Leo P. Desmarais

WINCHENDON – Leo P. Desmarais, 87, formerly of 396 Maple Street, died unexpectedly Thursday morning, May 30, 2019 in Heywood Hospital Gardner.

He was born in Greenville, NH on February 28, 1932, son of the late Peter Z. and Germaine M. (Pellerin) Desmarais and lived most of his life in Winchendon.

Leo worked for many years as a finisher and sprayer in the furniture business.  He worked for 33 years at the former Temple Stuart Furniture Company and later worked for five years at the former Nichols and Stone Furniture Company.

He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War.  He earned the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean War Service Medal, awarded on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.

Leo was a member on\f Eugene M. Connor Post #193 American Legion and Lt. Frederick Wilder White Post #2158 of Winchendon and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.  An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Following his retirement, Leo enjoyed doing woodworking projects around the house.

His wife of 41 years, Gabrielle C. (Twiss) Desmarais, died in 1997.  He leaves three children, Elaine M. O’Malley and her husband Patrick of Baldwinville, Mark E. Desmarais and his wife Cathy of Winchendon and Michael P. Desmarais of Winchendon; a brother, Ronald J. Desmarais of Athol; eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Three brothers, Aldege Desmarais, Maurice Desmarais and Norman Desmarais, preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 4 to 7 P.M.   Members of Eugene M. Connor Post will conduct a legion service at 6:30 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Mass. Lions Eye Research Foundation, Dr. James Roth, Treasurer, 43 Stewart Terrace, Belmont, MA 02478 or to Patients Activities Fund at Alliance Health at Baldwinville, 51 Hospital Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436.

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