William John Ori
Restaurant Owner
ORANGE — William John "Bill" Ori, 54, of Dover, Del., formerly of Orange, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000 in the Kent General Hospital in Dover.
He was born in Montague, Aug. 12, 1945 to Egidio W. and Mary (Marcella) Ori. He moved from Anaheim, Calf. to Dover 13 years ago in 1987.
He was a United States Air Force veteran, serving his country during the Vietnam era from 1965 to 1969.
He owned and operated JW's Restaurant, formerly Anthony's, in Wyoming, Del., from December 1987 to March 1997; JW's Deli at Moore's Lake, Dover, from 1992 to 1995; and at the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover from 1995 to 1999 at which time he closed JW's Deli to open JW's Dugout in the Hamlet Shopping Center in West Dover in September 1999. He also did outside catering throughout his restaurant career.
He was well known for his authentic Italian cooking and antipastas and probably best known for his creation the "flamethrower" cheese steak.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ori of Dover; a son, Jeffrey Ori of Dover; a brother, Richard Ori of Dallas, Texas; and one grandson, Justin Ori.
Funeral services were held today, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. in Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford Street, Dover.
Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Dover.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, Kent County Division, P.O. Box 1977, Dover, Del., 19903 - 1977.
Robert Chittick
Former Resident
Robert Chittick, 72, formerly of Athol and Pensacola, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, in Orlando, Fla.
He was born in Athol on March 24, 1927, the son of Minnie B. Keyser, and was raised by his grandparents, Benjamin and Daisy Chittick.
He was a resident of Pensacola for 26 years, moving to Mims a year and a half ago.
He was a retired employee of Montgomery Ward.
In Pensacola, he was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, the former Dorothy Rowell; three stepdaughters, Margaret Nix of Mims, Minnie Grenon of Orange and Barbara Begin of Thorn Hill, Tenn.; 15 grandchildren and 28 great - grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Feb. 14 in Barrancas National Cemetery with the Rev. Ron Hawkins officiating.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, Pensacola, was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley H. Baker
ERVING — Shirley H. (McLaughlin) Baker, 80, of 24 River Rd., died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at home.
Born in Holyoke, April 6, 1919, she was the daughter of Mathew and Nettie C. (Martin) McLaughlin.
Fournier Services
Funeral services for Jeanne E. (Brouillet) Bedard Fournier, 86, of 47 Gibson Dr., were held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, in Our Lady Immaculate Church. The celebrant was the Rev. James Callahan, associate pastor. The organist was Janet Paoletti.
Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery.
The bearers, all grandsons, were Philip Forand, Michael Forand, Raymond Bedard, Joseph Bedard, Greg Bedard and Craig Bedard.
Fiske Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.
Black Services
Funeral services for Esther M. (Lindsey) Black, 89, of 129 Washington Ave., were held Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 in the South Athol United Methodist Church with Rev. Freda Maier, pastor, officiating. The organist was Janet Haley.
Burial was in Silver Lake Cemetery.
The bearers, all grandsons, were Steven Black, Jonathan Black, David Black, Adam Black, Josh Black, Jason Black and Eric Sawin.
Fiske Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Nault Services
A concelebrated Funeral Mass for Eleanor R. (Goddard) Nault, 79, of 289 Partridgeville Rd., was held Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 in Our Lady Immaculate Church. Rev. Stephen D. Johnson, pastor, was the principal celebrant, assisted by Rev. Leo Barry. The organist was Janet Paoletti, and the cantor was Mary Ehnstrom.
Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery. Bearers were David Nault, Steve Nault, William Nault, Dennis Goddard, David Dorow and Joseph Coolidge.
The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home directed arrangements.
Jeanne Bedard Fournier
Owned René's Variety
Jeanne E. (Brouillet) Bedard Fournier, 86, of 47 Gibson Dr., died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 in Athol Memorial Hospital.
She leaves four sons, René J. Bedard Jr. of Vernon, Conn., Richard J. and his wife, Susan (Hoskin) Bedard, of South Riding, Va., Charles S. and his wife, Paula A. (Paquet) Bedard, of Carver, Roland J. and his wife, Tricia (Stevens) Bedard, of Sumner, Wash.; three daughters, Madeleine A. Andrews and her husband, Edwin, of Athol, Louise J. Roncalli and her husband, Michael, of Springfield, Denise J. Girouard and her husband, Stephen, of Ashville, N.C.; two sisters, Lucille Gilgut of Athol and Norma Brouillet of Orange; 12 grandchildren, three great - grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Rene J. Bedard Sr., who died in 1960, and her second husband, Emile Fournier, who died in 1972. She was also predeceased by two brothers, Paul and Raymond Brouillet; and one sister, Rita Regis.
She was born in Gardner, Jan. 12, 1914 the daughter of Dr. Charles S. and Alice (Harwood) Brouillet. She moved to Athol at the age of seven and attended Athol schools, graduating from Athol High School Class of 1932.
She was married to Rene J. Bedard on Sept. 2, 1939. They purchased a farm on Templeton Road in 1941. Together they owned and operated Rene's Variety on upper Main St., from 1953 to 1957.
She married Emile Fournier in 1963 and moved to Vermont in 1967. In 1972 she moved back to Athol where she had resided for the past 28 years.
She was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church. She was a member of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and served as an officer for many years. She was a member of the Lakeside Action Association.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, from the Fiske Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church. The Rev. James Callahan, associate pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held Friday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Save Our Hospital Fund, c/o Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St., or to Our Lady Immaculate Church - Building Fund, 192 School St., both in Athol, Mass. 01331.
Gordon H. Bishop
Claims Manager
Gordon H. Bishop, 86, of South Glastonbury, Conn., and formerly of Athol, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000 at the Sterling Manor Nursing Home in East Hartford, Conn.
He was born in Bellows Falls, Vt. on Sept. 17, 1914, son of Harold and Ethel Bishop. His family moved to Athol in 1925. He graduated from Athol High School, class of 1932, and was a graduate of UMass, Amherst, in 1936.
He was employed by the National Silk Company, traveling for five months from Arizona to California. From 1939 until his retirement in 1977 he was employed as a claims manager by the National Grange Mutual Liability Insurance company.
He married Priscilla (Drew) Bishop of Athol and they lived in Glastonbury since 1940.
He was always proud of his service in the United States Navy, Pacific Theater, during World War II.
He was a 50 year member of the South Glastonbury Grange and a member of the Daskam/Columbia Masonic Lodge 25.
He is survived by his wife, Priscilla M. Bishop; one daughter, Janet (Bishop) Roche and her husband, Vincent, of Avon, Conn.; one son, David G. Bishop and his wife, Debi, of Moodus, Conn.; five grandchildren, Lauren J. Vestewig of Houston, Texas, Katherine E. and Brendan B. Roche, both of Avon, and Jarod D. and Haley Bishop, both of Moodus; two sisters, Pauline (Bishop) Briggs and her husband, Gordon, of Athol and Dorothy (Bishop) Holt of Holyoke and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
A beloved daughter, Sally Bishop Vestewig, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Congregational Church of South Glastonbury.
The family will receive friends and relatives in the church social hall following the service.
Donations may be made to the Welles Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main St., Glastonbury, Conn., 06033, where the helpful staff aided him in his avid reading of many library books.
Burial will be at a later date in Bellows Falls, Vt.
The Glastonbury Funeral home is directing arrangements.
