Judson E. Lacasse Pipefitter, Machinist
ROYALSTON - Judson E. Lacasse, 49, of 158 Bliss Hill Rd., died Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at home following an illness.
He leaves his wife of three years, Candida "Cindy" (Sale) Lacasse; three sons, Lincoln Lacasse of Athol, Joshua Lacasse of Greenfield, Loren Lacasse of Gardner; a step - daughter, Noreen Sale of Royalston; his mother, Inez Lacasse of Baldwinville; a brother, Barry N. Lacasse of Royalston; a sister, Wendy S. Lacasse of Athol; two grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.
Born in Gardner on Nov. 21, 1950, the son of George and Inez (Heglin) Lacasse, he grew up in Baldwinville and graduated from Narragansett High School with the class of 1968. He received an associate degree in animal science from Stockbridge College in 1970.
He worked at the Fernald School in Templeton and the Gardner State Hospital for several years after graduating from college. He was then employed at the L.S. Starrett Company in Athol for nine years. He worked at the General Electric Co. in Fitchburg for 10 years as a pipe fitter, until they closed in 1998. He recently worked at the Rodney Hunt Company in Orange as a machinist.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Royalston. He was a former member of the Pequoig Bowmen Club. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and was an avid hunter. He was a resident of Royalston for the past 10 years.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Royalston, On The Common, Royalston, with the Rev. Virginia Asel, pastor, officiating.
Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the First Congregational Church of Royalston, On The Common, Royalston, Mass. 01368, or to the American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, Mass. 01701.
Fiske Funeral Home in Athol is directing arrangements.
Winifred I. Clark; L.S. Starrett Retiree
Winifred I. (Chibas) Clark, 83, of 605 Spring St. died Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at home.
Her husband, Walter H. Clark, died in 1981. She leaves a brother, Leo D. Chibas of Tewksbury; a sister, Eldora Bishop of Foxborough; several nieces and nephews, grand - nieces and grand - nephews and one great - grand - niece. A brother, Ladislaw Chibas, and a sister, Alice Morrison, predeceased her.
She was born in Athol, Feb. 1, 1917, a daughter of Dominic and Mary (Tamasauskas) Chibas, and was a lifelong resident of town. She was educated in the Athol school system.
A retired employee of the L.S. Starrett Company, she worked in the indicator room for many years. She loved flowers and gardening.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 25 at 10 a.m. in the St. Francis of Assisi Church.
Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made to the Save Our Hospital fund in care of Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St., Athol 01331.
The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home is directing arrangements.
O'Brien Dies, Equipment Mgr. At AHS
Terrence "Terry" O'Brien, 68, of 648 Pleasant St., died Tuesday, April 11, 2000 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare after a spirited battle with cancer.
He leaves an aunt, Helen W. Cox of Nashua N.H.; two cousins, Katy Thomas of Arlington, John Cox of Merrimack N.H.; several other cousins and many close friends.
He was predeceased by his brother, Lance/Cpl Christopher W. O'Brien, who died serving in Vietnam.
He was born in Boston on Oct. 5, 1931, the son of Thomas J. and Catherine (White) O'Brien and was a life - long resident of Athol. He attended Athol schools.
He worked at the Athol Manufacturing Company for eight years, the Union Twist Drill Company for 15 years and the L.S. Starrett Company for 11 years. He retired in 1983.
He was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church and was an usher and collector at Sunday mass. He was a third degree honorary life member of the Athol Knights of Columbus Council 1182. He was a member of the Son's of the American Legion Post 193 of Winchendon, and was the sergeant - at - arms for many years.
He was active in the Athol American Legion Post 102 color guard, and worked Bingo at the American Legion. He was an active member of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. He was a member of the Athol High School Boosters Association for more than 20 years. He was on the Athol Little League board of directors for several years and was part of two state championship teams. He served on the board of directors of the Athol Boy Scouts Troop 16.
He was well known as the equipment manager at the Athol High School for 40 years. He was a member of the chain line crew for the high school football games for many years.
The Athol High School Class of 1992 honored him by dedicating their yearbook to him. He was a track official in Central and Western Massachusetts. He received many awards from the Basketball and Football Associations of Central Massachusetts for his many years of service. He received a Humanitarian Award from the Athol - Orange Lodge of Elks 1837.
He was a call firefighter assigned to Engine 3 from June 1, 1961 to Dec. 31, 1981. He was active in the Athol Firefighter's Association and always participated in the annual turkey raffle. He lived at the Old Fire Station No. 2 on Pleasant Street, serving as houseman and responding to all types of fire calls.
He participated in the Mid State Fire Mutual Aid and Tri - State Mutual Aid Association parades with Engine 3 and the 1920 Seagraves Ladder Truck. A statement from the Athol Fire Department reads, "Terry was the type of individual who always performed above and beyond the call of duty and never shirked any type of work assigned to him and remained dedicated to that task until it was complete. Terry was a staunch supporter of the Athol Fire Department and its members from his era to the current membership, always offering friendly words of support to all."
