CLASS NEWS
SANDWICH, MA Lois (Jaffe) Simmons of Sandwich, formerly of Leominster, daughter of Maurice and the late Lottie Jaffe, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2008, at her home, after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Robert; her sons, Michael, of Sandwich, Jonathan and his wife, Leslie, and their children, Nathan and Lauren, of Barnstable; her daughter, Lynne Simmons; her granddaughter, Rachel; and several other grandchildren. A graduate of Emerson College, she worked in the Boston school system and at the Riverview School in Sandwich as a speech and language therapist. She recently retired as resident coordinator of Shawme Heights in Sandwich. She was active in the Sisterhood of the Cape Cod Synagogue and served as both treasurer and corresponding secretary. An avid baseball fan, she and her husband hosted players for the Hyannis Mets for more than 25 years. Lois will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and strength. Her strong spirit will remain with those who loved her.
FITCHBURG, MA, Bethel G. “Andy” Anderson, 69, of Fitchburg, died on Thursday, Nov. 15, with his family by his side after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Fitchburg, the son of the late Bethel L. Anderson, who died in 1999, and Gwendolyn (Spaulding) Anderson, who died in 2006. He graduated from Leominster Saxon Trade School in 1958 and served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 429 and the AMVETS Post 49. An avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing, hunting, reading and working in his gardens and backyard fish pond. “Andy” loved the time that he spent at his trailer in Kennebunk, Maine, and the time spent talking with his five grandsons. Before retiring in 2003, Bethel was the owner and operator of Andy’s Lawn Maintenance. He provided landscaping services in the Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner areas for more than 35 years. In addition to his wife of 45 years, Rachel (Desrosiers) Anderson, Bethel is survived by his son, Mark B. Anderson and his wife, Linda, of Ashburnham; his daughter, Heidi Hills and her husband, John, of Fitchburg; his five grandsons, Mark Anderson and his wife, Mandy, of Windham, Maine, Kevin Anderson of Ashburnham, and Michael, Daniel and James Minichiello, all of Fitchburg. We all miss him. Bethel was also a very proud great-grandpa to Jacob Anderson of Windham, Maine. He also leaves his sister, Diane Partridge and her husband, Burl, of Ellijay, Ga.; as well as his nieces, nephews, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.
12/4/06 ENFIELD, Conn, Wesley “Wes” Albert Ricker, 65, of 24 Guild St., Enfield died on Monday, May 8, at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield. He was born in Leominster, Mass., on July 31, 1940, the son of Dorothy (Elliott) Ricker of Leominster and the late Thornton Ricker. He moved to the Enfield community in 1964. He attended George Street School, May A. Gallagher Junior High School, and graduated from the Leominster High School in 1958. During his high school years he worked at Chase Photography and did much of the photography for the high school yearbooks. He also worked at the Nu-Plastic Corporation and was a Past Master Councilor of the Leominster Chapter of the Order of Demolay. He later attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a year before attending Lowell Technical Institute, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. During his college career, he was a summer employee of E. I. DuPont in Leominster. He later worked for the Albi Manufacturing Co., Phillips Medical Systems and Bio-Plexus in Vernon. He retired from Digital Equipment Corp. in Springfield as a Supervisor of Quality Engineering. Mr. Ricker enjoyed photography and was an avid outdoorsman who also enjoyed hiking, camping, sailing, boating, fishing, and the shooting sports. He and his late wife, Liz, had traveled and camped in many areas of the United States and Canada. He was a Past President of the Pine Meadow Photographers, a life member of the National Rifle Association, life member of the National Wildlife Federation, and a member of the East Windsor Sportsman’s Club. In addition to his mother of Leominster, Mr. Ricker is survived by his sister, Sally Flagg and her husband Philip of West Dennis, Mass. and their children, Kathlyn Fini and Heidi Flagg; numerous other nieces and nephews. His beloved wife of 40 years, Elizabeth Ann “Liz” (Kramer) Ricker predeceased him on Feb. 19, 2004. He was also predeceased by his nephew, Philip Flagg, Jr.
10/08/05 Ronald W Stebbins, 66, of 73 Pine St., formerly of Leominster, died Saturday, Oct 8, in his home with his loving family by his side, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Nov 11, 1938, the son of the late Edward and Rose (Aubuchon) Stebbins. He graduated from Leominster Saxton Trade
High School in Leominster in 1958. Mr Stebbins was a self-employed contractor and also worked for several area contractors. Mr Stebbins leaves his wife, Donna (Delage) Stebbins, with whom he would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on Oct. 20; three sons, four daughters, sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandson. He enjoyed cooking and catered many weddings and parties over the years. He was a former member of the Leominster Lodge of Elks, the
Leominster Eagles, and the United Commercial Travelers of Fitchburg.
03/05/05 CARMEL, Maine - Marcia Lee (Harris) Partridge, 65, of Carmel, Maine, and Leominster, Mass., died Saturday, March 5, at home, after a long illness with cancer. She was born on March 5, 1940, in Gardner, the daughter of Alice Inez Gonyou Harris and Vernon Denzel Harris. She earned a dual nursing and teaching degree from Burbank Hospital-Fitchburg State College in 1962. She began nursing and instructing at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge. Mrs. Partridge married her husband, Joe Partridge, on April 3, 1965. They moved their family to Carmel, Maine in 1978. After more than 10 years as a work-at-home mother, she resumed her career as an ICU nurse at the James A. Taylor Osteopathic Hospital in Bangor from 1981 until it closed in 1989. Later that year, she began as an ICU nurse at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. She rounded out her nursing career by developing and staffing SVH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program. She retired in 2003. A woman of deep faith, Mrs. Partridge also served her community by volunteering for nearly 30 years as a Sunday school teacher, active committee member, deaconess and trustee for the Carmel Union Congregational Church. She loved her church and her church family deeply. Most important to her was her family. She loved spoiling her two grandchildren and shared with others her pride in her own two children. She and her husband were looking forward to spending their retirement traveling cross-country in an RV, summering at Popham Beach and reading. Mrs. Partridge is survived by her husband of 40 years, Joseph Patridge of Carmel; her son, Derek Partridge and his wife, Stephanie, and their children Reagan and Grady of Bangor, Maine; her daughter, Deanna Partridge, of Bangor, Maine; her younger brother, Lloyd Harris and his wife, Christine, of Leominster; treasured friends, Iris, Maria, Janet, Kathy, Nancy and JoAnne; and many grateful patients and their families.
21/02/04 LEOMINSTER - John “Goose” J. McHugh, 63, of 100 Main St., died Saturday, Feb. 21, in his home after an illness. He was born in Leominster on Oct. 20, 1940, and was the third son of Dr. James V. and Mary Lou (Chisolm) McHugh. He was a 1958 graduate of Leominster High School and was on the football team. After high school, he had attended Nichols College, in Dudley.
Mr. McHugh was a U.S. Navy veteran serving on the U.S.S. Glennon as a Radarman 3rd Class from 1958 to 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked as a truck driver for A&E Trucking, then working as a custodian for Fitchburg High School, and recently had been a medivan driver for Need-A-Lift. Mr. McHugh was a lifelong resident of Leominster and was a member of St. Leo’s Parish. He was an avid golfer and member of Monoosnock Country Club, a member of the Leominster Eagles, and the St. Jean’s Club. He was an avid Red Sox and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He was also an active member of AA for 12 years.Mr. McHugh is survived by one son, Daniel John McHugh of Fitchburg; one daughter, Debra Ann McHugh of Leominster; his former wife, Andrea E. (Bell) McHugh of Fitchburg; six brothers, James V. McHugh of Raleigh, N.C., Robert C. McHugh of Paonia, Colo., Thomas W. McHugh of Madison, Wisc., Richard D. McHugh of Galway, Ireland, Harry E. McHugh of Oakland, Calif., and Paul V. McHugh of Wilmington, Vt.; one sister, Bonnie L. Greene of Hanover; Aunt Margaret and Uncle Freddy Maffei of Leominster; three nephews; seven nieces; and five cousins.
5/11/03 ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Carole-Anne R. (Caisse) Eveland, of 79 Medfield Drive, Rochester, formerly of Leominster, Mass., died on Monday, Oct. 20, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Fitchburg on April 29, 1940, the daughter of Alfred L. and Sylvia (Smith) Caisse, and attended Leominster schools. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1958 and from Elizabeth Ollis Academy in Worcester. She moved to Rochester in 1959. Mrs. Eveland is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, William A. Eveland; a son, William R. Eveland and daughter-in-law, Therese; a daughter, Debra-Anne Eveland, and grandchildren, Michael and Jessica Eveland, all of Rochester; a sister, Suzanne DiGiovanni, and brother-in-law, Louis DiGiovanni, of Leominster; her mother-in-law, Loleta Eveland of Rochester; nieces, nephews and cousins. Her father, Alfred L. Caisse, died in 1999, and her mother, Syliva (Smith) Caisse, died in 2002. A brother, Barry L. Caisse, also predeceased her in 2000.
24/5/03 NORFOLK, VA - Henry J. Pochini, 62, of 8721 Semmes Ave., Norfolk, Va., formerly of Fitchburg, Mass., died Monday, May 19, in the home of his step-daughter after an illness. Mr. Pochini was born in Fitchburg on June 4, 1940, the son of John and Stella (Molter) Pochini and lived here most of his life until moving to Norfolk several months ago. He graduated from Leominster (Mass.) Trade School. He was employed for many years at the former Digital Equipment Corp. He was then an employment recruiter for several companies, retiring several years ago because of an illness. Mr. Pochini was involved for many years on the Fitchburg Civic Days Committee and was manager of the Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps for several years. He leaves his wife of 22 years, Linda Sue (Beckwith) Pochini; one son, John “Jay” Pochini, and his wife, Gina, of Lunenburg; one daughter, Susan Pochini, of Fitchburg; three stepsons, Reggie Achilles and his wife, Marie, of Marlborough, Robert Achilles and Michael Achilles, both of Norfolk; one step-daughter, Pamela White and her husband, Timothy, of Norfolk; seven grandchildren; and several cousins.
11/6/01 LEOMINSTER - Earl C. Divoll, 63, of 12 May St, died Wednesday, Oct 17, in HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster, after he was stricken ill at home. He was born Dec 25, 1937, in Leominster, the son of Earl K and Mabel M (Viens) Divoll, and had lived here all his life. He graduated from Leominster Trade High School. Mr. Divoll worked at Sterling Light Co, Sterling, for 25 years before retiring in 1993. An avid fisherman and hunter, he was a member of the Leominster Sportsmen's Club. He was also an avid golfer and a member of the Grand View County Club golf league. He leaves his former wife, Joan E (MacGregor) Divoll; a son, Kenneth C Divoll; and a sister, Carolyn J Ringer -- all of Leominster; four nephews and a niece.
08/26/01 Winchendon - Gordon E Clay, 62, of 25 Bemis Road, formerly of Leominster and Fitchburg, died at home Sunday, Aug 26, after an illness. He was born March 31, 1939, in Lunenburg, the son of Fred A and Dorothy L (Healey) Clay, and had lived in Leominster and Fitchburg before moving to Winchendon in 1985. He graduated from Leominster High Trade School in 1958. Mr. Clay was a mold maker at Mar-Lee Mold Inc, Leominster, for the past 29 years. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr Clay was a member of the American Legion, Winchendon Post 193. Besides his mother, living in Leominster, he leaves his wife of 19 years, Lillian M (Wood) Clay; four sons, Michael G Clay of Bridgeport, Conn, Brian R Clay of Winchendon, Robert J Chesbrough of Ashburnham and Michael D Chesbrough of Leominster; a brother, Richard E Clay of Brooksville, Fla; two sisters, Joan M Gould of Fitchburg and Virginia M Bernard of Lunenburg; four grandsons, five great-grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces.
