The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of January 21 to January 28, 2021

Obituaries

Gail Cutting

GAIL CUTTING
June 11, 1945 ~ January 8, 2021 (Age 75)

Dothan, Alabama - Gail Irene (Goulden) Cutting, 75, lost a long, bravely-fought battle January 8, 2021, after a brief period of declining health.

She was born June 11, 1945, in Framingham, MA, daughter of Earle K. Goulden and Lila M. (Goulden) Peabody. Gail was educated in the Worcester, MA school systems, graduating in 1963.

Over her 40 year career in accounting, she held a variety of leadership positions, across many industries and non-profits. Following her retirement, she became a full-time homemaker and took great joy trying new recipes, recreating old favorites, and filling the home she made with her beloved husband Roger, and their doberman rescues, with love and warmth.

Gail will be remembered as intensely loyal. She had a deep and abiding faith in her Lord that guided her throughout her life. She was fiercely devoted to her family, friends and the causes that moved her.

Gail was always open for a game of Scrabble, a chess match or a good round of cards. She loved animals great and small, rescuing countless companion dogs and cats throughout her life. She rooted for the underdog, was a life-long Red Sox fan, held tight to a strong code of ethics and always found joy in making a positive impact on the lives of others. She enjoyed designing and printing her own line of personal greeting cards, restoring family photos and tracing her family's ancestry.

Gail will be dearly missed and remembered by her daughter, Justine Winkelman, son-in-law James and grandson Alexander, of Swampscott, MA.

She is survived by her sister, Kristine Gallant of Jaffrey, NH, her special cousin, Donna Brewster and her husband Bob, of S. Woodstock, CT. She is also survived by five brothers-in-law: Richard Cutting of Portland, ME, Robert Cutting of Gardner, MA, Randall Cutting of Worcester, MA, Ronald Cutting and his wife Michelle of Peterborough, NH and Rodney Cutting of Winchendon, MA; two sisters-in-law: Marilyn Mercier of Winchendon, MA and Margaret Goulden of Noma, FL, and too many nephews and nieces to count. She is also survived by Cody, her special Dobie companion, and VERY good boy.

Gail was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Roger A. Cutting.

When it came to family, "step" was not in her vocabulary. She was also predeceased by her son, Timothy Harris, who was a blessed bonus from her first marriage. She will be affectionately missed by her extended family in Holden, MA, daughter-in-law Kelley Harris, grandson Jonathan Harris and his wife Melissa, granddaughter Meghan Olson and her husband Kevin, and great-grandson Timothy Olson.

A memorial and burial service will be held in Massachusetts at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Glover Funeral Home. Dothan, AL. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gloverfuneral.com.

Richard Barton White

RICHARD BARTON WHITE
May 23, 1940 ~ January 16, 2021 (Age 80)

Leominster - Richard Barton White (Dick), 80, entered peacefully into eternal rest in his home on January 16, 2021, surrounded by his wife, Marguerite R. (Bourque) White, and family.

Born on May 23, 1940 in Winchendon, MA, Dick grew up in Leominster. He was the second son of Alice (Piasick) White and Emerson A. White. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1958, where he played Varsity Football and was active in the school newspaper, student government, and theater club. He graduated with honors from Boston University in 1962 with a degree in journalism.

Following a few years in journalism and advertising, Dick spent 40+ years working in the Leominster area at a number of tool & die companies. He ended his career as a purchasing executive for Nypro Mold (Clinton, MA).

Dick loved learning, reading, gardening, cooking, photography, and home improvement projects. He was a talented artist. Active in the community, he volunteered his time with various organizations such as the United Way, Leominster High School Center for Technical Education, the National Plastics Center & Museum, WGBH, and as a lector at St. Leo's Parish for decades. He was a loving and caring man who was always willing to help a friend, neighbor, or stranger. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and family.

Above all, Dick was devoted to his family. He loved sharing stories of his childhood with his children and grandchildren, passing along traditions they will long remember: reading the stories of Thornton W. Burgess; making popcorn balls, hot fudge sauce, Sunday morning brunch, and waffles; picking wild blueberries in the summer; and sledding in the winter. He treasured the times his whole family could gather together, and he could always be heard complimenting his beloved wife of 56 years.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Marguerite; his son, Ryan, and his wife, Natalie, of Kingston, MA; his son, Kevin, and his wife, Meredith, of Milton, MA; his daughter, Jennifer, and her husband Keith, of Burlington, VT; and his four loving grandchildren, Connor, Carly, Griffin, and Rebecca. He is also survived by his brothers E. Donald White and Gary White and their wives, as well as his two nieces and three nephews.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Mass will be held at St. Leo's Parish for immediate family this Wednesday at 11:00 am. At a later date, after Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, a memorial service and reception will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Richard's memory to either French Connection, his wonderful home health care providers, or WGBH.

