Maurice L. Gardner II, died at Concord Hospital Thursday after a brief illness. Born in Boston he was raised in Watertown, graduated from Watertown High School Class of 1941. He enlisted in the Army in 1942, served in France on an anti-tank gun crew and received a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. Maurice was a member of VFW Posts in Concord NH and Saugus MA. He was a machinist at Gaulin Corp in Everett MA and retired in 1980. He and his wife Esther had been married for 58 yrs and had resided in Melrose for 30 yrs prior moving to Concord 20 yrs ago. Husband of Esther ( Despart ) Gardner. Father of Esther Gardner of TX , Paula Ann Ciampa of Stoneham, Stephen Gardner of Maynard, Patricia & her husband Steven Pozerski of Salem NH, Maurice L Gardner III of Stoneham and the late David A. Gardner. Brother of Marian Gardner of Medfield. Also survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, many nieces & nephews and special friend Anne Sutton of Medfield. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W Foster St, Melrose, on Monday June 28th at 8 AM. Funeral Mass in St Marys Church, corner of Myrtle & Herbert Sts, Melrose at 9 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sun 4 8 PM. Burial will be in St Patrick Cemetery Watertown.