Memorials
Dorothy A. (Brooks) Guadagnoli

1925  -  2010

 

Dorothy A. (Brooks) Guadagnoli 85 of Leominster died Friday August 27, 2010 in UMass Healthcare in Worcester. She was born on August 8, 1925 in Leominster; MA was the daughter of Charles I. and Nellie J. (Verge) Brooks. She was a graduate of Leominster High School and Fitchburg State College. Dorothy worked as a school teacher at the Johnny Appleseed School in Leominster for 25 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster, the Daughters of Isabella, the Montachusett Organ Society, the Golden Ages, a Leominster Hospital Volunteer for 24 years, she volunteered at Johnny Appleseed, and St. Leo’s Parish where she taught C.C.D. She is survived by three daughters Debra Visco of Fitchburg, Donna Leibovitz of York Beach, Maine, and Diane Brock of Eugene, Oregon, two sisters Lorraine Gowdy of Leominster and Janet Langdon of Harrisburg, Oregon, and five grandchildren & 2 great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband Gino D. Guadagnoli who died in 1989. Dorothy will be remembered for her loving ways to god, families and the many lives she touched.

The funeral will be held from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St in Leominster on Monday August 30, 2010 with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Leo’s Church 128 Main St in Leominster, Burial will be in St. Leo’s Cemetery Leominster, calling hours will be Sunday from 4;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Donations may be made in her memory to St. Vincent De Paul Society or St. Leo’s Parish 128 Main St Leominster, MA 01453.

Doris L. (Bourgoin) Hastings

1924 - 2009

 

 Doris L. "Dottie" (Bourgoin) Hastings, 84 years old, of Leominster, MA, died Monday, July 27, 2009 in her home after an illness. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by her loving family and friends. She is survived by her son, Michael P. Hastings and his wife Patina Hastings of Cinnaminson, NJ, her daughter, Cynthia L. Hastings-Brutvan and her husband, Donald Brutvan of Westminster, her sister, Phyllis Dineen of Fitchburg, her 4 grandchildren, Heather Mee Hastings of Philadelphia, PA, Sean Michael Hastings of Myrtle Beach, SC, Lucas Jin Brutvan of Westminster and Rachel Yu Brutvan of Westminster, several nieces and nephews, especially Kevin Haverty of Alstead, NH, and Brian Haverty of Lunenburg, and her many good friends and neighbors including Carlene, Dorrie, and Bev, and the snowplow gang of Flaggler Rd. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Bourgoin.

Mrs. Hastings was born in Leominster on April 6, 1925, daughter of Raymond and Maybelle (Sargent) Bourgoin and was a lifelong resident. In 1943, she graduated from Leominster High School where she was secretary of her class, a member of the Student Council, and a varsity cheerleader. In her younger years, she was an avid ballroom dancer and especially loved to jitterbug on Saturday nights at the Whalom Ballroom. Dottie had worked for 43 years for the Division of Employment Security where she began as a claims clerk and worked her way up to Head Interviewer and Office Supervisor. Mostly, she worked at the Fitchburg office but also served at Gardner, Worcester, Clinton and Boston. Mrs. Hastings was known by all for her never-ending kindness and compassion for those who were on unemployment insurance. She retired on April 6, 1986 and enjoyed many activities including the former Putnam Alley's Wednesday Morning Coffee Bowling Team, St. Cecilia's Friday night bingo, trips to Foxwoods casino, watching the Boston Red Sox, especially Mike Lowell, gardening and cooking, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. Her memory, spirit, and love of life will be deeply cherished by all whose lives she touched.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church, the Leominster Senior Center, the Golden Age Club, and the Mass. Retired State Employees Association.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 31 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a mass at 10 am in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Diversified Home Services - Hospice, 25 Tucker Dr., Leominster, MA 01453.

Doris ( Ceruto ) DiRusso

1924 - 2009

Doris M. DiRusso lifelong resident of Leominster; 84 LEOMINSTER Doris M. (Ceruto) DiRusso, 84 years old, of Leominster, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 11, 2009. She is survived by her son, Christopher M. DiRusso and his wife, Tina DiRusso of Longwood, FL; her 5 daughters, Susan A. Moniz and her husband, Gregory E. Moniz, Joan A. Sparks, Nancy M. Bell and her husband, John C. Bell, Carla M. Antocci and her husband, Robert F. Antocci and Amelia "Amy" A. Peralta and her husband, Thomas A. Peralta, Jr., all of Leominster; her sister, Lorraine McNamara of Falmouth; her brother, Robert Ceruto of Leominster; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Her husband of 54 years, Dante J. DiRusso died in 2003. She was also predeceased by 2 sisters, Pauline Hachey, and Theresa Jones. Mrs. DiRusso was born in Leominster on November 27, 1924, daughter of Rosario and Aurora (Contois) Ceruto, and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1943, and was a member of Holy Family of Nazareth Church in Leominster. She had worked for the Clerk of Courts in Leominster and then was a case worker for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services in Fitchburg, before retiring in 1992. Doris was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. Her enthusiasm for family, life and music defined her. Some of her talents included gourmet cooking, rug braiding, knitting and sewing. Sports were a joy to her throughout her life and following the "Celtics", and golf in later years gave her much enjoyment. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2009 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a mass at 10 am in Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster. Burial will be in St. Leo's Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 4-6 pm in the funeral home. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net

