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- [S5] Obituary.
Alden Francis Pettengill, a loving husband, father, son, and friend died Wednesday. He was 53.
Alden was diagnosed with ALS in January of this year and died from related complications. He was a graduate of Dartmouth High School, a varsity athlete. He received his B.S. from UMass Amherst. His career revolved around technology. He was the Director of Information Systems & Facilities at Neighborhood Health in Providence, RI. He and his wife Lori rode several times in the Pan Mass Challenge. He coached baseball, basketball, and soccer for the DYAA. He served as head of trustees at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, and was a member of the New Bedford Yacht Club, and a boat owner since the age of 12.
He was happiest when hiking, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cruising on his boat & surrounded by his family and friends. He was part teacher, friend, traveler, and philosopher. He taught us to take paths untraveled, seek adventure, and to love and care for each other. He made each day a new adventure, even on the roads that were chosen for him.
He is survived by his wife Lori (Gamache), his daughters Molly and Frances, his sons Zachariah and Nicholas, his parents, Phyllis and Francis Pettengill of South Dartmouth, his sister Anne Tangen and brother-in-law Roy Tangen of South Dartmouth. He was uncle to Alden and Laura Tangen, Ellie, Gracie, Charlie, and Johnnie Gamache. His extended family includes Joey and Stevie Cabral of Mattapoisett, Stephanie, Sarah, and Julie Cabral, Jane, David, Josh, and Shana Filipek of Dartmouth, Mary Beth and the late John Gamache of New Bedford, Jake, Ben, and Elizabeth Gamache, Leslie and DJ Gamache of Dartmouth, Ray and the late Amy Gamache of New Bedford.
Alden was known for his character, work ethic, humor, deep thought, and commitment to his family. His unique way of squeezing the most out of each experience earned him some family nicknames such as Mr. Adventure and Daddy Duck Tape.
Alden and his family have been so thankful for the tremendous outpouring of support and love. Since his diagnosis seven months ago this support came from not just family and close friends, but from the entire community.
The family would also like to thank Ron Hoffman of Compassionate Care ALS for his support and guidance through this journey. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P. O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574, www.ccals.org
His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10am in the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, 17 Middle St., South Dartmouth. Visiting hours on Friday, August 27, 2010 from 4-8pm in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT DARTMOUTH, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. Burial private.
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