James T. Blodgett ’38 died on September 16, 2016, in Sterling, Massachusetts.

(The following was published by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on September 17, 2016)

James T. Blodgett ’38

James Thomas Blodgett was born September 15, 1916 and died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones at age 100 years, and one day.

He was a graduate of Worcester Academy, Bowdoin College and Harvard Medical School.

From Medical school he entered World War II earning all five European Theater Campaign Medals from the US Army, plus one from Britain. His participation ranged from enduring Germany’s bombing of Britain to the invasion of Normandy and struggles all across France and into Germany and Belgium. He led the medic corps through the triage at the freeing of Nordhausen Concentration Camp. He was awarded Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French Ambassador of Boston in 2013.

Immediately upon his return to the States he married his sweetheart Alice Helen Crowe. He opened his medical practice in West Boylston, made many house calls in Sterling, Holden and vicinity, and delivered numerous babies. Both he and Alice worked at Holden District Hospital. The family moved to Sterling where he became active in helping to preserve East Lake Waushacum for the benefit of all, and served for many years on the Conant Library Board. He was an avid fisherman, almost always serving as mentor to at least one young person. He was an especially creative wood worker, lover of books both as reader and author, and was truly a lifetime learner and the proverbial teacher. He was both respected and liked by his patients.

He is survived by daughter Deborah Ann Blodgett (Frank Cummings) of Sterling, MA, daughter Donna Lee Blodgett of The Villages, FL, grandson James Scott Duncan (Joy, Chance, Joshua) of Santa Cruz, CA. Others who called him GrandDad and Great GrandDad are Kelli and Kevin Benger, Frank Cummings III, Jamieson and Sydney Cummings, and Jacy and Jadyn Florin.