Obituaries
LISA A. BRAZAWSKIS
March 25, 1978 ~ July 24, 2021 (Age 43)
GARDNER - Lisa A. Brazawskis, 43, of Gardner, died Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, after a short illness.
She was born in Gardner on March 25, 1978, daughter of the late John and Teresa M. (Bryant) Brazawskis and grew up in Winchendon.
Lisa had worked at the former Cottage Hill Academy for several years and most recently had worked as a personal care assistant for clients in the Greater Gardner area.
An animal lover, she enjoyed the company of her cats, as well as gardening and playing legos. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family.
She leaves two children, Dean Joseph Anthony Brazawskis of Brementon, WA and Skyelee Housman and her husband Alex Quinlan of Gardner; four grandchildren, Xylah, Laylah, Kingston and Dean Jr.; her brothers, Andy Pelkey and wife Susan of Winchendon, Dwayne Pelkey and his wife Tracy of Winchendon and Philip Pelkey of Phillipston; her fiancé Keith Richards of Gardner and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 5 to 7 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.
A Celebration of her Life will be held September 18, 2021 from 6 to 9 P.M. in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 165 Electric Avenue, Fitchburg.
GARY L. HAMLIN
July 30, 2021 (Age 66)
Monson, ME - Gary L. Hamlin, age 66, died unexpectedly at his home in Monson, ME on July 30, 2021. Gary was born in Winchendon, MA and was raised in Athol as a son of the late Everett A. and Olive T. Taylor. Gary attended Athol schools and was a 1973 graduate of Athol High School. After graduation Gary enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served on the aircraft carriers the USS Nimitz and the USS John F. Kennedy.
Gary's lifelong love of the outdoors really bloomed during the many summers he spent at YMCA Camp Wiyaka in Richmond, NH. Gary was a hard worker whether it was operating his own trash disposal business or building his own lakeside log home. Gary had also worked for several years at Girardi Distributors in Athol. He also always enjoyed having a good time with family and the many good friends he met along the way.
Gary is survived by his cousins Ruth Spooner and her husband William of Warwick, MA and Marie Erali of Athol. He is also survived by the Taylor family including Sylvia (Taylor) McManus and her husband Ralph of Framingham; Richard Lima of St. Louis; Andrew Lima, and his children of St. Louis; James Lima of Marion, Nancy Taylor, and her daughter of California; Lloyd Taylor of Tully and several Taylor cousins as well as many friends and his faithful four-legged companion, Gracie. In addition to Everett and Olive Taylor, Gary was also predeceased by Daryl (Taylor) Lima.
Anyone who is considering a charitable contribution in Gary's memory may wish to consider the American Diabetes Association or any charity of personal choice.
Final arrangements for services later in August are pending and are under the direction of the Cournoyer Funeral Home of Jaffrey, NH and will be announced in the Athol Daily News.
ELIZABETH M. LaPOINTE
October 26, 1937 ~ July 31, 2021 (Age 83)
WINCHENDON - Elizabeth M. "Betty" "Tunny" LaPointe, 83, of 106A Ipswich Drive, died peacefully Saturday morning, July 31, 2021 in her residence, with her family at her side.
She was born in Chester, VT. on October 26, 1937, daughter of the late Clifford and Alvina (Brooks) Blake and lived in Winchendon for many years.
Betty worked at Digital for many years as a data entry operator and later worked at the Beverage Barn. In earlier years, she was a nurse's aide at the former Open Arms Nursing Home. Betty was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion Auxiliary. An Elvis fan, a Neil Diamond fan and a Boston Red Sox fan, she loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren, often attending their sporting events.
Her husband of 56 years, Richard Thomas LaPointe, died in 2012. She leaves ten children, Michael R. LaPointe and his wife Doreen, Ricky T. LaPointe and his wife Kim of Fitzwilliam, Kim LaPointe of Bonita Springs, FL, Tammy L. Paul of Winchendon, David A. LaPointe and his wife Danielle of Winchendon, Sharon L. LaPointe and her wife Michelle Blanchard of Winchendon, Karen L. Boutell of Ashburnham, James D. LaPointe and his wife Janine of Winchendon, Tina Laperriere and her husband Ricky of Winchendon and Tracy L. Snyder of Saco, ME; three sisters, Thelma Benoit of Westminster, Norma Anderson and her husband Ray of Athol and Gloria Kelley of Gardner; 23 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son Baby Dick LaPointe; a grandson Shaun Thompson; brothers, Richard Blake, Donald Blake, Clifford Blake, Kenneth Blake and Frederick Blake; sisters, Beverly Campbell, Shirley Croteau and Lorraine Chadwick and sons-in-law, Arthur Paul and Dennis Snyder.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 6, 2021 at 1 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Calling hours in the funeral home will be Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 4 to 7 P.M.
