Daniel A. King

HOLDEN – Daniel A. King, 81, beloved husband of Patricia A. (O’Grady) King, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, May 27, 2019. Born and raised in Worcester, he was a son of Maurice E. and Ethel (Bremer) King.

Daniel was a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned two Bachelor’s Degrees, in English and in History. He went on to further his education at Assumption College and received a Master’s Degree in History. He received three NEH grants which allowed him to study at Columbia University and Wellesley College, and to participate in an archaeological dig at Flowerdew Hundred in VA. On Sabbatical, Professor King studied methods in post graduate education in Copenhagen, Denmark. Professor King taught History at Quinsigamond Community College for over 40 years, retiring in 2009. He continued to teach evening classes at QCC for several years thereafter.

Daniel was a voracious reader and was known to have encyclopedic knowledge. He was well versed in Biblical, Ancient and European History. His interest in the Civil War resulted primarily from stories his mother told him about her grandfather, Levi Shepard, of Princeton, MA. Levi and his brothers were veterans of the American Civil War, Levi having been shot and capruted at the Battle of Newmarket, VA, resulting in his incarceration at Andersonville Prison in Georgia. Surviving this imprisonment, Lev went on to participate in several more battles and was at Appomattox when the war ended.

In his spare time Dan could often be found collecting books and antiques in the company of his wife. Daniel was a talented painter and self taught wood worker as well as an avid movie fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family at their summer home in Dennis Port, sometimes staying until early autumn. He also enjoyed traveling with his young family along the Eastern Seaboard, Canada and Cape Cod, and later, with Pat, traveled extensively throughout Europe.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 56 years, Patricia; his son, Daniel S. King of Holden; his daughter, Lauren E. Nolan of Shrewsbury; a brother, John F. King and his wife, Margaret (Cotter) of Bunker Hill, WV; Pat’s sister, June Kelly and her daughter Erin, both of PA; three grandchildren, Holly Brown and Lucas and Charles Nolan, and a lifelong friend, Al Shahnarian, of Oxford. He also leaves many nieces and nephews of the King and Robillard families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Col. Edward M. King and his sister, Ethel A. Robillard, both of Worcester.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 23rd at 2:00 pm at the First Unitarian Church, 90 Main Street, Worcester. A reception at the church will follow the service. A private burial was held at St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester on June 3. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Paul Connell Memorial Scholarship Fund, Quinsigamond Community College, 670 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA 01606, or to the VNA CARE Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit "The Tribute Wall."