Alan A. Dearnley, 85 passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester.
Alan was raised in Holden where he graduated from Holden High School. Following graduation, Alan enlisted in the United States Navy serving on a destroyer and was a veteran of the Korean War.
While in New Hampshire in the spring of 1950, Alan met the love of his life, Dorothy (Gagnon). The couple were wed on May 2, 1953 in St. Patrick's Church, Amherst, NH. Alan and Dorothy would have celebrated 63 years of marriage this May 2nd.
In 1956 Alan and his father co-founded S&D Spinning Mill located at 190 West Main Street in Millbury. Alan and his father ran the highly successful textile mill together until Fred's death in 1983 upon which Alan continued ownership of the mill for the next 30 years working side by side with his five sons until he retired and transferred ownership to his sons. S&D Spinning Mill is still in operation today and has been featured in several newspaper articles such as the Telegram & Gazette and the New York Times Magazine. His His son John appeared in the magazine with mill photos and also in the documentary about the Blackstone Valley textile mills airing on PBS.
Alan enjoyed wilderness canoeing, boating, and swimming, biking, traveling and hosting annual holiday events such as the Memorial Day and July 4th cookout where he showcased his culinary talents with his seafood chowder and clambakes. After retirement, Alan enjoyed spending winters in Naples, Florida where he was an active participant in pool, card games and other warm weather activities.
Alan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Gagnon) Dearnley. He leaves behind a legacy of five sons, David Dearnley of Sutton and his wife, Kathleen, John Dearnley of Charlton and his wife, Laurie, Jeffrey Dearnley of Douglas, Thomas Dearnley of Sutton and his wife, Karen and Scott Dearnley of Sutton; five grandchildren, Keri Hope and her husband, Kurt of Sturbridge, Troy Dearnley of Charlton, Bryan Dearnley of Derry, NH, Jillian Dearnley of Douglas and Sean Dearnley of Uxbridge; two great-grandchildren, Bradley and Benjamin Hope, and several nieces and nephews. He was born in Agawam and is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Josephine Dearnley and his sister, Gloria.
Alan's calling hours will be held Thursday March 3rd from 5 to 8 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4th in the funeral home and burial will follow in West Sutton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Read Alan Dearnley's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
Alan was raised in Holden where he graduated from Holden High School. Following graduation, Alan enlisted in the United States Navy serving on a destroyer and was a veteran of the Korean War.
While in New Hampshire in the spring of 1950, Alan met the love of his life, Dorothy (Gagnon). The couple were wed on May 2, 1953 in St. Patrick's Church, Amherst, NH. Alan and Dorothy would have celebrated 63 years of marriage this May 2nd.
In 1956 Alan and his father co-founded S&D Spinning Mill located at 190 West Main Street in Millbury. Alan and his father ran the highly successful textile mill together until Fred's death in 1983 upon which Alan continued ownership of the mill for the next 30 years working side by side with his five sons until he retired and transferred ownership to his sons. S&D Spinning Mill is still in operation today and has been featured in several newspaper articles such as the Telegram & Gazette and the New York Times Magazine. His His son John appeared in the magazine with mill photos and also in the documentary about the Blackstone Valley textile mills airing on PBS.
Alan enjoyed wilderness canoeing, boating, and swimming, biking, traveling and hosting annual holiday events such as the Memorial Day and July 4th cookout where he showcased his culinary talents with his seafood chowder and clambakes. After retirement, Alan enjoyed spending winters in Naples, Florida where he was an active participant in pool, card games and other warm weather activities.
Alan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Gagnon) Dearnley. He leaves behind a legacy of five sons, David Dearnley of Sutton and his wife, Kathleen, John Dearnley of Charlton and his wife, Laurie, Jeffrey Dearnley of Douglas, Thomas Dearnley of Sutton and his wife, Karen and Scott Dearnley of Sutton; five grandchildren, Keri Hope and her husband, Kurt of Sturbridge, Troy Dearnley of Charlton, Bryan Dearnley of Derry, NH, Jillian Dearnley of Douglas and Sean Dearnley of Uxbridge; two great-grandchildren, Bradley and Benjamin Hope, and several nieces and nephews. He was born in Agawam and is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Josephine Dearnley and his sister, Gloria.
Alan's calling hours will be held Thursday March 3rd from 5 to 8 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4th in the funeral home and burial will follow in West Sutton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Read Alan Dearnley's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
A service summary is not available