Memorials
Harry B. Wesley, Jr.

1923  -  2011

Harry B. Wesley, Jr., 88 years old, formerly of 285 Merriam Ave. Leominster, died Thursday, March 24, 2011 in HealthAlliance-Leominster Hospital. He is survived by sons Alan H. Wesley, and Steven A. Wesley, daughters Joyce E. Barclay and Marcia W. Bisson, sister Janet Robbins, grandchildren Jean Sutton, William Barclay, Andrew Bisson, Charles Barclay, David Bisson, Alex Wesley, and Spencer Wesley, 5 great grandchildren Sparrow Sutton, Chance Sutton, Devin Sutton, Dakota Bisson, and Whisper Sutton, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife H. Natalie (Ordway) Wesley in 1997.

Harry was born in Fitchburg on February 11, 1923, son of Harry B. and Marion B. (Howe) Wesley and had lived in Leominster for 79 years. He was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran and served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard retiring as a Major in 1974. He was a photo lithographer at General Electric in Fitchburg for 36 years, before retiring in 1986. Harry was a life long member of the Leominster United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader, Trustee, and Finance Committee member. He was an Eagle Scout, and a member of the Wilder Lodge of Masons in Leominster. Harry was an avid photographer, and for many years took photos of Leominster High School Athletic Teams.

Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster.

Lester Knowles Harvie

1923  -  2010

 Lester Knowles Harvie, 87, of Lancaster, passed away September 14, 2010.

Lester was born on April 16, 1923, in Leominster, the son of Harry M. Harvie and Bessie C. (Knowles) Harvie.

He was a Master Sergeant with the 97th division of the United States Army in World War II. He served in the European Theater of Operations and was awarded the Bronze Star. He also participated in the occupation of Japan and in the 11th Cavalry during Korean conflict.

Lester married Dorothy M. Leger on April 29, 1950, in Fitchburg. She predeceased him in April 2000.

He worked at the former Foster Grant Company for 35 years as chief electrical engineer. He was a licensed master electrician, plant engineer, and registered professional engineer with the State of Massachusetts.

 Lester was a kind hearted, devoted family man who always had a smile and enjoyed working around his home and spending time with family. He leaves four children: David Harvie, James Harvie, Mark Harvie and wife, Patricia Harvie, all of Lancaster, and Kathleen Brouillet and husband, Donald Brouillet of The Woodlands, Texas; seven grandchildren, Jeffery Brouillet of Worcester, Nicole Boniface, Gregory Brouillet and Johnathan Brouillet of The Woodlands, Sarah Harvie of Lancaster, Emily Harvie of Hubbardston, and Ross Harvie of Lancaster; three great-grandchildren; his siblings, Everett Harvie of Lunenburg and Albert Harvie and Ruth Barrows of Leominster; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 10701.

Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home directed arrangements.

Doris L. (Lambert) Manatt

1923 - 2008

Doris L. (Lambert) Manatt died Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Keystone Nursing Center. She is survived by 2 daughters, Susan J. Manatt and husband Jeremy Rogers, and Judith L. Piermarini and husband Steven J. Piermarini, a step-daughter Jessica-Jean Isrep and husband Mohamed Isrep, 6 grandchildren, Diana Lily Manatt-Rogers, Robert B. Rogers-Manatt, John Piermarini, Amy Piermarini, Jamal Isrep and Majda Isrep. Mrs. Manatt was predeceased by her husband John Robert Manatt in 1997.

Doris was born in Leominster on May 24, 1923, the daughter of Arthur and Lillian (Roberts) Lambert and had lived in Leominster all her life. After high school, she graduated from the Burbank School of Nursing, class of 1945, in Fitchburg, MA as a registered nurse. After graduation she worked 12 years for Burbank Hospital before becoming a full time homemaker. Before retiring, Doris also worked for over 15 years for the City of Leominster as a crossing guard assigned to the Merriam Ave. and Blossom St. corner. Doris and John had been members of the SMART club for military retirees who love to travel in RVs. They enjoyed many years of traveling around the country always anticipating meeting up with old retired military friends.

Doris was devoted to her family; she was an excellent seamstress and made the best chocolate chip cookies enjoyed by her grandchildren. She loved her home and enjoyed her neighbors and friends. She was an avid Red Sox fan, she also enjoyed a good laugh and life overall. Doris was a lifelong and very active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Leominster. She enjoyed bible study group and also volunteered at the church thrift store on Saturday mornings and helped with the Christmas bazaar each year. She enjoyed music, especially the big band era and attended many Leominster Colonial Band Concerts conducted by her son-in-law Steven, also playing in the band were her daughter Judy and granddaughter Amy.

Doris was a participant in the Nurses' Health Study, which followed more than 100,000 female registered nurses since the mid-1970s to study older women's and risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Doris was also a long-term breast cancer survivor.

Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery also in Leominster.

Vincent A. DeCarolis

1923  -  2008

Vincent A. “Chasbo” DeCarolis, 84, of 100 Main St., Leominster, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, in HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster.

He is survived by five sons; Michael L. DeCarolis of Leominster, Berardino V. DeCarolis of Rindge, N.H., Vincent C. DeCarolis of Castro Valley, Calif., Richard J. DeCarolis of Leominster and Joseph A. DeCarolis of Lunenburg and six grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his brother John “Benji” DeCarolis and two sisters, Anne Lanza and Mary DeCarolis.

Mr. DeCarolis was born in Leominster on May 4, 1923, son of Berardino and Antonia (Tata) DeCarolis and was a lifelong resident.

He was a member of the Merchant Marines and was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corp Veteran. Chasbo had worked at Simonds Saw & Steel in Fitchburg for more than 35 years before retiring several years ago.

He was a member of the Foggia Club and the former Columbo Hall, both in Leominster. He was a member of the 1945 Leominster Hurricanes, a semi-pro football team. His bocce team “Chasbo’s” was mainly family oriented and he loved playing bocce with his boys. His team played in the Leominster Bocce League for many years, winning many championships. He is considered by some a bocce legend.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 at 11 a.m. in St. Leo’s Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 from 5 to 8 pm in the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster.

Anita  M.  (Descoteaux)  Emma

1923  -  2006

Anita M. (Descoteaux) Emma, 83, of 10 Daniels Heights, Fitchburg, died Sunday, Sept. 24, in her home after a short illness. At her side were her six children and members of her family.

For many years prior to her retirement, Anita worked at the former Foster Grant and American Hoechst of Leominster. She also worked for the Fitchburg School Department as a teacher’s aide. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fitchburg. Her main passion was spending quality time with her family and friends. She loved dancing and was always stepping to the beat. It was such a joy just to be in her company. She taught many how to dance, and until this year she never missed a high school reunion, which would have been her 65th high school reunion..

She was born in Leominster on March 21, 1923, a daughter of the late Oscar and Celina (Bruneau) Descoteaux and lived in this area all of her life.

She leaves three sons, Stephen J. Emma, Billy L. Emma, and Paul Emma and three daughters, Bonnie L. Picone, Denise M. Russian, and Suzanne Shields; two brothers, Raymond and Roland Descoteaux and a sister, Lucille Wilkie, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Tommy Emma, in 1949. Burial was in St. Cecelia’s Cemetery.

 James Francis Sweeney

1923 - 2009

James Francis Sweeney, 86, died Thursday, December 10, 2009. He was a lifelong resident of Leominster and was the first boy born at Leominster Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife, Teresa (White) Sweeney, to whom he was happily married for 53 years. He was the son of Irish immigrants, Frank and Bridget (McNamara) Sweeney. He was also predeceased by his brother, John Sweeney of Danbury, Conn.

He graduated from Leominster High School and attended Northeastern University, before joining the army during World War II. He was a corporal and served in the Pacific Theatre. Upon an honorable discharge from the military, he was employed as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Leominster for thirty five years. He was also a lifelong member of St. Leo's Parish.

He leaves his daughter, Joanne Sweeney and her husband Robert Welch of Newburyport, and his son, Brian Sweeney and his wife Nancy of Fitchburg. He was also the proud grandfather of Conor and Maura Welch of Newburyport and Lauren Sweeney of Fitchburg.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster with a Mass at 11 AM in St. Leo's Church, 128 Main Street, Leominster. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 4-7 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of James and Teresa Sweeney to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham, MA 02451, or to a charity of one's choice.

 

To Add or Correct Info Email:      TommyD@LeominsterHigh.com

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