VIRGINIA MARIE ARSENAULT
April 22, 1931 ~ January 9, 2020 (Age 88)

Virginia Marie Arsenault, 88, of Westminster joined her late husband Oswald Gerard Arsenault at the gates of heaven, on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Virginia met the love of her life, Ossie at the Sammy Kay Dance studio where he was a dance instructor. After 25 years she is finally in Ossie's arms dancing to their favorite song, "Can I have this dance for the rest of my life." She is rejoicing, knowing they will never be apart again.

She leaves two sons, Daniel Arsenault and his wife Carolee of Westminster, Peter Arsenault and his wife Carol of Winchendon; her five daughters, Susan Bielak and her husband Richard of Templeton, Cynthia Boulanger and her late husband Wilfred of Ashburnham, Pamela Hache and her husband Rene of Westminster; Marie Richard and her husband Brian of Westminster, Corinne Mascal and her husband Patrick of Baldwinville; one brother, Richard Hancock and his wife Beverly of Gardner; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 2 great-greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; several cousins, along with hundreds of people who affectionately call her Mom Arsenault and Meme.

Virginia was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Hancock Twing, as well as two of her grandchildren, Jamie and Sarah.

She was born in Fitchburg on April 22, 1931 a daughter of the late Melvin and Emma Beatrice (Whitcomb) Hancock. She received the Golden F during her graduation ceremony from Fitchburg High School Class of 1949. She retired after many years from Stop & Shop. She also worked in the lab and pediatrics at Heywood Hospital, but her favorite job by far was raising her children.

Virginia was a faithful member of Higher Ground Ministries where she actively served as a greeter along with her husband. She visited nursing homes with the Clown ministry, and she rocked many babies to sleep on her lap in the nursery.

Calling hours will be on Monday, January 13, 2020 in the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli and the Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 243 Water Street, Fitchburg from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Arsenault's name to the Higher Ground Ministries, 186 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

For further information see www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net.

DAVID CARL SMITH
November 18, 1946 ~ January 14, 2020 (Age 73)

Albany: David Carl Smith, 73, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Evergreen Commons Nursing facility in East Greenbush, NY after a long illness. David was born November 18, 1946 to the late Rena Mary Angier Smith and Earl Eric Smith in Burlington, Vermont where his father worked as a lineman for Vermont and New Hampshire Electric companies. The family later settled in Schaghticoke, NY where David attended Hoosic Valley Central School and excelled at baseball and was an avid basketball player. He excelled at these sports to the degree that in 1965 upon graduation, he was recruited and signed a professional contract with the Chicago White Sox franchise as a pitcher with a 95 mile an hour fastball. David wintered in Sarasota, Florida during spring training for 5 years while playing ball in Appleton, Wisconsin and other locales. After being released from the Chicago White Sox, David worked for the A&P Warehouse in Albany for many years and later at Portec, Inc. in Troy and at the NYS Dept.of Labor. In his spare time, David was a referee for various basketball games at local schools back in the 1970's and early 80's. David played for the Albany Twilight League for a few years. He belonged to several bowling and golf leagues and enjoyed taking his daughter to various sports functions and vacations. He had also been a member of the Elks Organization in East Greenbush, NY. David is survived by his daughter, Tanya Smith Rudko (Mike) and his grandchildren; Ivan Michael and Sonia Marie Rudko. David's late wife, Kathy predeceased him in June 2019. David is also survived by his brother, Earl Albert Smith (late Carol), and his nephew, Shawn (Shannon) Smith and their family in Florida. David is also survived by many extended cousins and Uncles Francis, Larry and Frank Angier and their families, along with his former wife, Zina Smith. Family and friends are invited and may call on Friday, January 17, 2020 between 4 and 7pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals Home, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY. A funeral service will be held at 6pm Friday by Father Vasyl Dovgan. Inurnment will be in the spring in Winchendon, Massachusetts where his parents and grandparents are buried. To leave a special message of condolence for the family, please visit www.NewComerAlbany.com. http://www.lastingmemories.com/david-carl-smith.

SANDRA M. HARDY
September 22, 1950 ~ January 8, 2020 (Age 69)

WINCHENDON: Sandra M. (Renaud) Hardy, 69, of Linden Street, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol following an illness, with loved ones surrounding her.

Born in Clinton on September 22, 1950, she was a daughter of Harold and Ethel (Gibbons) Renaud went to the Raven Hill Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from the Academy of the Assumption in Key Biscayne, Florida in 1968.

A wonderful mother who will be greatly missed, Sandra had worked 20 years as a case manager for Life Skills.

Besides spending time with her family, Sandra loved shopping and traveling, especially taking many cruises.

Sandra is survived by her children, Amy Seymour Bushay of Athol, Lisa Drew (Jeff) of Townsend, Matthew Seymour (Elizabeth) of Clinton, Tanya Hardy (Al Herr) of Gardner, James Hardy Jr. (Tiffani) and Steven Hardy (Danielle) of Orange; many grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and two sisters, Carol O'Rourke of Maine and Florida, and Elaine McCarthy of Connecticut and Florida.

