The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of May 13 to May 20, 2021

Obituaries

Mary E. Peterson

MARY E. PETERSON
November 8, 1947 ~ May 6, 2021 (Age 73)

PEPPERELL - Mary E. Peterson, 73, of 8 Foster Street, died peacefully Thursday evening, May 6, 2021 at her residence with her family at her side.

She was born in Nashua, NH on November 8, 1947 and graduated from Clinton High School and Mt. Wachusett Community College with a secretarial degree. Mary had worked as a secretary in the healthcare field. She lived in Winchendon for many years before moving to Pepperell.

She leaves two daughters, Dawn Peterson of Fitchburg and Heidi Peterson of VA; her mother Doris Mitchell of Leominster; grandchildren, Joshua, Sherri, Nicholas, Dylan, Eli, Tyler, Tristan, Brandon, Taylor and Naomi; several great grandchildren and brothers, Wayne Martel and Clement Martel Jr. A son, Jeffrey Peterson; two grandsons, Jordan Peterson and Justin Peterson, and two brothers, Dennis Martel and Ronald Martel preceded her in death.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 5 to 7 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Edward R. Dwyer Sr.

EDWARD R. DWYER SR.
August 1, 1951 ~ May 6, 2021 (Age 69)

GREENVILLE, NH - Edward R. Dwyer, Sr., 69, resident of Greenville, NH died on May 6, 2021 at his home.

He was born in Fitchburg, MA on August 1, 1951, a son of James R. and Christine (Thibodeau) Dwyer. Ed was raised and educated in Lunenburg, MA. He made his home in Greenville for the past 18 years and formerly lived in Nashua, NH and Leominster, MA for many years.

He had been employed as a marine tech for Tri City Marine, Winchendon, MA for more than 35 years. Ed loved tinkering at his home, restoring all kinds of things whether it was a piece of furniture or something he found along the roadside, he could fix just about anything.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Ryan Joseph Comtois.

Family members include his daughter and son-in-law, Kristina and Derik Comtois of Milford, NH; a son, Edward R. Dwyer, Jr. of Nashua, NH; eight grandchildren; and his former wife, Karen Dwyer.

There are no services. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com

PETER J. MARASHIO
May 9, 2021 (Age 87)

LANCASTER/WESTMINSTER - Peter J. Marashio, 87, of Lancaster, formerly of Westminster, died Sunday May 9, 2021 in Sterling Village, Sterling, after a long illness. His high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Arleen M. (Dumais) Marashio predeceased him in 2014.

He is survived by four children: Donna Sapienza and her late husband Robert, of Sandy Hook, CT, Catherine Markham and her husband, John, of Winchendon, Paula Frasso and her husband Peter, of Bedford, and Peter Marashio, III and his wife, Beth, of Westminster; nine grandchildren, Lisa Girard, Stephen Sapienza, John Sapienza, Evan Sapienza, Colleen Vangelist, Anthony Frasso, Peter Marashio, IV and Antonia Marashio; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandson Peter Frasso, Jr. and by his siblings Paul and Joan Marashio.

Peter, son of Peter J. and Catherine (Danizio) Marashio, was born in Woburn, MA and raised in Somersworth, NH. He was a graduate of Somersworth High School and attended the University of New Hampshire. He was employed by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. for 35 years. He worked his way up from an insurance agent, regional manager, and assistant manager to his last position for the company as District Manager of the Fitchburg and Leominster offices. He retired in 1994.

Upon his retirement, he set about traveling the world with his wife Arleen. They toured Italy, Sicily, France, Greece, Scotland, England, Aruba, Vancouver and Nova Scotia. They also explored much of the east and west coast of the United States and visited Las Vegas several times. Peter was a sports enthusiast and loved watching the Patriots. Family knew never to call the house on a Patriot game day! He was an avid (and accomplished) tennis player and tennis fan. Over the years, he developed a love of horses and horse racing that led to his breeding, training and racing horses.

