Memorials
Please send any pictures available to  TommyD@LeominsterHigh.com
 
 
Mildred A. (Kendall) LaFleur
1926  -  2003

 

Mildred A. (Kendall) LaFleur, 77, of 29 Merriam Parkway, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, after an illness. She was born on Sept. 2, 1926, in Leominster, the daughter of Ernest and Della Marie (Pratt) Kendall. She was also raised by her stepmother, Laura (Sicard) Kendall.
She leaves her husband of 56 years, Robert E. LaFleur; three sons, Robert B. LaFleur and Marc D. LaFleur, both of Leominster, and Stanley W. LaFleur of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Laura Harrington of Townsend and Pamela Merritt of Orange; one brother, Edward Kendall of Connecticut; one sister, Olive Bagley of Harwich; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harold Kendall of Leominster and Stanley Kendall of Fitchburg, and one sister, Myrtle Lilly of Fitchburg.
Mrs. LaFleur worked for the former New England Telephone Co. and also as a receptionist for the former Whitney Carriage Co. in Leominster.

  William W. Chase

1927  -  2014

 

William W. Chase 87 years old, of Leominster, died on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 in the Life Care of Leominster. He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Kraemer) Chase, a daughter Cynthia Swope of Tennessee, a son David Chase and his wife Kathleen of Worcester, three grandsons Patrick, Matthew and Alexander Chase and a sister Janet Miller of Athol.

William was born in Millbury, son of Walter and Josephine (Tebeau) Chase. He grew up in Leominster and upon graduation from Leominster High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology School of Photography and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Fitchburg State College. He also did graduate work at Boston University. William retired as a Guidance Counselor from the Leominster School System. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish.

Doris E. (Cossette) Blanchette    1926  -  2011

Doris E. (Cossette) Blanchette 84 of Leominster died Monday June 6, 2011 in Kindred Hospital Leicester after a brief illness. She was born on December 4, 1926 in Leominster; MA was the daughter of Albert and Emma (Caron) Cossette. She was a graduate of Leominster High School, worked as a telephone operator for New England telephone, and then worked as receptionist for Commonwealth Plastics and George Carrington. She was a loving sister, aunt and friend, very outgoing and friendly to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. She was a member of St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster Senior Citizens, Fitchburg Booster Club, Fitchburg Retired Women’s Club, Leominster Golden Age, Leominster Homemakers Club, Leominster AARP, Eastwood Club, and the Friendship Club in Fitchburg. She is survived by a sister Rita Dumont and her husband Louis, a sister-in-law Barbara Cossette, her loving & close friend Gabe Florczyk, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Chester A. Blanchette, a brother Albert Cossette, a sister Cecile “Sis” Maxfield.

Carlton 'Bo' E. Blackwell     1927  -  2010

Carlton 'Bo' E. Blackwell, 82, passed from this life into Heaven on Tuesday, May 25. He passed with the expert care and compassion at the Mary McCarthy Hospice Care Center in E. Sandwich, Ma.

He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, C. Veronica (Neithercut) Blackwell in 1996. Bo leaves his daughter, Kathy L. Blackwell and his son, James M. Blackwell; two grandchildren, Matt Lemay, and his wife, Sarah, and Molly Blackwell; two great-grandsons, Cody and Troy Lemay; two brothers, George Blackwell and his wife, Dot, and Mike Blackwell; one sister, Wanda Salerno, and her husband, Frank; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William Blackwell.

Bo was born in Worcester, MA, on July 1, 1927, a son of the late George W. and Grace O. (Walker) Blackwell. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, where he served in World War II at the rank of Yoeman, 3rd Class and went to China and Korea. He also later served in the Reserves. He married the love of his life, Ronnie, in 1947 and bought a house in Lunenburg in 1953. There they raised two children, Kathy and James, until moving to Fitchburg in 1966.

Bo's life included many careers, such as the New England Telephone Co., owner of the Marlboro Datsun Car Dealership, the Duck Mill Auto Body Shop and other entrepreneurial endeavors. He received his Law Degree from the New England School of Law in 1965 and worked in several law firms. His political interests were varied as well and he served as the Mayor of Fitchburg from 1972-74. He worked for Senator Ted Kennedy for many years and for Robert F. Kennedy in his Presidential election. He worked hard and was always ready to lend a hand to friends, his city, and his church. He was an active 3rd degree member of the Joseph P. Keating, Council # 99, Fitchburg Knights of Columbus, the Irish American Association, the Sierra Club, and was a longtime member of St. Bernard's Parish.

