Worcester: Martin Leonard Kuniholm (99) passed peacefully January 20. Raised in Gardner, MA he lived in Worcester after graduating from WPI in 1938. During WWII he ran the engineering training program at Heald Machine Company where he worked until 1982, having acquired 7 patents jointly in his and Heald’s name.
Lenny was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Alden Society at WPI, Tatnuck Club, Masons (70 years), a Sunday School teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church, Boy Scout volunteer, devoted husband and a loving father.
At 14 he passed his ham radio operator exam, built a transmitter, and operated as W1HOZ. At 16 he built a kayak so sturdy his children used it. He made his own bows and arrows and earned the Archery merit badge with them. He painted his house at 80, repaired his cars until 87, donated gallons of blood, monthly until 90, and walked 2 miles daily until age 96. He was a raconteur and MCed many Heald retirement parties. Lenny could fix almost anything in his workshop where he made wine and built a grandfather clock accurate to 7 seconds a year.
Lenny told his hospice nurse he “doesn’t want anyone feeling bad-he’s had a good life, the Holy Spirit is inside him, and he’s going to be OK.” He often expressed gratitude for the fine care he received from the Lutheran Home staff and Compassionate Care Hospice.
He was predeceased by his wife of 71 years Ellen, son Calvin, grandson Benjamin, and is survived by son Jonathan and his wife Gunilla, daughter Faith, grandchildren Eric, Mark and Sylvia, and great granddaughter Zoe.
A memorial service will be held at Nordgren's on February 27, 2-4 PM. To share a memory or offer condolences click link below.