A. Gilbert (Bert) Helgerson, Jr. passed away Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Overlook Masonic Health Center. He was born in Providence, R.I., the son of A.Gilbert Helgerson and Eva Jentzel Helgerson.
He leaves his wife of 59 years, Laila C. Helgerson and four children; Jeff D. Helgerson ( his wife Cathy ) of Dudley, Ma., Lynn S. Granlund ( her husband Kevin ) of Sutton, Ma., Amy L. Lachapelle ( her husband John ) of Princeton, Ma., and Andrew J. Helgerson of Charlton, Ma. He also leaves 9 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, his sister Mildred V. Olson of Glenburn, Me. and a brother Nathan J. Helgerson of Seekonk, MA and several nieces and nephews.
Bert graduated from East Providence High School and Bryant College (now University) with a BS in business. Immediately after graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He spent eighteen months in Seoul, South Korea and was very proud of his service. Following his discharge he took advantage of the G.I. bill and enrolled at the University of Rhode Island, receiving a BS in Agriculture.
He worked briefly as a management trainee at Sealtest Milk Co. in Philadelphia, PA. He then returned to Rhode Island and took a job with the Federated Milk Marketing Administration which brought him to Worcester, Ma. In 1960 he joined Merck Sharpe and Dohme, the pharmaceutical branch of Merck and Co., working as a sales representative where he discovered he was a natural born salesman who loved interacting with people. He retired in 1989 after an enjoying 30 year career.
He was a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club and a long time faithful member of the First Congregational Church of Sutton where he served several years as a Deacon.
Bert's dream was to live on a farm and in 1965 he and Laila bought what had been the old Town Farm in Sutton. He loved cutting his own wood, raising his own meat, gardening, and taking care of his land. He also enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, and biking the bike trails on Cape Cod.
Bert will be remembered as a man of deep faith, a devoted husband and father and a good friend to many. We will miss him.
Bert's calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 12th from 5 to 8 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main Street in Millbury.
His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 13th at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Sutton, 307 Boston Road in Sutton. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Sutton, 307 Boston Road, Sutton MA 01590.
Read A. Gilbert Helgerson, Jr's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
He leaves his wife of 59 years, Laila C. Helgerson and four children; Jeff D. Helgerson ( his wife Cathy ) of Dudley, Ma., Lynn S. Granlund ( her husband Kevin ) of Sutton, Ma., Amy L. Lachapelle ( her husband John ) of Princeton, Ma., and Andrew J. Helgerson of Charlton, Ma. He also leaves 9 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, his sister Mildred V. Olson of Glenburn, Me. and a brother Nathan J. Helgerson of Seekonk, MA and several nieces and nephews.
Bert graduated from East Providence High School and Bryant College (now University) with a BS in business. Immediately after graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He spent eighteen months in Seoul, South Korea and was very proud of his service. Following his discharge he took advantage of the G.I. bill and enrolled at the University of Rhode Island, receiving a BS in Agriculture.
He worked briefly as a management trainee at Sealtest Milk Co. in Philadelphia, PA. He then returned to Rhode Island and took a job with the Federated Milk Marketing Administration which brought him to Worcester, Ma. In 1960 he joined Merck Sharpe and Dohme, the pharmaceutical branch of Merck and Co., working as a sales representative where he discovered he was a natural born salesman who loved interacting with people. He retired in 1989 after an enjoying 30 year career.
He was a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club and a long time faithful member of the First Congregational Church of Sutton where he served several years as a Deacon.
Bert's dream was to live on a farm and in 1965 he and Laila bought what had been the old Town Farm in Sutton. He loved cutting his own wood, raising his own meat, gardening, and taking care of his land. He also enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, and biking the bike trails on Cape Cod.
Bert will be remembered as a man of deep faith, a devoted husband and father and a good friend to many. We will miss him.
Bert's calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 12th from 5 to 8 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main Street in Millbury.
His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 13th at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Sutton, 307 Boston Road in Sutton. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Sutton, 307 Boston Road, Sutton MA 01590.
Read A. Gilbert Helgerson, Jr's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
A service summary is not available