Peter's funeral will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union Street, Clinton, MA. The family requests that those attending please go directly to the church. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Lancaster, MA. There are no calling hours. In accordance with current guidelines, the use of facemasks and the practice of social distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Jimmy Fund care of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P O Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., Clinton, MA. www.mcnallywatson.com

Patricia A. LeBlanc

PATRICIA A. LeBLANC
July 26, 1947 ~ May 7, 2021 (Age 73)

WINCHENDON - Patricia A. (Cormier) LeBlanc, 73, of 66 Hyde Park Drive, died peacefully Friday evening, May 7, 2021 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester.

She was born in Boston on July 26, 1947, daughter of the late Adolph Cormier and Helen T. (Muznicki) Van Duyne and lived in Winchendon for many years.

Pat owned and operated her own arts and crafts business and traveled throughout the New England states. She also baked wedding and birthday cakes for many years. Pat loved her family, loved to laugh and loved to entertain her friends. She enjoyed going on cruises, her gold jewelry and loved to eat lobster. An animal lover, Pat was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and enjoyed going to the beach and line dancing.

She leaves three children, William J. Covey of Winchendon, John Covey and his wife Rose of New Braintree and Michelle LeBlanc of Dudley; a sister, Nancy Toolin of Marstons Mills, MA; two nieces, Neile Toolin and Lauren Toolin and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She also leaves her best friend of 47 years, Yvette Hamel Boisvert. She was preceded in death by a son, Harold A. “Butch” Covey and a daughter, Lica A. Theriault.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 5, 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.

Donna (Kimball) Poor

PATRICIA A. LeBLANC
August 26, 1946 ~ May 4, 2021 (Age 74)

ATHOL, MA - Donna (Kimball) Poor, 74, of Western Avenue, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 after being stricken ill.

Born August 26, 1946 in Winchendon, Donna lived in Athol all her life but also had a vacation home several years in Brooksville, Florida.

S graduate of Athol High School in 1964, she went to work at the L. S. Starrett Company as a secretary in the Sales Department for 13 years. Donna also worked 2 years as a First Grade teacher's aide at Pleasant Street School in Athol and sold Avon products for over 25 years.

Born to Arlene (Trevors) Kimball and H. Elwood Kimball.

Donna was an avid reader and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, the Holy Lands, and Egypt, along with 25 days in the Canadian Rockies and taking several cruises.

A lover of all animals she had many pets but her pride and joy was a white Samoyed dog, Na Nook "Nookie" that she had 16 years. She volunteered at the Greyhound Rescue League in Swanzey, NH.

A member of the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church all her life, she served on many committees, worked on all church suppers and sang soprano in the choir over 20 years.

Donna also enjoyed going to movies, meeting friends for coffee or dinner out, visiting the ocean, listening to the local band concerts, classic rock music and fast military band music with drums.

Donna is survived by her son, Randy Johnson and his wife, Kim; grandsons, Lucas and Jake, and his wife Stefanie; a great granddaughter, Audrey; 5 step children, Ellen Goddard and her husband, Bill, Karen Stropke and her husband, Mike, Rachel Mosher, Peter Poor and Seth Poor.

She was predeceased by her husband of 20 years, Edmund W. Poor, in September 2010 and by a step son, Jeffrey Poor in 1998.

There are no calling hours.

Services will be held at a later date and time to be announced.

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

Phyllis L. Guy

PHYLLIS L. (DONAWAY) GUY
August 29, 1934 ~ May 12, 2021 (Age 86)

WINCHENDON - Phyllis L. (Donaway) Guy, 86, of 45 East Street, died peacefully Wednesday evening, May 12th, at the home of her daughter, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on August 29, 1934, daughter of the late Maurice A. and Julia Rose (Goula) Donaway and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon. Phyllis was a graduate of Murdock High School.

Phyllis worked for many years at New England Woodenware as a scheduler until her retirement. She enjoyed knitting, walking, babysitting and coloring. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family.

