JANE E. (ALBERT) WILSON
July 8, 1930 ~ March 25, 2021 (Age 90)

Fitchburg - Jane E. (Albert) Wilson, 90 of Fitchburg passed away gracefully on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Jane was born July 8, 1930 in Fitchburg, daughter of Clifford and Evangeline (Seymour) Albert. She was a graduate of Fitchburg High School class of 1948 and was a member of St. Camillus Church. Before retiring she had worked for Manpower and Sanitoy Inc.

Jane enjoyed camping, traveling, and gardening. She and her husband were ballroom dance partners since their teens. She also enjoyed volunteering and playing at the Fitchburg Elks Bingo.

Her life-long sweetheart and husband of 67 years, Frederick G. Wilson Jr. passed in 2018. She is also predeceased by her son Scot Wilson and her granddaughter Alexis Wilson. She leaves a son Timothy and his wife Marjorie Wilson of Winchendon, as well as three daughters; Susan and her husband Clifford Haney of Leesville LA., Kathleen and her husband Kevin Martin of Fitchburg, and Lori and her husband Kevin Provencial of Winchendon. She also leaves behind one brother Clifford Albert Jr, his wife Elena of Fitchburg and their daughter Barbara. Jane was a beloved wife, cherished mother, and special Grammie to eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Her Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 10:00am in St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic St. Fitchburg. Burial will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers a donation in Jane's memory may be made to: Health Alliance Home Health and Hospice, 60 Hospital Rd. Leominster MA 01453 or Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 622, Leominster MA 014534.

RICHARD DANA LECLERC
April 4, 2021 (Age 69)

Seneca, SC – Richard Dana Leclerc, 69, husband of Judy Anne Collette Leclerc, of 13098 Janda Rd, Seneca, passed away Sunday April 4, 2021, at his home.

A native of Leominster, MA, Rick was the son of Lorraine Prince Leclerc and the late Raymond W. Leclerc. He was the former president of Mylec, Inc., a sporting goods manufacturer located in Winchendon, MA; started by his father in the 1970's. His most recent work included being the Executive Director of the Leclerc Charity Fund; a charity helping many smaller organizations both locally in South Carolina as well as around the country. In retirement, Rick enjoyed being a part of the Keowee Lake community whether it was boating, hiking or at his "Keowee Lake Club"; helping young adults learn safe boating habits amongst many other fun activities. He touched many people's lives and will be missed by all of his friends and family.

In addition to his wife and mother, Rick is survived by his son: Michael R. Leclerc of New Hampshire; step children: Jessica Goguen of Connecticut and Bishop Goguen of Colorado and three grandchildren: Gabriel, Maia and Adelyn.

Rick was preceded in death by his two brothers: Michael and Kevin Leclerc.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 10th 2021, at Heritage Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Collins Children's Home, P.O. Box 745, Seneca, SC 29679.

JUDITH D. (ALLEN) MARTIN
August 28, 1948 ~ April 5, 2021 (Age 72)

Fitchburg -Judith D. (Allen) Martin, 72 of Fitchburg, MA passed away peacefully April 5,2021 at Fitchburg Healthcare with her family at her side.

She was born in Fitchburg, MA August 28,1948 , the daughter of Victor and Anna (Mallard) Allen and she lived all of her life in Fitchburg. She was a proud stay at home mom to her children. She was a member of St. Bernard Parish in Fitchburg.

Judy loved being around family celebrating birthdays and other family events. She enjoyed going to bingo, bowling at Putnam Lanes in Fitchburg , and her trips to Florida every 4th of July. She also liked spending time with friends at the Grafitti and was a member of the Lunenburg Sportsman Club.

She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Michal Martin of Fitchburg, MA, her daughters Sharon P. Dancause and her husband Brian of Fitchburg, MA, and Tina L. Valliere and her husband Jay of Winchendon, MA, her brother Victor Allen of Lunenburg, MA, her sister Terry Allen of Lunenburg, MA, grandchildren, Alyssa, Jennifer, Christopher, Halley , and Ryan and one great granddaughter Talia.

Calling hours at the funeral home will be held on Friday April 9,2021 from 3 until 5p.m.. All are welcome to attend. All Covid-19 regulations will be in effect. Social distancing and a mask is required to attend.

The Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home 99 Summer St. is directing.

MARK C. CONNOLLY JR.
May 19, 1998 ~ April 2, 2021 (Age 22)

WINCHENDON - Mark C. Connolly Jr., 22, of 98 Town Farm Road, died Friday evening, April 2, 2021 from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

He was born in Gardner on May 19, 1998, son of Mark C. and Cynthia (Mejias) Connolly and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon. Mark was a 2016 graduate of Murdock High School. An excellent hockey player, Mark played Winchendon Youth Hockey and later was a member of Murdock High School Hockey team.

Mark had a natural ability to ride any type of motor vehicle. He was an exceptionally skilled bicycle rider who loved downhill mountain biking and enjoyed jumping BMX bikes with his friends and siblings. He also enjoyed other adventurous activities such as kayaking, skiing, snowmobiling and sky diving. He had a genuine love of the outdoors. Mark was a kind, polite young man, whom everyone enjoyed being around. He was an avid and skilled RC enthusiast, who was frequently seen racing at RC Excitement in Fitchburg. He also loved driving his RC crawlers and flying his RC plane, as well as sharing his knowledge and passion with his father, siblings and friends.

Mark was a dedicated employee of the Portland Group in Worcester.

In addition to his parents, he leaves a sister, Shannon Marie Connolly and a brother Joseph David Connolly, both of Winchendon; his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Ruth Connolly of Marlboro; his maternal grandfather Frank Mejias of Shrewsbury; his maternal grandmother, Barbara Mejias of Southborough; uncles and aunts, David and Cynthia Anderson of Marlboro, Jay Connolly and girlfriend Laura of Winchendon, Frank Mejias of Maine and Rufus and Melynn Guillford and their son Cole of Millbury. He also leaves many friends and extended family.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 12 Noon in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. The funeral will be live streamed and may be viewed on the funeral home website.

Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery.

Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday, April 12, 2021 from 4 to 7 P.M.

Masks and social distancing are required.

JAMES F. MAYBURY JR.
June 11, 1937 ~ March 27, 2021 (Age 83)

WINCHENDON - On Saturday, March 27, 2021, our beloved father, James Francis Maybury, Jr., (Jim), passed away at the age of 83 at NHC Healthcare, Bristol, VA. God blessed him with a long, full life. Jim was born to James Francis Maybury and Harriet Katherine (Smith) Maybury on June 11, 1937 in Springfield, MA. He attended Classical High School, New England College, and American International College, in Springfield and was valedictorian of his class at American International College. Jim served our nation honorably in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964, during which time he learned Chinese at Yale University’s Institute of Far Eastern Languages and was a voice intercept operator listening to Chinese aircraft transmissions while stationed in South Korea. Jim attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, receiving a Ph.D. in English and American Literature. He was an English professor at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH for over 40 years and was "torch-bearer" (faculty marshal) for years. During his career, Jim spent three different years teaching in China, at Heilongjiang University in Harbin, Shanghai Teachers University in Shanghai, and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. He had a deep love for Chinese culture.

Jim lived for over 30 years at his beautiful home on Lake Monomonac in Winchendon, MA, first with his second wife, Mary, and then for over 25 years with his third wife, Gloria. Each year, he and Gloria loved to entertain colleagues from Franklin Pierce, Rotary Club, as well as family and friends at their lake home. They were also faithful visiting their children and grandchildren semiannually bringing joy and fun. He loved watching all sports, was a fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics, and especially loved going with his son and grandchildren to Fenway.

Jim was a man of great faith and devotion to the Catholic Church. He was a long-time member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Winchendon, where he sang in the choir. After moving to Bristol, VA to be near his daughter and grandchildren, he discovered the Catholic channel EWTN, which gave him such enjoyment.

Jim was talented, intelligent, kind, and generous. He knew many foreign languages, including Chinese, Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and German, often reading the Bible in the mornings in original Hebrew and Greek. He loved to regularly translate foreign works with his dear friend Dick White. He played piano beautifully and loved classical music. Family fondly remembers him playing Scott Joplin’s "The Entertainer" at their home on Charlonne Street in Jaffrey, NH. Jim had a love of reading and studying. He had an impressive library in what he called his "Lake Room," which overlooked Lake Monomonac and had his baby grand piano. In recent years, he enjoyed biographies, in particular Presidential and Catholic biographies, carrying one or more with him everywhere he went.

