JOHN L. BASSO
February 21, 1940 ~ April 24, 2020 (age 80)

TEMPLETON – John L. Basso, 80, Baldwinville, died peacefully Friday morning, April 24, 2020 in his home with his loving children by his side. He is now reunited with his wife Sally (Wetzler) Basso who passed away March 29, 2009.

He was born in Gardner on February 21, 1940, son of the late John and Marguerite (Cherichetti) Basso and was a 1958 graduate of Narragansett Regional High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1958 to 1960 aboard the USS Yosemite, and from 1960- 1962 aboard the USS Roan. He was a Vietnam Veteran. As a younger man John served as a fire fighter on the Winchendon Fire Dept. for many years. John was a retired union carpenter and had also retired from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. An avid hunter and fisherman, John also enjoyed riding his Harley and spending time with his dog Oscar. He truly enjoyed spending time at his camp in Maine. John was a member of the American Legion in Baldwinville.

He leaves six children, Anthony Basso and his wife Kim of Royalston, Todd Basso and his wife Karla of Baldwinville, Terry Basso of Gardner, John Basso and his wife Susan of Winchendon, Debora Basso and her significant other Rick of Gardner and Jessica Basso-Sutton and her husband Derek of Templeton and as well Audrey Christian of Winchendon. He also leaves a sister, Vilma Basso- Hendrickson of Baldwinville, 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. A sister, Gloria Basso McDonald predeceased him.

Military funeral services will be held at a later date in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 255 Main Street Suite 213, Marlborough, MA 01752.

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

WAYNE A. SAWYER
June 13, 1957 ~ April 26, 2020 (age 62)

WINCHENDON – Wayne A. Sawyer, 62, of 55 Woodlawn Street, died peacefully Sunday morning, April 26, 2020 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer, with his loved ones at his side.

He was born in Winchendon on June 13, 1957, son of the late Maurice J. and June A (Ackert) Sawyer and lived here for most of his life.

Wayne was educated in Winchendon and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. After returning from the service, Wayne formed a home town band, “Toy Town.”

Wayne and his wife Patty lived for twenty years in Orange, where they raised their family. They later returned to their childhood St in Winchendon, where they shared much love with their lifelong neighbors. Wayne was a gifted guitarist. While living in Orange, he joined two bands, “White Lightning” and “Full Circle.” Wayne worked as a corrections officer for 32 years in Gardner until his retirement in 2015. He later worked at the Stetson School, where he impacted the lives of many of the students.

Wayne had many passions including yard work, trips to the ocean with family, playing and listening to music and hiking endless miles with his dogs. For those who knew Wayne best they could tell you that fishing was his ultimate joy. It was a true passion that he loved to share with others. Whether it was his own two children, his grandkids, friends and their kids, Wayne took much pleasure in bringing people out on the water in his boat or ice fishing local ponds in the area. Anyone who had a chance to fish was Wayne knows it was an experience you wouldn't forget and more importantly you always caught fish.

He was a devoted friend to so many and He treasured time with his family.

He leaves his wife of 39 years, Patricia A. (Greenwood) Sawyer; two children, Wayne M. Sawyer and his companion Carolyn Sault of Hubbardston and Emily I. Scott and her husband Peter of Erving; two adored grandchildren, Abrahm Scott and Gwendolyn Scott; a brother Chris A. Sawyer and his wife Linda of Phillipston; a sister, Wendy J. Gould of Athol; sister in law, Rae-Lynn Kinzie and her husband Dylan of Winchendon and a brother in law, Ed Greenwood. Wayne was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Sawyer; a sister Darlene F. Carter and his mother in law Carol Greenwood.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the GVNA hospice team as well as Pastor John and Dawn.

Military funeral services and a Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

Memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children Research Hospital, PO Box 100 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

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

MARY E. HASKINS
August 28, 1923 ~ April 24, 2020 (age 96)

WINCHENDON – Mary E. (Underwood) Haskins, 96, of Winchendon, died peacefully Friday afternoon, April 24, 2020 in Fitchburg Healthcare, Fitchburg.

