Paul J. Harges, M.D.

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - Paul J. Harges, M.D., 93, passed away peacefully at his Holden residence with his daughter by his side on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, after an illness. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Harges was the son of Paul J. and Amy (Holt) Harges and lived over 30 years in Holden before moving to The Willows of Worcester in 2015. His wife of three years, Julie (Elia) Harges died in 2012.

Dr. Harges enlisted in the Unites States Navy in 1943 and was immediately assigned to the V-12 Navy College Training Program. While in the Navy, he received both his bachelor of science degree from the University of Richmond (Phi Beta Kappa) and his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He served his country from 1943 to 1953 and was a proud veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Dr. Harges did his internship at Baylor University Hospital and then worked as a flight surgeon in Corpus Christi, Texas. He did the initial portion of his anesthesia residency at Georgetown University Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was then stationed as an anesthesiologist in a MASH unit in Korea. He finished his anesthesia residency at the New England Deaconess Hospital. He was the head of anesthesiology at Memorial Hospital in Worcester for several years and he practiced there for 35 years before retiring at the age of 65.

He was a member and former deacon at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. Dr. Harges was a 50-year member of the Masons and was long time member of Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland. He enjoyed reading, gardening and traveling. He made many close friends at The Willows of Worcester, particularly Pat Sabean. He wintered in Juno Beach, Florida and had many friends there, including Jettie Ahlf. He was beloved and respected by his family, friends and colleagues for his compassion and integrity. He exemplified excellence in his profession with a passion and keen interest that never waned and he had a voracious appetite for life and food.

Dr. Harges' family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the dedicated and compassionate staff at The Willows particularly Evelyn, Harriet and Esther and the staff at UMass Memorial Neurology ICU.

His first wife of 48 years, Joanne J. (Roterby) Harges died in 1999. He will be affectionately remembered and missed by his daughter, Dr. Pamela L. Harges of Holden; his son, Dr. Richard A. Harges and his wife, Anne of Salt Lake City, Utah; his brother, Roger Harges of Elmhurst, Illinois; four grandchildren, Richard, Mary, Isaac and Elizabeth Harges; a niece and nephew, Heather and Todd and his wife, Lori and their children, Ryker and Brenner. He also was very fond of Ryan Robinson and his family.

A graveside service honoring Dr. Harges' life will be held at Grove Cemetery in Holden at a date and time to be announced in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mass Audubon Fund for Nature, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773 (massaudubon.org); or St. Francis Church, 70 High St., Holden, MA 01520; or to Doctors Without Borders USA, Attn: Planned Giving, 40 Rector Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10006. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.