Obituaries
Local Obituaries
Richard W. LaBaire
Oct 13, 2025
                                HOLDEN - Richard W. LaBaire passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 after a brief illness. Richard was born Sept 24, 1946 in Worcester, MA.
He is survived by his former wife, Susan LaBaire their son, Richard W. LaBaire, Jr. and his wife, Lisa of Pepperell, their son, John A. LaBaire, his granddaughters, Jayden LaBaire, Bethanie LaBaire and Eriana LaBaire, who all...
                                
Alan Wade
Oct 12, 2025
                                STERLING - Alan L. Wade, 81, a lifelong resident of Sterling, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025 at the Oakdale Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility in West Boylston.
Born in Sterling, Alan is the son of the late Walter and Marian (Moore) Wade. After graduating from Leominster Trade in 1961, he worked most of his career at Nypro Inc. in...
                                
Richard E. Katz
Oct 11, 2025
                                WORCESTER - Richard E. Katz, 79, beloved husband of Linda N. (Sadowsky) Katz, passed away peacefully at Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Born and raised in Worcester, he was the son of the late Irving and Esther (Grossman) Katz.
Richard was a graduate of Classical High School and he went on to further his education at...
                                
Joan Lomax
Oct 8, 2025
                                OAKHAM - Joan A. Lomax, 78, of Oakham, passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 2025. She is the loving wife of the late Robert R. Lomax with whom she shared over 58 years of marriage.
Joan was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Carl and Mary (Goodwin) McAfee. After high school, she attended the Salter School to obtain her...
                                
Arthur "Buddy" Joel Brousseau
Oct 2, 2025
                                WORCESTER - Arthur “Buddy” Joel Brousseau, Jr, 77, of Worcester, MA and Palm Beach, FL, a champion for the Homeless and Substance Abuse Communities, has died after a long, brave, and courageous battle with cancer.
He leaves his children, Miles D. Brousseau of Amity, ME, Jesse Brousseau Bernard and her partner Tevis Colon of Cambridge, Kristi L. Kelly and husband Todd...
                                
David Wheeler
Oct 1, 2025
                                BOYLSTON - David H. Wheeler, 82 of Boylston, passed peacefully on October 1, 2025. He was born to Clifford and Helen Wheeler of Worcester. He was a quiet, soft spoken, likeable guy with a quick wit and smile. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of 63 years come this November....
                                
Barbara Jean "BJ" Monopoli
Sep 30, 2025
                                SALISBURY - Barbara Jean “BJ” Monopoli passed away peacefully at the age of 82. The daughter of Sebastiano and Fortunata Fagone, she was born, raised, and resided in Massachusetts throughout her life.
A dedicated registered nurse, BJ built a long and impactful career in trauma and orthopedic care. She took great pride in mentoring and training younger generations of nurses. Beyond...
                                
Mabel "Betty" Pearson
Sep 29, 2025
                                Mabel Elizabeth Pearson, known to all as Betty, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025 at the Heartis Assisted Living Center in North Venice, Florida at the age of 94. Born on May 23, 1931 in Sterling, Betty was the daughter of Frank and Dorothy Lanciani.
Betty married Irving T. Pearson at the First Church of Sterling in 1954. They were soon off...
                                
Elizabeth A. Heath
Sep 28, 2025
                                WORCESTER – Elizabeth A. Heath, age 40, passed away at home surrounded by love on Sunday, September 28, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Worcester and raised in Holden, Elizabeth graduated from Wachusett Regional High School, class of 2003, where she was very involved in the music department. She was a member of the Chamber Choir, participated in...
                                
Kathleen R. Richardson
Sep 24, 2025
                                JEFFERSON – Kathleen R. (Cote) Richardson, 74, beloved wife of Joel W. Richardson, passed away peacefully at Holden Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Born and raised in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Lucy (Ushinski) Cote.
Kathy was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School. She went on to further her education...
                                
Donald O. Maloney
Sep 23, 2025
                                SHREWSBURY — Donald O. Maloney, 97, of Shrewsbury, died peacefully on September 23, 2025, surrounded by all his children and other family.
Born on July 31, 1928, his life’s path was determined by the death of his mother just four hours after his birth. He was raised in Shrewsbury by his aunt, Mary F., and her husband, Henry A. Marchesseault, along...
                                
Deborah A. Bruegger
Sep 23, 2025
                                WORCESTER - Deborah A. Bruegger, 73 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025.
She was the beloved mother of Nicholas Bruegger of Worcester and Daniel Bruegger and his wife, Arielle of Westminster. She was a proud grandmother to Sawyer, Barrett, Carter, and Crew. She is also survived by her former husband and devoted friend, Ronald Bruegger of Florida.
Deborah was...
                                
Nancy Naroian
Sep 23, 2025
                                JEFFERSON - Nancy E. (Ansbigian) Naroian, of Jefferson, passed away on September 23, 2025. She is the loving wife of Peter H. Naroian with whom she shared 57 years of marriage.
Nancy was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Harry and Nina (Belezarian) Ansbigian. She was a lifelong member of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester where...
                                
Marie Ann Allen
Sep 22, 2025
                                STERLING - Marie Ann Allen, 79, passed away on September 22, 2025.
Marie was born in Leominster, the daughter of the late Richard and Elvie (Steikari) Bilodeau. For most of her life, she lived in Sterling and worked as a primary caregiver for her mother. She met and married her late husband Richard "Dick" Allen and became his primary caregiver until his death in...
                                
Christine Hunt
Sep 20, 2025
RUTLAND - Christine A. Hunt, 65, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. Christine had family constantly by her side to support her through tests and treatments during the weeks she remained in the hospital, after experiencing a sudden hemorrhagic stroke in late August. In her final days, Christine...
Virginia E. Gow
Sep 20, 2025
                                HOLDEN – Virginia E. (Good) Gow, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Ginny was born in Worcester, MA, in 1937, the daughter of the late Karl and Gladys (Heap) Good. She graduated from Classical High School and Lasell College. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children were in...
                                
Ernest R. Brown, Jr.
Sep 19, 2025
                                STERLING - Ernest R. “Skip” Brown, Jr.,76, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 19, 2025, after a courageous journey with cancer. He fought his battle surrounded by family and close friends.
He leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories, having touched the lives of so many with his wisdom, kindness, and knowledge. His years of dedication in trucking, business...
                                
Ida Jane Nystrom
Sep 17, 2025
                                Holden - Ida Jane (Quackenbush) Nystrom, 78, beloved wife of James B. Nystrom, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Ida lived a rich and adventurous life, from her origins in her beloved Mohawk Valley to her later years in New England. Ida grew up in Mohawk, NY where her...
                                
Rev. Fr. James A. Houston
Sep 17, 2025
                                WORCESTER – Rev. Fr. James A. Houston, 84, entered peacefully into the arms of Christ on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Oasis at Dodge Park in Worcester.
Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the beloved son of Irish immigrants James and Elizabeth (Slowey) Houston.
Fr. Houston graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He began his religious formation at Holy...
                                
Robert Clifford
Sep 16, 2025
                                HOLDEN - Robert L. Clifford, 90, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. He is the loving husband of Donette Clifford, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage.
Bob was born in Hanover, NH to Charles L. Clifford and Frieda (Leach) Clifford on March 5, 1935. He was the eldest of 8 children and was raised at Woodlawn Farm...
                                


