Theron "Buddy" Flint, Jr

WINCHENDON - It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Theron A. “Buddy” Flint Jr. on November 9, 2023.

He was born in Winchendon on June 3, 1941, son of the late Theron and Margaret (O’Connor) Flint and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon.

Theron was known as Buddy or Budman to all his family and friends.  As a child, Buddy grew up in the Spring Village part of town where he made numerous life-long friends.

Buddy was a 1959 graduate of Murdock High School and went on to serve his country as a Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps.  Following his military service, he returned to Winchendon, married his high school sweetheart, Katherine “Rookie” (Diamantopoulous) Flint and started a family.  Buddy took great pride in his hometown of Winchendon, his Irish heritage, and being a graduate of Murdock High School.  He was extremely proud to be a Marine and enjoyed sharing stories of his time spent abroad while in the military.    

Buddy spent his career in the chemical manufacturing industry, working for Borden Chemical in Leominster and Chem Design Corporation in Fitchburg.  At work he was known for his sense of humor and his “get the work done” attitude.   

One of Buddy’s favorite hobbies was golf.  Weekends during the spring and summer he could be found hitting the links at the old Winchendon School golf course. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles.  He was a creature of habit and no matter what was going on, he faithfully read the newspaper every morning and completed the crossword puzzle.  An avid Boston sports fan, he looked forward to following the New England Patriots every fall.

Buddy was known for his sense of humor and larger than life personality.  He enjoyed playing practical jokes and making everyone laugh.  Even if it was at his own expense!

He enjoyed having a good time and it was always centered around family and friends. Whether it was going out for breakfast with friends, having home cooked dinners with his daughters during the week, his Friday afternoon stops at the American Legion Post 193 for a drink or two, or his infamous 4^th of July parties and legendary Budman Open golf tournaments, he was always happiest when surrounded by the people he loved. 

What brought Buddy the greatest joy was his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Having been an only child, family was very important to him.  If you wanted to see him beam with pride all you needed to do was ask him about his family.  He was so proud of his children and loved being a “Papa” to his granddaughters and great grandchildren.  

Buddy is survived by his three children, Deborah Flint of Winchendon, Sean Flint of Fort Myers, FL and Tracey Barrows and her husband Keith of Winchendon; He also leaves five granddaughters with whom he had an especially close relationship with; Ashly Switzer, Caitlin Epner, Lindsey Braga, Jaqueline Flint, and Taylor Barrows; as well as eight great-children; Nathan, Lila, Lily, Roman, Kennedy, Georgia, Henry, and Lola. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Katherine “Rookie” (Diamantopoulous) Flint.  

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 10 A.M.in the Stone Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA.  Burial with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Calling hours will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 5 -7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Buddy’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org