Obituaries
Local Obituaries
Laurence "Larry" Rettig, Sr.
Nov 4, 2025
HOLDEN - Laurence “Larry” Rettig Sr, 70, passed away suddenly at his home, leaving behind family, friends, and countless lives touched by his generosity and humor. Born and raised in Holden, Larry was the beloved son of Heinz and Estelle Rettig.
He graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1973 and went on to work for Heald Machinery before joining the...
Christian W. de Marcken
Nov 1, 2025
Christian W. de Marcken, 97, beloved husband of the late Jeanne G. de Marcken, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Oasis at Dodge Park-Worcester. Born and raised in Uccle, Belgium, he was the son of the late Gustave and Alix de Marcken.
Shortly after high school graduation, he enlisted in the military and proudly served his country...
Mark Coolidge
Nov 1, 2025
Mark A. Coolidge, 62, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025 after a two year battle with cancer. He is the loving husband of Sandra Iandoli Coolidge with whom he has shared 34 years of marriage.
Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the son of the late Alan and Carol (Carney) Coolidge. Mark was raised in Holden and attended Wachusett Regional...
Nancy Shannah (Cunningham) Mann
Oct 31, 2025
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend
RUTLAND - Nancy Shannah (Cunningham) Mann, 90, of Rutland, MA, completed her life’s journey and passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, October 31, 2025. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Nancy filled our lives with warmth and love.
Born on November 11, 1934, in Leominster, MA, Nancy...
Rebbetzin Rochele (Magnes) Fogelman
Oct 28, 2025
WORCESTER - Rebbetzin Rochele Fogelman, a pioneering Shlucha and master educator in Worcester, Massachusetts, passed away on Tuesday, 7 Cheshvan, 5786.
She was 98.
Rebbetzin Fogelman, together with her late husband, Rabbi Hershel Fogelman obm, were sent in 1947 by the Frierdiker Rebbe to serve as the pioneering shluchim in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they led the community for an extraordinary 78 years.
The...
Ladd S. "Tiger" Ljungberg
Oct 26, 2025
SPENCER – Ladd S. “Tiger” Ljungberg, 66, passed away at home on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Born in Marblehead and raised in Holden, he was the son of the late David and Nancy (Plumley) Ljungberg.
Tiger was a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School, Class of ’77. He went on to further his education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where...
Dr. George M. Yancey
Oct 26, 2025
HOLDEN - George Yancey was called home to be with the Lord after a period of declining health at the age of 83 on October 26, 2025. He was cherished by all who knew him and was known for his kind heart, gentle spirit, wisdom and deep love for his family. He was a pillar of faith and strength for...
Robert Benson
Oct 25, 2025
HARDWICK - With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Robert Benson, 82, of Hardwick, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend well known for sharing his passions for fishing, turkey hunting, wildlife photography and woodworking.
Born and raised in Holden, Bob was the son of the late Milton and Mary (Splaine) Benson. He...
Beverly A. (Brown) Landquist
Oct 25, 2025
Brookfield/Holden - Beverly A. (Brown) Landquist, 78, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 25, 2025, surrounded by love and comfort.
Born in Leominster, she was the cherished daughter of the late Harold E. and Gladys L. (Peacock) Brown. Beverly attended Leominster High School and went on to lead a life marked by hard work, devotion, and quiet...
Raymond A. Leroux
Oct 24, 2025
PRINCETON - Raymond A. Leroux, 86, a devoted husband, proud father of nine, U.S. Army veteran, and long-time Holden businessman, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
Born in Worcester on April 8, 1939, Raymond was the son of Adrien and Eva (Roy) Leroux of Shrewsbury. He grew up in Shrewsbury and attended Holy Name High School, where he met the...
Richard L. Morissette
Oct 23, 2025
GARDNER – Richard L. Morissette, 86, beloved husband of Lorraine (Sullivan) Morissette, passed away in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Born and raised in Leominster, he was the son of the late Lionel and Mary Ann (Progin) Morissette.
After graduation, Dick enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his...
Alan E. Nelson
Oct 23, 2025
Franklin – Alan E. Nelson, 78, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence in Worcester.
Born in Boston, Alan was the beloved son of the late Edward and Lilly (Nordstrom) Nelson Gustafson and was raised in Braintree. He graduated from Braintree High School and went on to earn an associate degree in engineering from...
Howard A. Raphaelson
Oct 21, 2025
WESTWOOD - After 94 years, on October 21, 2025, Howard finished his last to-do list. He spent his life being goal-driven. He approached all projects with the same zeal, whether it was graduating from Harvard Business School or spreading fertilizer on the freshly mowed grass at his home of 58 years on Timber Drive in Storrs, Connecticut. And for most...
Kevin Viner
Oct 20, 2025
Holden - Kevin L. Viner, 80, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his devoted family.
Born in Worcester, Kevin was the son of the late Frank and Beatrice (Belcher) Viner. He was a proud graduate of North High School, Class of 1964. Throughout his life, Kevin was admired for his natural leadership,...
Daniel F. Szklarz
Oct 19, 2025
SPENCER - Daniel F. Szklarz, 73, of Spencer, formerly of Worcester, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
He leaves his beloved wife, Carmela Szklarz; two children, Derrick and his wife, Kristen of Auburn and Cory and his wife, Marissa Ciampi of Taunton; and two granddaughters, Vivienne and Genevieve, whom he adored. Daniel was...
Betsy Downer
Oct 18, 2025
STERLING - Betsy Frances Downer passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025 after a long battle with dementia. She was the daughter of Bradley Lunsford and Alice (Watts) Lunsford Sturgill of Norton Virginia. She was born in Norton, and spent her childhood in Norton and Rose Hill. She moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in her late teens where she met the love...
Richard M. Bernstein
Oct 17, 2025
SHREWSBURY - Richard M. Bernstein, age 61, died unexpectedly on Friday, October 17, 2025. Born in Worcester, Richard was the son of the late William E. Bernstein and Marjorie (Burwick) Bernstein. Richard is survived by his siblings, Laurie B. Kimmelstiel, Robert Bernstein, and David Bernstein and their families, and a large extended family. A private graveside service was held at...
Earle M. Skiest
Oct 16, 2025
WORCESTER – Earle M. Skiest, age 96, died peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester after a period of declining health, with his devoted wife and her daughter Lauri by his side. Born in Worcester, Earle was the son of Hymen and Dorothy (Brickman) Skiest, and after stops in Charlotte, NC, Glens Falls, NY,...
Edward S. Hayes, Jr.
Oct 15, 2025
Holden/Rutland/Worcester - Edward S. Hayes, Jr., 93, beloved husband of the late Barbara (Rugg) Hayes, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Born and raised in Worcester, Ed was the son of the late Edward and Helen (Armstrong) Hayes and lived most of his life in Holden and Rutland. He graduated from Classical High School in 1949 and attended the...
John P. Boehnke
Oct 15, 2025
WORCESTER - John P. Boehnke, 82, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He is now reunited with the love of his life, his wife, Brenda J. (Dwyer) Boehnke, who predeceased him in 2011.
Born and raised in Worcester, John was the son of the late William and Mary (Urban) Boehnke. He was...
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