Alban P. Atkins
Decorated World War II Veteran
DUDLEY - Alban P. Atkins, 83, of 2 Jaybee Ave., died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at home in the company of his family.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Ann M. (Sterczala) Atkins; a daughter, Valerie A. Atkins, M.D., wife of Michael D. Lichter of Jaffrey NH; and one nephew. He was predeceased by his brothers, Rev. A. Valentine Atkocius, M.I.C., who died in 1979 and Peter B. Atkocius who died in 1995.
Alban was born in Worcester, a son of the late Peter and Antoinette (Strimaitis) Atkocius. He graduated from Saint John’s High School, then in Worcester, in 1942 as class Valedictorian. After military service he graduated “Cum Laude” from Holy Cross College in 1950.
Mr. Atkins was a World War II combat veteran of the European Theater of Operations as a member of Company K, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th (Ivy) Infantry Division, which played a major role in the liberation of Paris, France in August 1944. He was wounded in action in the Heurtgen Forest, Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also holder of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the Normandy Medal and 2 Bronze Service Stars for action in Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns. He also received the “Special Diploma” awarded by the Government of France to soldiers of the Allied Forces for their contribution in the fight to liberate France from the Axis Powers in World War II.
Mr. Atkins remained active in the US Army Reserve and completed thirty years of military service before retiring in 1974 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After graduation from Holy Cross, Mr. Atkins joined Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. in its Worcester office and later out of the Boston and Providence offices. He retired in 1989 after almost 40 years with the company.
Mr. Atkins was a former member of the Finance, Appropriations and Advisory Committee of the Town of Dudley and later of its Parks and Recreation Committee, of which he was chairman for several years. He also was a Precinct Warden in Dudley voting.
He was an active member of Saint Andrew Bobola Church in Dudley and served on a number of its committees. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America and was a former President of the Worcester County Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association of the U.S.
The funeral, with full military honors, will be held Wednesday, October 3, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main St. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. At his request, there are no calling hours and flowers are to be omitted. However, the family will receive friends at the church from 10:15 to 11:00 AM on Wednesday prior to the Mass. Memorial donations may be made to Saint John’s High School, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2299. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.