She was born in Antrim, NH on August 28, 1923, daughter of the late Maurice L. and Gladys M. (Sargent) Underwood and was a1941 graduate of Murdock High School. Mary was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life.

Mary worked many years ago as a secretary to the principal of Murdock High School. After raising her family, she returned to work at the former Goldens Five and Dime in Winchendon and then as a secretary and bookkeeper at Godroy Wholesalers in Fitchburg. She retired at the age of 65. Active in her church, Mary was a member of the former First Methodist Church of Winchendon and the United Parish, where, for both churches, she was secretary-treasurer for several years. Mary was also a long time member of the Winchendon Conservation Commission. In addition to spending time with her family, she loved to walk 5 to 10 miles each day.

Her husband, Walter L. Haskins Jr., whom she married on October 30, 1943, died in 1984. She leaves two sons, Richard L. Haskins and his wife Dawn of Templeton and Walter E. Haskins and his wife Janet of Gardner; a granddaughter Alyssa Leigh Zelesky and her husband Jason of Gardner; three great grandchildren, Aidan Zelesky, Brady Zelesky and Avah Zelesky; a sister, Terry Sanborn of Templeton and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by two daughters, Linda Haskins, who died at birth in 1946 and Patricia A. Haskins, who died in 2017; a brother Maurice Underwood in 1990 and Ruth Cadrette in 2019.

Private funeral services will be held in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon, MA 01475.

CLAYTON H. HEWITT
June 14, 1959 ~ April 23, 2020 (age 60)

Clayton Hilton Hewitt died on April 23, 2020 at Wingate at Needham. An assisted-living facility.

Born at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 14, 1959 to John H. and Thelma K. Hewitt. Clayton grew up mainly in Needham and in Dover. He attended public schools in Needham and Dover and later enrolled at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, before transferring to Dover-Sherborn Regional High School from which he was graduated in 1978. Upon graduation from Dover-Sherborn, he attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island and was graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts in 1982. Clayton also attended Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management in 2006.

Clayton served in the U.S. Army in the United States and in Germany from 1982 to 1984 as a Multichannel Equipment Communications Operator. He was married in 1989 to Laura Baird of Dover. They later divorced.

Clayton lived for 35 years in Needham at Charles Court East. He was an avid hiker, reader and for 33 years, a proud member of AA, where he led countless meetings.

He is survived by his parents, John and Thelma Hewitt of New London, New Hampshire and by his sister Susan A. Hewitt of Taunton. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Clayton's honor may be made to the Green Mountain Club, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, Vermont 05677.

To share a memory of Clayton or a messages of condolence with his family, please visit www.eatonfuneralhomes.com.

HENRY J. McPHEE
July 4, 1928 ~ April 28, 2020 (age 91)

WINCHENDON – Henry J. McPhee, 91, of 45 Hale Street, died peacefully Tueday morning, April 28, 2020 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Boston on July 4, 1928, son of the late Henry B. and Sarah (MacDonald) McPhee and grew up in Boston, where he graduated from Boston Trade School. Henry proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War.

Henry worked for many years as a yardman for the MBTA until his retirement. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved from Acton to Winchendon.

His wife of 55 years, Caroline E. (LeBlanc) McPhee died in 2010. He leaves six children, Catherine Kasziewicz and her husband James of Washougal, WA, Mary Scesny and her husband David of Shirley, Therese Graham of Dover Foxcroft, ME, Cecilia Haigh and her husband Robert of Winchendon, Daniel McPhee of Winchendon and Carolyn D’Angelo and her husband Robert of Gardner, 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Angus McPhee, Donald McPhee and Anne McPhee.

Private funeral services will be held in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Burial will be in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to Maryknoll Sisters, PO Box 311, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311.

