ROGER N. LEGREE
May 27, 1933 ~ July 23, 2020 (Age 87)

TEMPLETON – Roger N. Legree, 87, of 190 Elm Street, Baldwinville and formerly of Winchendon and Fitchburg, died peacefully Thursday morning, July 23, 2020 at his residence, with his family at his side.

He was born in Shirley on May 27, 1933, son of the late Wallace and Helen (Gendron) Legree and grew up in Shirley. He had lived in Baldwinville for two years after living for most of his life in Fitchburg and Winchendon.

Roger proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War.

Roger worked at Wachusett Potato Chip for 22 years as a shipper and receiver. He also worked part time for many years tending bar at Amvets Post #29 in Fitchburg. He enjoyed playing bingo, making trips to Mohegan Sun, snowmobiling, watching the old Western television shows and playing scratch tickets. For many years, Roger marched in the 4th of July parade as a flag bearer. He had also served as chaplain for Amvets Post #29 American Legion, of which he was a long time member. He also loved his cat Sam.

His wife of 61 years, Dorothy J. (Bulger) Legree, died in May of this year. He leaves five children, Roger N. Legree Jr and his wife Claire of Winchendon, Robert W. Legree Sr and his wife Jessica of Winchendon, Irene Legree and her significant other Chris Teeter of Baldwinville, Donna Scesny and her husband Donald of Fitchburg and Tina Pelletier and her significant other Dan Sweet of Winchendon; 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Roger was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert Legree, Harold Legree, Carita Thurston and Elizabeth Pierce.

Funeral services for both Roger and his late wife Dorothy will be held Monday, August 17th at 10 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will precede the service from 9 to 10 A.M.

Military honors and burial for both Roger and Dorothy will follow the funeral and be held at Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

SHIRLEY A. PECKHAM
July 25, 2020 (Age 77)

Shirley A. Peckham, 77, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 25, 2020 at home in Warwick, Rhode Island after a long illness. Shirley was the wife of the late Frank D. Peckham, Jr. to whom she was married for 55 years. Born in Pemiscot County, Missouri, she was raised in Hayti, Missouri and was a daughter of the late Luel and Helen (Walker) Brown.

Shirley was the proud mother of four sons: Frank D. Peckham, III (Darlene), Samuel L. Peckham, Todd M. Richard-Peckham (Paul) and the late Timothy Peckham. She is survived by her brother Daniel Brown, her sisters Lois Springer and Linda Travis; her grandson Frank Peckham, IV, her granddaughters Stacey Robideau and Amanda Allen; her great grandchildren Sam Peckham, Meadow Allen, Avery Peckham, Wyatt Peckham, Tucker Freeman and Jeremy Robideau; and her beloved companions Ollie and Ora.

Shirley was also the sister of the late Lester Brown, Helen Brown, Teresa Brown, Mary Gibson and Joseph Brown.

Shirley will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, Massachusetts alongside her husband, Frank. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the hospice care program of Hope Health at www.hopehealthco.org or to your local hospice provider.

DENNIS B. CASAVANT
November 23, 1941 ~ July 23, 2020 (Age 78)

WINCHENDON – Dennis B. Casavant, 78, of Winchendon, a former longtime sergeant of the Gardner Police Department, died peacefully Thursday afternoon in Athol Hospital.

Perhaps the first impression of Dennis was his genial disposition; his sense of humor. He was a Roast Master, literally and generally speaking, but simply used a quick quip when that was all that was needed. Dennis will be remembered for his wit, passion for the New England sports scene, watching his grandchildren’s activities, along with his indelible memory and enjoyment of history. Most importantly, Denny will be remembered as one who placed his family first and demonstrated unwavering love and loyalty to his wife of 53 years.

He was born in Gardner on November 23, 1941, the youngest of nine children of the late Henry A. and Ruth K. (Laclair) Casavant and was a resident of Winchendon for most of his life. Dennis was a graduate of Murdock High School, where he was a proud member of its Championship Blue Devil football team with his brother, David. He earned the nickname “Mr. Outside” for his ability to utilize his speed, an attribute likely honed as a youngster running from his older brothers. While in high school, he enjoyed the limelight imitating the likes of Gene Kelly while participating in school musicals. He later graduated from Mt Wachusett Community College with an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement.

Dennis proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. After fulfilling his military service, he married Gail F. (Theodore) Casavant during a hurricane on October 1, 1966 and pursued a career in law enforcement. A police officer for 29 years, Dennis began his career with the Winchendon Police Department and then became a member of the Gardner Police Department, where he was a sergeant for many years and retired as its School Resource Officer. Dennis enjoyed interacting with the faculty and students alike, making lasting friendships with all (most) who came to know him. After retiring from law enforcement, Dennis decided to dabble in high finance and worked for the GFA Federal Credit Union for seven years.

