West Boylston – Raymond “Bud” Bradbury Vittum Jr. , age 85, passed away on Sunday, 11/24/24.
A treasured father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, he is preceded by his wife, Hope (Moulton) Vittum (1942-2018). Bud leaves behind 4 sons and daughters-in-law [Brad (Misty), Craig (Liz), Mark (Kelly), Dean (Jen)], 1 daughter and son-in-law, [Tracey (Dan)], 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Born May 6, 1939, in Waltham, MA to Raymond Bradbury Vittum Sr. and Monda (Savage) Vittum, Bud grew up with, and is survived by, 2 younger siblings – Nancy (Vittum) Williams of Charlotte, NC and Richard Vittum Sr. of Waltham, MA.
A Waltham High School graduate and a US Navy veteran, Bud married the love of his life, Hope Moulton, on New Year’s Eve 1960. Bud and Hope then raised their 5 children in Marlborough, MA while Bud built a career as a draftsman in multiple technology companies.
In the 1990s, Bud and Hope retired and moved to Hilton Head SC, Virginia Beach, VA, toured North America in an RV, landing finally in The Villages, FL in the early 2000s where he had the joy of being neighbors with his brother-in-law and Best Man, Glenn Moulton (Linda).
Known as Papa to all his grandkids he was famous for classic “dad jokes” and picture pancakes. He was a champion swimmer, coach to his kids, and became a skilled wood carver in his later years.
Upon Hope’s death, Bud returned to Marlborough to be closer to his children and became a resident of New Horizons assisted living community until becoming ill in recent months and passing while at Oakdale Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston.
His family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff of both facilities, in addition to the Veteran’s Association of Central Massachusetts and Brookhaven Hospice as they helped him live a comfortable life in his final years and days. Bud departed this world with much love and dignity, and we are eternally grateful.
A memorial service will be held at St. Matthias (409 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA) on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:30am.