ROBERT A. HELIE
May 29, 1940 ~ April 25, 2020 (age 79)

WINCHENDON – Robert A. Helie, 79, of 3 Congress Road, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2020 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Winchendon on May 29, 1940, son of the late William and Phoebe (Duquette) Helie and was a resident of Winchendon for most of his life.

Bob was educated in Winchendon schools and proudly served his country as a member of United States Army. Bob worked as a truck driver in earlier years and later worked as a woodworker for many years at the former Temple Stuart Furniture Company until it closed. An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Bob greatly enjoyed camping with his close friends.

His wife. Jeannette M. (Nalette) Helie, died in 2011. He leaves four children, Kathleen A. Helie of Auburn, Karon M. Heerdt and her husband Dana of Webster, Karla J. Ramsey and her husband Wayne of Campbell, NY and Keven R. Helie and his wife Meredith of Winchendon; four grandchildren, Nicole L. Heerdt, Zachry M. Ramsey, Nicholas J. Ramsey and Joshua J. Helie; three great grandchildren, Alina, Aiden and Alivia; his companion, Suzanne Rocheleau, as well as nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond Helie and Francis Helie and two sisters, Rachel Priest and Madeline D. Tatro.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

A service of remembrance will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 3 Speen Street, Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701.

JOAN BIEN EDLEY
April 20, 2020 (age 78)

Joan Bien Edley (Age 78) died April 20, 2020, at Dulles Health and Rehab Center, in Fairfax County, Virginia of COVID-19 complications. Joan was born in Newark, New Jersey. She grew up in Laurence Harbor, New Jersey and through the years resided in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida and Virginia. After her retirement, Joan served as a Foster Grandparent for Prince Georges' County Maryland, and volunteered at Chillum Elementary School, Hyattsville, Maryland for 20 years. Joan was a caring wife, mother, and grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Predeceased by her husband Joseph Edley; brothers Fred and Joseph Bien; sisters Marie Schwartz, Anna Parkstrom, Regina Silette; and granddaughter Nadine Gifford. Survived by her daughter Maryjo (Edley) and her husband Robert Gifford of Winchendon, Massachusetts, daughter, Robyne Edley Kenton and her husband Steven Kenton of Great Falls, Virginia; brother Richard Bien; twin-sister Jane Jennings, and sister Betty Cuoco; grandchildren Robert Joseph and Nathanial Gifford and Ivy, Emma, and Joseph Kenton.

Services will be held at a future date after the coronavirus situation eases.

RICHARD F. TORSTENSEN
October 12, 1951 ~ April 22, 2020 (age 68)

Richard F Torstensen, 68, of Orange passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2020 after battling a long illness.

Born on October 12, 1951 in Athol, MA, the son of the late Ralph H. and Charlotte (Keay) Torstensen.

Richard grew up in Orange, attending schools in Orange, later transferring to the Greenfield Technical School where he studied carpentry and metal working.

He enlisted in the Army in August 1969, and was honorably discharged in February of 1972. While in the Army he studied welding and became a certified welder.

He then went on to continue using his welding skills working for Cianbro in Portland, ME and was active in the construction of the Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. He also worked for East Coast Steel and McQuire & Jones (also in ME), steel working with his son on bridges and highways though-out Maine. He later went to work for the City Center Mall in Portland, ME.

Upon his return to the Orange area he worked as a carpenter in Boston installing large glass panels, which included the Fox 25 News building. He also worked at the L.S. Starrett Co in the band saw division & metal fabrication.

Richard retired when his health began to decline, but kept himself busy working on his jeeps and raising his daughter. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.

Richard is survived by his partner and caregiver Rae Lynn Higginson, their daughter Misty Dawn Higginson (of Orange), his son David Torstensen and four grandchildren: Deklen, Dawson, Elizabeth, and Brook Lynn (of Kennebunk, ME). Three Sisters: Mary Zwicker, Electa Keay (both of Orange), and Katrina Cass (Winchendon). Additionally he leaves behind many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Anyone who wishes to donate towards funeral expenses please send to: Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364.

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

You may offer your sympathy online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM.