Michael L. Penney Sr.

STERLING – Michael L. Penney, Sr., 72, beloved husband of Diane (Dunham) Penney, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. He was the son of the late John Penney and Clare (Mathieau) Brouillard and his step-father, Charles Brouillard, who was a father figure in his formative years.

Michael attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester. After high school he showed aptitude and interest in fixing cars and worked both full time and later part time at a garage on Route 9 in Shrewsbury. He went on to enjoy a long career at Norton Company where he was a warehouse manager for over 20 years. He also managed warehouses for Ramco, Bakemark and Target. He remained active as a courier for New England Biotech in Holden because he was not the type to just sit back and enjoy retirement.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 50 years, Diane; his son, Michael L. Penney, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Sterling; his daughter, Melissa Ford and her husband, Matthew of Ayer; a sister, Dian Morin of Brooker, FL; his three brothers, John Penney and his wife, Jeanine of Rutland, Glen Brouillard of Fitchburg and Dean Brouillard of Fitchburg; and four grandchildren, Calvin and Westley Penney and Charlotte and Penelope Ford. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-brother, Joseph Brouillard and his step-sister, Jean Pusateri.

Michael was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church and the Knights of Columbus. For over 30 years, Michael served as a Scoutmaster for Troop 189 Sterling in the Boy Scouts of America. He was honored as Scoutmaster of the Year for the Wachusett District of Nashua Valley Council in 2017. He also was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow within the BSA. Michael was an active member of the Sterling community and was involved with youth sports, including baseball, softball, and soccer. He always put others before himself and felt that giving his time to the community was one of the best ways he could be of service. He could be found each summer at Camp Wanocksett with his troop volunteering for the 5-Mile hike and keeping the campsite clean to win the coveted Golden Broom award.

Michael enjoyed camping, working in the yard, country music and the tunes of the crooners, “taking a ride to the casino” and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, even when they teased him and called him “Stinky Feet” and when they “beat him up” playing fight ball. He was a genuine handyman and mechanic and bailed his friends and family out constantly with everything from quick fixes to elaborate projects.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Miles-Sterling Funeral & Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Michael’s name may be made to Camp Wanocksett via the link: https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/230/appeal/8740 or donations can also be mailed to: Heart of New England Council; 394 Pleasantdale Road Rutland, MA 01543 Attn: Michael Penney Sr. Tribute.