GERALD J. LEBLANC
February 9, 1938 ~ September 17, 2020 (Age 82)

ATHOL – Gerald J. LeBlanc, 82, of Athol, formerly of Winchendon, died Thursday, September 17, 2020 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in New Brunswick, Canada on February 9, 1938, son of the late Alderic and Delia (Legere) LeBlanc and came to this country at the age of 12 and was educated in Leominster. Jerry lived in Winchendon for 17 years and moved to Athol a year ago.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Janice A. (Paradise) LeBlanc; sons, Daniel J. LeBlanc of Maine, Mark LeBlanc and his wife Kristen of Athol and Timothy LeBlanc and his wife Christine of NH and a daughter Pamela A. Edwards and her wife Jan Edwards of Maine. He also leaves six grandchildren, Rebecca, Jessica, Krystal, Mark Jr, Corey and Courtney and six great grandchildren, Ariana, Victoria, Brianna, Aliviah Anne, Reagan and Alexus. Jerry is also survived by 3 sisters, Meg Iacabone of Leominster, Gloria Lefreve of Leominster and Linda Shawn of Minnesota; three brothers, Andy LeBlanc of FL, John LeBlanc of FL and Raymond LeBlanc of CA and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry worked in his earlier years as a carpenter and later worked with people with disabilities. He loved the outdoors and always felt at heart he was American Indian. Jerry had proudly served as a member of the Army National Guard. Jerry was sober for 44 years and offered service and shared his experience, strength and hope to help as many other alcoholics as possible. Jerry was a true humanitarian and was always willing to help anyone in need. Jerry will be greatly missed by all and never forgotten for his kind heart.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 11 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.

Calling hours in the funeral home are Wednesday from 9 to 11 A.M. preceding the funeral.

Facemasks and social distancing are required.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

JOAN M. POIRIER
December 30, 1941 ~ September 22, 2020 (Age 78)

METHUEN - Joan M. (Johnson) (Morin) Poirier, 78, of Methuen passed away September 22 in Dracut, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness.

Joan was born in Lowell on December 30, 1941, the daughter of the late G. Hayward and Dora (Gendreau) Johnson.??She is survived by her children, Barry Morin and his wife Karen of Dracut, Kevin Morin and his wife Sharon of Dracut, and Jeffrey Morin and his fiancée Jennifer Fossarelli of Methuen; step children Deborah Nichols of Waltham, Joseph Poirier and his wife Jaquelyn of Ashburnham and Betsy McGregor of Winchendon. She is the Grandmother of Michael, Nicole, Hunter and Jeremy Morin, James and Travis McGregor, Michele Young, Keli Poirier, Joseph P. Poirier, Jr. and many nieces and nephews.

Joan is also survived by her dear sister Carolyn and her husband Rudy Koczera of Meredith, NH.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph A. "Skip" Poirier, Jr.; by her brother Richard Johnson and her former husband James Morin.

Joan was employed for many years at the former Wang Labs in Lowell and more recently at Central Coating in West Boylston, retiring several years ago.

Joan loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She had a lifelong love of the water, whether floating on Lake Winnipesaukee or splashing in the waves at Hampton Beach or Cape Cod. She was a member of the New England Shutterbugs and enjoyed improving her photography skills; her favorite subjects included birds and New England scenery.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joan's Life Celebration on Friday, Sept. 25, from 3 until 7 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10 AM in Ste. Marguerite D'Youville Church, 1340 Lakeview Ave., Dracut. Burial will be private. For directions or condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.

G. ALBERT ANDERSON
September 1, 1929 ~ September 18, 2020 (Age 91)

Gardner - G. Albert Anderson, 91, recently of 547 Central Street, Winchendon, died Friday evening, September 18, 2020 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, with his family at his side.

He was born at home in Gardner, Massachusetts on September 1, 1929, to the late George Y. and Elsa L. (Garell) Anderson. Al attended Gardner schools and went on to receive his BSME from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1951. He worked in New York City for Ingersoll-Rand Co. prior to returning to Gardner in 1954 to work as product engineer and later Vice-President of the Collier-Keyworth Co.

Al married Nancy Wright on June 28, 1952, and together, they were blessed with over 60 years of marriage until Nancy's passing in 2012. His son, Mark, of Houston, Texas also pre-deceased him in 2014. He is survived by Ellen Johnson (Kenneth) of Gill; Nils Anderson (Karen) of Gardner and his brother, Arnold Anderson (Norma) of Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania. He leaves behind seven grandchildren: Erik, Jeffrey, Johanna, Nils T., Birgitta, Christine and Cameron. He knew and appreciated many, many members of the community from all walks of life who will feel his absence. He will be especially missed by his dear friend, Carol Denney.

Al believed that, as a follower of Christ, his calling was to lift up and improve lives and conditions in his community: "leave the world in better condition than you found it." To this end, he pursued fund raising for scholarships at WPI. He was also active in the Friends of Gardner High School Scholarship committee, and the Gardner High School Band Alumni Association. In addition to education, he served Gardner's Heywood Hospital as a member and former President of the Board of Trustees. He was a dedicated, lifelong member of the Lutheran church where he gave of his time, talent and treasure.

Al recognized his civic obligation to be politically active, and was a lifelong Republican. He received the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), where it was humorously noted by the evening's MC that the award was signed exclusively by Democrats. As a Massachusetts resident, he certainly knew the importance of being a friend across the aisle while maintaining one's political integrity.

The fondest times of Al's life revolved around sailing. He and Nancy sailed a Flying Dutchman for many years together on Lake Monomonac in Rindge, NH, and also in and around Nantucket Harbor. He raced his boat in the Olympic trials of 1963 for the sport of it. Additionally, he and Nancy sailed in the Caribbean with good friends over the course of many years.

Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, a private funeral service for family members only will be held Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 11 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Burial will follow in Green Bower Cemetery.

Donations in his honor may be made to the Memorial Fund of Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner, Massachusetts or to the Gardner CAC.

Al's family cordially invites his many friends to view his funeral service on the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home website Thursday at 11 A.M.

GEORGE N. VAILLANCOURT
March 24, 1938 ~ September 22, 2020 (Age 82)

WINCHENDON – George N. Vaillancourt, 82, of Winchendon, died peacefully Tuesday evening, September 22, 2020 at his residence, with his family at his side.

He was born in Manchester, NH on March 24, 1938, son of the late Joseph Servulle and Marie (Valade) Vaillancourt and was a resident of Winchendon for most of his life.

George worked in the plastics industry for much of his life, retiring in 2004 from Sterling Manufacturing Co. as a supervisor. He enjoyed making many trips to Foxwoods and Twin Rivers, as well as playing cards with friends. He enjoyed his camp at State Line Campground for many years.

His wife of 50 years, Ellen “Janie” (Nicholas) Vaillancourt, died in 2007. He leaves five children, George N. Vaillancourt Jr. and his wife Cindy of Winchendon, Sherry Gottwald and her husband Brian of Winchendon, Kelly Gauthier and her husband Steve of Winchendon, Gregory Vaillancourt and his wife Meryl of Templeton, and Jamie Vaillancourt of Nashua, NH; 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Claudette Vaillancourt and Mary Lou Austin and a brother-in-law, Larry Nicholas. A brother, Homer J. Vaillancourt, died in 2017.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 3 Speen Street Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701.

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