Westborough – Sherwin “Deke” Bardsley died Friday, May 4, 2012 surrounded by his wife, Polly, and his loving family. He was 88.
He was born in 1923 in Fitchburg, the only child of Henry and Eva (Pierce) Bardsley. Growing up in Leominster, he was an Eagle Scout and played football for Leominster High School until his graduation in 1941. He earned varsity football letters while attending the College of William & Mary and the University of Maine at Orono, receiving a BS in 1947.
From 1942-1945, Mr. Bardsley served with the U.S. Army Infantry in World War II, both in the Battle of the Saar and the Battle of the Bulge, earning four battle stars and a Purple Heart. He had a 40-year career with Paul Revere Life Insurance Co.
He loved to ski, golf, and spend time at his summer home in Eastham on Cape Cod. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the National Ski Patrol, Paul Revere Ski Club (founder), the Spencer Lodge AF & AM, and the Aleppo Temple Shrine. For 45 years, he was a member of the Westborough Country Club.
Mr. Bardsley is survived by his beloved wife, Polly Bardsley, to whom he was married for 64 years; son Jef Bardsley and his wife, Leslie, of Shrewsbury; son Rand Bardsley and his wife, Susan, of Grafton; son John Bardsley and his wife, Mary, of Newport, N.H.; grandchildren Ryan, Amy, Megan, Erin, Jaime, and Scott; and great-grandchildren Sophie, Thaddeus, Jacob, and Asa. His youngest son, David Bardsley, died in 2009.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 9, at 11 a.m., at the Parkman Chapel of The Congregational Church, corner of Church and West Main Street, Westborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Salvation Army at http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/.
To view or sign his online guest book, visit www.westboroughfuneralhome.com.
