Ryan Douglas Francis, 18, of Westminster died Sunday, November 27, 2011.
Ryan was born in Fitchburg on May 17, 1993, son of Robert and Christine (David) Francis. He was a 2011 graduate of Oakmont High School.
Ryan was active in sports, starting with T-Ball to little league in Westminster and Babe Ruth in Fitchburg. He also played town Basketball and Soccer. Ryan played Pop Warner Football. During his Oakmont student career, Ryan was chosen to be a member of Peer Leaders, a select group of Oakmont High School students focused on designing activities to create a positive environment in school. He was also very giving of his time to many community charities.
Ryan was currently attending UMass Lowell, majoring in civil engineering. Ryan loved camping out especially on “Ryan’s Island” on Crocker Pond. His favorite activity besides sleeping till noon was hanging out and swimming with his friends on Sunset Lake in Ashburnham, then late night camp fires and playing pool. Ryan enjoyed many fine foods but especially enjoyed Chinese food and late night runs to Chaufs and Torries. He...
William H. Whiteman, 103, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on November 7, 2011.
William will be joining his parents (William and Mary); his wife of almost 50 years, Sallie P.Whiteman; his sister, Elizabeth W. Schadel and his brother-in-law, Lees M. Schadel.
He leaves behind his daughter Susan W. Waers with whom he lived; one grandson William H. Key; one niece Betty Lee Steil; two nephews Lees and William Schadel; and many friends who knew and loved him.
William was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1908 the only son of the late William and Mary Whiteman. William worked as Plant Supervisor for Philco/Ford for over 40 years. He was a pioneer in the invention of Television and even acted in several early TV shows. During World War II, he headed a munitions plant that made walkie talkies, bazookas and other war related items.
After the war he traveled to England to help rebuild a Philco Plant. He also served for several years as Deputy Sheriff for Cook County during War II. After retiring he enjoyed golfing...
Corinne Ann (Sullivan) VanVleck, 47, of Westminster, MA, died Wednesday, November 2, 2011 surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Corrine was born on July 20, 1964, the daughter of Robert Sullivan and Carole (Lamarche) Sullivan. She grew up in Princeton before moving to Ashburnham where she graduated from Oakmont R.H.S.
Corinne attended Keene State College before graduating from Quinsigamond Community College with an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. While studying dental hygiene, Corinne was named “Who’s Who” in American Junior Colleges. Corinne practiced dental hygiene for many years and won awards for Clinical Excellence.
The love of her life was her daughter and she cherished being a mother. Corinne’s many friends will miss her sharp wit and the stories of her life which she loved to tell. She had a special way with words and she shared her gift in cards and letters.
Corinne leaves behind her husband of 17 years, Laurence VanVleck; a daughter, Olivia VanVleck; a stepson, Keith VanVleck; several uncles, aunts, and cousins; and many close lifelong friends.
Loretta M. ( Dumont ) Lizotte Hitchcock, 93, died Thursday, October 20, 2011 at her home with her loving family and longtime caregiver Kelley at her side.
Loretta was the youngest child of the late Joseph and Yvonne (Legeault) Dumont and lived in Gardner for 46 years, married to the late Emile Lizotte who died in 1959 for 22 years. She also resided in Westminster for 47 years married to the late Edward Hitchcock who died in 2007.
Loretta graduated from Holy Rosary School in Gardner , and was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church for many years. She also was Past President of the Ladies French Club. She worked for several years at G & G, & Menne’s Cleaners.
Loretta played bridge for many years with her husband Edward and received several awards for photography while in the Gardner Photo Club.
Loretta enjoyed golf and was the Westminster Club Champion in 1976 & 1977. She was also the first woman at the Gardner Golf Course to have a hole in one; she also had another...
Mederic Doucette, 84, died Monday, October 17, 2011 at the Legend Nursing Center in Gardner after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 49 years, Cecile (Richard) Doucette, 10 children, Francis Doucette and his wife Jeanne of Leominster, the late Gelas Doucette, his wife Beth Doucette of Lunenburg, Betty Goguen of Leominster, Frenette Doucette and his wife Mary of Westminster, Bernice Mackenzie and her husband Miller of Nova Scotia, Susan Chapman and her husband Gerry of Westminster, Steven Doucette and his wife Lisette of Fitchburg, Sandra Bisson and her husband Dennis of Winchendon, Stanley Doucette and his wife Dany`e of Fitchburg, Shirley Mughmaw and her husband Jason of Westminster, 22 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also predeceased by his first wife Bella (Gallant) Doucette who died in 1957, with whom he had his first five children; he is also predeceased by two brothers Gerard Doucette and Eloi Doucette, and a sister Regina Landry.
