating a Chevron Station on East Main Street in Orange, he then started working at Sears in Leominster, Massachusetts where he worked for many years and from where he retired. He then moved to and lived in Florida until his passing.
Royal served as a Scoutmaster and assistant for Boy Scout Troop 48 in Orange and had been a member of the The Highland Men’s Club for many years.
He enjoyed automotive mechanics, cars and racing.
Royal leaves behind three sons, Steven, Timothy and wife Ellie, Scott and wife Claudia, five grandchildren, Holly, Leah, Mikaela, Andrew, and Bethany; four great grandchildren; and his brother Robert of Lowell, MA
Preceded in death by his parents, his long time companion, Oleitta MacKinnon who passed this past May and his grandson Michael Andrew Roach who passed in 1998.
Interment will be held privately.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange MA, is assisting the family.

The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Witty's Funeral Home will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and r...

08/26/2025

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08/19/2025

August 19, 2025

Logan A. Rivers

ORANGE- Calling hours this Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.
A celebration of life will follow at 12 noon at the Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange.

08/19/2025

Harold S. Holt
COTUIT, Mass. — Harold “Hank” Spencer Holt, 80, formerly of Athol, died unexpectedly Aug. 4, 2025 at his home in Cotuit, from heart-related issues.
Hank was born in Gardner, Mass. on Sept. 1, 1944 and grew up in Athol. He graduated from Athol High School in 1962 and received his Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Gardner State Hospital in 1963. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968. Hank was also a licensed hairdresser, and held various healthcare-related certificates, as well as those in denture making and hypnotism.
Hank was predeceased by his husband, Jim Visbeck, in January of 2024. The couple had been together for 44 years, and enjoyed traveling extensively around the world. In 1989, they relocated their Isaiah Thomas Books & Prints store from Worcester, to Cotuit, on Cape Cod. Hank was well known throughout the community and from attending many book fairs and shows over the years.
Hank also enjoyed crafts and collecting antiques. He was blessed with many friends throughout his life, including long-time friends Robin and Peter Trimble who cared for him in his later years.
Hank was predeceased by his parents, Flora and Samuel Gordon; his birth father Harold Spencer, Sr.; and brothers Russell Holt and William Holt.
He is survived by a sister, Darlene Schatz, of Athol; two brothers, Ronald Holt of Connecticut and Shayne Gordon of Athol; nieces and nephews, including Christopher (Lynn) Holt, Lisa Holt, Cheryl Holt Purcell, Sammy Holt, Dennis Holt, Shannon Holt Page, Missy Holt McLean, Jason Ruttle, Zachary Gordon, Vincent Gordon, Lindsey Hamlett and Alexis Hamlett; and cousins William Guerrin, Lori Guerrin, Joseph Boudreau, Sharon Kellums, Deborrah Porter and Pennie Mallet.
Those dear to Hank will remember his mischievous nature, his infectious smile, and his crazy laugh.
A private gathering is being planned for the Fall on the Cape.
Donations in Hank’s memory may be made to: Elder Services of Cape Cod, 68 MA-134, South Dennis, MA. 02660).

08/17/2025

August 17, 2025

Kevin B. Cameron

ATHOL- Kevin B. “Cub” Cameron, 69,died on July 25, 2025 at home following an illness.
Born in Athol on July 20, 1956, he was the son of the late Hugh and Arvella (Clark) Cameron and grew up in the Athol-Orange area, graduating from Ralph C. Mahar Regional in 1974.
Cub had been married to Terry (Schmidt).
A machinist, Cub worked for the L., S. Starrett Company for 40 years before retiring.
Cub enjoyed music, especially the electric guitar. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and loved his many German shepherd dogs over the years.
He is survived by many nephews and nieces.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Connie Lucier, Peter Burdett, Randy Burdett and Nancy Maselli
There are no calling hours or services.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Witty's Funeral Home will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and r...

08/16/2025

August 15, 2025

Hope L. Hunt

ORANGE- Hope L. (Kovach) Hunt, 82, of Daniel Shays Highway, died on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 8, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Edward C. and Lillian (Gillespie) Kovach.
She was married to William Hunt Sr. and enjoyed their life together.
Hope had worked as a receptionist for 10 years at the Athol Area YMCA and had previously worked at Dexter Park School and Ralph C. Mahar Regional School. She loved children!
Hope enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, a cup of tea but most of all, time with the grandchildren.
Hope is survived by her husband, William Hunt Sr. of Orange; her children and grandchildren, John Bono and his wife Esther of California and their children, Jett, Jade and Jaxx, Matt Hunt and his wife Danica of California and their daughter Ella, Jamie Vento of New Jersey and her daughters McKenna and Kailey; William Hunt Jr. of New Hampshire and his daughter Katie; and Kristin Hunt of Orange; two great grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Ann Conroy of New Hampshire and Kim Kovach of Florida; and nephews and nieces, Joe Salter, Tammy Vilamarim, Nicole Bennett, Andre Escaleira and Alexia Escaleira.
Besides her parents, hope was predeceased by sisters, Dottie Jean Salter and Diane Moscone.
There are no calling hours or formal services.

08/10/2025

August 10, 2025

Laura L. Wanderlick

ATHOL- A celebration of life on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. at the Silver Lake Park pavilion in Athol for Laura L. (Wilson) Wanderlick, 54, who died on May 20, 2025.

08/10/2025

August 10, 2025

Helen L. Andrzejczyk

ORANGE- A celebration of life will be held on August 30, 2025 at 12 noon at the Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange, for Helen L. Andrzejczyk, 97, who died June 24, 2025.
Please RSVP to either Melissa 978-413-6919 or to Heidi at 978-895-6513