Roger Grimwade

CHARLTON: Roger Reed Grimwade, 82, of Masonic Home Rd. died, Friday, at Harrington Memorial Hospital after being stricken ill at home. He leaves his wife of 25 years Lois (Burnham) Grimwade, his three children, John Grimwade of Kansas City MO, Jane Tirrell of Pasadena CA, and Julia Leonard of Merritt Island, FL, and his two sisters, Barbara Meservey of Charlton, and Anne Bodine of Orrs Island, ME.  He also leaves three stepchildren, Patricia Kritzman of Stafford Springs, CT, Thomas Hastings of Wayland, MA, and Steven Hastings of Bolton MA, and 14 grandchildren.  His first wife Barbara (McMaster) Grimwade died Nov. 1980.

He was born in Worcester, the son of Roger M. and Doris (Reed) Grimwade and lived in Charlton all his life.

Reed graduated from Charlton High School in 1946, and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1950, where he earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering. He served on the USS Glennon during the Korean War.

Reed was CEO and Treasurer of the Charlton Woolen Company from 1962 until 1981.  He then started another company, Charlton Blanket Company.  He was a past president of the Northern Textile Association and was chairman of the NTA Wool Council for many years.  After retiring, he volunteered with the International Executive Service Corp to help strengthen private textile companies in developing nations.  Reed was also a trustee of Southbridge Savings bank since 1957, and a member of the bank's Board of Investment since 1966.  In 1985, he was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of SSB, and at the time of his death held the title of Honorary Director.  He also served as an advisory director of Worcester County National Bank.

Reed was also very active in serving his local community.  He was a former President of Harrington Memorial Hospital, leading a drive for a major expansion of the hospital in the early 1970's.  He served for many years on the Finance Committee in Charlton, and was Chairman of the planning committee that established the Dudley-Charlton School District and led to the building of Shepherd Hill Regional High School.  Reed was also a former trustee of Nichols College. He was a former director of the YMCA, and a past Chairman of the budget committee of the United Way. He also was a charter member and the first President of the Charlton Ambulance Corp.  He was an overseer of Old Sturbridge Village.  Reed was also an avid golfer, and a member and former President of Cohasse County Club.

His funeral will be held at 11:00AM October 29, in the Charlton City United Methodist Church, 74 Stafford St. Charlton.

Calling hours are 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday, Oct. 28, in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St. Southbridge. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grimwade Family Scholarship Fund, WPI, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609