Mederic was born on February 19, 1927 in Collette, New Brunswick, Canada a son of the late Joseph and Edesse (Hachey)...
Elizabeth “Betsy” (Gladding) Nelson 53 died Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester after a 9 year battle with Breast Cancer.
She leaves her husband of 21 years, James “Jim” Nelson, one daughter Taylor Nelson both of Westminster, her mother Jacqueline (Babineau) Gladding of Leominster, three sisters and one brother Lois Lucas of Fitchburg, Robert Gladding, Jr. of AZ, Cathy Leger of Leominster, and Jan Barrows of Lunenburg, and many nieces and nephews. Betsy is predeceased by her father Robert Gladding and a sister Margaret Gladding.
Betsy was born in Fitchburg on July 14, 1958, and was a 1976 Graduate of St. Bernard’s High School.
She worked for the Carbon Composites Co. in Leominster as an Office Manager. Betsy was a strong member of the First Baptist Church in Westminster . She enjoyed kayaking, spending time at Cape Cod , and she especially enjoyed being at the ocean.
Betsy was a person who would always give a helping hand; she was also involved with breast cancer groups. She was a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister and...
Norman E. Cote, 67, died Monday, October 10, 2011 at his home after an illness.
He leaves his wife Joan J. (Jacques) Cote, three sons Cary N. Cote of N. Billerica, Jeffrey E. Cote of Virginia, and Glen A. Cote of S. Boston, two granddaughters Rachel and Bryelle Cote both of Virginia, two brothers, Denis Cote of Holden, Bernard Cote of Dennis, two sisters Simone Klemens of N. Dakota, Martha Purol of IL, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by a sister Jean Ross.
Norman was born in Fitchburg on May 5, 1944 a son of the late J. Adelard and Irene (Legendre) Cote. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962 and attended Worcester Junior and received his Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Clark University.
Norman was the owner and operator of N&J Interiors for many years. He was an active member at St. Joseph’s Church (Fitchburg), participating in PTA shows and bazaar.
He had been a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church for the past 30 years, during that time he was a cantor,...
Clifton A. “Clif” Coulter, Jr. 91, died September 22, 2011 at Leominster Crossings after a brief illness.
Clif is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lee (Kroll) Coulter, two nieces and three nephews. Clif is predeceased by two brothers Ray Coulter and Don Coulter of Oregon.
Clif was born in Port Morgan, Colorado on February 23, 1920, a son of the late Clifton A. and Elizabeth (Hankey) Coulter. Clif was a graduate of Eugene High School, the University of Oregon with an associate’s degree and his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Oregon State College. Later he received his master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Clif and Lee were married in Michigan on May 28, 1949 and two weeks later moved to Fitchburg, MA where Clif worked for General Electric as a Mechanical Engineer for many years. After retirement Clif continued his work with General Electric Company by living and working in India and England for 3 years each as well as several other countries.
Clif was a man of many talents. He and Lee built their house...
Dolores Ouellette, age 81, of Westminster MA died peacefully in her home on Saturday September 10, following a lengthy illness with cancer. Born in Grafton, MA she was the daughter of Leon and Louise Ouellette of Whitinsville MA.
Dolores was a graduate of Assumption Academy, Nicolet PQ Canada, Saint Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester MA, Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA where she received a Bachelors degree in Biology and a Masters in Nursing. She was also a graduate of Temple University Philadelphia where she earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. She completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership at Boston University.
In recognition of her achievements as the Foundress of the Nursing Program at Endicott College in Beverly, MA she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, by the president Dr. Richard Wiley at the Nursing Graduation ceremonies of 1995.
Following her 1952 graduation from the Saint Vincent Hospital Nursing Program, Dolores was employed as a staff nurse at Saint Vincent. Later, she became a faculty member at Henry...
Gail A. (Walker) Williams, 60, died Wednesday morning, September 7, 2011 at her home after an illness.
Gail leaves her husband Peter Williams, her son Erik Wintturi of Ayer, and daughter Melissa Wintturi of Somerville, two brothers Gary Walker of NH, and Robert Walker of Westminster, three sisters Linda Malizia of Gardner, Lois Hartford of Westminster and Leora Jo Wharton of NH, three nephews, two nieces, a grand niece and nephews and many cousins.
Gail was born in Fitchburg on February 10, 1951 a daughter of the late Leo Emerson and Aira M. (Seppala) Walker.
She was a 1969 Graduate of Oakmont Regional High School. Gail then graduated from Fitchburg State College with a BS in Education in 1973.
She worked for the US Postal Service in the Westminster Office as a Rural Carrier for 30 years before her retirement in February.
