Alan J. Havens

HOLDEN - Alan J. Havens, 85, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Born in Worcester and raised in Holden, Alan was the son of Stanley M. and Elsie M. (Jordan) Havens, and lived several years in West Boylston before moving back to Holden in the early 1990's.

He was a graduate of Holden High School, class of 1951 and Stockbridge School of Agriculture at University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1953. Alan honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958.

From a child, Alan worked on his family's farm, Jordan's Dairy Farm, in Rutland until the age of 38. He then went to work at CC Lowell Art Supply Co. in Worcester for the following 34 years retiring at the age 72. After his retirement, Alan volunteered his time at the Holden Senior Center as a Meals on Wheels Driver. In 2010, he received the Barbara Cushman Award for his outstanding service as a Meals on Wheels driver.

Alan joined the Holden Grange #78 at the age of 14; a membership he has held dearly to his heart throughout the years. He was a passionate and dedicated member of the Grange and was a Past Master of the Holden Grange, and held memberships in the Worcester Central Pomona Grange #7, Mass State Grange, National Grange and the Thomas Severance Past Master and Past Lecturer Association. He was the oldest living Past Master of the Holden Grange.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Holden and enjoyed following New England sport teams, reading, bowling and spending time with his family.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife, Merryl C. (Butler) Havens; four daughters, Debbie A. Powers and her fiancé, Jamie Akers of Louisville, CO, Lisa A. Havens of West Harwich, MA, Monique Hayward and her husband, Robbie of Sugar Hill, NH, Susan Merryl MacPherson and her husband, Patrick of Holliston, MA ; a son, Stephen B. Girling and his wife, Rhonda of North Attleboro; 13 grandchildren, Cody Michael, Justin Alan, Emil, Jesse, Tyler, Faith, Allyson, Mike, Marc and his wife, Brenda, Nathan, Owen, Kayla and Joy; a niece, Theresa and many cousins. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, Russell Havens.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Alan's family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 7, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, at the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main St., Holden. Burial with full military honors will follow at Grove Cemetery in Holden followed by a celebration of Alan’s life back at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main St., Holden, MA 01520; or the Holden Grange #78, 26 Glenwood Place, Rutland, MA 01543.