- I N M EMORIAM -
William E. Aubuchon, Jr. AP’34, ’38 (1916–2007)
The Assumption College community was deeply saddened by the loss of one of its most dedicated alumni, William Aubuchon, Jr., who passed away on November 26 at his Fitchburg home. Bill served as president of the Alumni Association for both the College (1947–49) and Assumption Prep (1958–60). He later served as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees (1968–80), including seven years as the Board’s first lay chairman. In addition, he was vice president of the College’s French Institute Board of Directors for 12 years. He also founded its administrative council and co-chaired its first fundraising campaign. Committed to education, his FrancoAmerican heritage, and his Catholic faith, Bill was a strong supporter of the French Institute and the College. He received numerous awards for his good citizenship and community
involvement, including the College’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1999. He is part of the Assumption Preparatory School Hall of Fame and Aubuchon dormitory is named in his honor. After serving in the U.S. Army Signal Intelligence Corps during World War II, Bill joined his father’s hardware company, W.E. Aubuchon Co. Inc., the largest privately owned hardware store chain in the country. He served as president of both Aubuchon Hardware and Aubuchon Realty Company, Inc. (1950–93). During his 43 years of leadership, Bill expanded the chain from 33 to 136 stores while treating each employee as family. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Camille; sons Donat and William III; daughters Anne, Mariette and current AC Trustee Laure Aubuchon; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Rev. Albert Emile Brochu, A.A. ’37 Worcester, MA, died June 30, 2007 Fr. Albert was born in Rochester, NH. He was ordained a priest in 1943 and later taught geometry and religion at Assumption Prep (1943–49). Fr. Albert spent 49 years in New York City, including 27 as the director of the Assumptionist Guild, three in a Harlem Catholic church and 17 working for seniors. He worked with underprivileged people all his life—the poor, sick and elderly. In 1998 he returned to Assumption College, residing at 50 Old English Road until his death. He is survived by a sister, Marie; and a niece, Mariette.
Arthur FitzGerald, Jr. AP’56 Worcester, MA, died August 9, 2007 Dr. FitzGerald was an oral surgeon in private practice for many years in Worcester. After retiring, he served the City of Worcester as an assistant city assessor. He was a devoted father and grandfather who spent his free time reading, gardening and following college and professional sports. Arthur leaves his son, Arthur III; brothers Denis and Terence; sisters Cathlene and Maryellen; and twin granddaughters Bridget and Maribeth.
Lionel Simard AP’51, ’55 North Syracuse, NY, died September 11, 2007 Lionel taught French, German, Russian and Spanish for more than 20 years. He also worked as an intelligence specialist for the U.S. Army in the New York City area. Lionel was a member of the Army Reserve, retiring in 1990 as a colonel. He leaves his wife of 50 years, Carolyn; children Robert, Thomas, Kathryn, Joseph, and John; and four grandchildren. Donald Bacon AP’56 Millis, MA, died May 16, 2007 Don was a resident of Millis since 1975. He had a 32-year career at IBM, beginning in 1960 as a programmer. He held numerous positions during his tenure and retired as a senior project manager in 1992. Don was an avid collector of music and movies. He leaves his wife, Joan; son Michael; brother Raymond; and sisters Jeannine and Carol.
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William Guerin AP’59 Wilbraham, MA, died August 28, 2007 Bill entered the investment industry in 1966 with Kidder Peabody, serving as branch manager for 35 years, including 20 years as senior vice president and resident manager of the UBS offices in Springfield, MA, and Hartford, CT. His achievements in business were recognized with Paine Weber’s Ed Connolly Leadership Award. His many philanthropic activities included service as trustee of Mercy Hospital, Downey Side; and chairman of the Mary Collins Moynahan Foundation. He also served on the Investments Committee for the Diocese of Springfield. Bill is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ligia; daughter Melissa; sons William and John; brother John (Father Peter Guerin); sisters Marjorie, Claire and Sister Ellen, R.S.M., AC lecturer in theology; and seven grandchildren. Rev. Malachy McPadden G’61 Newark, NJ, died August 4, 2007 Fr. McPadden, a Benedictine monk, was ordained into the priesthood in 1957 and was a
Assumption College Magazine • Winter 2008
teacher in Newark for 50 years. He produced the First History of the Newark Abbey in 1992. Fr. McPadden is survived by his brother, Donal, and sister Agnes.
Helen Rhodes CE’63 Hartford, VT, died June 23, 2007 Helen retired from teaching art in 1978. A licensed pilot, she was a member of the Eastern New England Chapter of the ’99s, a women’s flying group. She leaves daughters Deborah and Janice; son Frank; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Alice Mary (Rock) Hemeon G’64 Winchendon, MA, died September 25, 2007 Alice a former teacher at Leominster High School, recently worked at G.I.T. Travel in Leominster before retiring in 2000. Her greatest joys came from spending time with her family and close friends. Alice leaves her husband, Robert; sister-in-law Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews. James Welsh, IV AP’65 Rutland, MA, died October 22, 2007 A U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, Jim was an engineer at UMass Medical Center in Worcester for 20 years before his retirement in 1998. He owned and operated Jungle Jim’s Pet Shop in Holden, MA, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He leaves sons James, V and Brendan; daughter Heather; mother Lucy; father James, Jr.; brother Raymond AP’69; sister Jean; and six grandchildren.