Porter W. Dawley, 100

WESTMINSTER — Porter W. Dawley, 100, Westminster's oldest resident, of 3 Leominster St., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

Porter was the son of the late George L. and Annabel (Hutchins) Dawley; he graduated from Westminster High School in 1925, from Worcester Academy in 1927 and the University of Michigan in 1931.

For his entire working life, he was a principal of Westminster

Crackers, and the owner of the Dawley Shepard, Inc. he expanded

the cracker business into markets for industrial breadings and other extruded flour-based products. Throughout his life, he served the town of Westminster and civic organizations throughout Worcester County and beyond. He was a former Trustee of Worcester Academy, Past President of the Alumni Association and was inducted into the Worcester Academy Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Presidents Club, Victors Club and Alumni Association of the University of Michigan where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. In Westminster, he served on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, School Board, Advisory Board, and Liquor commission and was a member of the First Congregational Church, a director of the Westminster branch of the Red Cross and the Westminster Square and Compass Club. For many years, Mr. Dawley played the bass drum in parades and summer concerts for the Westminster Town Band.

In Gardner, he was President of the Rotary Club, an incorporator and trustee of Henry Heywood Hospital, Director of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Monadnock Council of Boy Scouts, member of the Gardner Shriners Club, the Chair City Club, the Florence Rangers Band, the Gardner Choral Society, Nevin Glee Club, Novella Made Quartet.

In Fitchburg, he was a trustee, vice president and member of the Board of Investments of the former Fitchburg Savings Bank, and director of the Fitchburg YMCA. He played in the Fitchburg American Legion Band and was a member of the Oak Hill Country Club, and the Fay Club.

In other service, Mr. Dawley was Past Master of the Aurora Lodge, member of the Scottish Rite Bodies 32 degrees, Consistory Valley of Boston Lodge, Council Chapter of Worcester, and Aleppo Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Wilmington. He was holder of the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal from the Grand Lodge.

He served on the Board of Catholic Charities and the Worcester Diocese Advisory Board for North Central Catholic Social Services, played in the town band of Townsend and the Townsend Military Band and assisted the Dartmouth College Parents Fund.

He was known as a private pilot who took many friends and children for rides, a man who parachuted when he was nearly 60, a runner in local road races and an avid skier.

Mr. Dawley is survived by two sons, Peter Dawley and David Dawley, both of Westminster; three grandchildren, Peter's sons, Porter W. Dawley III, of Longview, Wash., and Eric Dawley of Hubbardston, David's daughter, Ana Bessy (Dawley) Cassidy; two greatgrandchildren, Antonio and Marisol Cassidy, all of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and several nieces and nephews. He was the husband of the late Dolly (Ferguson) Dawley who died July 20, 2001; they were married for 68 years. He was also predeceased by a sister, Helen (Dawley) Dunn and his nephew, Paul Winston "Win" Dunn on Dec. 6, 2008.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. in First Congregational Church of Westminster, 138 Main St., Westminster, MA, 01473. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to and of the following, First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 477, Westminster, MA 01473, the Westminster Historical Society, P.O. Box 177, Westminster, MA 01473, or the Forbush Memorial Library, 11 South Street, Westminster, MA 01473.