Obituaries

Local Obituaries

Dorothea  Van Fechtmann

Dorothea Van Fechtmann

Jun 5, 2018

HOLDEN – Dorothea A. (Howard) Van Fechtmann, 91, passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 surrounded by the loving care of her family and the dedicated staff at Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Dorothea was the daughter of Norman C. and Gladys M. (Combs) Howard and lived the last 44 years in Holden. On January...

Alfred  Levitt

Alfred Levitt

Jun 4, 2018

WORCESTER - Alfred Levitt, age 88, passed away on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the Jewish Healthcare Center.He leaves his beloved wife of 61 years, the “love of his life”, Esther (Resnick) Levitt; his sons, Richard Levitt and his wife, Ellen of Worcester and Allan Levitt and his wife, Robin of Sudbury; and his four grandchildren, Alexander Levitt and his...

Gerald 'Jerry' F.  Campbell

Gerald 'Jerry' F. Campbell

Jun 3, 2018

HOLDEN – Gerald “Jerry” F. Campbell, 82, passed away early Sunday morning, June 3, 2018 at Rose Monahan Hospice in Worcester. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Frederick W. and Nellie (Crandall) Campbell and had lived in Holden for over 54 years.Jerry graduated from Houghton College in Houghton, New York in 1958 and attended graduate school...

Lyria 'Lee' (Kiriako)  Jaffarian

Lyria 'Lee' (Kiriako) Jaffarian

Jun 1, 2018

NORTHBOROUGH -Lyria “Lee” Jaffarian (Kiriako), 87, of Northborough passed away at home on Friday, June 1, 2018. She was born and grew up in Boston’s West End and often spoke fondly of those early days. She met Franklin “Jeff” Jaffarian to whom she was married for 54 years. He predeceased her just a month ago.  She leaves a son, Attorney...

John B.  Langas

John B. Langas

Jun 1, 2018

NORTH GRAFTON - John B. Langas, 74, of No. Grafton, passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018 in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Worcester. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Vasilios and Efterpi (Bagianis) Langas and lived in Worcester for many years before moving to No. Grafton.John leaves his wife of 43 years, Betsy T. (Peepas) Langas, his...

E. Gordon  Stocks

E. Gordon Stocks

Jun 1, 2018

Biography HOLDEN - Elbert G."Bud" Stocks, Jr., 92, died peacefully on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Holden Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  He was born in Bristol, CT, the son of Elbert G. and Marguerite (Welch) Stocks and has lived in Holden for over 50 years.            Bud graduated from Bristol High School with the class of 1944.  He proudly served...

Roger E.  Racine

Roger E. Racine

May 31, 2018

FITCHBURG/STERLING - Roger E. Racine, 83, passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on Thursday, May 31, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Worcester, Roger was the son of the late Albert and Germaine (Richard) Racine and lived the last 24 years in Sterling. Roger was a graduate of Assumption...

Patricia A. 'Patsy' (Ryan)  Celona

Patricia A. 'Patsy' (Ryan) Celona

May 31, 2018

WORCESTER - Patricia A. "Patsy" (Ryan) Celona, 75, loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at The Jewish Healthcare Center, Worcester. She was born in New York City, the daughter of Alice (Dervin) Ryan and grew up on the Acre in Clinton before living in Worcester for 47 years. Patsy graduated from Hudson...

Douglas Waller  Cushman

Douglas Waller Cushman

May 29, 2018

HOLDEN - Douglas W. Cushman, 94, died peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at St. Francis Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester. Douglas was born on March 13, 1924 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Henry and Gladys (Waller) Cushman. He lived in Holden for over 60 years.Douglas graduated from Winthrop High School with the class of...

Loretta A (Zmuda)  Dec

Loretta A (Zmuda) Dec

May 24, 2018

HOLDEN/FALL RIVER – Loretta (Zmuda) Dec, formerly of Fall River and Colony Retirement Homes in Holden passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 97 years of age at the Lutheran Skilled Care Center in Worcester.  She is predeceased by her beloved husband Matthew “Decky” Dec who died 5 years ago after a marriage of 70 years.  She is...

