Obituaries

Oct 24, 2019

WINCHENDON – Bernardito A. Arib, 75, of 437 Maple Street, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, October 24, 2019 in St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, with his family at his side.

He was born in Batad Iloilo, Philippines on August 8, 1944, son of the late Anastacio and Carmen (Aribal) Arib Sr. and lived in the Philippines for most...

Oct 21, 2019

TEMPLETON – Brenda J. (Payne) Callahan, 90, of 51 Hospital Road, Baldwinville died Monday, October 21, 2019 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville, with her family at her side.

She was born in Southampton, England on May 23, 1929, daughter of the late Bertram F. and Ida Winifred (Lewis) Payne and came to this country at the age...

Oct 18, 2019

WINCHENDON- Scott A. Lafreniere, 53, a lifelong Winchendon resident, died Friday, October 18, 2019 at Heywood Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born in Winchendon on September 3, 1966, son of the late Walter E., and Audrey L. (Gauthier) Lafreniere.

Scott worked as a mason for several years and also did construction...

Oct 17, 2019

WINCHENDON – Ronald S. Vars, 71, of 192 Main Street, died peacefully Thursday morning, October 17th in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol, after a period of declining health.

He was born in Newport, RI on March 10, 1948, son of the late Edmund and Frances R. (Salmon) Vars Jr and grew up in Stowe, MA.

Ron...

Oct 14, 2019

ASHBURNHAM – Rita B. (Thibault) Babineau, 92, of 159 Jewell Hill Road, died Monday morning, October 14, 2019 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

She was born in Salem, MA on August 4, 1927, daughter of the late Omer and Florida (Lavallee) Thibault and was a lifelong resident of Ashburnham.

Rita worked for many years as the...

Oct 14, 2019

WINCHENDON – Mary E. (Genis) Keney, 94, of 94 Glenwood Street, Gardner, formerly of Winchendon, died peacefully in her home, Monday afternoon, October 14, 2019, with her family at her side.

She was born in Gardner on April 10, 1925, daughter of the late John J. and Benedictas (Quarterski) Genis and was a graduate of Gardner High...

Oct 13, 2019

GARDNER – Faith M. (Forrest) Merriam, 62, beloved mother, wife and friend to all who knew her, passed away at home with her family Sunday October 13, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Faith, who grew up in Winchendon, and spent most of her life in Gardner, was a longtime laundry aide at the Gardner Rehabilitation...

Oct 9, 2019

WINCHENDON – Leona L. (Couture) Lefebvre, 103, formerly of 77 Hyde Park Drive, died peacefully Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

A lifelong resident of Winchendon, Leona was born on March 12, 1916, daughter of the late Louis and Lydia (Gamache) Couture.

Leona worked for many years as an inspector...

Oct 9, 2019

WINCHENDON – James P. Byrne, 89, of 20 Harris Road, died Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019 in his home with his family at his side.

He was born in Cambridge, MA on May 6, 1930, son of the late Frank J. and Lenore (James) Byrne and attended Rindge Technical School in Cambridge.  He enlisted in the United...

Oct 7, 2019

WINCHENDON – Gertrude J. (Lavinski) Forcier, 93, of 138 Spruce Street, died peacefully Monday afternoon, October 7, 2019 in her home, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchester, NH on November 13, 1925, daughter of the late Adam and Upronia (Sorel) Lavinski, and was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life....

Sep 30, 2019

WINCHENDON – Kenneth J. Girouard, 86, of 40 Elmwood Road, died peacefully Monday evening, September 30, 2019 in his home, with his family at his side.

He was born in Winchendon on July 23, 1933, son of the late Henry C. and F. Edith (Morlock) Girouard and was a graduate of Murdock High School.

Ken...

Sep 20, 2019

WINCHENDON- Alonzo J. Robichaud, 75, a longtime resident of Winchendon, died peacefully Friday, September 20, 2019, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born in Parkton, NB, Canada on August 21, 1944, son of the late Herve and Genevieve (Hebert) Robichaud and had attended school in Canada before moving to Winchendon.

Al worked as...

Sep 18, 2019

WINCHENDON – Gwendolyn E. Flagg, 90, formerly of 25 Main Street, died peacefully Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

She was born on November 3, 1928, daughter of the late Webster A. and Grace C. (Carpinella) Flagg and was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life.

Gwendolyn worked for...

Sep 18, 2019

WINCHENDON – George J. Bousquet Jr., 77, of 176 Glenallen Street, died Wednesday morning, September 18, 2019 at his residence.

He was born in Winchendon on August 15, 1942, son of the late George J and Henrietta (Caouette) Bousquet and was a 1960 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg.  During the Vietnam War, George proudly served...

Sep 11, 2019

TEMPLETON – Jay K. Davidson, 61, a long time resident of Templeton, died in his home Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

He was born in South Royalston on February 13, 1958, son of the late Robert C. and Carol E. (Purinton) Davidson and was a graduate of Narragansett Regional High School.

A brick mason by trade,...

Sep 10, 2019

GARDNER - Emily L. "Pat" Godfrey, 91, of Gardner, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 10, 2019, in Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton with her family at her side.  Her passing fulfilled her wish to be with her husband of 70 years, Campbell Godfrey, who died August 12, 2019.

She was born in Gardner on September 19, 1927, daughter...

Sep 10, 2019

WINCHENDON- Loring E. Bennett, Sr., 87, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 10, 2019 in his home, with family at his side.

He was born June 10, 1932, son of the late Fred Bennett and Laura (Tucker) Bennett and lived most of his life in Winchendon. A Korean War veteran, Loring proudly served his country as a member of the United States...

Sep 10, 2019

ORANGE – John V. LaCasse, 85, of Orange, died Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Brighton.

He was born in Wilton, NH on December 16, 1933, son of the late David and Glenice (Burnham) LaCasse and grew up in Wilton.  He lived in Orange since 2003 after living for many years in Fitchburg.

Sep 8, 2019

WINCHENDON – Beverly A. (Prentice) Paul, 80, died peacefully Sunday evening, September 8, 2019 in her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born August 16, 1939, daughter of the late Harold Henry and Frances Etta (Minkler) Prentice and lived most of her life in Winchendon.

Beverly was preceded in death by her loving husband...

Sep 3, 2019

TEMPLETON -  Elizabeth J. “Betty” Cwartkowski, 82, of 148 Rice Road, died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

She was born in Winchendon on June 16, 1937, daughter of the late Harold and Emma (Rose) Lawrence and was a graduate of the former Templeton High School.  Betty grew up on the family farm in Royalston and...