[French Connection: 925 West Broadway, Gardner, MA 01440 or WGBH Office of Gift Planning and Endowment: One Guest Street, Boston Massachusetts, 02135 or via the WGBH website: www.wgbh.org/tribute]

Alice T. (LaFreniere) (Dempsey) Trombly

ALICE T. (LAFRENIERE) (DEMPSEY) TROMBLY
November 27, 1938 ~ January 19, 2021 (Age 82)

GARDNER - Alice T. (LaFreniere) (Dempsey) Trombly, 82, of Shirley, MA and a former longtime resident of Gardner, MA, died Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on November 27, 1938, the daughter of the late Leo and Priscilla (Tatro) LaFreniere and grew up in Winchendon.

In 1956, Alice married the love of her life, Bill Dempsey. They shared a busy life raising their three children. She had a very enthusiastic personality and zest for life that was to be admired. It was later in life that she earned her GED from Mt. Wachusett Community College and went on to earn her Certified Nursing Assistant license. She worked for many years as a CNA at the former Walter E. Fernald School until her retirement. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting, which she made many hats, blankets, slippers, dish cloths and clothing. Alice was also an avid football fan. Most of all, she wanted to be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Alice was predeceased by two husbands, William C. Dempsey, Sr. and Edward Trombly. A daughter, Theresa M. Howard, also preceded her in death. She leaves two sons, William C. Dempsey, Jr. and his wife Susan (Cartee) of Shirley, MA and Wade C. Dempsey and his wife Pamela (Adkins) of Bradford, MA; two brothers, Leo LaFreniere, Jr. of Petersham, MA and Donald LaFreniere of Winchendon, MA; two sisters, Leda Lafrennie of Rindge, NH and Marion Prince of Gardner, MA; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Harry LaFreniere and Walter LaFreniere and a sister, Olive Russell, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 2 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will precede the service from 1 to 2 P.M.

Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon in the spring.

Alice's family would also like to thank Nashoba Valley Hospice for the care that she received.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Childrens' Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.

James A. Brown

JAMES A. BROWN
July 16, 1943 ~ January 15, 2021 (Age 77)

FITCHBURG - James A. Brown, 77, of 660 Pearl Street, died peacefully at home Friday evening, January 15, 2021, with his family at his side.

He was born in Waltham on July 16, 1943, son of the late Lawrence and Thelma (Warren) Brown and grew up in both Waltham and Lunenburg. Jim proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Jim worked as a truck driver for many years, delivering medical supplies to hospitals for Abbott Industries. He was a resident of Fitchburg for 12 years.

He leaves his wife of 12 years, Martha (Morrilly) Brown; two children, Jennifer LaFleur of Winchendon and Michael J. Brown and his wife Nicole of Winchendon; five grandchildren, Austin, Bryson, Ryley, Rachael and Zachary and a brother Robert Brown of Lunenburg. A son, Patrick Brown, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 1 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will precede the funeral Thursday from 12 to 1 P.M.

Masks and social distancing are required.

Funeral services will be streamed and may be viewed on the funeral home website Thursday.

Burial, with military honors, will be in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Donald B. Duval

DONALD B. DUVAL
December 4, 1939 ~ January 17, 2021 (Age 81)

WINCHENDON - Donald B. Duval, 81, of 365 Elmwood Road, died peacefully Sunday morning, January 17, 2021 at home, with his family at his side.

He was born in Winchendon on December 4, 1939, son of the late Edward and Alice (LaRoche) Duval and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Edgar Roy. Don graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1957. Following high school, he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force.

Don worked as a helicopter mechanic for five years, then was employed at New England Telephone Co for five years and then worked as a test man of turbine engines for General Electric. He worked his final two years for Soneco at Fort Devens until his retirement. Don was a resident of Winchendon for most of his life and enjoyed fixing cars and building stone walls. He enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with his family.

He leaves his wife, Brenda (Martin) Duval; two children, Renee Duval of Winchendon and Martin Duval of Winchendon; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Duval; a brother Edward Roy of Phillipston; two sisters, Leah Chartier of Baldwinville and Annette Grenier of Phillipston and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph Roy, Ronald Roy and Robert Roy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon. Masks and social distancing are required.

The mass will be streamed and may be viewed on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Facebook Page.

Burial, with military honors, will be in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon following the mass.

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

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

John Tobias Gronroos

JOHN TOBIAS GRONROOS
January 27, 1947 ~ January 16, 2021 (Age 73)

John Tobias Gronroos of Westminster, MA, aged 73, passed away January 16 at Heywood Hospital, Gardner, MA due to Covid. He was the only child of Johannes Rudolph "Joe" and Irja Mirriam (Rinta) Gronroos. Born in Fitchburg, MA January 27, 1947.

He worked at General Electric for 15 years ending his career as an inspector with the Navy division. When the plant closed in Fitchburg he took positions with Astron, and Gould and Eberhard. He secured a position as the Cemetery Superintendent of Westminster for 15 years, following his father’s footsteps, who was a cemetery commissioner in the 1970s.

As a young man he was a member of the Gardner Chapter of DeMolay where love of parents, friendship, courtesy and patriotism are paramount. He was also a member and former Deacon of the First Congregational Church of Westminster.

He was a past member of the Westminster, Townsend, and Eight Point Sportsmen’s Clubs, the National Rifle Association of America, Massachusetts Amateur Trap Shooting Association, and Member of the International Union of Electronic Workers Local 286. As a young man, he loved training and participating in triathlons. He was an eager participant of the Brothers of the Brush and enjoyed the competitive activities, especially with the Brothers of Princeton.

