The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of July 16 to July 23, 2020

Obituaries

David Robichaud

DAVID ROBICHAUD
November 23, 1954 ~ July 6, 2020 (Age 65)

FITCHBURG – David Robichaud, 65, of Fitchburg, formerly of Winchendon died Monday, July 6, 2020.

He was born in Winchendon on November 23, 1954, son of the late George Berthel and Bella T. (LaFortune) Robichaud and was a 1972 graduate of Murdock High School. He lived in Winchendon for most of his life.

Dave worked as a machinist for many years for General Electric.

He leaves a sister, Dale Richard and her husband Eugene of Gardner; a sister in law, Justine Robichaud of Gardner and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Robichaud.

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

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

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

Nicholas L. Freda

NICHOLAS L. FREDA
February 20, 1936 ~ July 8, 2020 (Age 84)

Nicholas L. Freda, 84, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2020 in Leominster Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Nicholas was born in Fitchburg on February 20, 1936, a son of the late Rocco Freda and Judith (Meyette) Freda. He enlisted in the US Navy, where he proudly served his country aboard the U.S.S. Clarence K. Bronson DD-668, alongside two of his brothers. While in service, Nicholas married his beloved wife, Pauline on October 1, 1955. After his honorable discharge in 1959, Nicholas served four more years in the Navy Reserves until 1963.

Nicholas is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Pauline G. Freda of Fitchburg; children, Nicholas F. Freda and wife Cynthia of Rindge, NH, Paula Burdell and husband Kevin of Winchendon, David Freda of Fitchburg; Anne-Marie Franz and husband Manfred of Fitchburg; grandchildren, Ashley Rice, Tiffany Fibich, Nicholas Freda, Christopher Burdell, Alisha Kaliviotis, Thomas Burdell, Erick Freda, Jacob Freda, Samantha Franz, Melissa Franz, Gregory Franz, and Michael Franz ; 10 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and a brother Ronald Freda of FL.

He worked for 27 years at the former Weyerhaeuser/James River Paper Company until they closed, he then worked for The City of Fitchburg, as Head Custodian at South Street School for 15 years until his retirement in 1998. Nicholas' greatest passion was golf where he enjoyed every aspect of it, including the summer golf program where he helped teach proper techniques of golf, to kids. He belonged to the Monoosnock Country Club since1959, where he got his first hole in one on June 3, 2005 on the 4th hole. He was also a member of the St. Joseph Club in Fitchburg, where he enjoyed shooting pool for many years. Nicholas looked forward to spending his winters in Sarasota, FL, with his wife Pauline, where he continued to play golf, enjoy the weather and getting together with friends. He loved seeing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Nicholas is predeceased by his two brothers Rocco Freda in 1991 and Edward "Gary" Freda in 2017.

Calling hours will be held in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Thursday, July 16, from 5-7pm. The funeral Mass will be held in Saint Joseph Church, 49 Woodland St. Fitchburg on Friday, July 17 at 10:00am. Burial will be held privately at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, in Winchendon, where military honors will be provided by the United States Navy. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

Christopher Brown

CHRISTOPHER BROWN
1971 ~ July 8, 2020 (Age 48)

Fitchburg - Christopher Brown, 48, passed away on Wednesday July 8, 2020 at UMass Memorial. Chris grew up in Hardwick and also lived in Winchendon, Gardner and Fitchburg. We will be holding a private service at Cebula Funeral Home in Ware. Instead of flowers, please make a donation to Spinal Cord Research or the Epilepsy Foundation.

Chris leaves behind his wife Patti-Jo (L'heureux) Brown of Fitchburg, mother Raylene (Bissel) Brown of Hardwick, father and step mother Clyde & Marilyn Brown of Hardwick, brother and sister-in-law Douglas & Christine Brown of West Warren, sister and brother-in-law Patricia (Brown) & Scott Martin of Sturbridge, aunt Delores Stewart of Granby and nieces & nephews.

Christopher will be deeply missed by those who loved him. Chris' strength, courage and determination will always be remembered. Christopher's humor, wit, bright smile and contagious laugh will live on within each of us.

Be at peace Kid. For more information and online guest book, please visit: www.cebulafuneralhome.com.

Debra Buteau

DEBRA BUTEAU
November 9, 1957 ~ July 11, 2020 (Age 62)

Fitchburg- Debra "Debbie" A. (McPhee) Buteau, 62 of Fitchburg died Saturday July 11, 2020 in her home surrounded by her family, after an illness. Debbie was born in Winchendon November 9, 1957 daughter of George and Bernice (Dorais) McPhee.