Robert Barlow

1925 - 2009

Robert Barlow, 83 years old, died suddenly, early Sunday morning, March 15, 2009 in his home here in Leominster. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Wanda V. (Mancewicz); 2 sons, William Barlow and his wife Rhonda of Overland Park, Kansas, James Barlow and his wife Donna of Leominster; and twin grandsons, Daniel and Andrew Barlow.

Robert was born June 3, 1925 in Leominster, son of the late Henry and Edith (Taylor) Barlow and had lived here all his life. Mr. Barlow graduated from the Burdett Business School of Boston. He was employed by the Army Exchange Service at Fort Devens where he worked for over 30 years, retiring as store manager in 1982. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and as a Sergeant also served in Korea from 1946-47. He was member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Leominster, the Leominster Senior Citizens Club, the Golden Age Club, the American Association for Retired Persons, and had been a past President of the New England Chapter of Area Military Bases with which he was associated for many years.

A funeral was held from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home with a service in St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

James F. Pritchard
1923  -  2008

James F. Pritchard, 84, of 803 Pleasant St., Leominster, died Friday, Jan. 11, after an illness.

Mr. Pritchard was born in Clinton on Sept. 2, 1923. He received his associate’s degree from Nichols College, his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and his master’s degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force and was a captain at the time of his discharge. He worked in investment securities and was the owner of J.F. Pritchard Group International.

Mr. Pritchard is in the Nichols College Athletic Hall of Fame for football and track, and is in the University of New Hampshire Athletic Hall of Fame for football. He was past president of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion Association and helped plan and design a monument dedicated to the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion that is located at Fort Devens.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion C. (Harrington) Pritchard; two daughters, Linda Aschenbrenner of Illinois and Jennifer Safron of Westminster; two sons, James Pritchard of Cape Cod and Shawn Pritchard of Leominster; four grandchildren, Erinn Gibbons of Illinois, Matthew Pritchard of Ohio, 1st Sgt. Michael Pritchard, USMC in Iraq, and Eric Aschenbrenner of New York City, and six great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Winchendon. There are no calling hours.

James F. Buckley   1926 - 2007

Mr. Buckley, a native of Leominster, was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Milton, the son of Cornelius and Josephine (Curry) Buckley.

He was the first Eagle Scout of St. Leo’s parish. While in high school he played baseball, basketball and football. 

In 1943, Jim joined the navy and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, serving on the LST 382 Navy ship.

Jim owned and operated C.E. Buckley Inc., a family-owned business with his brothers, serving as president from 1947 until his retirement in 1994.

He leaves his devoted wife of 60 years, Ellen (Crowley) Buckley; two sons, David Buckley of Wilmington, Vt., and Kevin Buckley and his wife, Deborah, of Leominster; and a daughter, Susan Buckley from Eastham; four grandchildren, Ryan Piermarini and his wife, Jennifer, from Liverpool, N.Y., Kevin Piermarini from New Zealand, Briana and Erin Buckley from Leominster, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, James. F. Buckley Jr.; and his siblings, Robert Buckley, Cornelius Buckley and Joan McKenna. Burial was with full military honors in St. Leo’s Cemetery.

Harold L. Bassett Jr

1925 - 2006

 

Harold L. Bassett Jr., 81, of 44 Hall St., Leominster, died Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Veterans Administration Hospital, Bedford.

He was born in Leominster, the son of Harold L. and Helen J. (Grady) Bassett Sr. He also graduated from Worcester Boys Trade school in 1949. He was on the board of directors of the Joanettes all-girl Drum and Bugle Corps and J’s management.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and Korea. During World War II, he served as a Radioman 2 class aboard the cruiser USS Biloxi in the Western Pacific. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal with six bronze stars; Philippine Liberation ribbon with two combat stars; Philippine Republic Presidential unit citation; Navy occupation service medal, Japan; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Medal. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving aboard the destroyer escort USS Fessenden in the Atlantic.

His wife was the late Janet L. (Kingsbury) Bassett, who died in 1985. He is survived by four daughters, Deborah Gilbertand, Lynn Sarao, Jean Ricci and Joan Maillett, all of Leominster. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Michael Bassett; a daughter, Pamela Bassett; and a sister, Marion Steele. Burial with military honors was in Evergreen cemetery.

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

Directory     Class of '43