Sister Alice Poussard
Maria Assumpta Teacher
PETERSHAM — Sister Alice Poussard, 82, of the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on North Main Street, died early this morning, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999 after a brief illness.
Formerly known as Sister Arthur - du - Sauveur, she professed 62 years of religious vows.
Born in Salem, she was the daughter of Napoleon and Amanda (April) Poussard. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy of Salem, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from River College, and pursued graduate studies at Catholic University of Washington, D.C., Boston College and Siena College. She was a recipient of an NDEA grant to study French at Bowdoin College.
She was a teacher and principle at the elementary level during 40 years mainly in Spencer, and in Laconia, N.H. She also served at the parish schools in Chicopee Falls, Salem, Brockton, and also taught at Maria Assumpta Academy in Petersham. Since 1983 she had been at community services at Assumption Residence.
She leaves a brother, Romeo, of Georgetown; a sister - in - law, Elizabeth Poussard of Salem; her maternal aunt, Yvonne Ouimet of Salem; several nieces and nephews and cousins.
Calling hours at the Assumption residence are Wednesday, Nov. 3 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the chapel of the Assumption residence.
Burial will be in the East Street Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Assumption Retirement Fund, North Main Street, Petersham, Mass. 01366.
The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home is directing arrangements.
William J. Duval
William J. Duval, 89, of 63 Wachusett St., Fitchburg, formerly of Athol, died Monday, Nov. 1, 1999 at home after an illness.
He was born in Athol, a son of Lazare and Regina (Gelinas) Duval.
Philip David Watts; Avid Hunter And Fisherman
Phillip David Watts, 55, of Cushman Drive, Framington, Maine, formerly of Athol, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999.
He was born Oct. 30, 1944 in Athol, the son of James and Barbara (Thorp) Watts. He was a graduate of Athol High School, Class of 1962 and attended the Ward School of Business.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Following his service to his country, he was employed by several major airlines for the next 15 years.
He married Gail Marchetti on May 1, 1976, in Lewiston, Maine. They settled in Farmington where he was employed by the University of Maine at Farmington for the past 10 years.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children and the family pets. He was also a talented handyman who enjoyed doing home improvements and was always happy to lend a hand when something needed to be done.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, of Farmington; a daughter, Kristen Small Dorey and her husband, Michael Dorey of Bangor, Maine; three sons, Michael Watts and his fiance, Laura Larson, of Farmington, Scott Watts of Acton, and Brian Watts of Atlanta, Ga.; his father, James Watts of Athol; a sister, Kathy LaRoque and her husband, Robert LaRoque of Holden; a brother, Roger, and his wife, Jean Watts, of Athol. He was predeceased by his mother, Barbara, who died Nov. 19, 1987.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. from the Wiles Funeral Home, 5 Hill St., Farmington. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home, Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Those who desire may give gifts in his memory to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, RR1, Box 1413, Farmington, Maine 04938.
Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington.
Ruth M. McCassie
Enjoyed Gardening
NORTHFIELD — Ruth M. (Slaght) McCassie, 83, of 565 Gulf Rd., died Friday, Oct. 29, 1999 in Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield.
Born in Southington, Conn., Feb. 27, 1916, a daughter of Milo and Anna M. (Brizee) Slaght, she moved to Northfield in 1926.
She worked at Erving Paper Mills 35 years retiring as a supervisor in 1981. She was a member of the Erving Paper Mills Quarter Century Club.
A devoted grandmother, she frequently took care of her grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, cooking, homemaking and crocheting.
She was predeceased by her seven brothers and sisters. Her husband, Elbert W. McCassie II, died in 1992; a step son, Donald McCassie, died in 1983; a granddaughter, Deborah McCassie, died in 1998.
She leaves two sons, Leonard McCassie and Elbert W. McCassie, III, both of Northfield; a daughter, Roxanne Flanders of Athol; eight grandchildren; several great grandchildren; many nephews and nieces.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m. in West Orange Cemetery, Route 2A, Orange. The Rev. David Neil, of Trinity Church, Shelburne Falls, will officiate.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Hospice in Franklin County or Visiting Nurses Association in Franklin County, 164 High St., Greenfield, 01301.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
Adrian Savage
Well Known Photographer
MONTAGUE — Adrian M. Savage, 92, of 5 Crescent St. in the Millers Falls section of Montague, died Friday, Oct. 29, 1999 at the Franklin Center Genesis Eldercare Network in Greenfield.
He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 2, 1907, the son of Dolard and Emma (Dame) Savage. He came to the United States in 1908, residing in Millers Falls. He attended Turners Falls High School.
He was a radio operator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Works for 25 years, retiring in 1974. He was a well known area photographer for more than 50 years. He was taught photography by George L. Scott and he owned and operated Adrian Studio from 1945 - 1949. He took many historical photogaphs of Millers Falls.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp with the 302nd Signal Co. 12th Air Force in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France during World War II, attaining the rank of corporal. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 5 bronze stars.
He was a member of the Montague Historical Society.
His wife, the former Essalyn Lane, died on June 21, 1989.
