WORCESTER-James A. Lidgate, 95 of Tatnuck Gardens, 340 May Street, formerly of 5 Suburban Road and Monadnock Road died Wednesday, July 9th in UMass Memorial Healthcare, Memorial Campus after a brief illness. His wife of 62 years Katherine “Kay” L. (Loftus) Lidgate died in 2001. He leaves 3 godchildren and several close friends.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY the son of James and Melinda G. (Mathews) Lidgate and had lived most of his life in Worcester. He was a graduate of South High School and Northeastern Law School. Mr. Lidgate had worked for Worcester County Abstract Company for 73 years, first as an errand boy and retiring as a trustee in 1995. He was World War 2 Army veteran and he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Lidgate had been a baritone soloist at Immaculate Conception Church for over 70 years. He was a founding member of Worcester County Light Opera, and was a member of the Worcester County and Massachusetts Bar Associations, the American Legion and Worcester Country Club. He and his wife were world travelers and supported many local charities.
The funeral will be Saturday, July 12th, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street, Worcester. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contribution may be made to TEMPO (for music) or UPSTAGE (for acting) at Wachusett Regional High School, 1401 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520. O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue,is directing funeral arrangements.