Obituaries

Jul 25, 2021

WESTMINSTER – Richard D. Benoit, 89, of 21 Miles Avenue, died peacefully Sunday morning, July 25, 2021 in Life Care Center of Leominster.

He was born in Gardner on April 30, 1932, son of the late Dolor and Priscilla (Kennedy) Benoit and grew up in Gardner.  He was a resident of Westminster since 1958.

Richard...

Jul 24, 2021

GARDNER – Lisa A. Brazawskis, 43, of Gardner, died Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, after a short illness.

She was born in Gardner on March 25, 1978, daughter of the late John and Teresa M. (Bryant) Brazawskis and grew up in Winchendon.

Lisa had worked at the former Cottage Hill Academy...

Jul 24, 2021

ATHOL – Angelina I. (Cloutier) Gallup, 91, of Athol, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, July 24, 2021 in The Highlands, Fitchburg.

She was born in Winchendon on February 19, 1930, daughter of the late Joseph E. and Lillian E. (Tatro) Cloutier and was a 1948 graduate of Murdock High School.  She was a resident of Athol for many...

Jul 22, 2021

WINCHENDON – Lorraine J. (Manning) Cooper, 67, of 39 Whitney Street, died unexpectedly Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

She was born in Clinton, MA on August 26, 1953, daughter of the late Henry E. and Marjorie (Moore) Manning and was a graduate of Clinton High School and Fitchburg State College.  She had lived in...

Jul 21, 2021

Ronald B. Progen, 70, of Conway, SC, passed away in his sleep Wednesday morning July 21, 2021.

Ron was born on August 10, 1950 in Gardner, MA to the late Ralph and Elvi (Santa) Progen.

Ron spent most of his life in Central Mass - with a notable exception for his service in Vietnam with...

Jul 20, 2021

RINDGE, NH – Roberta E. (Eaton) Hildreth, 79, of 11 East Main Street, died peacefully Tuesday morning, July 20, 2021 in Applewood Rehabilitation Center, Winchester, NH.

She was born in Gardner, MA on June 30, 1942, daughter of the late Robert A. and Simone C. (Jalbert) Eaton Pike and grew up in Rindge.  She was educated in...

Jul 20, 2021

FITZWILLIAM, NH - Onnie A. Herk Jr., 87, of 461 Fullam Hill Road, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, July 20th in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester.

He was born in Gardner, Ma on May 10, 1934, son of the late Onnie Herk Sr. and Leslie (Brown) Herk Skidd and lived in Fitzwilliam for many years.  For...

Jul 19, 2021

ASHBURNHAM – James D. Hancock, 79, of Orange and a former longtime resident of Ashburnham, died unexpectedly at home Monday, July 19, 2021.

He was born in Fitchburg on April 18, 1942, son of the late Philip R. and Lois E. (Carrion) Hancock and grew up in Fitchburg.  He lived in Ashburnham for over 50 years and...

Jul 18, 2021

WINCHENDON – Ronald J.U. LeBlanc, 66, of 10 Kemp Street, died unexpectedly at home Sunday morning, July 18, 2021.

He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 28, 1955, son of Ulysse LeBlanc of Bradenton, FL and the late Dorothy (Babineau) LeBlanc.  He came to this country at the age of five and was a 1973...

Jul 16, 2021

LEOMINSTER – Richard J. “Shorty” Shortsleeve, 88, of Leominster, died peacefully Friday afternoon, July 16, 2021 at Alliance Health at Baldwinville, with his family at his side.

He was born in Marlboro, MA on February 12, 1933, son of the late Charles and Catherine (Gannon) Shortsleeve and grew up in Marlboro and Clinton.  He lived in Leominster...

Jul 12, 2021

GARDNER – Edward D. Wagner, 78, of 32 Vernon Street, died peacefully Monday afternoon, July 12, 2021 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home.

He was born in Gardner on April 27, 1943, son of the late Zygmond E. and Nellie (Petrovich) Wagner and was a lifelong resident of Gardner.  Ed was a graduate of Gardner High School and...

Jul 11, 2021

ATHOL – Barbara L. (Hill) Ducharme, 85, of Athol, died peacefully Sunday morning, July 11, 2021 in Quabbin Valley Healthcare.

She was born in Gardner on September 26, 1935, daughter of the late Arthur and Eva (Safstrom) Hill and lived in Gardner for many years.  In 1999, she moved to Athol, where she lived for several years. ...

Jul 9, 2021

ASHBURNHAM – Janet E. (Battles) Perrett, 88, of 33 Cashman Hill Road, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 9th, with family at her side.  She leaves two sons, James R. Perrett and William R. Perrett, both of Ashburnham; a daughter, Cindy Lynn Turner of Lawn, Texas, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  Janet was born on April...

Jul 9, 2021

ROYALSTON – June M. (Dunham) Smith, 79, of 5 Baldwinville Road, died peacefully Friday morning, July 9, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after a complicated battle for her life.

She was born in Winchendon on June 19, 1942, daughter of the late Lewis and Arlene (Stowell) Dunham and grew up in Royalston.

June was a...

Jul 9, 2021

WINCHENDON – Kenneth C. Bolick, 81, of 32 Academy Street, died peacefully at his residence Friday, July 9, 2021.

He was born in Valdese, NC on October 10, 1939, son of the late Carl A. and Mildred “Mickey” Ruth (Moose) Bolick and grew up in Mt. Holly, NC.  He attended and was a graduate of Brevard College,...

Jul 7, 2021

WINCHENDON – David A. Ricard, 56, of Winchendon, died Thursday, July 7, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Concord, MA on July 11, 1964, son of Mary Ann (Lombardo) Ricard of Hudson, MA and the late Adam L. Ricard, Jr.  Dave was a graduate of Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical School and had lived...

Jul 7, 2021

TEMPLETON – Martin R. Haley, 80, of 99 South Road, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Gardner on January 7, 1941 and was a resident of Templeton or most of his life.

A plumber by trade, Martin owned and operated M.R. Haley Plumbing and Heating for many...

Jul 4, 2021

MANCHESTER, NH – Robert G. Roy, 71, of Manchester, NH, died unexpectedly Saturday evening, July 4, 2021.

He was born in Fitchburg on June 27, 1950, son of the late Robert A. and Cecile (Gaudet) Roy and grew up in Ashburnham.  Bob was a graduate of Oakmont Regional High School.  He was a resident of Manchester, NH...

Jul 2, 2021

WINCHENDON - It is with great sadness that the family of Bruce Bartlett announces his passing on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Leominster Hospital at the age of 86.

Bruce will be fondly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Margaret (Connor) and their children Catherine Hirani and her husband Shirish of Lexington, MA; Gretchen Mary Bartlett...

Jun 30, 2021

GARDNER – Mary E. (Amadon) Mustakangas, 56, of 235 Pine Street, died peacefully at her residence, Wednesday, June 30, 2021 with her family at her side.

She was born in Peterborough, N.H.on August 13, 1964, daughter of the late Joan Hyatt, and grew up in Royalston.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, walking in...