Ernest E"Ernie" Holmlund

Ernest E. Holmlund, 97, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Gardner and Baldwinville, died peacefully Saturday, January 14, 2017 in Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Shrewsbury.
Born in Gardner on January 26, 1919, he was the son of the late Arthur and Amanda (Hilman) Holmlund. He was raised in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School.
Ernest proudly served his country as a United States WWII Navy Veteran where he spent most of the war on the Edwin E. Howard, a Destroyer Escort. During this time he received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign with one star, the Good Conduct Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one star and the Philippine Liberation Medal with one star.
He was employed by Heywood Wakefield Company of Gardner for almost 40 years as a foreman in charge of the cabinet room.
Ernest was a member of Memorial Congregational Church, Baldwinille. He was a member of the Gardner VFW Ovila Case Post 905, and of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary where he taught boating safety for many years.
Ernest enjoyed lobster, strawberry shortcake, bowling, and playing horse shoes. He had a love of sailing, and diving as well as boating on Lake George, Lake Winnipesauke, Lake Monomonac, and on the ocean. He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and being fluent in Swedish. He loved traveling with his children and spending his winter seasons in Florida. He cherished time with his family.
He leaves two sons Alan E. Holmlund and his wife Lori of Norton, MA, Eric J. Holmund and his wife Judy of Sun City Center, FL; one daughter Sharyn A. Rice and her husband Douglas of Phillipston, MA and of Wells, ME; three grandchildren Karli Morse and her husband Dennis, Kristi Holmlund, and William Holmlund and his wife Jennifer; one step-grandson, Michael McCluskey; four great grandchildren Sean Morse, Nickolas, Loghan, and Gabriel Holmlund; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years Blanche, one brother Lawrence Holmlund and one sister Helmi Moss.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00am in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery at a later date.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The United States Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, 1500 N. Glebe Road, Suite 220, Arlington, VA 22201

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