Elderly Orange couple apparently attacked in deadly home invasion
Recorder Staff
Thursday, October 06, 2016
ORANGE — A 95-year-old man was killed and his wife seriously injured in an apparent home invasion discovered Thursday.Thomas A. Harty and his wife, Joanna Fisher, are listed as residents of 581 East River St. — the home that was cordoned off by police Thursday morning following an apparent home break-in and homicide.
Harty’s niece, Amy Tandy of Warwick, posted a Facebook message, asking her friends to pray for the couple, then later removed it.
When contacted by phone, Tandy said her uncle had been killed in a home invasion, and that his wife was in the hospital for a throat injury. Tandy said she learned about it from family members, including one of Harty’s sons.
Thomas Harty, avid hiker, still bagging peaks at 94
The DA said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. Referring to Ms. Fisher, the statement said the woman attacked was taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester for treatment of wounds.
Thomas Harty, who would have turned 95 on Oct. 27, was a passionate hiker and mountain climber and was still active outdoors, according to a Recorder feature story published last summer. According to the article, Harty served in the Navy during World War II, and had worked at a local foundry for 45 years. At 94, he was still working in sales for Donbeck Sales, a family business, in Orange.
Orange schools were put on lockdown from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. although police say it was just a precaution and are confident there is no connection between the schools and the incident on East River Street.
Police cordoned off a portion of the street around the house there.
Police radio bulletins referred to a home invasion where the weapon was a knife, and police were told to secure a car they were seeking if found abandoned. The car was described as a older model Toyota Corolla.
Denise Lavasseur, who said she has lived in the neighboring trailer since 2008, said Thomas Harty lives at 581 East River St. with his wife. Lavasseur said Harty is in his 90s and still works part time. She described them as a nice couple who never bother anyone. Lavasseur said a police officer told her something terrible happened inside the house. Police asked her to stay on her property in case they need to ask her questions as part of their investigation.
Athol resident Bob Shyer, who drove by the scene Thursday, said Harty was his childhood Boy Scout troop leader. He said Harty was like a second father to him and described him as “the greatest guy ever.”
Another acquaintance, Peter Gullage, said he once worked with Harty at Rodney Hunt co. in Orange until Harty retired. Harty, Gullage said, headed the company’s foundry.
Sandi Loretan, who lives in adjacent Leisure Woods, said Harty’s wife uses an electric wheelchair. She said she has known Harty for years, as both are longtime Orange residents. Loretan described Harty as quiet, respectable, nice, considerate, friendly and active. She said Harty’s property seemed quieter than usual the past two days.
Jonathan Abbott, who lives in adjacent Leisure Woods, said the neighborhood is usually peaceful and pleasant.
“We’re definitely not used to this,” he said. “This is a horse of a different color.”
At least three squad cars and an Orange Emergency Services Mobile Support Unit truck were on scene much of the day. Police drifted in and out of the house. A canopy was set up near the house as a sort of command post. People in civilian clothes are huddled across the street near one another talking among themselves.
Orange police declined to comment about a possible homicide investigation in town, and state police in Athol referred inquiries to the Northwest District Attorney’s state police crime investigators, which usually spearheads homicide investigations.
Lori and Timothy Preisinger, who said they live in Leisure Woods Mobile home park about 100 yards from 581 East River St., discovered their van’s tire slashed Thursday morning and police have asked them to leave the vehicle until they can investigate a possible connection to the probe. Ms. Preisinger said it was the driver’s side front tire of her Dodge van that was slash. Mr. Preisinger said he informed the police of this and the police asked them not to move the vehicle.
The Orange school department announced the lockdown on Facebook late Thursday morning.
“Due to an on-going police investigation in the community … Fisher Hill, Dexter Park and the Ralph C. Mahar Regonal School have been secured and as a precautionary measure advised to hold classes indoors until further notice. ... The chief has assured us that there is no connection between this incident and the school. These actions are strictly precautionary.”
The Orange Police Department Facebook page referred to the lockdown, saying a crime occurred in Orange Wednesday night and is being investigated by Orange police and state police. Due to this crime the police chief has suggested that students remain inside for the day.
“We have no reason to believe this crime has anything to do with the schools or schoolchildren. However, for the safety of everyone, the chief has taken this precaution,” the post read.
Parents were notified that schools were on lockdown by phone.
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