The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of February 18 to February 25, 2021

Obituaries

Helen E. Monette

HELEN E. MONETTE
May 14, 1930 ~ February 12, 2021 (Age 90)

TEMPLETON -- Helen E. (Lucier) (Bourgeois) Monette, 90, died peacefully Friday morning, February 12, 2021 in Alliance Health at Baldwinville with her family at her side.

She was born in Orange, MA on May 14, 1930, daughter of the late Henry M. and Jenny (Thompson) Lucier and lived in East Templeton for most of her life and attended school there.

Helen was predeceased by her first husband of 23 years, Raymond J. Bourgeois, and her second husband of ten years, Laurence “Jim” Monette from Winchendon, MA. Helen leaves behind her daughter, Linda S. Baranoski and husband Steve of Phillipston, a son Steven R. Bourgeois of Gardner and daughter, Terri A. Carrier and husband Tom of Winchendon. She also leaves grandchildren, Shawn Baranoski of Phillipston, Craig Baranoski and wife Trish of Orange, Lucas Bourgeois and companion Jeremy of Tampa, FL, Ryan Bourgeois of Chico, CA, Alex Carrier and wife Shannon of Rindge, NH, Shane Carrier and wife Shandi of New Ipswich, NH; granddaughter, Brandi Emma Villa and husband Giammario of Los Angeles, CA and Lynsie (Bourgeois) Adams and husband Neil of Waltham, and Hunter and Jordan Sevigny. She also leaves four great grandchildren, Raena and Grant Carrier, Eleanor Villa and Blake Adams. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Helen leaves her sister and best friend, Ada Lepage.

In addition to her husbands, she was predeceased by her son, Raymond J. Bourgeois Jr of Athol on Oct. 18, 2002 and her daughter in law, Brenda J. Blakley Bourgeois on December 4, 2020, brothers, Henry and Earl Lucier and sisters, Ruth Wright and Francies Nelson.

Helen is survived by three sisters, Ada Lepage of Baldwinville, Rosa Buzzell of Athol and Carol Eaton and husband Douglas of East Templeton; and three brothers, Harold Lucier of Gardner and Lenard Lucier and wife Pat of Athol and many nieces and nephews.

Helen had worked as a waitress at the former Olsen's Restaurant and had also worked as a home health aide for Montachusett Health Care. She was known for her outstanding personality and was a natural comedian!! She was animated and full of spirit. She loved her family unconditionally and left many happy memories to cherish. Her favorite pastime was BINGO.

Due to COVID, funeral services will be private and there are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to Residents Activities Fund of Alliance Health at Baldwinville, 51 Hospital Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436.

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

Joseph W. Cournoyer

JOSEPH W. COURNOYER
June 18, 1944 ~ February 13, 2021 (Age 90)

Joseph W. Cournoyer, 76, of Temple, NH died on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene after a period of failing health.

'Joe' was born in Janesville, WI on June 18, 1944, son of the late Wilfred and Mary (Ryan) Cournoyer. He was a 1962 graduate of Conant High School in Jaffrey and earned his bachelor's in education from Keene State College in 1966. Soon after, he married Margaret 'Peggy' Willard in Temple, on June 12, 1966, and they enjoyed almost 55 years of marriage.

Joe went on to serve his country in the US Army from 1966 to 1968 and was stationed in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, Joe continued his education, and he earned his master's in education in 1974. He and his family had moved to North Woodstock, NH where Joe taught Social Studies and Physical Education in the Lin-Wood School District for five years.

In 1973 Joe and his family moved back to the town of Temple, where he settled and took over the operation of Willard's Store, also known as the Temple store.

Joe was involved in sports his entire life, and he loved the town of Temple. He soon became the manager and coach of the Temple Tigers Softball team and Temple Little League teams and brought them to several championships. He also served on the town's recreation commission, a position he treasured for more than 40 years. He played the role of Santa at many events and was considered 'one of the good guys' by the town's youngsters, who would often visit the store just to see Joe.