Burial was at St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Silvio Petrucci 1926  -  2008

Silvio Petrucci, 82, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and 26 Page Ave., Fitchburg, died Saturday, Sept. 20, in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Frances (Sciabarrasi) Petrucci;one son, David A. Petrucci and his wife, Lorie, of Fitchburg;one daughter, Linda DiPasquale and her husband, John, of Fitchburg;one brother, Alleo Petrucci of Leominster;one sister, Amelia Garneau of Leominster;7 grandchildren, Christopher Perkins, Michael and Matthew DiPasquale, Maria Petrucci-Guertin, and Kristina, Beth and David Petrucci;and 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 5 sisters, Nina DiMarzio, Beatrice Manzella, Mary Russo, Stella Nacke, and Marsha Hedge and one brother, Pasquale Petrucci.

Mr. Petrucci was a Project Engineer for Nypro Inc. in Clinton for 26 years, retiring in 1991. He traveled world wide for Nypro as a Trouble shooter. He was a member of St. Anthony di Padua Parish in Fitchburg, the Ft. Lauderdale Elks, the Society of Plastic Engineers and was a graduate and Valedictorian of his Senior Class at the former Saxon Trade High School in Leominster. He attended Vickers School of Hydraulics in Detroit Michigan.

He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman First Class.

He was born in Leominster, Ma., on August 24, 1926, a son of the late Pasquale and Luigina (DiLuzio) Petrucci and lived in this area all of this life, before spending winters in Florida 15 years ago.


Burial was in St. Bernard's Cemetery.

 

Madeleine E. (Roger) Siciliano   

Madeleine E. (Roger) Siciliano, 83, a longtime Leominster and Fitchburg resident, residing the past five years at Sterling Healthcare, died Thursday, March 25, at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Siciliano was born in Leominster on August 8, 1926, the daughter of Oliva and Exina (Fontaine) Roger. She graduated from St. Cecilia Elementary School and attended Leominster High School before beginning her work and family life. She earned her GED in 1975. She worked at various local shops, diners and cafeterias during her children's growing years, retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation, Westminster after many years there.

Mrs. Siciliano was throughout her life singularly devoted to her family, a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her five children: Judith A. Foster and her husband Glenn R. Foster of Leominster and Orlando, Florida; Thomas J. Siciliano and his wife Patricia (Gormley) Siciliano of Lunenburg; Donna M. Ferguson of Fitchburg; John M. Siciliano and his wife Rhonda M. (Worden) Siciliano of Leominster; and Barry R. Siciliano and his wife, Lisa A. (Michael) Siciliano of Sutton. She is also survived by two brothers, Paul F. Roger and his wife Pauline (Caron) Roger of Ashburnham, and Rev. Richard G. Roger of Worcester, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph F. Siciliano in November 2004, her brother Raymond E. Roger in March 2007, and her great-grandson Jalen R. Jones in June 2004. Burial was in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.

1926  -  2010

Arthur Paul DiGeronimo
 

Former co-owner of Victory Supermarkets, of Leominster, MA, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2009, surrounded by his family, at his home after a short illness. He was 83 years old. Arthur is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-eight years, Gloria A. (DiNardo) DiGeronimo and loving children Arthur P. (Jay) DiGeronimo, Jr. and wife Gretchen; David J. DiGeronimo and wife Laurine; Michael J. DiGeronimo and wife Kim; Steven T. DiGeronimo; Jayne E. Consolo; and Lisa A. DiGeronimo, all of Leominster. He was a joyful grandfather to Tasha, Shaun, Gina, Katie, Nicholas, Todd, Gregory, Julie, Jack, and great-grandson Lex. Arthur also leaves two sisters, Rita A. DeBitetto and  Dorothy A. St. Laurent; and many nieces and nephews. An older brother Michael James DiGeronimo predeceased Arthur in 1945. Arthur was born March 1, 1926, in Leominster, MA, second son of James V. and C. Mildred (Spadafora) DiGeronimo.

