Howard "Wes" W. Dilling

Howard Wesley “Wes” Dilling, Jr., softspoken and sentimental, left this world quietly at 63 years young on June 8, 2022. Born and raised in Marlborough, he attended Bigelow and Mitchell Elementary Schools, the Junior High and studied horticulture at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School, graduating in 1978. While at Assabet, Wes played football, ran on the track team, and competed with the gymnastics team. During his senior year, Wes joined the wrestling team and remarkably placed 4 th in the state at 155 pounds! A self-taught musician, Wes also discovered his musical ability and gift during high school.  Wes had the inclination and heart of a poet as was evidenced by the poetry and song lyrics he wrote. In his youth, he was not only blessed with hair of gold and sky-blue eyes but a soft touch on his “old guitar” accompanied by a golden voice that would rival his musical idol, John Denver.  Across the years, Wes serenaded many audiences at local venues, weddings, and family gatherings. The sound of his voice left many longing for more peaceful, quieter times of days gone by. Melodic and soothing, his singing often brought one to tears. In true renaissance fashion, Wes was a middleweight boxer. In the 1980’s he fought in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and on one occasion, on the same card as “Fast” Freddie Roach. He also started a boxing club at the Marlborough Boys Club. Throughout the years, Wes worked at a number of companies including Honeywell, Micro-Switch, and BAE Systems making night vision equipment for the military. Wes’ interests and activities included fishing, hunting, reading everything in sight, watching sci-fi and fantasy movies, and passing on his love for music by jamming with his brother Ray and nephew Daniel in the barn. Mostly, he loved his family.

Wes is survived by his devoted brother, Raymond D. and his wife Anastasia Dilling of Marlboro and his adoring sister, Patty Dilling of Worcester. He was predeceased by his wonderful mother, Jeannette A. Dilling in June of 2021. He was also predeceased by his father, Howard W. Dilling, Sr. in 2013. Wes was a loving uncle to Raymond W. Dilling, Jessica Tetrault, Daniel Dilling, George Dilling, and Henry Dilling. He is also survived by his ex-wife and friend, Earlene Lucia and their family, Michelle Pike of MA, Derek Taylor of NH, and Jessica Freitag of MA. 

Memorial services are private. The family asks that in keeping with Wes’ kind heart, dream a dream and do everything you can to make that dream come true for life is precious and all too short.