Ernest J. Babineau

WINCHENDON – Ernest J. Babineau, 84, of 49 Eastern Avenue, Leominster, formerly of Winchendon, died peacefully Sunday morning, May 8, 2016 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester.

He was born in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada on November 11, 1931, one of twelve children of the late Marcel and Mary (Connors) Babineau.  He lived in Michigan for several years and lived in Winchendon from 1975 until moving to Leominster in December, 2010.

Ernie worked at Fitchburg Paper and various paper mills for most of his life.  While living in Winchendon, he worked as a bus driver for Fred’s School Bus, where he was well liked by the students and fellow bus drivers.  He was a member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion and Lunenburg, Townsend and Leominster Senior Citizens. He proudly served his country from 1949 to 1951 as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War.   Ernie enjoyed fishing, going to the casino, playing scratch tickets, playing cards, reading history and following politics.  He also enjoyed meals at Italian Burger Café in Fitchburg.  He will be remembered as a gentle, caring family man.

His wife of 59 years, Betty D. (Wade) Babineau, died in 2009.  He leaves three children, Steven E. Babineau and his wife Marsha of Orange, Joyce A. Bond and her husband John of Gardner and Cindy Lafrennie of Gardner and many siblings, David Babineau of Fitchburg, Irene Arsenault of Fitchburg, Doris Putnam of Winchendon, Josephine Smith of Lunenburg, Alice Cormier of NH, Linda Goguen of Leominster, Lana Leger of Gardner, Barbara Cordio of Fitchburg and Joanne Spare of Fitchburg; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Larry L. Babineau of Orange, who died in 1982; a daughter Susan Marie Thomas of Baldwinville, who died in 2004, and two sisters Mary Alma Wolski and Betty Ann Babineau.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, May 11th at 11 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Wednesday, May 11th from 9 to 10:30 A.M. preceding the mass.

Memorial donations may be made to Eugene M. Connor American Legion Post 193, 295 School Street, Winchendon, MA 01475

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