During his years in town, he was a member of the Temple Volunteer Fire Department and served as the Temple Fire Warden. He also enjoyed being active in the Souhegan Lions Club, as well as coaching the Mascenic Vikings and the Conant Orioles basketball teams for many years.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, listening to country music, and spending time with his family and his pets, especially 'Oprah'. In 1981 Joe enjoyed getting a cameo role in the movie "Summer" which was filmed in Temple.

Joe is survived by his wife, Peggy, and by his 3 sons, Scott, Jeffrey, and Daniel; grandson Kevin, (wife Heather); and 3 great grandchildren, Wyatt, Lilly and Lylia of Knightstown, IN; and granddaughter Ashleigh of Swanzey, NH. He also leaves behind his sister, Marie E. Vonk of Tempe, AZ; his brother Philip J. Cournoyer and his wife Pat of Jaffrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Priscilla and David Johnson of Winchendon, MA, and countless other relatives in Wisconsin and Illinois.

There will be no formal services or gatherings at this time, but a celebration of Joe's life is planned to take place in Temple on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe's name to Kitty Rescue and Adoption, PO Box 468, Jaffrey, NH 03452; or to the Temple Bicentennial Scholarship Fund, c/o Trustees of the Trust Funds, PO Box 191, Temple, NH 03084.

Jason Scott Algarin

JASON SCOTT ALGARIN
April 24, 1966 ~ February 9, 2021 (Age 54)

WINCHENDON -- Jason Scott Algarin, 54, of Winchendon, died Tuesday, February 9, 2021 in Boston, MA.

He was born in Fitchburg, MA on April 24, 1966, son of Pablo and Pamela (Merchant) Morales and grew up in Winchendon. Jason was a graduate of Montachusett Vocational Regional Technical High School.

Jason had worked for many years in maintenance and grounds at Cushing Academy, Ashburnham. He enjoyed hunting and painting houses.

In addition to his parents, he leaves three children, Natasha Perry of Fitchburg, Jason Algarin of Fitchburg and Justin Algarin of Winchendon; two brothers, Jesse Algarin of Winchendon and Jeffrey Algarin of Troy, NH and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 4 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will be held Thursday from 3 to 4 P.M. preceding the service.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon at a later date.

Sandra R. Prouty

SANDRA R. PROUTY
June 30, 1950 ~ February 12, 2021 (Age 70)

Sandra Ruth Prouty, 70, of Rindge, died Friday evening, February 12, 2021 at the Bay State Medical Center after a period of declining health.

She was born, in Gardner, MA on June 30 1950, to Joseph A. and Gloria M (Gerrard ) Pratt. She attended area schools.

Sandra earned a certificate in Nursing, that, coupled with a love of taking care of others, led to a career as a Nurses Aide at the Pheasantwood Center in Peterborough, NH.

She married Terry R. Prouty on June 10, 2000, in a ceremony at the First Congregational Church of Rindge.

She enjoyed rides with Terry on their Harley, sewing and making clothes, as well as her dogs: Millie, who passed earlier and Barney, who continues to give comfort and keep Terry company.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and Barney. Sandra is survived by her husband of over 20 years: Terry R. Prouty of Rindge; her daughters: Lauralee Bashaw of Joaquin, TX, Anita Demanche of Jaffrey, NH and Amanda Clark of Proctorville, VT; her sons: Carl Filz, III of Thorndale, TX, Jason Filz and Jonathan Filz both of Shelbyville, TX and Jeremy Filz of Waco, TX; a sister: Marie Henry of Winchendon, MA and her brothers: Robert Pratt and his wife Doris of Gardner, MA, David Pratt and his wife Chris of Hollis, NH, Alan Pratt and his wife Aveline of Gardner, MA and Kenneth Pratt and his wife Arlene of Winchendon, MA; 20 Grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren, 13 Step Grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was pre-deceased by her sister Kathrine Richard, and brothers: Gordon, James, Glen and Mark Pratt.

In accordance with Sandra's wishes, there are no calling hours or services planned at this time.

A Memorial Service will be planned for a future date.