Jim travelled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. Besides China, his favorite destinations were Italy and Austria. He lived life to the fullest, enjoying museums, cathedrals, and fine dining, at each of his destinations.

Jim encountered various struggles along the journey of life, including losing two spouses to cancer and managing underlying depression through continual treatment and therapy. He learned to make the most of the joys life has to offer.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, second and third wives Mary (Sharpe) and Gloria (Leger), and step-grandson Timothy E. Boutelle. He is survived by his children: Maria Kathryn Maybury of Bristol, VA, James Joseph Maybury (Anh Tu) of Alexandria, VA, and Matthew David Maybury of Fort Worth, TX; his brother Edward Allen Maybury (Stella) of Sagamore Beach, MA and Melbourne, FL; his grandchildren: Kaleb, AJ, Rachel, and Josiah Krumtum of Bristol, VA, and David, Liam, and Tristan Maybury of Fort Worth, TX; his step-children Cathy Spaulding (Bill) of Wilder, VT, Beth Knerr (Derek) of Westminster, MA, Jeff Reid (Cheryl) of Derry, NH, Joan Gillies (Chris) of Lake Wylie, SC, and Jim Reid (Melissa) of Merrimack, NH; 13 step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Winchendon, MA at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021 preceded by receiving hours from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Burial will follow the mass in Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Franklin Pierce University or Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area.

DOROTHY L. LeBLANC
August 4, 1927 ~ April 3, 2021 (Age 93)

GARDNER - Dorothy L. "Dot" LeBlanc, 93, of Gardner, died peacefully Saturday morning, April 3, 2021 in Broadview Assisted Living Community in Winchendon after a lengthy illness.

Dot was born and educated in Canada the moved to Gardner in 1951. She was employed at Heywood Wakefield and then at Worcester County National Bank in Gardner.

Dot was predeceased by her husband, Edgar "Butch" LeBlanc in 1999 and by her parents Weston and Eva Coy, three brothers, Warren, Lawrence and Donald Coy and two sisters, Vivian Bonneville and Helen Fowler, all of whom lived in Canada.

Dot was a member of First Congregational Church in Gardner and volunteered for years at Heywood Hospital and was a literacy volunteer.

Dorothy and her husband spent many years traveling across the United States and abroad. Their favorite times were spent with their best friends on the cruises and vacations they took.

Dorothy is survived by many niece and nephews in Canada and the United States. The family would particularly like to recognize her niece, Yvonne Vitone of Westminster, who was her primary caregiver and gave Dorothy great comfort, support and assistance in her later years. The family would also like to thank the staff at Broadview Assisted Living for providing Dorothy with a safe and loving home environment for the past six years. They would also like to thank Dorothy’s private care employees, Diane, Ana and Kelli and her hospice nurse Sue. They were so much more than just employees; they became part of her family and we will be forever grateful for everything they provided.

At her request, there will be no calling hours and funeral services will be private.

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner.

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

RITA L. GATES
February 28, 1939 ~ April 6, 2021 (Age 82)

ROYALSTON - Rita L. (Dunham) Gates, 82, of 267 South Royalston Road, died peacefully Tuesday morning, April 6, 2021 in her residence, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on February 28, 1939, daughter of the late Lewis and Arlene (Stowell) Dunham and was a resident of Royalston for most of her life.

Rita had worked as a technician for Simplex Time Recorder for many years until her retirement. In earlier years she had worked at Digital as a machine operator. She enjoyed dancing, attending antique car shows and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Her husband of 56 years, William R. Gates, died in 2013. She leaves three daughters, Tamatha E. Gates of Royalston, Tanya M. Moore and her husband John of Royalston and Theresa L. Gates of Royalston; eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren; her siblings, Roger A. Dunham of Royalston, William R. Dunham of Polk City, FL, Alice M. Leonard, Doris A. Smith, June M. Smith, all of South Royalston and Sally J. Berry of Orange. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis A. Dunham Jr. and Harry A. Dunham.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Royalston Fish and Gun Club.

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