06/25/01 Ashby - Judith (Townsend) Loughlin, 61, of 345 Richardson Road, died Thursday, June 21, in UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, after a brief illness. She leaves her husband of 42 years, Robert H Loughlin; two sons, Timothy J Loughlin of Rindge, NH, and Donald W Loughlin of Fitchburg; two daughters, Lori A Rainville and Linda L Loughlin, both of Ashby; two brothers, Ralph W Townsend of Maryland and Richard L Townsend of Tennessee; a sister, Marilyn L Townsend of Las Vegas; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; nephews and nieces. She was born in Fitchburg, daughter of Ralph H and Alice S (Reeves) Townsend, and graduated from Leominster High School in 1958. Mrs Loughlin was a member of the Fitchburg Church of the Nazarene.
1/17/01 - Evelyn Wood, 96, Retired social studies teacher in Leominster, a resident of the Keystone Center, 44 Keystone Drive, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the center. She was born April 30, 1904, in Leominster, the daughter of Albert R. and Eliza R. (Chapman) Wood, and had lived here all her life. She graduated from Leominster High School and received a degree from Boston University in 1932. After graduating from BU, Miss Wood taught social studies at the former May A. Gallagher Junior High School until her retirement in 1964. She was a member of United Methodist Church and also a member of the former Fortnightly Club. On her 90th birthday, Leominster Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella presented her with a Community Achievement Award. She was also known for her skills in knitting and rug braiding. She leaves a niece, Ann DeRoma Bradley of Hanover, N.H.; a nephew, Joseph H. DeRoma of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; six grandnephews, six great-grandnephews and two great-grandnieces.
10/29/00 - Posted another Reunion Picture (click on link top of page). Do you remember what year it is?
10/25/00 - Marilyn G. (Kirby) Bushnell Melanson, 59, of Fitchburg, an office worker, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the UMass Memorial Medical Center -- University Campus, Worcester, after a brief illness. She leaves her husband of 21 years, Paul A. Melanson; a son, Richard M. Bushnell of Fitchburg; three daughters, Elizabeth L. DiMarzio, Debra L. Carvalho and Suzanne G. Bushnell, all of Leominster; a brother, Donald Kirby of Hubbardston; a sister, Carolyn K. Elder of Leominster; five grandchildren. She was born in Leominster, daughter of Louis and Vivian (Johnson) Kirby. She lived in Leominster before moving to Fitchburg two years ago. Mrs. Melanson worked in the law office of Gelinas & Ward, Fitchburg and previously worked for several years at the Fitchburg Savings Bank. She was also an Avon representative. She enjoyed crafts, gardening, cooking, traveling and her grandchildren. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Flowers may be sent, or contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
6/19/00 - Donna L. (Webber) Perreault, 57, of New Ipswich, NH, formerly of Leominster, Mass., died Thursday, June 15, in UMass Memorial Medical Center -- University Campus in Worcester, Mass., after a short illness. She leaves her husband of 39 years, Paul A. Perreault Sr.; two daughters, Cassandra L. Wallace of Rindge and Danielle Y. Hudson of Peterborough; two sons, Paul A. Perreault Jr. of Francestown and Richard J. Perreault of Greenville; a sister, Betty Tremblay of Townsend, Mass.; a brother, Andrew Webber of Jaffrey; eight grandchildren; nephews and nieces. She was born in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, daughter of Levi and Beryl (Bresnahan) Webber, and lived 31 years in New Ipswich, N.H. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1961. Mrs. Perreault was a supervisor for 19 years at New England Business Service in Peterborough. She enjoyed computers. Memorial donations may be made to UMass Memorial Oncology Department, 55 North Lake Ave., Worcester, MA 01605.
