Published in the May 6, 2016 edition.
READING — Harry E. “Bud” True, 92, of Reading, formerly of Wakefield, died on May 4, following a brief illness.
Born in Winchester, he was the son of the late Harry E. and Idabelle (Baxter) True. Bud was raised and resided in the Wakefield family homestead until he moved to Peter Sanborn Place in Reading 2008.
Bud graduated from Wakefield High School in the class of 1940, and in 1942, he graduated from Wentworth Institute. He proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Marine Corps and after the war, he attended Northeastern University on the GI bill and graduated with a degree in engineering. Bud worked as mechanical engineer for several firms in the Boston area, including the D.S. Greene Co. in Wakefield, where he was employed until well into his 80s.
Bud was an avid boater and loved sailing in the ocean. He was a lifelong member of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club, joining at the age of 13. He helped build the present club house. He built his own boat, the “Yard Bird,” that he and his family enjoyed cruising along the New England coast. Bud was a member of the U.S. Power Squadron and taught classes in celestial navigation and water safety.
Bud belonged to the V.F.W., the Semper Fi Society of Boston, the NRA and the Reading Rifle Club. He and his wife Loretta loved to travel. Together, they drove across the United States several times and visited Hawaii, Alaska and, on their 50th anniversary, New Zealand.
Bud was the husband of the late Loretta (Richter) True, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter Karen True Young and his brother Jack Studley. He is survived by his two daughters Roberta Thomson and her husband Scott of Sudbury and Teresa Purrington and her husband Stephen of Wakefield. He also leaves six grandchildren: Marc Young and his wife Mary; Kevin Thomson and his wife Lauren; Emily Dollar and her husband Zach; Kate Todisco and her husband John; Sarah Augustyniak and her husband Mark, and Annie Dodge and her husband Jeff. Bud was the proud Gramp of 11 great-grandchildren: Natalie, Aiden, Nathan, Ryan, Logan, Amy, Charlotte, Brody, Hannah, Finnbar and Cole.
Private graveside services with military honors will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home of Stoneham.
