Lt. Col (USAF.RET) Thomas M. Batch

March 7, 1921 – September 17, 2010

Lt. Col (USAF.RET ) Thomas M. Batch of Hudson, N.H., passed away peacefully September 17, 2010 at the Veterans Adminstration Medical Center in Manchester, N.H.

He was born March 7, 1921 in Holyoke, and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1938.

Enlisting in the Army Air Corps on January 26, 1942, he was awarded aviation cadet status in February 1942 and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in November 1942 as a pilot. In 1944 he completed 35 bombing missions over Germany and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious achievement while participating in heavy bombardment missions in the air offensive against the enemy over continental Europe. He was promoted to Captain in 1944 and received clearance for crytopgraphic duties. He flew the Berlin Airlift and coordinated the Congo Missions to provide airlift and supplies for the United Nations involved. Promoted to Major in 1951, Mr. Batch received an award for safety in military aviation specific to the MATS Artic route, a notoriously dangerous route. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1965. He flew 9,700 total flying hours.

Tom worked as an air traffic controller for the FAA in Nashua, N.H. until 1976. He was a lifetime member of the 95th Bomb Group (H) Association. He was the president of the Elks Golf League in Nashua, president of the Senior League at Whipowill, and a member of the American Legion of Hudson, N.H.

As an avid gardener Tom never met a tomato plant he couldn't grow. The enormous bounty was shared with neighbors near and far for months on end.

He is survived by his wife, the former Lillian Jasik; daughters, Susan Hardman of Newton, N.H. and Irene Batch of El Cajon, Calif.; son, Thomas M. Batch Jr., and his wife, Lynn, of Arlington; and two granddaughters, Elisabeth and Amber, also of Arlington. Nieces and nephews include Christine Merlot and her husband, Bernie, William Parmelee, Kathryn Maruk and her mother, Marion, Maxine Kreikamp, her family and mother Olga, Bobby Bachuzewski and family.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Lt. Col (USAF. RET ) T homas M. Batch died September 17, 2010.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the DWYER FU-NERAL HOME with Rev. A. Peter, Gregory, pastor of St. Charles Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Pittsfield Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the DWYER FUNERAL HOME. T om was a friend of every cat that passed by.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his name can be made to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, in care of the DWYER FUNERAL HOME, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Janie McKnightJune 13, 2019