Harvey A. Desmarais

WINCHENDON - Harvey A. Desmarais, 83, of 38 Highland Street, Winchendon, died peacefully Thursday morning, January 28th in Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Winchendon on February 1,1926, the son of the late Dominic H. and Annette (Cote) Desmarais and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon. Harvey worked as a millwright for American National Can Co. in Fitchburg, MA from 1955 until his retirement in 1991. He previously worked as a meat cutter at the former Corner Market in Winchendon. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Harvey enjoyed hunting and fishing and particularly enjoyed working in this garden. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family. Harvey was a graduate of Murdock High School Class of 1944 and entered the service after his graduation. He proudly served in the Navy as a Seaman First Class. He was awarded the World War Two Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal. His wife, Helen C. (Simoneau) Desmarais, died November 23rd,2009. He leaves two daughters, Laurie A. Hallquist and her husband Alan of Winchendon and Lynne M. Vaughan and her husband Eric of North Reading; a brother, Norman P. Desmarais of Winchendon; a sister, Doris A. Mowrey of Townsend, VT; seven grandchildren, Evan, Emilie and Caitlin Hallquist, Elizabeth (Vaughan) Dalby, Mark and Scott Vaughan and Corey Desmarais and several nephews and nieces. A son, Kevin Desmarais, died in 1986. Two sisters, Pauline Allaire and Jeanette Mowrey, also predeceased him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 1st at 11 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon will be Monday, February 1st from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. preceding the Mass. Memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts Forest Landowners Association, PO Box 623, Leverett, MA. 01054. www.stone-ladeau.com