James F. Pritchard, 84, of 803 Pleasant St., Leominster, died Friday, Jan. 11, after an illness.

Mr. Pritchard was born in Clinton on Sept. 2, 1923. He received his associate’s degree from Nichols College, his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and his master’s degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force and was a captain at the time of his discharge. He worked in investment securities and was the owner of J.F. Pritchard Group International.

Mr. Pritchard is in the Nichols College Athletic Hall of Fame for football and track, and is in the University of New Hampshire Athletic Hall of Fame for football. He was past president of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion Association and helped plan and design a monument dedicated to the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion that is located at Fort Devens.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion C. (Harrington) Pritchard; two daughters, Linda Aschenbrenner of Illinois and Jennifer Safron of Westminster; two sons, James Pritchard of Cape Cod and Shawn Pritchard of Leominster; four grandchildren, Erinn Gibbons of Illinois, Matthew Pritchard of Ohio, 1st Sgt. Michael Pritchard, USMC in Iraq, and Eric Aschenbrenner of New York City, and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Buckley, a native of Leominster, was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Milton, the son of Cornelius and Josephine (Curry) Buckley.

He was the first Eagle Scout of St. Leo’s parish. While in high school he played baseball, basketball and football. 

In 1943, Jim joined the navy and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, serving on the LST 382 Navy ship.

Jim owned and operated C.E. Buckley Inc., a family-owned business with his brothers, serving as president from 1947 until his retirement in 1994.

He leaves his devoted wife of 60 years, Ellen (Crowley) Buckley; two sons, David Buckley of Wilmington, Vt., and Kevin Buckley and his wife, Deborah, of Leominster; and a daughter, Susan Buckley from Eastham; four grandchildren, Ryan Piermarini and his wife, Jennifer, from Liverpool, N.Y., Kevin Piermarini from New Zealand, Briana and Erin Buckley from Leominster, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, James. F. Buckley Jr.; and his siblings, Robert Buckley, Cornelius Buckley and Joan McKenna. Burial was with full military honors in St. Leo’s Cemetery.

Harold L. Bassett Jr., 81, of 44 Hall St., Leominster, died Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Veterans Administration Hospital, Bedford.

He was born in Leominster, the son of Harold L. and Helen J. (Grady) Bassett Sr. He also graduated from Worcester Boys Trade school in 1949. He was on the board of directors of the Joanettes all-girl Drum and Bugle Corps and J’s management.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and Korea. During World War II, he served as a Radioman 2 class aboard the cruiser USS Biloxi in the Western Pacific. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal with six bronze stars; Philippine Liberation ribbon with two combat stars; Philippine Republic Presidential unit citation; Navy occupation service medal, Japan; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Medal. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving aboard the destroyer escort USS Fessenden in the Atlantic.

His wife was the late Janet L. (Kingsbury) Bassett, who died in 1985. He is survived by four daughters, Deborah Gilbertand, Lynn Sarao, Jean Ricci and Joan Maillett, all of Leominster. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Michael Bassett; a daughter, Pamela Bassett; and a sister, Marion Steele. Burial with military honors was in Evergreen cemetery.