A calling hour will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 5- 6 p.m. at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 13th at Witty's Funeral Home in Orange.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com.

RUSSELL BOURGOIN
January 30, 1949 ~ January 10, 2020 (Age 70)

Russell Bourgoin, 70, died in Jamaica Plain, MA on Friday, January 10, 2020. Rusty passed away peacefully with daughter Nicole Carlsburg and son-in-law Melsen Carlsburg by his side.

Rusty was born on January 30, 1949 to Ingeborg and Joseph Bourgoin in Stuttgart, Germany, but he spent the majority of his childhood in Waterville, ME. He moved to Boston where he graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Psychology. Rusty worked for the Social Security Administration, and then became a Computer Systems Analyst who worked for a number of communications companies. He and his family moved to Winchendon, MA in 1985, where he resided until his death. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Kathy Sullivan.

Rusty was a long-time member of the Gardner Lodge of Elks and the Gardner Fish & Gun Club. Some of Rusty’s favorite things were sharing a beer and a laugh with his friends, playing music, New England sports teams (especially the Red Sox), bird watching, and spending time with family.

He is survived by Bourgoin siblings Alfred (Laura Campbell), Terry (Cheryl Adams), Karen (Mike Labbe), Mark (Pam), and Tina (Scott Willette); honorary brother Wayne Kantor, many loving nieces and nephews, and friends too numerous to name.

A celebration of his life will be held from 11am-2pm on Saturday April 4, 2020 at the Gardner Lodge of Elks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Marfan Foundation or the Winchendon Council on Aging.

BONNIE GAMBILL
February 3, 1943 ~ January 9, 2020 (Age 76)

Bonnie Jeane (Clay) Gambill, 76, of East Longmeadow, MA died January 9, at Gardner Rehab & Nursing in Gardner, MA. She was born February 3, 1943 in Springfield, MA to the late Leonard and Jeane (Wilson) Clay. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1961 and later received a bachelor’s degree in history from Westfield State College. She proudly served in the U.S. Army and married the late William R. Gambill on July 2, 1965, in Tucson, AZ. Family was very important to her. Bonnie will be fondly remembered for her love of games, reading, genealogy, and Civil War history. She is survived by her four children, William Jr. of Ludlow, Scott and wife Tracy of Winchendon, Susan Marchildon and husband Kevin of Chicopee, and David and wife Debbie of Westfield; three siblings, Susan Clay of Santee, CA, Donald Clay and wife Diane of Danbury, NH, and David Clay and wife Brenda of Gretna, LA; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 10:00am -11:00am in Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N Main St, East Longmeadow, MA. A memorial service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will be in Billings Hill Cemetery, East Longmeadow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com.

AMANDA B. SHEPARD
April 26, 1983 ~ January 5, 2020 (Age 36)

SOMERVILLE – Amanda B. Shepard, 36, of Somerville, died Sunday January 5, 2020.

She was born in Ware, MA., daughter of John Luukko and Bonnie Shepard of Winchendon.

Amanda loved to go fishing, deep sea fishing, camping and traveling. She loved to make people happy and enjoyed cookouts with family and friends. She had many jobs.

In addition to her parents, she leaves three children, Bethany Shepard, Andrew Owens and Annette Cormier; a granddaughter, Jazlyn Speight; three brothers, Jason Shepard, Matthew Shepard and Jeffrey Shepard; a sister, Jessica Shepard; three nephews, Odin Shepard, Steven Shepard and Allen Anderson; an aunt, Donna Rozzen; two uncles Kenneth Shepard and John Rozzen, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private and the convenience of the family.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

STEPHEN R. LEGER
October 10, 1956 ~ January 13, 2020 (Age 63)

Fitchburg--Stephen R. Leger, 63 of Fitchburg, MA passed away at his residence on Monday January 13, 2020. He was born in Fitchburg, MA October 10, 1956 the son of the late Rene and Patricia (Jenness) Leger and lived in Fitchburg all of his life. He was a project coordinator for Unitil for many years and retired to care for his parents. After his retirement he held a part time job at Hannaford. Stephen enjoyed hiking with his grandchildren and searching his ancestry. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church. He was a graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School class of 1974. He is survived by his children, Matthew Leger and his fiance Betty Coolidge of Winchendon, MA, Jennifer Fantasia and her husband John of Winchendon, MA, Peter Leger and his wife Jessica of Fitchburg, MA, and Joseph Leger and his wife Nicole of Fitchburg, MA, his brother Timothy Leger and wife Susan of Saratoga, California, his brother-in-law Al Pope in Holland, MA, thirteen grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. His funeral will be held on Saturday January 18,2020 with a Mass @ 10:30a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Sheridan St., Fitchburg. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. A calling hour will be held prior to the Mass, from 9:15 until 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday and all are welcome to attend. The Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home, 99 Summer St., Fitchburg, MA is directing.