BRENDA LEE BARNES
April 15, 1962 ~ March 9, 2022 (Age 59)

ANTIOCH, TN - Brenda Lee (Webster)(Merritt) Barnes of Antioch, TN has passed on to shine bright in heaven on March 9, 2022.

She was born on April 15, 1962 to Maureen (Camden) and Frank Webster in Athol, MA.

Brenda was formerly from Orange, MA, being educated there and graduating from Ralph C. Mahar Regional in 1980.

She leaves behind her husband David Barnes of Antioch, TN; a son, Camden Barnes (Viri) of Ft. Wayne, IN; grandchildren, Min-D, Deaven and Zachary Merritt of Winchendon Springs, MA, Jayden, Noah, and Mateo Barnes of Ft. Wayne, IN; her mother, Maureen Webster of Orange, MA; her siblings, Sunny Clukey (Eric), Charles Webster (Jessica) and Cathy Leblanc (Jeremy); several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her special aunt, Donna Barones.

She was predeceased by her father Frank Webster, her grandmother Virgiline Webster who she adored, grandfather Eugene Camden Sr., grandmother Delphine Webster, grandfather George Webster, many friends, and most recently her son Derik Merritt who passed 3 days after her.

For all that had the pleasure of knowing her, we will always remember her sense of humor, her strength, and the wonderful personality. She was easy to love!

We will all gather to celebrate Brenda and Derik's lives at King Pines Community Hall, 383 East River Street, Orange, MA from 1-3 p.m on April 3, 2022.

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

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

BARBARA E. CULLEN
March 3, 1932 ~ March 22, 2022 (Age 90)

TEMPLETON - In the late morning of March 22, 2022, Barbara Estelle Cullen, 90, passed away peacefully at her residence in Baldwinville, with her family at her side. She was born in Wellfleet, MA, on March 3, 1932 and was fortunate enough to live in many locations around New England before settling in Central Massachusetts.

In addition to raising six children, Barbara worked hard outside of her home, and met many friends through her various jobs, including Mount Wachusett Community College and former diner, Vic's Place, both in Gardner. During her leisure time, she was an avid reader, loved completing crossword puzzles and enjoyed watching mysteries and game shows. In her community she looked forward to many activities and excursions with her fellow members of the Red Hat Society and the Golden Ages, as well as lunches and bingo at the Winchendon Senior Center. She also proudly served as part of the Women's Guild for Memorial Congregational Church of Baldwinville. Along with her children and grandchildren, she traveled extensively around the United States, and also explored parts of Canada. She was always excited for family gatherings, especially when they included competitive card games. She always tried to look at the bright side of life, and when things did not go quite as planned, she'd remind herself and others that they were still lucky enough to be "making memories." Barbara was adored by her large, happy and still-growing family, and she will forever be missed by all of them, as well as those in the greater Baldwinville community who cared for her so dearly.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Neil A. Cullen, first husband William M. Bolduc and her son, Ralph D. Bolduc.

She is survived by son William Bolduc and his wife, Debra, and daughters Estelle Stowe and her husband, David; Sandra Arsenault and her husband Duane; Joi Cormier and her husband, Gary; and Marcia Arioli and her husband, Stephen. Barbara also leaves behind her stepchildren, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winchendon Senior Center or the American Cancer Society.

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

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville.

www.stone-ladeau.com

Kevin J. Mack, Douglas M. Stone, Walter C. Taylor, directors

MICHAEL F. McGRATH
April 15, 1962 ~ March 8, 2022 (Age 56)

McGRATH, Michael F. Age 56, of Milton and Falmouth, was killed in a car accident while driving his son to hockey practice Tuesday evening March 8, 2022. He heroically saved the life of his son Michael Jr. in the accident.

Michael was born in Dorchester and was raised in Quincy, spending his summers at his family's cottage in Falmouth. He graduated high school from Don Bosco in Boston and then went on to graduate from Merrimack College, paying for his tuition by mowing lawns and landscaping during his summers in Falmouth. Michael worked in the commercial real estate industry in Boston for many years but his true passion and purpose in life was as a father to his daughter Anna and to his son Michael, Jr.

