David B. Reponen

HOLDEN - David B. Reponen, a longtime resident of Holden, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, August 25, 2023. He was 78 years old. Born in Gardner, he was the son of the late Bruuno and Agnes (Kauppinen) Reponen.

Living many years in East Templeton, David was a 1962 graduate of Narragansett Regional High School. He continued his studies at Worcester State University where he received his bachelor of science degree in education in 1966. He began his career that fall at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham. During his 40-year tenure at the school, David taught advanced chemistry and physics and, upon retirement, served 12 years as a substitute teacher.

A former girls' softball and assistant baseball coach, he held many leadership roles at the school including chairman of the science department. David especially enjoyed helping to organize and participate in the “Faculty Follies,” an event held periodically to raise money for the Oakmont Teachers Association Scholarship Fund. In 1997, a laboratory in the science wing at Oakmont was named in his honor.

A lifelong baseball fan, David attended 787 games in 24 different stadiums. In his younger years, he played softball in the Miller’s River and Gardner recreational leagues, and he also enjoyed candlepin and 10-pin bowling at several locations in the Gardner area.

David and his wife Pam had been longtime active members of St. Mary’s Parish in Jefferson.
In addition to his loving wife, Pam, whom he met while teaching at Oakmont, he is survived by his beloved daughter, Lisa Turner and her husband, Neil and their children, Thomas and Chloe; a dear sister, Christine Roy and her husband, Jim; a nephew, Matthew Roy; and a niece, Rebecca Razin and her husband, Brian.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 1, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson, with burial following in Wildwood Cemetery, West Street (Rte. 68), Gardner. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in David’s memory may be made to the Oakmont Teachers Association, Oakmont Regional High School, c/o Guidance Dept., 9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430; or to St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522.

To share a memory or offer an online condolence please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.