Virginia H. MacDougall

VIRGINIA H. (UNION) MacDOUGALL
February 16, 2021

MacDOUGALL, Virginia H. (Union) Of Waltham, February 16, 2021. Wife of the late Robert D. MacDougall. Mother of Brenda L. Kelly (Michael) of Franklin, Gail A. Cannistraro (David) of Littleton, Robert C. MacDougall (Susan) of Winchendon and Paula J. Burke (Michael) of Bellingham. Sister of the late Madelyn Benton, Frederick Union and Bernard Union. Also survived by eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their families. Family and friends will honor Virginia's life by gathering for calling hours on Thursday, February 18th from 4 to 7 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), WALTHAM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery. Those wishing to view Ginny's Funeral Mass may do so by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/virginia-h-ginny-macdougall on Friday, February 19th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. For complete obituary, directions and guestbook, please visit www.JoyceFuneralHome.com

Steven P. Myers

STEVEN P. MYERS
April 25, 1947 ~ February 13, 2021 (Age 73)

Steven Myers, who died on February 13, 2021, was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts on April 25, 1947 and was a lifelong resident of the town.

Steven was the son of George and Mary Myers and grew up on the Myers farm in the Greenfield Meadows. He attended the Bement School, the Winchendon School and Franklin Pierce College where he was elected to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities", a feat that he never let his brother and sister forget.

After a brief stint as a department manager in a large retail store, he returned to the farm where he worked side by side with his father until his father's death and the subsequent sale of the farm to the Four Rivers Charter School. That work kept him in the hayfield, on the tractor and in the pasture in constant contact with his bovine friends. Indeed, his most devoted companion was his Hereford cow who he affectionately named Humphrey and who would come running to him at warp speed whenever he called. Humphrey saw in Steven, what all who knew him also saw and appreciated - that he was a loving and giving person who had a heart of gold. Along with his love of animals, Steven had a very sharp wit and a great sense of humor, as those of us who got too spar with him regularly experienced.

Steven leaves behind a brother and sister-in-law, Howard Myers and Catherine Stern of Hartland, Vermont, a sister, Sharon Myers of Brattleboro, Vermont, three nieces, Susanna Myers of Florence, Italy, Molly Myers of Hanover, New Hampshire, Anna Myers of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a nephew, Ian Myers of New York City and 4 grand nieces and nephews.

A private family interment service in memory of Steven, will be observed in the Greenfield Hebrew Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener, of Temple Israel, Greenfield, MA. A memorial gathering to honor Steven's life will be held later this year. In the meantime, anyone who wishes to honor Steven may do so with a contribution to an animal or human rights organization of one's choice.

The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA, were entrusted with Steven's care and arrangements. Guest book available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com

John S. Shepherd

JOHN S. SHEPHERD
June 5, 1966 ~ February 14, 2021 (Age 54)

NEW IPSWICH, NH: John S. Shepherd, 54, of New Ipswich, formerly of Ashby, died Sunday, February 14, 2021 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Brighton from complications associated with COVID 19.

John was born in Fitchburg, June 5, 1966, a son of the late Elwin C. and Virginia L. (Chace) Shepherd Jr. and has resided in New Ipswich for over 20 years. He grew up in Ashby and was a 1984 graduate of North Middlesex Regional High School in Townsend. John enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family and was an avid collector of vintage license plates. For nearly 30 years John worked as a heavy equipment operator at Shepherds of Townsend.

He leaves his wife, Angela D. (Perigny) Shepherd; his son, Alexander J. Shepherd of Winchendon; Madison M. Shepherd of New Ipswich, NH; his brother and sister in law, Elwin C. "Butch" and Janet Shepherd of Ashby; four sisters, Corey A. Papa and her husband, Robert of Rindge, NH, Denise I. Jordan and her husband, Jim of Antrim, NH, Dawn C. Calderara and her boyfriend, Mark Couturier of Francestown, NH, Diana E. Stuart of Ashby and many nieces and nephews.

John's family will receive family and friends at calling hours from 4-7 PM Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte 119) Townsend Center. For additional information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. Funeral services and burial will be held privately.