1926  -  2009

Arthur graduated from Leominster High School in 1944 and then served overseas in the US Army, 417th Regiment, 76th Infantry Division in Germany. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1946. Arthur graduated from Becker College in Worcester, MA, in 1948, earning his Associate degree in Business. He married Gloria in 1951. After college, Arthur became the first of the second generation of the DiGeronimo family to work for what was then called Victory Market, founded in 1923 by his father and uncle. In 1955, Arthur became co-owner of the modern Victory Supermarkets, opening its first store in Leominster with Arthur as Vice President and Treasurer. Throughout his fifty-six year career at Victory, Arthur served as Director of Grocery Purchasing and Advertising as well as Director of Community / Charitable Giving as Victory grew to a twenty-store chain. Arthur remained active as a member of the Board of Directors and Victory's Treasurer until the company's sale in 2004. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Food Association's Hall of Fame in 2006 and was honored as Grocer of the Year by the Grocery Manufacturers Salesmen of Worcester. Arthur served over the years on many community and charitable organizations, including Past Exalted Ruler and Trustee of the Leominster Lodge of Elks (#1237), Past District Deputy for West Central District of the National Lodge, Honorary Life Member of Leominster Lodge, Treasurer of the Massachusetts Elks Scholarships, and Past State President of the Massachusetts Elks Association. He was a lifelong member of St. Anna's Parish in Leominster, serving as usher for many years, past President of St. Anna's PTA, and member of the Finance Committee. He was an original incorporator of the Italian-American Cultural Center in Leominster and was recognized as Man of the Year in 1999. He was a past Director of the Salvation Army, a member of The Sons of Italy, proud member of the AmVets, and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Francis J. Toolin     1926  -  2008

Francis J. Toolin 81 of Leominster died Wednesday June 11, 2008 in his home after being stricken ill. He was born on August 30, 1926 in Leominster; Massachusetts was the son of B. John and Anges (Landers) Toolin. He was a graduate of Leominster High School. Mr. Toolin served in the United States Navy and is a WWII Veteran. He worked as a line technician for Fitchburg Gas & Electric. He was a member of St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster. Mr. Toolin is survived by his sister Margaret Halnan of Leominster, nephews John F. Halnan, Thomas J Halnan and a niece Ann M. Sola. Burial was in St. Leo’s Cemetery in Leominster,

George B. ‘Bud’ Larkin Sr.   1926  -  2007

George, of 17 Highland St., and Ocean Point, Maine, died Septrmber 24, in the Nashoba Valley Medial Center in Ayer.

He was born in Leominster on Dec. 6, 1926, a son of the late Willard W. and Clara U. (Larkin) Larkin. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in World War II aboard the USS Vulcan in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a Firecontrolman 1st Class.

He worked at Gerrard Transportation, and later owned and operated Molter Transportation. In his retirement, he worked as a title examiner for many years. He was a member of the Delta Nu Alfa Transportation Fraternity, a charter member of the Lunenburg Lions Club and the United Parish of Lunenburg. He served as a member of the Lunenburg Planning Board from 1984-1997. He was also named official Lunenburg Pound Keeper.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Jean M. (Molter) Larkin of Lunenburg; a son, George B. “Jay” Larkin Jr. of Cary, Ill.; three daughters, Holly S. Rice of Peekskill, N.Y., Heidi L. Larkin of Boston and Heather M. Brewer of Boothbay Harbor, Maine; four grandchildren, Jack and Dylan Rice and Hannah and Hayden Brewer; a brother, David W. Larkin of Fitchburg; two sisters, Mabel R. Jancaitis of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Barbara L. Arsenault of Fitchburg; a stepbrother, Raymond Agnew of Florida; and several nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his stepparents, Howard and Ada Agnew, and a stepbrother, Carl Agnew.

Burial was in the North Cemetery.

Michelangelo Ciccone   1926  -  2007

After an illness, Mr. Ciccone died at home May 11, 2007. He was born on June 30 1926 in Leominster, Mike was the son of Elvira Cristalli Ciccone and Paul. He was a WW II Army vet and had lived most of his life in Leominster.

In 1984 he retired as a sergeant, after being a Policeman in town for over  30 years. Mike attended St. Anna’s Church in Leominster and was a member of the the Retired Municipal Employee's Association, the American Legion and North Leominster Rod & Gun Club.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Avis M. (Gravlin) Ciccone; four daughters and a son; four sisters and three brothers; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters and a brother.

To Add or Correct Info Email:      TommyD@LeominsterHigh.com

Directory     Class of '44