Gail was a member of the North Leominster Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association, and was an avid quilter who belonged...
Robert J. “Bob” Thompson died Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Baldwinville Nursing Home after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 59 years Elizabeth “Libby” (Stallings) Thompson, one son C. Stanley Thompson and his wife Mary-Lou of Gardner, one daughter Sharon T. Pruitt and her husband Tim of Chesapeake, VA, two grandchildren Kathryn M. Thompson of Merrimack, NH, and Robert L. Thompson of Gardner, one great-grandson Mason Suprenant of Merrimack, NH, one sister Patricia “Pat” Sachen of Sioux Falls, SD and one niece and one nephew.
Bob was born on December 2, 1929 in Ainsworth Township, Iowa , a son of the late Stanley R. and H. Vivian (Grove) Thompson. He graduated from Washington High School in Iowa, and from Iowa State College, now the Iowa State University, with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering.
Bob served in the US Navy during the Korean War as a Radio Repairman. He worked for the former Fitchburg Paper Company as a researcher, and also worked for the City of Fitchburg at the West Fitchburg Waste Water Plant as Plant Operator for...
William ‘Bill’ H. Opdyke, 73, of East Falmouth, MA and Birmingham AL, and former longtime Westminster resident, died Monday, August 8 in Falmouth, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
He leaves one son, Derik W. Opdyke of Worcester; two daughters, Kirsten O’Connell and her husband, Tim, of Dublin, NH and Karine Lawrence and her husband, Chris, of Greenville, SC; one sister, Kathryn Bolig and her husband, Brian, of Beach Haven, NJ; 7 grandchildren, Elsie and Neive Opdyke of Worcester, MA, Cully and Florence Colantino of Dublin, NH and Everett, Thomas and Clark Lawrence of Greenville, SC; and his beloved partner, Janet A. Vallee, of East Falmouth, with whom he lived, a niece Susan Bolig and a nephew Michael Bolig.
Bill was employed by Texaco Inc. for 36 years in Sales and Management. He was a 1956 graduate of Bordentown Military Institute in NJ and was a 1960 graduate of Ricker College in Houlton , ME. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was...Read More >>
Mercy V. (Celli) Sutela, 96, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011 , at her daughter’s home in Monaca, PA. She was the wife of the late Fredric F. Sutela, who passed away in 1980.
Mercy leaves three sons, Eino C. Sutela and Fredric Sutela of Monaca, PA and James Sutela and his wife Stella of Westminster, two daughters, Joan Sutela of Lunenburg, and Pamela M. (Sutela) Swedberg with whom she had been living.
She was "Nonni" to six grandchildren, Darryl Wehmeyer and his wife Nadia of Boston, Jesse Sutela and his wife Stacey of Westminster, Jessica Swedberg of Glendale, AZ, Matthew Swedberg and his wife Amy of Aliquippa, PA, Gavin Swedberg and Paul Martin of Monaca, PA and 4 great-granddaughters, Lindsey and Kiley Sutela of Westminster and Rylee Swedberg of Glendale AZ., and Alyvia Swedberg of Aliquippa, PA and will be missed by many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by four sisters Lucy Bellio, Antonetta Macy, Angela Celli and Elvira Celli, and two brothers Anthony Celli and Joseph Celli. She leaves a sister-in-law, Theresa Sutela of Westminster .
Thomas Fraser Noble was born on October 17, 1915 in Jamaica Plain, MA, first son of Fraser P. and Stella Flanagan Noble.
Following complications from pneumonia, he died peacefully at the St. Mary Health Center on Dec. 15, 2010 with his daughter Susan Noble Leighty at his side.
His parents, his wife, Marion Roper Noble, his brothers , Albert and Lloyd, and his sister Rosalie Noble Bondy predeceased him. He leaves his daughters, Susan and her husband Jack Leighty of Huntingtown, MD, and Ann Noble and her husband Goran Muhlert, of Davis, CA.
He served as Staff Sgt in the US Air Force from 1942 to 1945, and worked as a Postal Clerk on the Railway Mail for many years before working as a Supervisor in the Fitchburg Post Office.
His was an avid photographer, golfer, hiker, canoeist and skier.
He was the club champion at the Oak Hill Golf Course in Fitchburg, MA and later at the Gardner Golf Course, which granted him Lifetime Membership.
He was a member of the Mount Wachusett Reservation committee.
Lucille C. (Grenier) Fitzgerald, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 24, 2011, surrounded her loving family after living a long time with Parkinson’s Disease, lymphoma and neuropathy.
