Joseph R. DeRoo

WINCHENDON - Joseph R. DeRoo, 51, of 266 Ash Street, Winchendon, died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, April 18th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after being stricken ill at home. He was born in Patterson, New Jersey on April 12, 1958, the son of Donald E. DeRoo of Tobyhanna, PA and the late Arlene (McKeon) DeRoo and had lived in Winchendon since 1998. Joe was a Licensed Journeyman Electrician, employed for the last 13 years by Annese Electrical Services in Weymouth. He was a 1976 graduate of Pocono Mountain High School in Swiftwater, PA and a graduate of Penn State University with an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering. Before living in Winchendon, Joe had lived in W. Yarmouth from 1988 to 1998. Joe was an avid golfer with a handicap of 4 and a hole-in-one to his credit. He was a former member of the Winchendon Golf Club. He enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Friday Night Classic League at Gardner Ten Pins. He was a Certified Bowling Coach for the Young American Bowling Association of Massachusetts. He recently had bowled his first 300 game. He also was a terrific skier and at one time was the second fastest giant slalom ski racer on the East Coast. Joe was also an avid NASCAR fan and had attended many races on the NASCAR circuit. He also enjoyed playing softball. In addition to his father, Joe leaves his wife of 25 years, Georgette M. (Dominick) DeRoo; three children, Lisa Dooley of LaGrange, KY, Christopher Dooley of Pocono Summit, PA and Robert Dooley of Winchendon; his grandfather, Russell DeRoo of Union, NJ; two brothers, Donald A. DeRoo of Tobyhanna, PA and Robert DeRoo of Livingston, TN; seven grandchildren, Peter Bedrosian of NJ, Rhiannon Aytes of KY, Tyler Dooley of PA, Kaitlyn Dooley of PA, Hailey Dooley of Winchendon, Brendan Gaudette of Winchendon and Vincent Dooley of Winchendon and two nieces. Funeral services will be held Tuesday evening, April 21st at 8 P.M. in the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 6 to 8 P.M., preceding the funeral service. Memorial donations may be made to the Jeff Gordon Foundation, 4345 Papa Joe Hendrick Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262. www.snow-ladeau.com