Survivors include two nephews, Donald Savage of Sarasota, Fla., and Robert Savage of Fairfax, Va.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. in the Kostanski Funeral in Turners Falls, with the Rev. John J. Ayers, pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Northfield, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Millers Falls.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, Oct. 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Roger J. Dines
Was General Contractor
EAST TEMPLETON — Roger J. Dines, 61, of 55 Depot Rd., died Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999 in University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, following a short illness.
Born in Gardner on Aug. 3, 1938, he was the son of James J. and Cecile J. (Bernier) Dines.
He was a self - employed general contractor and owned and operated the Roger Dines & Son General Contracting & Towing Co. He sold and serviced used and vintage cars. He also owned and operated Roger Dines & Son Sand and Gravel.
He was a 1956 graduate of the Saxon Trade School of Carpentry in Leominster.
He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Gardner, the Gardner Lodge of Elks 1426, Snowbound Club of Winchendon, N.H. Towing Association, Empire State Towing & Recovery Association, Friends of Towing, International Towing & Recovery Association and was recognized its hall of fame in 1992.
He served as consultant for five years for the Statewide Towing Association of Massachusetts and was also its past vice president, show chairman and legislative chairman. He was a certified wreckmaster. he was instrumental in the construction of the Riverside Road bridge on the Gardner/Templeton line.
He was a permanent Gardner call firefighter from 1962 to 1977.
He was a member of the Seabees in the U.S. Navy and while in the service, he was selected to serve at Camp David for one year.
In 1988, Dines was instrumental in organizing a farm aid effort that was to become known as Operation Haylift for the transportation of hay for livestock to drought stricken areas of the United States and received the Congressional Certificate of Merit from the honorable Silvio D. Conte of Massachusetts.
In 1989 he received the prestigious American Towman Lifesaver Award for placing his own life at risk to save another.
He leaves his wife of six years, Athol Police Chief Sandra M. (Bisbee) Dines of East Templeton; one son, James J. Dines of Wollaston; three daughters, Colleen Dines McLaughlin of St. Pete Beach, Fla., Rebecca Gould of Ashburnham and Carla Bigelow of Rutland; one sister, Roberta E. Graves of Baldwinville; five grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He also leaves his two former wives, Sally (Smith) Dines of Baldwinville, and Susan (Landry) Dines of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 1, from the Dufault - Boucher Funeral Home Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross St.
Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 4 Binney St., Boston, Mass. 02115 - 6084; Make - A - Wish Foundation of Greater Boston, 295 Devonshire St., Fourth floor, Boston, Mass. 02110; Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, Mass. 01104, or to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, Mass. 01701.
Dr. Thomas H. Tracy, Former City Counselor
GARDNER - Dr. Thomas H. Tracy, 75, of 80 Glazier St., a retired orthopedic physician and former Gardner City Counselor, died at home in his sleep on Friday, Oct. 29, 1999.
He was born in Worcester on June 7, 1924, son of Michael and Mary (McGrath) Tracy and had resided in Gardner for 47 years.
Tracy graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Class of 1945 and from Tufts Medical School in 1950. He and Dorothy C. (Pearce) of Quincy were married in Quincy on June 17, 1950.
Tracy served two years in the United States Navy, as a lieutenant junior grade, in the Pacific Area during World War II.
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy C. (Pearce) Tracy of Gardner and four adult children, Christine M. Tracy of Gardner, Michael P. Tracy of Sturbridge, Ann M. Montero of Boston and Martha M. Papalia of Acton; two sisters, Mary Hower of Venice, Fla., and Helen Nowlin of Worcester, six grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 1, from the John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., followed by a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross St.
Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart School Memorial Fund, 166 Cross St., Gardner, Mass. 01440 or may be left at the funeral home.
Wickham Services
Funeral services for Eliza J. (McLean) Wickham, 84, formerly of Highland Avenue, were held Friday, Oct. 29, 1999 in Higgins - O'Connor Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Paul E. Samuelson, pastor of Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial was in Silver Lake Cemetery and the bearers were: Robert Allen, Brian Allen, Henry Sanders, David Graham, Robert Lane and Michael Hanson.
Green Services
Funeral services for O. V. Green, 76, of 84 North Spec Pond Rd., New Salem, were held Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999 in the Fiske Funeral Home, with Rev. Mark Bariloni, pastor of the Athol - Orange Baptist Church officiating. The organist was Ann Carley.
Burial was in Silver Lake Cemetery. The bearers were Richard Dery, Laurie Gauvin, David Maroni, Rob Morton, Adam ElShazli and Ashref ElShazli.
Officers and members of the Edward H. Phillips Post 102 American Legion provided military honors. They included past commander Bob Carey, finance officer Glenn Frenette, adjutant Peter Krustapentus, sgt. - at - arms Donald Walker, assistant Victor Litchfield and junior vice Mitchell Kenneway. George F. Fiske Jr. was the bugler.
Peter Krustapentus and Glenn Frenette folded the United States Flag and Bob Carey presented it to Mr. Green's grandson, Adam ElShazli.
Elks Ritual Service For O.V. Green
NEW SALEM — Members of the Athol - Orange Elks Lodge No. 1837 are asked to meet at Fiske Funeral Home in Athol Friday, Oct., 29 at 7:15 p.m. to conduct Elk services at 7:30.
