Obituaries
Rita B. Babineau
Oct 14, 2019
ASHBURNHAM – Rita B. (Thibault) Babineau, 92, of 159 Jewell Hill Road, died Monday morning, October 14, 2019 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.
She was born in Salem, MA on August 4, 1927, daughter of the late Omer and Florida (Lavallee) Thibault and was a lifelong resident of Ashburnham.
Rita worked for many years as the...
Mary E. Keney
Oct 14, 2019
WINCHENDON – Mary E. (Genis) Keney, 94, of 94 Glenwood Street, Gardner, formerly of Winchendon, died peacefully in her home, Monday afternoon, October 14, 2019, with her family at her side.
She was born in Gardner on April 10, 1925, daughter of the late John J. and Benedictas (Quarterski) Genis and was a graduate of Gardner High...
Faith M. Merriam
Oct 13, 2019
GARDNER – Faith M. (Forrest) Merriam, 62, beloved mother, wife and friend to all who knew her, passed away at home with her family Sunday October 13, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Faith, who grew up in Winchendon, and spent most of her life in Gardner, was a longtime laundry aide at the Gardner Rehabilitation...
Leona L. Lefebvre
Oct 9, 2019
WINCHENDON – Leona L. (Couture) Lefebvre, 103, formerly of 77 Hyde Park Drive, died peacefully Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.
A lifelong resident of Winchendon, Leona was born on March 12, 1916, daughter of the late Louis and Lydia (Gamache) Couture.
Leona worked for many years as an inspector...
James P. Byrne
Oct 9, 2019
WINCHENDON – James P. Byrne, 89, of 20 Harris Road, died Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019 in his home with his family at his side.
He was born in Cambridge, MA on May 6, 1930, son of the late Frank J. and Lenore (James) Byrne and attended Rindge Technical School in Cambridge. He enlisted in the United...
Gertrude J. Forcier
Oct 7, 2019
WINCHENDON – Gertrude J. (Lavinski) Forcier, 93, of 138 Spruce Street, died peacefully Monday afternoon, October 7, 2019 in her home, with her family at her side.
She was born in Winchester, NH on November 13, 1925, daughter of the late Adam and Upronia (Sorel) Lavinski, and was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life....
Kenneth J. Girouard
Sep 30, 2019
WINCHENDON – Kenneth J. Girouard, 86, of 40 Elmwood Road, died peacefully Monday evening, September 30, 2019 in his home, with his family at his side.
He was born in Winchendon on July 23, 1933, son of the late Henry C. and F. Edith (Morlock) Girouard and was a graduate of Murdock High School.
Ken...
Alonzo J. Robichaud
Sep 20, 2019
WINCHENDON- Alonzo J. Robichaud, 75, a longtime resident of Winchendon, died peacefully Friday, September 20, 2019, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
He was born in Parkton, NB, Canada on August 21, 1944, son of the late Herve and Genevieve (Hebert) Robichaud and had attended school in Canada before moving to Winchendon.
Al worked as...

Gwendolyn E. Flagg
Sep 18, 2019
WINCHENDON – Gwendolyn E. Flagg, 90, formerly of 25 Main Street, died peacefully Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.
She was born on November 3, 1928, daughter of the late Webster A. and Grace C. (Carpinella) Flagg and was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life.
Gwendolyn worked for...
George J. Bousquet Jr.
Sep 18, 2019
WINCHENDON – George J. Bousquet Jr., 77, of 176 Glenallen Street, died Wednesday morning, September 18, 2019 at his residence.
He was born in Winchendon on August 15, 1942, son of the late George J and Henrietta (Caouette) Bousquet and was a 1960 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg. During the Vietnam War, George proudly served...
Jay K. Davidson
Sep 11, 2019
TEMPLETON – Jay K. Davidson, 61, a long time resident of Templeton, died in his home Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
He was born in South Royalston on February 13, 1958, son of the late Robert C. and Carol E. (Purinton) Davidson and was a graduate of Narragansett Regional High School.
A brick mason by trade,...
Emily L. "Pat" Godfrey
Sep 10, 2019
GARDNER - Emily L. "Pat" Godfrey, 91, of Gardner, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 10, 2019, in Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton with her family at her side. Her passing fulfilled her wish to be with her husband of 70 years, Campbell Godfrey, who died August 12, 2019.
She was born in Gardner on September 19, 1927, daughter...
Loring Bennett, Sr.
Sep 10, 2019
WINCHENDON- Loring E. Bennett, Sr., 87, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 10, 2019 in his home, with family at his side.
He was born June 10, 1932, son of the late Fred Bennett and Laura (Tucker) Bennett and lived most of his life in Winchendon. A Korean War veteran, Loring proudly served his country as a member of the United States...
John V. LaCasse
Sep 10, 2019
ORANGE – John V. LaCasse, 85, of Orange, died Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Brighton.
He was born in Wilton, NH on December 16, 1933, son of the late David and Glenice (Burnham) LaCasse and grew up in Wilton. He lived in Orange since 2003 after living for many years in Fitchburg.
...Beverly A. Paul
Sep 8, 2019
WINCHENDON – Beverly A. (Prentice) Paul, 80, died peacefully Sunday evening, September 8, 2019 in her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born August 16, 1939, daughter of the late Harold Henry and Frances Etta (Minkler) Prentice and lived most of her life in Winchendon.
Beverly was preceded in death by her loving husband...
Elizabeth J. Cwartkowski
Sep 3, 2019
TEMPLETON - Elizabeth J. “Betty” Cwartkowski, 82, of 148 Rice Road, died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
She was born in Winchendon on June 16, 1937, daughter of the late Harold and Emma (Rose) Lawrence and was a graduate of the former Templeton High School. Betty grew up on the family farm in Royalston and...
Sheila A. Gravelle
Sep 2, 2019
ROYALSTON – Sheila A. (O’Toole) Gravelle, 75, of 32 Old Turnpike Road, died Monday afternoon, September 2, 2019 in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol, MA with her family at her side.
Sheila was born in Ayer, MA on September 9, 1943, daughter of Edmond O’Toole of Marlboro, MA and the late Barbara (Bennett) O’Toole and was raised in...
Paula Hassam
Aug 27, 2019
WINCHENDON – Paula Hassam, 63, of 249 Mill Glen Road, formerly of Gardner, died unexpectedly Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at her residence.
She was born in Boston, MA on July 3, 1956, daughter of the late Eugene N. and Virginia (MacArthur) Hassam and grew up in Gardner. Paula was a 1974 graduate of Cushing academy and a...
Robert W. Filleul Sr.
Aug 26, 2019
HUBBARDSTON – Robert W. “Bob” Filleul Sr, 79, of 26 Mt. Jefferson Road, died peacefully Monday morning, August 26, 2019 in Keystone Center, Leominster, with his family at his side.
He was born in Boston, MA on May 4, 1940, son of the late Raymond and Roberta (Hebb) Filleul. He was raised in Allston-Brighton and was a...
Robert K. Pope
Aug 24, 2019
TEMPLETON – Robert K. Pope, 64, of East Templeton, died Saturday, August 24, 2019 at his residence, after a period of declining health.
He was born in Winchendon on October 13, 1954, son of the late Robert D. and Virginia M. (LaPlante) Pope, and lived his entire life in Templeton. Bob was a 1972 graduate of Narragansett...