Additionally, John loved astronomy, gardening, fishing (bass, deep sea, and ice) and most importantly his cats and dogs.

He received his education from Oakmont Regional H.S., Wachusett Community College and Colorado State University.

He is survived by his Aunt Lillian Rinta of West Wareham, two second cousins Paul Rinta, Jr of Costa Rica, Andrew Rinta of West Wareham, MA, step daughter Aimee St. Jean of Fitchburg, MA, and longtime friend and companion Candi Crane Hitchcock of Westminster, MA as well as other cousins in the Fitchburg/Gardner area. He was predeceased by his cousin Paul Rinta, Sr. of West Wareham and former wife Paulette Thomas.

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd, Fitchburg, MA 01420 is handling the private arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held when safe to do so.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory to NEADY Cats, 215 Worcester Rd, Sterling, MA 01564, United Leukodystrophy Foundation, 224 North Second Street, Suite 2, DeKalb, IL 60115 or National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD ) - Paget's Disease Donations, Dept. 5930, PO Box 4110, Woburn, MA 01888.

Christiane J. Halpa

CHRISTIANE J. HALPA
May 3, 1926 ~ January 16, 2021 (Age 94)

ATHOL - Christiane J. (Koehly) Halpa, 94, also known as "CJ", died peacefully Saturday evening, January 16, 2021 in Applewood Home for Elders, with her family at her side.

She was born in Paris, France on May 3, 1926 and came to this country at the age of 17, after falling in love with an American Soldier who proposed to her while in France. They were married in New York and had two children together. Her husband, John Halpa, passed away 33 years ago.

Christiane leaves her two children, Marguerite Cronk of Long Island, NY, and John R. Halpa of Long Island, NY, three grandchildren; Jackie Wood of Winchendon MA, Tiffany Halpa of Long Island NY and Samantha Halpa of Long Island NY, and a great granddaughter, Alysa Wood.

She was easily recognized by her sweet French accent. She valued her faith and family.

She will be missed for her selfless acts of kindness throughout her lifetime and the joy and humor she shared with others.

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

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

Jessica A. (Ricard) Stewart

JESSICA A. (RICARD) STEWART
November 8, 1936 ~ January 16, 2021 (Age 84)

Jessica A. (Ricard) Stewart, 84, of Eagleville Road, died early Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Indian Orchard on November 8, 1936, she was the daughter of Harmas and Gladys A. (Sebastion) Ricard and had lived most of her life in Winchendon.

On July 4, 1980, Jessica married William "Emmett" Stewart and they enjoyed 20 years until his death on December 7, 2000. She was previously married to Rodrick Parker.

Jessica had been a sales clerk at Winchendon Fashion and had previously worked for Whitney's Furniture in Ashburnham, Levinstones Manufacturing in Winchendon and the Sisters of the Assumption in Petersham.

Jessica had been a member of the American Legion Unit 172 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 923 in Turners Falls.

Jessica is survived by her children, Richard "Buster" Parker (Beverly Lavender) of Southbridge, Christopher Parker (Karen) of Spring Hill, Florida, Joseph Parker (Rhonda Smith) of Loris, SC, Coleen James (Andrew) of Maynard, Robert Parker (Joyce) of Auburn, and Karon Parker (Marc LeBlanc) or Orange; grandchildren, Brian Parker, Katie Parker, Andrue Parker, Amber Parker, Robert James, Michael James, and Olivia LeBlanc; many great grandchildren; a brother, Floyd Ricard (Arlene) of Gardner; and several nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents and husband Emmett, Jessica was predeceased by a brother, Francis Ricard and a sister, Nina O'Malley.

There are no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 in South Cemetery, 585 South Main Street, Orange, with Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden of the Athol Congregational Church officiating.

Donations in Jessica's memory are suggested to the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 20 Burlington Mall Road, #261, Burlington, MA 01803.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

Charles E. Barton

CHARLES E. BARTON
November 25, 1935 ~ January 18, 2021 (Age 85)

TEMPLETON - Charles E. Barton, 85, of 37 State Road, Baldwinville died peacefully Monday evening, January 18, 2021 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville.

He was born in Gardner on November 25, 1935, son of the late Edmund and Margaret (Hines) Barton and lived in Baldwinville for many years.

Charlie proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. A woodworker, he worked at J and J Products in Templeton and then at M.S. Parks Furniture in Winchendon until his retirement. His hobbies were woodworking, working on jigsaw puzzles and attending flea markets. Over the last fifteen years, he enjoyed going for rides in the country while listening to country music. Spending time with his family provided him a great deal of enjoyment.

His wife, Rinette (Dumais) Barton, died in 1978. He leaves two children, Daniel C. Barton and his wife Nancy of Salisbury and Janice M. Barton of Gardner; six grandchildren (two of whom died as newborns) and seven great grandchildren (one of whom predeceased him). In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Brian Barton.

Private funeral services will be held in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 260 Cochituate Road #200, Framingham, MA 01701.