Michael had a lifelong love of playing and watching the game of hockey and coached Anna and Michael, as well as many of their friends. He loved everything about his summer home in Falmouth and was happiest being on the ocean on his boat fishing with son, or shuttling family and friends by boat to his favorite spots. He told his wife often that he had everything he ever wanted in life by having his family.

There are no words that can adequately express how much he will be missed by his wife and children. Michael was adored by his wife Amy who felt loved and supported by him every day. He was a sensitive and loving dad to his children and told them every day how much he loved them. He was the son of the late Francis McGrath, and of Margaret McGrath of Falmouth. He was the son-in-law of Robin Murphy of Milton and Falmouth, and of Bruce and Suzanne Moody of West Palm Beach. He was the older brother of Paul (Kelly) McGrath and Thomas McGrath (Karen Eames) of Quincy, and the brother-in-law of Jessica and John Toffey of Winchendon and Barnstable. He was also loved by his aunt Maryanne Nourse of Canton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Friday, March 25th at 10:00am. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Thursday, March 24th from 4-8:00pm. Donations in Michael's memory may be made to Xaverian Brothers High School, 800 Clapboard Street, Westwood, Massachusetts, 02090 Attn: Annual Fund or via the link here: https://xbhs.myschoolapp.com/page/support/the-fund-for-xaverian

To send a condolence message to the McGrath family, please visit www.dolanfuneral.com

RICHARD M. PLOTKIN
March 14, 2022

ATHOL, MA - Attorney Richard M. (Dick) Plotkin passed away Monday, March 14, 2022 at Apple Valley Center, Ayer after a period of declining health.

Born in Springfield, MA to Judge A. William and Ethel M. Plotkin, Richard was a lifelong and proud resident of Athol.

Richard graduated from Athol High School in the class of 1953 and Babson College in the class of 1958. After graduating from Babson on a Saturday, he reported to Newport, RI on Monday morning to begin Officer Candidate School as an enlisted officer in the Navy. He served in the Navy from 1958-1961. Upon discharge from the Navy, he began work as an auditor for Peat Marwick in Boston and enrolled in Suffolk Law School at night. He graduated from Suffolk Law in 1966 and returned to Athol to begin practicing law with his father. He retired from full-time law practice in 2010.

Richard believed Athol was welcoming and supportive to his grandparents, father and uncle as they emigrated from Russia in the early 1900's. He believed in giving back to the community and was a past member of the Athol Finance Committee, a Babe Ruth Coach and a member of the Athol Credit Union Board of Directors. Most recently he was a long term member of the Athol Economic Development and Industrial Commission, an Athol Savings Bank Corporator, a member of the Athol High School Scholarship Association and a 49 year member of the Athol YMCA Board of Directors, which was one of his favorite local organizations. He was also a member of Temple Israel and Camp Cheneo.

Outside of work and family, he had a passion for sports, cars and ice cream, which he passed along to his son. He enjoyed attending local high school sports as well as watching the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots on TV. He was a member of the Porsche Club of America for over 50 years and a Driver's Education instructor at club track events at tracks such as Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Bryar (NHIS) and Bridgehampton for decades. His favorite ice cream spot was Kimball Farm in Westford, a place he found in the 1970's and frequented for decades. He could always find a way to detour there on the way back from a Red Sox game, from the Registry of Deeds after doing research for work or from any other event that had him driving within 10 miles of the exit.