Her husband of 55 years, Wilfred D. Guy Jr. died in 2012. She leaves a daughter, Lauri A. Guy of Winchendon; two sisters, Nancy A. Field and her husband Frederick of Winchendon and Anna M. Jarvenpaa of Lumberton, NC; her nieces and nephews, Amy, Tammy, Kelly, Chris, Lisa, Tina and Kenneth Jr. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth M. Donaway; a niece, Sally Lema and a nephew, Timothy Eddings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 17, 2021 at 10 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 2 to 4 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to MSPCA or to American Heart Association.

Jeannine Y. Vautour

JEANNINE Y. VAUTOUR
September 17, 1939 ~ May 9, 2021 (Age 81)

WINCHENDON - Jeannine Y. (Bernard) Vautour, 81, formerly of 314 West Street, died peacefully Sunday evening, May 9, 2021 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on September 17, 1939, daughter of the late Emmanuel and Yvonne (Goupil) Bernard and grew up in Winchendon, Jeannine graduated from Murdock High School and Burbank Hospital School of Nursing and was licensed in several states.

Jeannine worked as a licensed practical nurse for 21 years at Templeton Developmental Center until her retirement. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and loved to sew, knit and do crossword puzzles. She was very devoted to helping veterans.

Her husband, Gerard Vautour, died in 2008. She leaves four children, Michael L. Forman and his wife Pauline of Winchendon, Stephen R. Forman and his wife Judy of Warrior, Alabama, Lisa M. Hall and her husband Keith of Winchendon and Laurie Ann Martin and her husband Robert of Clarksville, TN; 7 stepchildren, Francine Pera and her husband Eric, Albert Vautour and his wife Mary, Marie Vautour, Helene Vautour, Geraldine Vautour, Theresa Vautour, Christine Burke and her husband Michael; a brother, Richard Bernard and his wife Jeanne of New Bedford; a sister, Ann Marie Cook of Winchendon; her first husband, Lannie Forman of Empire, Alabama; a godson Robert Forman of Empire, Alabama; ten grandchildren, Tommy Cummings, Jessica LeBlanc, Crystal Hall and her husband Will, Charmaine Fox and her husband Robert, Amanda Swedberg and her husband Shawn, Amanda Miller, Heather Gibb and her husband Gerry, Garreth Keller and his fiancé Danielle, Robert Masterson and Tannya Martin; ten stepgrandchildren; many great grandchildren; a daughter–in-law, Ann Vautour and many nieces and nephews. A grandson, Darian Masterson; a brother, Ronald E. Bernard and a stepson, Maurice Vautour, preceded her in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Gardner.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 5 to 7 P.M.

Masks and social distancing are required.

The mass will be streamed and may be viewed on the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Richard R. Legros

RICHARD R. LEGROS
January 16, 1967 ~ May 8, 2021 (Age 54)

Fitchburg - Richard R. Legros, 54, of Fitchburg, passed away on Saturday evening, May 8, 2021, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Fitchburg on January 16, 1967, a son of the late Norman and Doris (Leger) Legros. He was a 1985 graduate of Montachusett Regional Vocational High School in Fitchburg and Mt. Wachusett Community College in Gardner.

Rick was employed as a QHSE manager for Swissport Cargo Services in Boston.

He was an avid Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. He loved to fish and had a passion for food. He loved to travel and enjoyed road trips with unknown destinations.

He leaves his wife, Donna (Goodchild) Legros of Fitchburg; siblings, Paula Livesay and her husband Jim of Winchendon, Brian Legros and his wife Eileen of MN and Alan Legros and his wife Laura of CT; his mother-in-law, Ann Goodchild of Fitchburg; brothers-in-law, Michael Goodchild and his partner Lisa DeTora of Worcester and Greg Gastonguay of Ashburnham.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a sister-in-law, Paula Gastonguay who died unexpectedly in January.

A Memorial Mass will be held in St. Joseph's Church on a day and time to be announced. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Paula Goodchild Gastonguay Memorial Award Fund, with checks payable to AAOFHS, Inc., and mailed to: Alumni Association of FHS, Inc., P.O. Box 906, Fitchburg, MA 01420, memo: Paula Goodchild Gastonguay.

The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg, is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements. For further information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com.