Stephen Jay Twining

Fitchburg – Stephen Jay Twining, 75, formerly of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024, in the Highlands, Fitchburg. Stephen was born in Springfield, MA, on September 20, 1948, a son of the late Clarence F. and Frances (Bowen) Twining. He graduated from Technical High in Springfield in 1966. Steve joined the apprentice class at General Electric in Pittsfield where he spent his career, retiring as a Senior Draftsman 50 years later. In 1971 he achieved his Masonic Third Degree from the Crescent Lodge in Pittsfield and became Worshipful Master in 1975 and 1981. Stephen loved immersing himself in Civil War history and his family’s genealogy. As a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in Massachusetts and Connecticut, he enjoyed sharing his knowledge about the war and recording the graves of Civil War soldiers across Massachusetts and in several communities in the other New England states. Steve is a past commander of Alden Skinner Camp #45 Rockville/Vernon, Connecticut. After moving to Fitchburg, Stephen joined the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library, the Friends of the Fitchburg’s Historic Cemeteries, and was the Historical Society’s representative on the Fitchburg Historical Commission for several years. He established the Military Nurses Memorial in Monument Park, Fitchburg, recognizing the nurses who served from the Civil War to the present. Stephen traced his paternal family back through an ancestor who fought in the Civil War, to Stephen Hopkins from the Mayflower, and to 13th century England. He is survived by his partner Sharon A. (Morin) Bernard of Fitchburg; his children, Stephen J. Carlson, Douglas P. Carlson, and Greg Carlson; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his cat, Dexter. Stephen was predeceased by his brothers William, Eugene, Edward, and David, and his sister Carol. The family would like to extend a most sincere thank you to the Highlands and Beacon Hospice for their compassion and care. Funeral services and burial will be held at a later date. The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to the Fitchburg Public Library Building Fund, online at https://cfncm.org/donate-now/fitchburg-public-library-building-fund or by mail to: Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, 649 John Fitch Highway Fitchburg, MA 01420, on the Memo Line: Fitchburg Public Library Building Fund; or to the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

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Stephen Jay Twining

September 20, 1948 - June 25, 2024