He was also an animal lover who had many dogs and cats over the years. He had a particular affection for German Shepherds and could be seen walking Ruffy, Cleo or Heidi in various locations around town for exercise. He also had many cats and enjoyed watching their antics as well as enjoying their company while he watched a sporting event on TV. A favorite ploy to eat in the living room and enjoy the game was "I don't want to disturb the cat," who was either sleeping on his lap or somewhere on the chair with him.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Pauline J. (Shepardson); his son Erik and his wife Heather and their children, Tyler, Alisa and Gavin of Groton; his sister Toby Lee Gilfix of Longboat Key, FL and her children, Ron Gilfix and his wife Suzanne of Southboro, MA and Lisa Kleeman and her husband David of Owings Mills, MD and their families. He also leaves stepson Greg Rushford of Phillipston and his partner, Lisa; brother-in-law Rolly Rochon of Winchendon; as well as niece Deborah Knott and her husband Bill and their family; and nephews Paul Rochon and his wife Babs and their family, Glenn Rochon and Daniel Rochon.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brother-in-law Benjamin Gilfix, sister-in-law Helen Rochon, mother-in-law Rachel Rushford and father-in-law Victor Shepardson.

Burial will be private.

A celebration of life will be held this spring for family and friends and details will be shared at that time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his honor to the AHS Scholarship Association for a scholarship to be set up in his honor for 2023, which would be his 70th class reunion ( Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA 01331-0338 or online at www.ahsscholarship.org - please specify: Richard Plotkin - AHS class of 1953), or towards the newly established Richard M. Plotkin Community Fund at the Athol YMCA (545 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331 or online at www.ymcaathol.org and select fund under "campaign").

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

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

STEVEN T. AALTO
April 12, 1963 ~ March 20, 2022 (Age 58)

Gardner-Steven Tauno Aalto, 58, died Sunday, March 20, 2022 at his home after a battle with cancer which he faced with courage and Sisu. He leaves his wife, Louise I (Boudreau) Aalto; they would have celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on March 26. He also leaves his two daughters, Alise Aalto-Fiedler and her husband Steven Fiedler of South Hadley and Jill Aalto of Warwick, RI; two grandchildren, Ethan Joseph Fiedler and Cora Adeline Fiedler both of South Hadley; one brother, Peter Aalto and his wife Peggy of Hubbardston; four sisters, Kathy Bogaard and her husband Hugo of Hubbardston, Laurie Drouin and her husband Thomas of Winchendon, Karen Lesneski and her husband Dave of Gardner and Sandy Sisco and her husband Tom of Hubbardston and many nieces and nephews. Steven is predeceased by his infant son, Eric Hjalmar Aalto; a sister, Penny Marie Aalto and his beloved godson, Samuel Thomas Sisco.

He was born in Gardner on April 12, 1963 the son of the late Tauno Hjalmar and Joan Edith (Dora) Aalto, the youngest of their seven children. He took pride in his Finnish heritage. He was a 1981 graduate of Quabbin Regional High School in Barre; he was on the wrestling team for 4 years and was a State Championship finalist. He proudly served in the US Navy as a MM3 aboard two submarines; the USS Skipjack SSN 585 and USS Will Rogers SSBN 659. He started his career as an auxiliary police officer with the Hubbardston Police Department and then worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad as a police officer. He was a member of the Gardner VFW.

Steven truly appreciated nature and the outdoors; fishing, gardening, hunting, and caring for his apple trees were his favorite hobbies. He loved watching birds and built many bluebird nesting boxes to help establish a local population. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of nature with his daughters and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed going for walks and cross country skiing with his wife on his family farm in Hubbardston. He also had a passion for cooking, sharing many recipes with his family and teaching them how to properly care for cooking knives. He had a passion for ice hockey, watching and attending many Boston Bruins games, playing pond hockey and watching his children and grandchildren learn to skate on his backyard pond. He adored his German Shepherds, "The Swiss Army Knife of Dogs". He dedicated many hours to his daughters' participation in swimming and softball. He loved taking his grandchildren on tractor rides. A graveside service will be held in Brookside Cemetery, (Rt 68) Worcester Road, Hubbardston, MA. at 11:00 am on April 30, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI.

To leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.stone-ladeau.com. The Stone Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475 has been entrusted with Steven's funeral arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Douglas Stone and Walter C. Taylor, funeral directors.