Obituaries

Sidney W. Rafuse

Sep 21, 2018

GARDNER - Sidney W. Rafuse, 75, of 10 Champagne Road, died peacefully at his residence Friday evening, September 21, 2018, with his family at his side.

There are no funeral services or calling hours planned.

Jean S. Webb

Sep 20, 2018

WINCHENDON - Jean S. (Anderson) Webb, 76, of 76 Baldwinville State Road, died peacefully Thursday morning, September 20, 2018 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

She was born in Gardner on April 11, 1942, daughter of the late Walter J. and Shirley F. (Tripp) Anderson and was a 1960 graduate of Gardner High School and Mt. Wachusett...

Diane P. Goodrich

Sep 20, 2018

GARDNER - Diane P. (Doiron) Goodrich,  65, of 194 Central Street, died peacefully Thursday evening, September 20, 2018  at her residence, with her family at her side.

She was born in Gardner on December 7, 1952, daughter of Rita (Robichaud) Doiron Lahikainen of Gardner and the late Ernest Doiron.  A lifelong resident of Gardner, Diane was a...

Claire M. Rafuse

Sep 20, 2018

WESTMINSTER - Claire M. (Contois) Rafuse, 88, of 83 Sargent Road, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, September 20, 2018 at her home, with her family at her side.

She was born in Leominster on July 7, 1930, daughter of the late Albert R. and Irene A. (Bashaw) Contois and grew up in Leominster.  A resident of Winchendon for...

Virginia M. Shumsky

Sep 18, 2018

WINCHENDON - Virginia M. (Ray) Shumsky, 69, of 210 Baldwinville State Road, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 18, 2018 in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol.

She was born in Boston on August 3, 1949, daughter of the late William C. and Helen (Kelley) Ray.  She graduated from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in 1967 and Anna Maria College in...

Walter J. Donahue Jr

Sep 16, 2018

ASHBURNHAM - Walter J. Donahue Jr, 90, of Winchendon and formerly of Ashburnham, died peacefully Sunday morning, September 16, 2018 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with his family at his side.

He was born in Fitchburg on November 12, 1927, son of Walter J. and Flora (Hayward) Donahue and attended Fitchburg schools.  Walter lived in Ashburnham...

George H. Wilder

Sep 16, 2018

TEMPLETON - George H. "Bud" Wilder, 80, of 107 Main Street, Otter River died peacefully at his residence, surrounded by his family, Sunday evening, September 16, 2018.

He was born in Gardner on October 5, 1937, son of the late Arthur F. and Sadie L. (Moore) Wilder and was a 1957 graduate and member of the baseball...

Alice M. Morris

Sep 14, 2018

GARDNER - Alice M. (Bourgault) Morris, 105, of Gardner died peacefully Friday evening, September 14, 2018 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on June 7, 1913, one of thirteen children of the late Louis and Ernestine (Belanger) Bourgault.  She was vice president of her graduating Class of...

Richard L. Morton

Sep 12, 2018

WINCHENDON - Richard L. Morton, 67, of Winchendon, died peacefully Wednesday morning, September 12, 2018 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester.

He was born in Boston on April 3, 1951, son of the late Lewis C. and Mildred M. (Graumann) Morton.  He grew up in Boston and graduated from Norwood High School.  During the Vietnam...

Raymond G. Girouard

Sep 11, 2018

GARDNER - Raymond G. Girouard, 78, of 128 Champagne Road, died peacefully Tuesday evening, September 11, 2018 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with his wife at his side.

He was born in Gardner on May 13, 1940, son of the late Edward and Ella (Goguen) Girouard and he returned to Gardner two years ago after living...

Rev. Charles B. Mansfield

Sep 9, 2018

GARDNER — Reverend Charles Bernard Mansfield, 60, of Gardner, died on September 9, 2018, surrounded by his family at UMass Memorial Medical Center following a brief illness.

At the time of his passing, Chuck was serving as the pastor for the Ashburnham Community Church, a position he held since 2009.

From 1992 to 2001, he...

Harold C. Guerrin

Sep 4, 2018

ATHOL - Harold C. Guerrin, 75, of Athol, died peacefully at his home Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

He was born in Athol on August 4, 1943, son of the late Harold and Leona (Boudreau) Guerrin of Athol.  Harold grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School.

Harold worked for the L.S. Starrett Company...

George N. Beer

Aug 31, 2018

WESTMINSTER - George N. Beer, 90, of 31 South Ashburnham Road, died peacefully Friday morning, August 31, 2018 at his residence, with his family at his side.

He was born in Marlborough, MA on August 4, 1928, son of the late Frederick and Mabel (Nelson) Beer and grew up in Waites Corner, West Fitchburg, MA.  George was...

Alan W. Evans

Aug 30, 2018

TEMPLETON - Alan W. Evans, 88, of 40 Liberty Street, Otter River died peacefully Thursday evening, August 30, 2018 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville.

He was born in Great Barrington, MA on September 27, 1929, son of the late Wesley H. and Rosamond (Clark) Evans and lived in Templeton for most of his life.

Alan...

Rita M. Elola

Aug 25, 2018

WINCHENDON - Rita M. (Rocheleau) Elola, 83, of 404 Mellen Road, died peacefully Saturday morning, August 25, 2018 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on October 23, 1934, daughter of the late Maximin S. and Coranna M. (Hardy) Rocheleau and was a lifelong resident...

Thomas M. Francis

Aug 17, 2018

WINCHENDON - Thomas M. Francis, 67, of 15A Linden Street, died unexpectedly Friday morning, August 17, 2018 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner after being stricken ill at home..

He was born in Fayetteville, NC on November 8, 1950, son of the late Vernon L. Francis and Calleroy Coutouzis Maulden and lived in Fayetteville for most of his life. ...

Benjamin A. Stone

Aug 13, 2018

GARDNER - Benjamin A. Stone, age 4, died peacefully Monday afternoon, August 13, 2018 in Children's Hospital, Boston, after a short illness.

He was born in Gardner on November 26, 2013, son of Alexander Stone and Angela Haws and attended preschool.  Ben was a happy go lucky child, who was loved by everyone.  He touched family and...

Helen Metzger

Aug 10, 2018

WINCHENDON - Helen (Lis) Metzger, 92, of 145 Spruce Street, died at home Friday, August 10, 2018.

She was born in Winchendon on October 7, 1925, daughter of the late Joseph and Adele (Pelnick) Lis and was a graduate of Murdock High School.  Helen lived in Winchendon for her entire life.

Helen had worked many...

Donald O. Rajotte

Aug 9, 2018

MILLBURY - Donald O. Rajotte, 72, of Millbury, died peacefully Thursday morning, August 9, 2018 in Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, Worcester, with his family at his side.

He was born in Worcester on April 1, 1946, son of  Joseph  Rajotte and lived in Millbury for most of his adult life.  Don was a graduate of...

Wayne K. Lee

Aug 8, 2018

PHILLIPSTON - Wayne K. Lee, 71, of 85 Barre Road, died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville, with his family at his side.

He was born in Bath, Maine on May 17, 1947, son of Rachel E. (Tyler) Lee of Hendersonville, NC and the late Kenneth E. Lee.  Wayne grew up in...