Rene C. Vandesteen
December 10, 1951 — April 4, 2011
WINCHENDON – Rene C. Vandesteen, 59, of 36 Spring Street, Winchendon died unexpectedly at his residence on Monday, April 4 th .
He was born in Newport, RI on December 10, 1951, the son of the late Maurice and Virginia (Mullins) Vandesteen and had lived in Winchendon for 15 years.
Rene worked as a prison guard for many years at North Central Correctional Institute in Gardner until his retirement. He proudly served in the United States Coast Guard from 1977 to 1981. He earned the Expert Pistol Medal and Rifle Markness Ribbon. A 1970 graduate of Oakmont Regional High School, Rene also studied about Criminal Justice at Cape Cod Community College. Before living in Winchendon, Rene lived in Westminster. He loved the beach, writing stories, watching sports and golfing with his sons.
He leaves three sons, Ryan C. Vandesteen of Winchendon, Aaron M. Vandesteen and his wife Jacqueline of Grafton and Nathan P. Vandesteen of Gardner; one brother, Maurice O. Vandesteene of Myrtle Beach, SC; four sisters, Patricia M. Mollica of Princeton, Valerie A. Vandesteen of Oakdale, CA, Stephanie A. Jones of Turloc, CA and Paula V. St. Pierre of Ashburnham; two grandsons Parker and Theodore, and several nephews and nieces.
Military funeral services will be held Friday, April 8th at 2 P.M. in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.
Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Thursday, April 7 th from 6 to 8 P.M.
Memorial donations may be left at the funeral home.