Lucille was the wife of the late Richard Fitzgerald. She is survived by her three daughters, Colleen Fitzgerald , and her partner, Sharon Baker of Newburgh, ME, Kerry Beth Davis and husband, Steven Davis of Westminster and Jo Ellen Scotland and husband, Jamie of Winchendon, her grandchildren: Arthur and Joanna Fontaine of Manchester, NH, Alex and Lacy Fontaine of Redding, CA, Owen Elisabeth Voigt and Richard Horr of Portland, ME, Caeli Shea Scotland of Fort Collins, CO, Brys Alexandra Scotland of Winchendon, Melonie and Michael Walker of Kailua, HI and Lisa Davis of Anchorage, AK, five great-grandchildren: Micaela, Mackenzie, and Makenna Walker, Isaiah and Liam Fontaine, two sisters-in-law Annette Grenier, Theresa Grenier both of Westminster, and many nieces and nephews.
She has been blessed all through her life by many close friends. She embraced people wherever she went and welcomed new friends into her ever-growing and changing family. Lucille was...
Ernest R. Ponti Jr. 67, died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester.
He was married for 43 years to the late Kathleen (Murphy) Ponti.
He leaves two daughters, Brenda Crocker and her husband Steve and their children Garrett, Riannon and Stephen of Nashua, N.H., Dawn Bourque and her husband Al and their children Cal, Melissa, Casey and Meghan of Merrimack, N.H., and one son Anthony Ponti and his wife Lizzie of Templeton, MA, one brother John Ponti and his wife Erica of NJ, two sisters Mary Ann Stella and her husband Paul of FL, and Marie Amorose of PA. He is predeceased by a brother Joseph DiSipio.
Ernest was born in Philadelphia, PA on December 15, 1943 a son of the late Ernest and Mary (Marino) Ponti.
He served in and retired from the US Air Force after 20 years of service. He was a Vietnam Veteran and was a Staff Sergeant. After his retirement from the Air Force he received his Associates degree in Business from the Fisher Junior College in Winchester, MA.
Mary E. (Horton) Vedoe, 90, of Westminster, died Monday, June 6, surrounded by her family at the Heywood Hospital in Gardner.
She was born in Shrewsbury, on Jan. 10, 1921, a daughter of the late, George M. and Evangeline (Marr) Horton. Mary grew up there and graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1938.
Shortly after her high school graduation she went to work for the Sate Mutual Life Insurance Company and would later move to Rochester, NY where she continued to work in the insurance field.
In 1950 she moved back to Shrewsbury and managed the family grocery store “Horton’s Market” until 1955.
In 1961 she moved to Westminster and became active on many town boards.
Mary was the first woman selectman, serving from 1977 to 1992. She also served on the Conservation Commission and the Westminster Historical Society, where she was assistant treasurer for 20 years.
Mary also volunteered at the Westminster Elementary School and was a member of the Meetinghouse School Council. She was a former 4H Club leader and Cub Scout Den Mother.
Richard W. Holroyd, Sr., 78 years old, of Westminster, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in his home after an illness. He is survived by daughter Joyce A. Holroyd-McGuire and her husband Ronald E. McGuire of Westminster, son Richard W. Holroyd, Jr. and his wife Michelle A. Bianco of Barre, his beloved granddaughter Megan Marie McGuire of Westminster, sister Constance R. Richardson of Leominster, 2 brothers Franklyn J. “Bud” Holroyd, Jr., of St. Petersburg, FL and Rev. David D. Holroyd of Hampton, NH, his best friend and cousin Nancy Green of Westminster and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years Valerie C. (Boucher) Holroyd in 2006 and by his brother Edward R. “Butch” Holroyd in 1991.
Dick was born in Fitchburg on May 1, 1933, son of Franklyn J. and Ruth E. (Bennett) Holroyd, Sr., and had lived in Westminster for the past 46 years.
He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He had worked at the former Crocker Technical Paper in Fitchburg...
Edward A. Maguire, 61, formerly of Westminster, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at his home in Fall River after being stricken ill.
Edward was born in Gardner on April 29, 1949 a son of the late James Maguire and Georgia A. (Christianson) Michaud.
He was educated in Westminster Schools, and grew up on Davis Road. He worked for a Doll Clothing Co. in Fitchburg and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.
He loved the outdoors, and being in the country. His other love was for horses as his family had a farm during his youth.
He leaves his brother John Maguire of Leominster and Florida, three sisters Kathleen Still and her husband Ronald of Louisiana, Helen Dunkin of Nevada, Bonnie Plante and her husband Richard of Westminster, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 1pm in the Woodside Cemetery, 9 Narrows Road, Westminster, MA 01473.
The Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 123 Main Street, Westminster, MA 01473 is assisting the family with funeral arrangements....