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 14 from the Fiske Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the funeral home. Members of the Athol Knights of Columbus are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 8 p.m. for a prayer service.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Our Lady Immaculate Church Building Fund, 192 School St., or to the Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, both in Athol, Mass. 01331, or may be left at the funeral home.
Elizabeth Louise Carey; Enjoyed Traveling
ORANGE — Elizabeth Louise (Kingsbury) Carey, 83, of 8 Dudleyville Rd., North Leverett, formerly of Orange, died Tuesday, April 11, 2000 in the Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, following a period of failing health.
She was a native of Orange, born there on July 4, 1916, the daughter of George and Sarah L. (Bennett) Kingsbury, and was educated in local public schools.
She married Earl V. Carey on Oct. 16, 1937 in Leverett and they celebrated 56 years of marriage together, prior to his passing in December of 1993.
She was a retired employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having worked at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in its food service division as a cashier in the dining commons, retiring in 1986 with over 20 years of service.
She was an active member of the Moores Corner Church in North Leverett and was a member of the church's hospitality committee. She often volunteered for church functions, dinners and such. She was fond of traveling, in particular to the shore including destinations such as: Cape Cod, Maine, Florida and Nova Scotia.
She also enjoyed music and played the organ and the piano. She enjoyed many crafts including crocheting and quilting. She was also a gardener. She was devoted to family and enjoyed spending time with them.
Among her survivors are two sons, James E. of South Windsor, Conn. and Warren D. of Belchertown; five daughters, Patricia E. Bartos of Sunderland, Margaret L. 'Peg' Harvey of Amherst, Virginia H. Grant of Bernardston, Lorraine A. Carey of Leverett and Cheryl E. Carey of Leverett; one brother, Kenny Roberts of Athol; one sister, Evangeline Hicken of Lake May, Fla.; several grandchildren; many great - grandchildren and one great - great - grandchild and several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 14, 2000 from the Moores Corner Church, North Leverett Rd., Leverett at 11 a.m., with Rev. Larry Riddle, pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Plainview Cemetery, North Leverett. Visiting hours will be observed Thursday, April 13, from the McCarthy Funeral Home, 36 Bank Row, Greenfield, from 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Moores Corner Church, c/o Rev. Larry Riddle, 168 North Leverett Rd., Leverett, Mass. 01504.
Edwin F. Whiting
BARRE - Edwin F. Whiting, 77, of Prairie Du Chein, Wis., formerly of Barre, died Monday, April 10, 2000 at the Prairie Du Chein Memorial Hospital after a battle with cancer.
He was born June, 16, 1922 in Barre son of Harold and Lucy Whiting. He worked as truck driver for many years.
Vars Service
A graveside service for Frances R. (Salmon) Vars, 75, of 648 Pleasant St., formerly of N. E. Fitzwilliam Rd., Royalston, who died March 11, 2000, will be held Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. in Lawrence Brook Cemetery, Royalston. Rev. James Callahan, associated pastor of Our Lady Immaculate Church, will officiate.
The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home is directing arrangements.
Annie E. Eklund; Awarded Degree of Chivalry
PHILLIPSTON — Annie E. (Alger) Eklund, 86, of 170 Baldwinville Rd., died Monday, April 10, 2000 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after an illness.
Her husband of 30 years, Fritz E. Eklund, died in 1970.
She was born in Gardner, Nov. 1, 1913, daughter of Lauris C. and Ruth (Fellows) Alger and had lived in Winchendon and South Royalston before moving to Phillipston 58 years ago.
She was a graduate of Murdock High School in Winchendon with the class of 1932.
She was a secretary at the former Temple Oil Co. in Athol before her retirement in 1974. She was previously a cook - manager at the Phillipston Memorial School for 12 years.
She was a member of the Phillipston Congregational Church and was a past president of the Ladies Benevolent Society of the church. She was also a pianist as the church in the Wyldewood in Templeton.
She was a past noble grand of Banner Rebecca Lodge in Athol and was awarded the Degree of Chivalry in the Rebeccas. She was a past president of the Templeton Golden Age Club, and was an election worker in Phillipston for 20 years. She was named citizen of the year in Phillipston in 1997. She was also secretary of the South Royalston school reunion committee.
She leaves three sons, Philip E. Eklund and John Eklund, both of Phillipston, and Clinton E. Eklund of Orange; a brother, Atherton A. "Buster" Alger of Orange; eight grandchildren; four great - grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 14 at 1 p.m. in the Snow - Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central St., Winchendon.
The Rev. James M. Willis, pastor of the Central Congregational Church of New Salem, will officiate.
Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.
Calling hours in the funeral home Are Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillipston Library Book Fund, On the Common, Phillipston, Mass. 01331.
