Obituaries

Local Obituaries

Richard Ira Freedman

Richard Ira Freedman

Jul 23, 2025

The Graveside Funeral Service for Richard "Rif" Freedman will be available for live streaming (and after) beginning at 11:00 AM on Sunday, July 27, 2025 via the following link: www.emanuelsinai.org/live-streams/.

BOYNTON BEACH - Richard Ira Freedman — known to most simply as “Rif” — passed away peacefully at his home in Boynton Beach, Florida on July 23, 2025, at the age...

Margaret Lavin

Margaret Lavin

Jul 23, 2025

WORCESTER - Margaret (Walsh) Lavin passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, July 23rd after a period of declining health. She was predeceased by her husband Richard Lavin and her parents John Walsh and Irene (Wheeler) Walsh, as well as her sister Anne Brutscher, of Rockville, Maryland.

Born in Worcester, Margaret was proud of her Shrewsbury Street heritage and remained...

Joseph Robinson

Joseph Robinson

Jul 22, 2025

AUBURN - Joseph H. Robinson, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Born and raised in Holden, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Mary (Thresher) Robinson.

Joe faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force, retiring after 20 years of dedicated service with the rank of Master Sargent. Joe...

Sherry M. Blair

Sherry M. Blair

Jul 21, 2025

Davenport, FL/Rutland, MA - Sherry M. (Bissonnette) Blair, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 21, 2025. Born in Worcester and raised in Rutland, she was the daughter of Dwight and Myrtle (Harmon) Bissonnette.

She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her three daughters, Tanya Blair of Rutland, Brittney Gove and her husband, Brendan of Shrewsbury, and Morgan Blair of...

Phillip P. Shubert

Phillip P. Shubert

Jul 21, 2025

WEST BOYLSTON – Phillip P. Shubert, 71, of West Boylston, passed away on July 21, 2025, at Massachusetts General Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born on October 17, 1953, in Worcester to the late Paul and Marcia (Buck) Shubert. Phillip grew up locally and graduated from West Boylston High School.

He met the love of his life,...

George O'Gorman

George O'Gorman

Jul 18, 2025

SOUTHBOROUGH/MANHATTAN BEACH - George O’Gorman, 87, of Southborough, MA, and Manhattan Beach, CA, passed away peacefully with his daughter at his side on July 18.

Born on August 27, 1937, in Dublin, Ireland, George was the son of George and Ellen O’Gorman. His father passed away before his birth, and his mother died when he was just three years old. He...

Leila P. "Lee" (Armstrong) Beardsley

Leila P. "Lee" (Armstrong) Beardsley

Jul 15, 2025

Oakdale/West Boylston- Leila P. "Lee" (Armstrong) Beardsley, 89, wife of the late Nathan L. Beardsley, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on August 20, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Mabel (Eckel) Armstrong.

From an early age, Lee always...

Marilyn J. (McLaughlin) Gaitane

Marilyn J. (McLaughlin) Gaitane

Jul 15, 2025

WEST BOYLSTON – Marilyn J. (McLaughlin) Gaitane, 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a long battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Worcester, Marilyn was the daughter Olive (Lawrence) McLaughlin. She lived in West Boylston for the past 53 years. Her beloved husband of 52 years, Richard N. Gaitane, passed away...

Jeffrey C. Larson

Jeffrey C. Larson

Jul 14, 2025

HOLDEN - Jeffrey C. Larson, 79, of Holden, a retired teacher and coach, passed away on July 14, 2025 at the Holden Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He leaves his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia A. (Griswold) Larson, sons, Kevin C. Larson, Esq. and his partner, Kathleen M. Mattei of Holden and...

James T. Hennessey

James T. Hennessey

Jul 13, 2025

STURBRIDGE - James “Jim” T. Hennessey, 71, of Sturbridge, passed away unexpectedly on July 13, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Lauren (Miknaitis) Hennessey, with whom he shared a life of love, adventure, and partnership for over 43 years.

Born in Worcester to the late William and Isabella (Parajeckas) Hennessey, Jim was a lifelong resident of Central Massachusetts. A dedicated...

Beverly J. Merritt

Beverly J. Merritt

Jul 13, 2025

WORCESTER - Beverly J. (Anderson) Merritt died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 98. Beverly was born on December 11, 1926, to Frances (Fager) and Earl Casteel in Des Moines, Iowa. As a child she lived in Iowa, Texas and Kansas. After her parents divorced, she moved with her mother to her grandparents’ farm in Miller, Kansas that...

Marilyn J. Alves

Marilyn J. Alves

Jul 13, 2025

Worcester/West Boylston – Marilyn J. (Mongeon) Alves, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Oakdale Nursing & Skilled Nursing Center. Born and raised in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Lyle and Aune (Aalto) Mongeon. She was pre-deceased by her sister Carol Roberts and her husband Antonio (Tony) Alves.

Marilyn...

Alan R. Cooper

Alan R. Cooper

Jul 13, 2025

LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL - Alan R. Cooper, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, friend and cherished member of both the Worcester and Florida communities, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025, in Florida, with his family by his side and Larry Byrd. He was 78 years old.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie; his children, Adam, Lisa...

Stephen T. Lanava

Stephen T. Lanava

Jul 12, 2025

WORCESTER - Stephen T. Lanava, 73, of Chino Avenue, Worcester, passed away on July 12, 2025. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Darling, who comforted him through a courageous eight-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Lucy Lanava.

A renowned photographer for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Steve served the newspaper he loved for over...

Grace A. Carlson

Grace A. Carlson

Jul 12, 2025

WORCESTER – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Grace Ann Carlson, 97. She died peacefully on July 12, 2025, at Knollwood Nursing Home in Worcester.

Grace was born in Pepperell, MA on May 26, 1928, the daughter of the late Margaret and Raymond Miller. She lived in Milford, then Hopedale and attended St. Mary’s High School...

Nancy O. Johnson

Nancy O. Johnson

Jul 10, 2025

RUTLAND – Nancy O. (Ferguson) Johnson, 97, of Rutland passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, at Holden Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born on August 27, 1927, in Worcester to the late Charles and Olive (Stahl) Ferguson.

She attended local grade schools and is a 1945 graduate of Charlton High School. After high school, Nancy worked for Pine Croft Dairy...

Sara Finkelstein

Sara Finkelstein

Jul 10, 2025

TAUNTON, MA – Sara P. Finkelstein, 72, passed away peacefully at her home in Taunton on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Meyer and Elaine (Slobins) Finkelstein. Sara is lovingly remembered by her two sisters, Rena M. Markowitz and Leah Finkelstein, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents,...

Enid (Kaplan) Garovoy

Enid (Kaplan) Garovoy

Jul 10, 2025

WORCESTER – Enid (Kaplan) Garovoy, age 97, died days short of her 98th birthday on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Jewish Healthcare Center, surrounded by the loving presence of her family. Born in Kingston, NY, she was the daughter of Meyer and Eva (Gordon) Kaplan.

Enid will be lovingly missed and remembered by her devoted children, Joan Griff and her...

Michael L. Penney Sr.

Michael L. Penney Sr.

Jul 9, 2025

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...

Charles V. McGrath, Jr.

Charles V. McGrath, Jr.

Jul 9, 2025

RUTLAND – Charles V. McGrath, Jr., lovingly known as Charlie, Chaz, Charlie Barley, Sonny Boy, Grampy, Dad and Papi passed away peacefully at the age of 73 at home on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. He was surrounded by the loving presence of his family. Born in Worcester, and raised in Westborough, he was the son of Charles Sr. and Shirley...