Memorial donations may be made to Eugene M. Connor Post 193 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 116, Winchendon, MA 01475.
ANDREW R. PELKEY
May 1, 1936 ~ August 3, 2021 (Age 85)
WINCHENDON - Andrew R. Pelkey, 85, of 121 Brown Street, died Tuesday afternoon, August 3, 2021, in his home, with his family at his side.
He was born in Jaffrey, NH on May 1, 1936, son of the late Alfred and Yvonne (Gauthier) Pelkey and had lived in Winchendon for many years.
Andrew was a roofer for many years at Multi State Roofing and later for United Industrial Roofing. He enjoyed traveling and had made trips to Disney World, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls and Canada. He enjoyed socializing with his friends at the local Dunkin Donuts and fishing. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family.
His wife of 25 years, Sandra Lee (Hutchinson) Pelkey, died in 2003. He leaves six children, Beverly A. Valliere and her husband Jerry of Winchendon, Angela Jackson and her husband Russell of Carriere, Mississippi, Ramona J. Sarver of Ball, LA, Andrew A. Pelkey and his wife Susan of Winchendon, Dwayne Pelkey and his wife Tracy of Winchendon and Phillip Pelkey of Phillipston, 18 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Andrew R. Pelkey, Jr. and his brothers and sisters, Nora Pelkey, Rita Chamberlain, Marie Rene, Amy St. Pierre, Alice Sirois, Clifford Pelkey, Helen Pelkey, Peter Pelkey, Stella Burnham, Laura Davis, Lorraine Homon, Felice Johnson, Oris Pelkey, Albany Pelkey, Franklin Pelkey, Josephine Pelkey, Irene Bennett and three stillborn siblings.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 10 from 5 to 7 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 11 at 11 A.M. in the funeral home.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue, 381R Baldwinville Road, Templeton, MA 01468 or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
LAWRENCE A. PELCHAT
August 18, 1948 ~ August 3, 2021 (Age 72)
WINCHENDON - Lawrence A. Pelchat, 72, of 22 Pine Street, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, August 3, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.
He was born in Winchendon on August 18, 1948, son of Harvey and Rena M. (St. Pierre) Pelchat of Holiday, FL.and was a 1968 graduate of Murdock High School. He had lived in Winchendon for most of his life.
Larry worked for 29 years as a machine operator at the former General Electric in Fitchburg and later worked for ten years at Market Basket in Rindge, NH, mostly in it produce department. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
His wife of 48 years, Valerie (Forrest) Pelchat, died last year. He leaves two children, Victoria Strickland and her husband Chad of Ardmore, PA and Mark Pelchat of Winchendon; a granddaughter, Aurelia Strickland; three brothers, Anthony Pelchat of Holiday, FL, William Pelchat of Dover, NH and Rene Pelchat of Gardner and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.
PAUL HEALEY
December 5, 1965 ~ July 30, 2021 (Age 55)
Dunstable - Paul M. Healey, age 55, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021 unexpectedly at home. He was the beloved husband of Sharon L. Healey with whom he shared 29 years of marriage.
He was born in Stoneham, MA on December 5, 1965, the son of Patricia D. Healey and the late William D. Healey. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and went on to further his education at Manchester Community College studying in auto mechanics.
Paul enjoyed hunting, boating, snowmobiling and spending time at his place at Newfound Lake.
Besides his wife and mother he is survived by his brother William Healey and his significant other Virginia Nelson of Ashby, MA, his mother-in-law Dorothy Palisoul of Westford, MA, his brother-in-law Richard Palisoul of Westford, MA, nephews Christopher Palisoul and his wife Jennifer of Lowell, MA, Scott Palisoul of George's Mills, NH, nieces Samantha Palisoul and her husband Edward Gagne of Enosburg Falls, VT, Julie Mills of Winchendon, MA and Stephanie Mills-Delia and her husband Anthony of Pittsfield, MA. He also leaves his two beloved dogs Ruby and Lexi.
He is predeceased by his brother Sean F. Healey and father-in-law Richard C. Palisoul.
A private service and mass will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of one's choice. Please see www.McGaffiganFuneral.com