Alan R. Hedin
Jun 7th, 2021
Alan R. Hedin 84 of Orleans died unexpectedly Monday June 7, 2021 in his beloved home in Orleans.
He was the husband of the late Mary J. (Bombard) Hedin who died in 2020. They had been married for 62 years.
Born in Springfield, Al was the son of the late Carl E. and Helen F. (Gilfoil) Hedin.
As a young man he excelled in sports leading to outstanding years at Cathedral High in Springfield where he starred and lettered in both basketball and baseball. He was signed by the Milwaukee Braves and enjoyed a brief stint with their minor league affiliate in Georgia.
Upon returning to Springfield, Al married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Bombard in 1957. They started a family and settled in East Longmeadow.
Always an athlete, Al enjoyed playing basketball in the local recreation league as well as tennis at neighboring towns Tennis Clubs. He played and managed the semi-pro baseball team, Oliver Auto Body, in his hometown of East Longmeadow for many years.
Al and Mary retired to Orleans, where they spent their remaining years.
Al is survived by his children, Richard, David and his wife, Jill, Lynne and her husband, Jim, and Alan and wife Chelsea; six grandchildren, Carl, Lauren, Timothy, Kylen, Cyrus and Esme; and his two brothers, Robert of Pennsylvania and Paul of Brewster. In addition to his wife and parents, Al was predeceased by a brother, Carl.
His upbeat, can-do approach to life will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family is planning a celebration of his life at a later date.