Westborough – Howard K. “Pete” Fay Jr., 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.
Born in Westborough, he was the son of the late Howard and Gladys (Fraser) Fay. He was educated in Westborough schools and was a 1942 graduate of Westborough High School where he was captain of the baseball team.
Pete attended Burdett College prior to entering into the U.S Army at Ft. Devens in 1943. He was discharged as a Technician 5th Grade in 1945. He served overseas for 25 months in North Africa and Italy. He was twice wounded in Italy while serving with the 34th Infantry Division. The major battles he served in were Cassino, Angio, Rome, Leghorn, Mt. Belmonte, and Po Valley. His military decorations include Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star (Meritorious Service), Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with four battle stars, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
On Memorial Day 1996, Pete was presented the War Office Medal by Secretary of the Army Togo D. West Jr. at the White House, and was invited by President Clinton to attend a veteran’s breakfast both on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day 1996 at the White House. At that time, he also attended memorial observances at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
Pete was associated with his father in the operation of Fay’s Dairy in Westborough from 1946 to 1966 when the business was sold. He then entered the U.S. Postal Service at Westborough Post Office in 1966 as a substitute letter carrier. He advanced through the ranks to Superintendent of Postal Operations. He also conducted letter carrier route inspections, on special assignments, throughout Worcester County retiring in 1985.
Pete served the town of Westborough in many capacities, including Call Firefighter, Board of Fire Engineers, Planning Board, 250th Anniversary Committee, Conservation Committee, Delegate to Central MA, Regional Planning Commission, Municipal Sites and Facilities Committee, Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorial, Veterans Advisory Committee, Election Official/Warden Precinct 1, WWII Commemoration Committee, Commonwealth of MA., Massachusetts Selective Service Board 162, recommended by Gov. Michael Dukakis.
Pete was a member of The Congregational Church of Westborough, Stowell-Parker Post 163, American Legion, Westborough Memorial Post 9013, VFW, former member of the Westborough Historical Society, and Republican Town Committee. He was a life member and past President of Blackstone Valley Forestry Association and former treasurer of Junior American Legion Baseball.
Pete is survived by one brother, Carroll F. Fay and his wife Marion of Westborough; two sisters, Frances Poulson of Stow and Janet Fay of Missoula, Mont.; one niece, Fay Kulik and her husband Stephen; and four nephews, Benjamin Poulson and his wife Joan, Seth Poulson and his wife Betsy, John Poulson and his wife Johanna, and Paul Poulson. He is also survived by nine grandnieces and grandnephews.
A graveside funeral service, with military honors, will be held Thursday, April 16, at 10 a.m., in Pine Grove Cemetery, South Street, Westborough. There are no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
