Ronald S. Vars
March 10, 1948 ~ October 17, 2019 (Age 71)

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 worked as a mason for Local #39 until his retirement. A resident of California for many years until returning to Royalston, he then lived his final years in Winchendon. He was a graduate of Nashoba Valley Technical High School.
Ron enjoyed working around the farm on projects he always created. He enjoyed the outdoors and 4 wheeling and working on his antique cars. He used to race cars at Westboro Speedway and Monadnock Speedway. Ron was an avid NASCAR, New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan.
He leaves a daughter, Julie Kennerson and a grandson Derek Kennerson of Palm Coast, FL and one sister, Kathy Chencharik of Royalston; his close friends, Ron, Marsha and Ronnie Alger III of Winchendon, as well as many close friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will precede the service from 10 to 11 A.M.
Burial will be in Lawrence Brook Cemetery, Royalston.

Florence R. Roberge
July 25, 1934 ~ October 25, 2019 (Age 85)

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 Leominster and Fitchburg.
Florence had worked as an assembler at Foster Grants for 16 years until its closing in 1986 and then worked at TRW for ten years until her retirement in 1998. She enjoyed knitting, reading and gardening.
She leaves two sons, Mark D. Roberge of Worcester and Randolph J. Roberge and his wife Melinda of Nashua, NH; two daughters, Darlene Roberge and her husband Robert Hornbaker of Lowell and Raeann LeBlanc and her husband Brian of Winchendon; a sister, Ann Craigen and her husband Raymond of Fitchburg, seven grandchildren, Kristina, Patrick, who died in 2001, Brandon, Richard, Rachel, Joseph and Michael; a sister in law Anita LeClair of CA; eight great grandchildren and 1.5 great great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Ricky Roberge, who died in 1961, and brothers, Maurice LeClair and Raymond LeClair.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 1 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A reception for family and friends will follow at Carriage House Restaurant, Winchendon.
A calling hour will precede the service Sunday from 12 to 1 P.M.

Maureen A. Russell
March 6, 1953 ~ October 27, 2019 (Age 66)

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.
Maureen attended Murdock High School and then worked as a Home Health Aid for many years.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother first and foremost. She was always caring and helping those in need, esp. her family. She loved spending time with her granddaughter and especially loved her role as “Mimi.”
She loved to cook, collect cookbooks, crocheting, fishing, camping, and spending time at the beach. Her ability to love all living creatures was her best quality.
She leaves her husband of 50 years, Carl R. Russell Jr; a son, Maurice R. Russell and his wife Jennifer and a granddaughter, Abigail Russell of Winchendon; a sister, Diane Corkum and her husband Larry of Winchendon; a brother, Glenn Austin and wife Sandy of New Mexico; two other siblings; many nieces and nephews; and very close family friends.
Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
There are no calling hours.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

Bernardito A. Arib
August 8, 1944 ~ October 24, 2019 (Age 75)

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, Phillipines on August 8, 1944, son of the late Anastacio and Carmen (Aribal) Arib Sr. and lived in the Phillipines for most of his life. He moved to Winchendon five years ago.
Bernardito worked as a farmer in his homeland. He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling.
He leaves his wife, Excelsa (Aglobo) Arib; five children, Joemarie A. Arib and his wife Lucille, Leonorina A. Aguirre and her husband Vicente, Lilibeth A. Marcial and her husband Antonio of Winchendon, Renerex A. Arib and his wife Liza and Bernardito A. Arib, Jr and his wife Nania; his brothers and sisters, Emilda Bagsit, Sonia Janaban, Anastacio Arib Jr, Antonio Arib and Marcelso Arib; eight grandchildren, one great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 7 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.
Calling hours in the funeral home are Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 4 to 7 P.M. preceding the funeral.

Joseph A. Croteau
January 16, 1938 ~ October 20, 2019 (Age 81)

Joseph A. Croteau age 81 of Pittsburg, NH peacefully passed at his daughter's home in Mount Holly, NC on October 20, 2019.
Joseph was born in Winchendon, MA on January 16, 1938 to Joseph Alfred Croteau Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Tilton.
He spent most of his life in Shirley and West Groton, MA., before moving to his favorite place in the world, Pittsburg NH. This is where he loved just sitting on his front porch overlooking Lake Francis and watching for wildlife.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane (Cleary) Croteau, three daughters', Michele Sharkey and husband, James Sharkey of Chelmsford, MA, Suzanne Cooper and Andrew Maikos of Kissimmee, FL, Mary Knippschild and wife Nadin Knippschild of Mount Holly, NC, six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, a brother Howard E. Croteau and a grandson Justin D. LaVenture.
The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.

