The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of April 27 to May 4, 2023

Obituaries

Michael Paul Picard

MICHAEL PAUL PICARD
April 8, 1946 ~ April 17, 2023 (Age 77)

Michael Paul Picard, age 77 of Austin, Colorado, died April 17th, 2023 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Mike was born April 8th, 1946 in Peterborough, NH to Francis and Grace (Burnham) Picard. He graduated from Murdock High School in Winchendon, Mass in 1964. He attended Mount Wachusett College for one year before becoming a member of the United States Air Force (1965-1969). He was stationed at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO, worked at NORAD as a Crypto Maintenance Specialist and was stationed in Goose Bay Labrador from 1968-1969.

Mike found the love of his life on a blind date and married Judith Ann White in Hotchkiss, Colorado on September 9th, 1967. The couple lived in Colorado Springs, Tulsa, OK, Winchendon, MA and Rindge, NH before moving back to Hotchkiss in 1977. He owned Rogers Mesa Motors, Rogers Mesa Storage and the Ski Doo Shop. He worked at Weekender Sports for 20 years and also worked for Kissner Construction and BOSS in Montrose, CO.

Mike was a member of the Hotchkiss Elks Club #1807, North Fork Snowmobile Club and Thunder Mountain Four Wheelers. He and Judy volunteered at the Delta Food Bank for three years.

Mike LOVED spending time with his family. He and Judy loved to travel and had been to 49 states. Mike could always be found in the mountains. He was definitely "Mr. Adventure". He was an avid snowmobile rider for 55 years and one of his most recent hobbies included restoring vintage snowmobiles. Mike loved four-wheeling and spent a lot of his time fishing at his favorite "honey hole". For many years, he was lucky number 7 in the stock car races, traveling all across the state.

Mike is survived by his wife Judith Picard, his mother Grace Picard of Rice Lake, WI, his daughter Laura (Jim) Farmer of Delta, CO, son Adam (Crystal) Picard of Loveland, CO, granddaughter Madison Farmer of Denver, CO, grandson Eli Farmer of Denver, CO, and step grandson TJ Rivera of Loveland, CO. He is also survived by his sister Nancy Roberts of Rice Lake, WI.

He was preceded in death by his father Francis Picard, brother Robert Picard, sister Suzie Senter, and grandparents Lewis and Hazel Burnham and Arthur and Alma Picard. Donations can be made in Mike's name to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory. Private services to be held at a later date.

View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com

Cecilia B. LaPointe

CECILIA B. (PATENAUDE) LAPOINTE
October 30, 1926 ~ April 20, 2023 (Age 96)

WINCHENDON - Cecelia B. (Patenaude) LaPointe, 96, of Winchendon, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, April 20, 2023 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with her family at her side.

She was born in Peterborough, NH on October 30, 1926, daughter of the late Sidney and Beatrice (Burgoine) Patenaude and moved back to Winchendon eight years ago from Sebring, Florida, where she had lived for 20 years.

Cecelia enjoyed playing cards and playing golf many years ago. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Winchendon and was a former member of St. Catherine's Church in Sebring, FL. Cecelia was a member of the Columbiates.

Cecelia spent many years enjoying time with her large and extensive family, expressing her pride in all her grandchildren and great grandchildren especially. She was an expert knitter and fastidious housekeeper for most of her years. She played golf for many years, particularly with her husband, was especially adept at cards, and exhibited a sharp wit and dry humor that kept everyone on their toes right up until the end.

Cecelia was happily married to Anthony A. LaPointe for 52 years. Having married young at the age of 17, they lived in true love and dedication. He preceded her in death in 1996, and she remained with him in her mind for the entirety of her life.

She leaves seven children, William A. LaPointe and his wife Carole of Dacula, GA, Marcia J. Tarara and husband Thomas of Leominster, Larry D. LaPointe and wife Linda of Tuftonboro, NH, Bruce W. LaPointe and wife Linda of Winchendon, Peter J. LaPointe and wife Betty of Raymond, NH, Donna M. Griffes and husband Len of Newport, VT and Anthony S. LaPointe of Winchendon; 23 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. Two sisters, Madeline Dery and Bernice Blouin preceded her in death.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 2 to 4 P.M.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

Burial will follow in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

To leave and online condolence, please visit www.stone-ladeau.com

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid and Douglas M. Stone, directors

Richard Robrt Sawicki

RICHARD ROBERT SAWICKI
June 21, 1939 ~ April 11, 2023 (Age 83)

Granby, MA - Richard Robert Sawicki of Granby passed away Tuesday 4/11/2023 at home after a short illness.

Born June 21, 1939, in Northampton, to Chester (deceased) and Anna (Mish) Sawicki (deceased).

Richard graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1957. Richard began his career in the Coast Guard, stations on the Cape, serving 4 years being honorably discharged in 1963. Richard settled in Amherst and began his family. Moving to Pelham in 1963 and resided in Pelham until 2015.

Richard worked many different jobs throughout his life with the last employer being Warner Brothers Construction, where he remained until his retirement after 44 years. During Richard's earlier years he enjoyed camping with his family and friends on the Cape, fishing, and spending time with his two sons.

In 1989 Richard met Cheryl Stone and they were married on June 30, 1990. They enjoyed 33 years of marriage, creating loving memories with their families, as well as 33 years of camping and fishing in Maine with friends. Richard spent many Saturdays' golfing at the various golf courses in the Amherst area.

Richard will be missed for his great smile, contagious laugh, and his gentle and kind personality.

Richard is survived by his wife Cheryl, son Scott (Denise) of Shutesbury, Christine Dejlitko of Meriden, CT, Amy (Paul) Gravell of Meriden, CT, Kelly Parziale (Marlinda) of Elizabethtown, KY. Grandchildren, Kevin (Jessica) Sawicki of Milford, Sean (Rebekah) Sawicki of Winchendon, Erin Sawicki of Shutesbury, Christian Sawicki of NY, Cody & Connor Wilczak of Meriden, CT, Katlynn & Madison Parizale of Elizabethtown, KY, Gavin Parziale of MO, and Isabelle Gravell of Meriden, CT. Great-Grandchildren Madison and Emileigh Sawicki of Chicopee and Luke Sawicki of Winchendon. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Greg Stone of Belchertown, Gerald Young of Ludlow, Cleon "Buzzy" Booth of Pelham and Ernest Booth of Northampton. As well as several nieces and nephews.

Richard is pre-deceased by his parents, his brother David Sawicki and his son Richard R. Sawicki, Jr.

At the request of the family there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at Valley Cemetery located at North Valley Road, Pelham on June 3, 2023, at 11:00 with a reception being held at the Belchertown VFW immediately following the cemetery service.

Please consider donating in Richard's name to the American Kidney Foundation at http://secure.kidneyfund.org.

Memorial Guestbook can be found at: www.douglassfuneral.com