5/28/00 - John A. Normandin, 59; of 64 River St., Leominster, victim of auto accident on Crawford Street, Fitchburg Thursday night, May 25, 2000. He leaves his wife of 39 years, Myrna (Joseph) Normandin; two sons, John J. Normandin of Winchendon and Scott R. Normandin of Fitchburg; a daughter, Lisa DeMar of Leominster; seven brothers, Ronald Normandin of Leominster, Walter Normandin of Fitchburg, James and Eugene Normandin, both of Lunenburg, Emile Normandin of Clinton, Roger Normandin of Jewett City, Conn., and Duffy Normandin of Waco, Texas; three sisters, Ann Muse and Rita Gentile, both of Leominster, and Janet Nault of Fitchburg; nine grandchildren; nephews and nieces. He was born in Leominster, son of Hygine and Selima (Brosseau) Normandin, and graduated from Leominster High School. Mr. Normandin was a salesman for Fitchburg Plumbing & Supply. He previously worked at Bel-Pump of Fitchburg for 30 years. He was a member of St. Anna's Parish and the Leominster Knights of Columbus Council 406.
2/28/99 - A few weeks ago I received an e-mail looking for a certain person with the same name as an LHS classmate. I honestly did not believe it was the same person from the information given to me. I responded with an address and telephone number in hope that they could find out more info. Glad that it turned out as well as this message says. Wish them all the happiness in the world and glad to be of assistance in bringing them together. No names here to respect their privacy...Jim. (Message)..."A couple of weeks ago a friend contacted you asking about Ms ?. You wrote back saying that she is now Ms Z, and gave us her last known telephone number and address. My friend contacted Ms Z, and she was the right person we were looking for. I have been asked by Ms Z, and I wanted to do this as well, to thank you as you were the final link to reuniting Ms Z and myself. Ms Z is my birth mother and she was forced 38 years ago to give me up for adoption. Because of the information you shared, Ms Z and I have been given the opportunity to get to know each other. Also because of your kindness, I have found out that I have a full-blooded sister, and three half-sisters. We are all planning a reunion in April and none of this would have been possible without your assistance. From the entire family, and myself...We say thank you very much"
2/27/99 - James E. Brooks, 58, of 43 Blanchard St., died at home Thursday, Feb. 25, after an illness. Born Nov. 12, 1940, in Leominster, he was the son of Edward and Arlene (Andrews) Brooks, and lived in Leominster all his life. He graduated from Leominster High School, in 1958, and the New England School of Accounting in Worcester, in 1961. Mr. Brooks was an accountant for Tamor Plastic Company. Previously, he had been an accountant for several other plastic companies here. He served as president of Leominster National Little League from 1983-1984. He leaves his wife of 33 years, Patricia A. (Cote) Brooks; a son, Christopher Brooks of Baltimore, Md.; four sisters, Arlene Couture of Tamarac, Fla., and Mary Jane Cuddahy, Kathleen Bergeron and Madeline Hildreth, all of Leominster; nephews, nieces and cousins.
1/13/99 - Our hearts go out to Ronald and Donna Kolb and family after the death of their daughter, Kris K. Kolb, 26, from injuries suffered in a single-car accident near Vine Street. She was born in Leominster and graduated from Leominster High School in 1990 before attending Fisher College, Fitchburg, a student in paralegal studies.
Saturday, February 27, 1999
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Class picture taken by : George A. Schroeder. Greetings to all. I love the site. I am the one who photographed your class at the 40th reunion. Leominster High is dear to me too since I was there from September 1963 until December 31, 1997. I am originally from Texas. You have a pleasant class. (Need a photo taken? E-mail George)