Robert A. Vaillancourt
April 7, 1967 ~ October 27, 2019 (Age 52)

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.
Bob had lived in Ft Lauderdale, FL and later lived in Kentucky before returning to this area in 2008. He enjoyed rock and roll and country music and playing cribbage and cards.
He leaves his brothers, Richard P. Vaillancourt of Gardner, Randy L. Vaillancourt of Gardner, Raymond Vaillancourt and his wife Susan of Winchendon, Roger A. Vaillancourt of Gardner, Russell J. Vaillancourt and his girlfriend Sue Lavoie of Fitchburg and Rene S. Vaillancourt of Baldwinville and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 11 A.M. in Riverside Cemetery, Glenallen Street, Winchendon. A reception for family and friends will follow in the VFW, 3 Eaton Street, Westminster.
There are no calling hours.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

Charles Parmenter Sr.
December 31, 1944 ~ October 25, 2019 (Age 74)

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 a truck driver for many local companies, including General Box, Astroform, Garboose Metal and Redds.
In his younger years, he enjoyed his fast cars, working on cars with his sons, snowmobiling and motorcycling. He was a pool shark and loved a great game or tournament. He also enjoyed playing cards throughout his life and recent years sharing and challenging a cribbage game always! His family was his life, having a BBQ and playing horseshoes with the guys, with all the kids, grandkids playing and laughing in the pool made him happy. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, watching his last game Monday with a smile.
He leaves six children, Danny Parmenter and his wife Nicole of Winchendon, Dawn Parmenter and her fiancé Leo Dignan of Winchendon, Derrick Parmenter McConnel of Fitchburg and his fiancé Andrea Dye, Heidi Herr and her husband David of Royalston, Wendy Sperduto and her husband John of Garden City, New York and MSgt USMC Active Duty Charles Parmenter Jr and his wife Krystal of New Bern, NC; his brothers and sisters, Gene Parmenter of Phillipston, Robert Parmenter of Winchendon, Rosemary Blair and Ruth-Ann Arsenault of Winchendon. He also leaves 18 grandchildren, Bobby, Kyle, Jeremy, Maxine, Michelle, Mike, Matthew, Sierra, Dakota, Julia, Gino, Leo, Kayleigh, Isebella, Lucy, Penelope, Jessica and Derrick Jr and many great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Glenallen Street, Winchendon.
There are no calling hours.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

Benjamin "Ben" Barbour
December 19, 1933 ~ October 17, 2019 (Age 81)

BARRE--"Ben" Benjamin Howard Barbour, 85 passed away at a residence of Venture Community Services in Barre MA. on October 17, 2019. He was born on December 19, 1933 the son of Richard H. Barbour and Olive H. (Dunbar) Barbour of Canton. Ben was predeceased by his brother Richard Barbour, and he leaves behind a brother Nathaniel and his wife Carol Barbour from Odenton MD, a sister Olivia H. and her husband Charles Tarleton of Winchendon and many nieces and nephews.
Ben was an active member of the First Parish Universalist Unitarian Church on the upper common. He had a great interest in music and loved to play the piano and listen to classical music and the church organ. He enjoyed his friends and the staff at his group homes, the Fitchburg Senior Center and the GVNA day program at the Park Hill Plaza.
He will be remembered at the December 1st service of the First Parish Universalist Unitarian Church, 923 Main Street, Fitchburg MA. 01420. Contributions in his memory may be given to the church. The Bosk Funeral Home will be assisting the family.

Guy Fortugno Jr.
September 16, 1955 ~ October, 2019 (Age 64)

Nashua, NH - Guy S. Fortugno, Jr. 64, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health. He was born in Clinton, Massachusetts on September 16, 1955, to the late Guy S. and Viola (Scesny) Fortugno.
Guy attended Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg, MA and graduated from Holy Apostle College in Cromwell, CT. He lived in Nashua for the last 37 years, and had been a resident of Greenbriar since 2014.
He was a dedicated communicant at St. Patrick's Church, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a quiet, gentle man, unwavering in his faith to God and the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church was his main interest, wanting to be a priest from the time he was 4 years old. Lifelong medical problems prevented him from being admitted into the Priesthood. He spent time as a Brother in Alfred, ME, and then worked for Lowell Shoe before becoming fully disabled.
He enjoyed walking around town, people watching on Main St, and getting a coffee several times a day at Dunkin Donuts. He enjoyed making rosaries to donate to the church and to missions. He would attend every Mass on Sunday mornings, walking to Dunkins for a coffee in between services. For several years, he lived across the street from St. Patrick's Church and he could see the church from his seat on the couch. If he saw a funeral procession pulling up, he would walk over and attend the funeral.
He is survived by his sisters, Lorraine Fortugno of Winchendon, MA, Sandra Morin of Litchfield, NH, Janice Ledoux of Nashua, NH, Betty Ingerson of Leominster, MA and Viola Cioffi of Claremont, NH, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday October 29, 2019 from 5-8pm at the Zis-Sweeney & St. Laurent Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30am on Wednesday October 30th at St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring St., Nashua, NH with burial immediately following at St. Louis Cemetery.