Debbie had worked for many years at Route 2 Hyundai Auto Sales. She had been a League bowler at Putnam Street Lanes, loved going to the movies with her grandchildren and enjoyed crocheting. She was an avid Miami Dolphins fan.

She leaves her husband of 40 years Dennis A. Buteau, 2 sons; Dennis A. Buteau II and his wife Amber of Fitchburg and Jason P. Buteau and his wife Wendy of Leominster, 2 brothers; Michael McPhee and his wife Colby of Fitchburg and Shawn McPhee of Templeton, 1 sister Tina Ruiz and her husband Edguardo of Fitchburg, 2 grandsons; SPC Xavier J. Buteau, U.S. Army and Evan G. Buteau, 1 great grandson Yamil Abreu, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Pamela Bolduc.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 10am in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 63 Sheridan St. Fitchburg. Burial will be at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery Fitchburg. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 pm in the Lavery, Chartrand, Alario Funeral Home, 99 Summer St. Fitchburg. Face coverings are required. In lieu of flowers donations in Debbie's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen Street, Suite 250, Framingham MA 01701.

Theresa M. Holbein

THERESA M. HOLBEIN
September 7, 1948 ~ July 9, 2020 (Age 71)

Theresa M. Holbein, 71, of Shirley, died Thursday July 9, 2020 at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Ayer, MA.

Terri was born in Ayer, September 7, 1948 and was the 12th child of 14 children. She was the daughter of the late Herman H. Holbein, and Mary D. (Gilmartin) Holbein and was a lifelong Shirley resident. For over five decades, Terri worked with her Allstar family in Shirley before retiring in 2016.

She was a member of the Shirley American Legion Auxillary, and St. Anthony's Church.

Terri leaves behind her wife of 45 years, Susan L. Wardle, a daughter, Diane Belmont of Attleboro, a grandson, Kyle Belmont and a great granddaughter Kaelyn Belmont. A brother Steve Holbein of Shirley; six sisters, Connie Barber of Shirley, Kathryn Cebollero of Clinton, Dorothy Gionet of Winchendon, Phyllis Morales, Patricia Mulligan and Carol DeMello all of Florida.

She was also the sister of the late John Holbein, Joseph Holbein, Edward Holbein, and Robert Holbein, Mary Francis Beck (Holbein), and Rita Howard (Holbein). She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

In Lieu of flowers please make a donation in Terri's name to the ASPCA.

Jon W. Norstrom

JON W. NORSTROM
January 28, 1955 ~ July 9, 2020 (Age 65)

Fitchburg- Jon W. Norstrom, 65, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, July 9. Jon was born on January 28, 1955 in Ayer, son of the late Willard and Mary (O'Brien) Norstrom. Jon is survived by his wife of 20 years, Michelle (Cormier) Norstrom of Fitchburg, daughters, Jacqueline Norstrom of Erving, Jenna Norstrom of Leominster, step son, Jeremy Woodward, his wife Tracy and granddaughters Vivian and Maxine of Winchendon, and brother, Brian Norstrom of Ayer. Jon was predeceased by his step son, Brian Woodward. Jon worked at TEPHA Medical as a quality specialist in Lexington. He proudly served his country in the US Army. Jon grew up on Sandy Pond in Ayer, was an avid motorcyclist and Jeep enthusiast as well as a member of the Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club. Jon enjoyed camping and fishing but his greatest love was spending time with his family especially his granddaughters.

A visitation period will be held from 10:00 - 12:00 on Tuesday, July 14 with a Funeral Service being held at 12:00 (noon) in the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg. Burial will be held at a later date in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Domnick E. Arceci

DOMNICK E. ARCECI
March 17, 2020 (Age 96)

Domnick "Mickey" Arceci, 96, of Brattleboro, VT died peacefully at his home with Joyce, his wife of 21 years by his side, on March 17, 2020.

In addition to his wife, Mickey is survived by his son Gary & wife Vicki of Jaffrey, his daughter Robin Horn and her fiancee, Ricky Jaubert of Tulsa, OK, and his stepson Christopher Frost & wife Andrea of Brattleboro; his mother-in-law, Anna Filion of Brattleboro; 11 grandchildren, including Clenn with whom he had a close bond; 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM in St. Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor, will be the Celebrant.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Arceci's name may be made to the Winchendon Music Festival, Inc. c/o Hurwit & Associates, 1150 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02461; the Windham County Humane Society, PO Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or the Monadnock Kitty Rescue & Adoption, PO Box 468, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

To share memories, photographs and condolences with Mickey's family, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com