Henry E. Bodurtha

[3] Born and raised in Agawam, Mass., he attended the local schools and graduated from Worcester Academy in 1884.

According to a profile published in the Springfield Union in 1947, Mr. Bodurtha's "philosophy of life consists in trying to give everyone a 'square deal.'"

He served as Master of Ceremonies for the town's 50th anniversary celebration in 1905 and was elected "honorary marshal" of the centennial parade in 1955.

He and his wife were devoted members of the Agawam Baptist Church, where Henry served as a deacon from 1904 until his death.

The following appeared in the church bulletin the day after his passing: "He was a man of convictions and he was never fearful in expressing them whether people agreed with him or not.