Obituaries

Oct 31, 2019

WINCHENDON – Katherine A. “Rookie” Flint, 78, of 142 Pleasant Street, died peacefully Thursday evening, October 31, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on July 17, 1941, daughter of the late Harry and Pauline E. (Lafond) Diamantopoulos and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon.

Oct 30, 2019

TEMPLETON – Richard C. Stanley, 78, of 134 Barre Road, died Wednesday morning, October 30, 2019 in Health Alliance Hospital, Leominster with his family at his side, after a period of declining health.

He was born in Gardner on June 11, 1941, son of the late Richard C. and Agnes (O’Connell) Stanley and attended the former Templeton...

Oct 30, 2019

ATHOL – Edward M. Zajac, 91, of 171 South Royalston Road, died Wednesday evening, October 30, 2019 in Applewood Home for Elders, Athol, with his family at his side.

He was born in Utica, New York on June 30, 1928, son of the late Martin and Genevieve (Warchalowiski) Zajac and lived in Athol for many years.

Oct 27, 2019

FITCHBURG – Robert A. Vaillancourt, 52, of 35 Holt Street, formerly of Winchendon, died peacefully Sunday, October 27, 2019 in St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, after a period of declining health.

He was born in Winchendon on April 7, 1967, son of the late Ronald H and Rosalie P. (Therrien) Vaillancourt and grew up in this area....

Oct 27, 2019

WINCHENDON – Maureen A. (Austin) Russell, 66, of 158 Spruce Street, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, October 27, 2019 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with her family at her side.

She was born in Gardner, Ma on March 6, 1953, daughter of the late Maurice and Blanche (Progen) Austin and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon.

Oct 27, 2019

TEMPLETON – Barry M. Fadden, of 101 Depot Road, East Templeton, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, October 27, 2019 at his residence, with his family at his side.

He was born in Ecorse, Michigan on July 6, 1946, son of the late Neal O. and Betty F. (Pillon) Fadden and grew up in Michigan.  Barry was a graduate...

Oct 25, 2019

WINCHENDON – Charles Parmenter Sr., 74, of 59 Eastwood Circle, Gardner and formerly of Winchendon, passed peacefully on October 25, 2019.

He was born in Rindge, NH on December 31, 1944, son of the late Robert and Ruby (Pike) Parmenter and lived in Winchendon for most of his life.

Charlie worked over 30 years as...

Oct 25, 2019

FITCHBURG – Marie A. (Nelson) Krawchuk, 74, of Fitchburg, died Friday morning, October 25, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner, with her family at her side.

She was born in Leominster on July 24, 1945, daughter of the late James and Mary (Pignatelli) Nelson and graduated from Leominster High School.  At the age of 46, she...

Oct 25, 2019

WINCHENDON – Florence R. (LeClair) Roberge, 85, of 16 Ready Drive, died peacefully Friday afternoon, October 25, 2019 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner with her family at her side.

She was born in Fitchburg on July 25, 1934, daughter of the late Philip O. and Clara (Gagne) LeClair and had lived in Winchendon since 2002, after living in...

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...