Christina Marie (Stavros)  Debs

Christina Marie (Stavros) Debs

May 23, 2018

WORCESTER/SPENCER – Christina M. (Stavros) Debs, 42, beloved mother of Zachary and Andrew, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.  She was born in Worcester and raised in Spencer, the daughter of John and Charlene (Little) Stavros. Her late husband, John M. Debs Esq. passed away in 2006.In 1993 she graduated from David Prouty High School and went on...

Lyle Addison  Smith

Lyle Addison Smith

May 23, 2018

WEST BOYLSTON - Lyle Addison Smith, 88, passed away at the Oakdale Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, after a long and extended period of declining health. Born in the family home in West Hebron, New York on December 22, 1929, Lyle was the son of Russell C. and Lillian (Mattison) Smith and lived 55 years in...

Jenna Renee  Westover

Jenna Renee Westover

May 22, 2018

TOWNSEND - Jenna Renee Westover, age 21, died on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at her residence after a several year struggle with opiod addiction.She leaves her mother, Elizabeth S. Mason of Townsend; her father, Ernest Westover of Shirley; her two brothers, Gavin and Drew Mason; her two sisters, Emma and Hannah Westover; her paternal grandfather, John Stafford of Clearwater, Florida;...

Ronald Paul  Volungis

Ronald Paul Volungis

May 19, 2018

PAXTON – Ronald Paul Volungis, 72, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Worcester, the son of Daniel A. Volungis and Helen G. (Roman) Peterson and had lived in Oakham for many years before recently moving to Paxton.He leaves his loving wife...

Judith  Taylor

Judith Taylor

May 18, 2018

Biography WORCESTER - Judith Millett Taylor, 76, passed away Friday, May 18, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.  She leaves her husband of 58 years, Thomas Taylor, who was her devoted caretaker.  She also leaves her six children and their families, Robert and his wife Angie, Laura and her husband Martin, Cheryl and her husband Bob, Michelle and her...

Carolyn M. (Kazmierczak)  Ramsey

Carolyn M. (Kazmierczak) Ramsey

May 17, 2018

STERLING -- Carolyn M. (Kazmierczak) Ramsey passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. She was 73. Born and raised in Worcester, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Zygmunt and Stasia (Zawicki) Kazmierczak and lived over 50 years in Sterling. She was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester and worked many...

Daniel R.  Kirkpatrick

Daniel R. Kirkpatrick

May 16, 2018

HOLDEN/BARRE – Daniel R. Kirkpatrick, 68, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at UMass Memorial Medical Center after an illness. Born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, Dan was the son of the late Robert and Evelyn (Beightley) Kirkpatrick and lived in Barre for three decades before moving to Holden several years...

Ray  Greenwood

Ray Greenwood

May 14, 2018

STERLING - Ray Greenwood, 67, died unexpectedly on Monday, May 14, 2018 at UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Worcester.  Born in Worcester, Ray was the son of Rose (Guyer) and Ray C. Greenwood and graduated from Saint Stephen's High School with the class of 1969 and from Assumption College with the class of 1973. He will be lovingly...

Kori V. (Beardsley)  Stuart

Kori V. (Beardsley) Stuart

May 14, 2018

STERLING - Kori V. (Beardsley) Stuart-Brix, 43, beloved wife of Erik A. Brix, passed away peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 14, 2018.She was the daughter of David E. Beardsley and Louise Vance. Kori was born and raised in Stamford, CT and later moved with her family to Acton. Prior to graduating from...

Thomas W.  Brum

Thomas W. Brum

May 14, 2018

Biography RUTLAND – Thomas W. Brum, 77, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Thomas was the son of the late Lawrence and Katharine (Burgess) Brum and was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Funeral services are private. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. To share a memory or offer a condolence,...