Dennis was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and Eugene M. Connor Post #193 American Legion, where he was a member of its funeral honor guard. He was a member and Vice president of Friends of Old Murdock and a member of the Winchendon Housing Authority. Mr. Casavant was a respected football referee for 25 years for North Central Mass. Conference of Football Officials, often assigned to one of the oldest rivalry games in the country: Fitchburg vs. Leominster on Thanksgiving Day. An avid golfer, Dennis enjoyed playing in the former Winchendon Senior Golf League. A part time resident of Nokomis, FL, he enjoyed playing pool and horseshoes with his friends and acting in a few plays. Dennis and his wife Gail found their happy place in Wells, Maine where they enjoyed many summers with their family timing the tide at the "green wall" and creating an airtight battle strategy for finding the perfect (free) parking space.

Besides his wife, Dennis leaves his two children, Dr. Christopher D. Casavant and his wife Dawn of Winchendon and Marnie DuBois and her husband Brian of Auburn, ME; six grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew, Michael, Olivia, Madeleine and Bennett; a brother David N. Casavant of Winchendon; a sister Rita P. Bolton of CA and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services with military honors (adhering to COVID 19 guidelines), will be held Friday, July 31, 2020 at 11 A.M. in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Camp Jabberwocky, a residential vacation camp for people with disabilities where his grandson Matthew finds great joy every summer.

Camp Jabberwocky, 200 Greenwood Ave, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

https://www.campjabberwocky.org/giving/donate

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

LARRY E. GIRARD
November 16, 1935 ~ July 25, 2020 (Age 84)

TEMPLETON – Larry E. Girard, 84, of 138 State Road, Baldwinville, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, July 25, 2020 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

He was born in Winchendon on November 16, 1935, son of the late George J. and Gertrude (Aiken) Girard and was a graduate of Murdock High School. Following graduation, he entered military service, proudly serving his country as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army during the Korean War.

A small business owner, Larry owned and operated a furniture and clothing business in Winchendon for several years. He later renovated and sold properties in the area. He was a member of Eugen M. Connor Post #193 American Legion and Lt. Frederick Wilder White Post 2158 VFW. He enjoyed gardening.

He leaves his wife of many years, Joyce M. (Nelson) Girard; a daughter, Wendy Francis of Winchendon; stepchildren, Lisa Corbett and her fiancé Carlos Fernandes of Baldwinville and Lynn Denham of Greenfield; two grandchildren, Jeremy Kerlin and Lanie Denham; a great grandchild Cameron Kerlin; two brothers, Gordon Girard of NC and David Girard of Winchendon and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, George J. Girard Jr, Dennis Girard, Richard Girard and James Girard and two sisters, Linda Basso and Barbara Girard.

Funeral services, with military honors, will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 2 P.M. in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon. Masks and social distancing are required.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, 29 Crest Loop, Staten Island, NY 10312.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

ANNA M. (ROCHELEAU) CORMIER
January 30, 1931 ~ July 27, 2020 (Age 89)

Anna M. (Rocheleau) Cormier, 89, of Leominster, died peacefully, Monday, July 27, 2020, in Healthalliance Hospital, Leominster, surrounded by her family.

Born in Winchendon on January 30, 1931, to the late Maximin and Coranna (Hardy) Rocheleau. She attended Murdock High School and worked at Thayer Manufacturing of Gardner for several years. In 1950 Anna married the love of her life, Henry R. Cormier of Gardner. They shared 36 wonderful years of marriage until his untimely passing.

Anna was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church of Fitchburg. She often volunteered at church bazaars, led rosary services, and helped prepare Thanksgiving meals for the less fortunate. Anna loved the beach and camping and rooting against the Yankees with her husband at Red Sox games in Boston and New York. Her devotion to the church, her faith, and her family were the top priorities in life.

Anna is survived by her daughter, Robin McCulloch and her husband Donald of Leominster, one son David A. Cormier of Winchendon; a granddaughter, Mallory Dupont and her husband Mark of Worcester; two great-grandchildren, Aurora and Quinn Dupont; two sisters, Cecile May of Winchendon and Theresa Thurlow and her husband Richard of Gardner; two brothers, Maurice Rocheleau and his wife Shirley of Winchendon, and George Rocheleau and his wife Norma of Winchendon; many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Henry, who died in 1987; a sister, Rita Elola; and four brothers, Roland, Alfred, Joseph, and Arthur Rocheleau.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 31, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA.

There are no calling hours. Family and friends are asked to report directly to the church on the day of the service.

Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, current restrictions set in place by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be in effect at Anna's services.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of New England, 650 Suffolk Street, Suite 405 Lowell, MA 01854, or on their website at (www.epilepsy.com). Please reference in memory of Anna M. Cormier.

Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440 is handling the arrangements.