PagE 6
DECEMBER 2012
OBITUARIES Duggan WHITINSVILLE - Helen R. Duggan, 93, died on Oct. 18, at St. Camillus Health Center. Helen was born on Nov. 28, 1918 in Whitinsville, the daughter of Michael P. and Catherine T. (Brosnahan) Duggan and lived here all of her life. She was a graduate of Northbridge High School and worked at the former Whitin Machine Works and then ATF Davidson in the payroll department for 47 years before retiring at age 65. She enjoyed walking, baking, vacationing with friends in Maine and Cape Cod. She was also an accomplished knitter. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s Club and the Northbridge Seniors. She was also a member of St. Patrick’s Church. She is survived by several nephews and nieces including Ann Marie and her husband David Hastings of Northbridge, Bill and his wife Claire of Douglas, Joan Jeffers of Whitinsville, Betsy and her husband Alan Bullett of North Adams, Kathleen Charbonneau and her companion Jack Hughes of Whitinsville, and Dick and his wife Nancy Haggerty of Sutton; 11 great nieces and nephews, and 13 great-great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 brothers Paul and Edward Duggan and 2 sisters Margaret “Peg” Small and Mary Haggerty all of Whitinsville; 2 nephews James and Jack Haggerty both of Whitinsville.
Wheeler DOUGLAS – Christine A. Wheeler, 33, died on Oct. 21, in Hubbard Regional Hospital, Webster. Christine was born on Sept. 24, 1979 in Providence, RI, the daughter of
Colleen C. (O’Brien) Wheeler of Douglas and the late Allen E. Wheeler who died in 2005. She was a graduate of the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Class of 1998. Christine was a lifelong resident of Douglas. Miss Wheeler had been employed as a Nurse’s Aide at the Whitcomb House in Milford for the past 6 years. She enjoyed woodworking, gardening, stone carving, cooking, baking and painting. Christine especially enjoyed hunting and being outside. She was an artisan and very handy around the house. In addition to her mother, Christine is survived by her maternal grandmother, Eileen (Doran) O’Brien of Douglas, her maternal grandfather, Edward M. O’Brien of Jamestown, RI, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Andonian WHITINSVILLE – Peter Andonian, 88, died on Oct. 21, in Beaumont Skilled Nursing, Northbridge. He was the husband of Sirphouhi “Sippy” (Bedirian) Andonian. Peter was born on Nov. 10, 1923 in Whitinsville, the son of the late Oscar and Verkin (Arakelian) Andonian and was a graduate of Northbridge High School. Mr. Andonian was a letter carrier for 25 years with the U.S. Postal Service in Whitinsville. He had previously worked as an off-set printer at the former Whitin Machine Works in Whitinsville. Mr. Andonian served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean Conflict, and the Naval Reserves for 32 years and later served in the MA National Guard. Mr. & Mrs. Andonian observed their 61st wedding anniversary this past Feb.
3, 2012. He enjoyed the ocean, traveling to Florida, walking, and marching in the annual Northbridge Memorial Day parade. He took great pride in his military career, his yard work at home, and cherished time spent with his family. In addition to his wife Sippy, he is survived by two daughters Nancy Cove and her companion James Anable of Whitinsville and Janis and her husband William Christopherson of Northbridge; a son Peter and his wife Holly Andonian of Rochester, NY; 6 grandchildren Kevin, Lauren, Bret, Jill, Heather, and Cheryl, and 7 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers John Andonian and his twin brother Paul Andonian.
Desilets UxBRIDGE - Bernice Rose (Saucier) Desilets, 79, died on Oct. 25, at home. She was the wife of the late Bernard E. Desilets, Sr. Bernice was born on Aug. 6, 1933 in Uxbridge, the daughter of the late Edmund and Lucille (Poulin) Saucier and was educated in the Uxbridge school system. She enjoyed traveling throughout the country on many bus tours. A lifelong resident of Uxbridge, she had worked as a weaver at the former Bernat Mills, the former Waucantuck Mill, and Stanley Berrocco, all in Uxbridge. She is survived by her five sons, Bernard E. Desilets, Jr. and his wife Mary of Yarmouthport, Bruce E. Desilets and his wife Brenda and Brian E. Desilets and his wife Joanne, all of Uxbridge; Barry P. Desilets and his wife Violet of Upton and Brad E. Desilets and his wife Sandy of Belmont, NC; four brothers, John Saucier of Whitinsville, Gary Saucier of Worcester, Donald Saucier of Uxbridge, and Bernard Saucier of Worcester; three sisters, Patricia Rousselle of North Smithfield, RI, Jean Either of Uxbridge, and Deborah McMahon of North Smith-
field, RI; 11 grandchildren; 5 greatgrandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one daughter Linda L. Harding, and one son Brent E. Desilets and her siblings Edmund Saucier, Shirley Dempsy, Lorraine Bernier, Richard Saucier, Phil Saucier and Paul Saucier.
Coffin UxBRIDGE – Kraig Mitchell Coffin, 21, died on Oct. 26, at his residence. Kraig was born on Aug. 26, 1991 in Concord, MA, the son of Dwayne E. and Donna L. (Harter) Coffin and had been a resident of Uxbridge most of his life. He attended Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole and Uxbridge High School. His passion was automotive racing. He raced Quarter Midgets, Allison Legacy Cars, PASS Outlaw Late Models, and Super Late Models at Thompson International Speedway in CT. He also liked the newest in electronics and loved listening to his music. In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Cameron McNay of Milford, NH, two sisters, Kaileigh McKinley of Providence, RI and Danielle and her husband Rick Crossley of Georgetown, KY. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother, Edna R. (Fortin) Coffin of Uxbridge, one uncle, Eric Harter of Uxbridge, one great uncle Ronald Coffin of Colebrook, NH, one great aunt, Miriam Dupont of Jefferson, NH, his nieces and nephews, Abigail Parnell, Samantha Crossley, Dylan Crossley and several cousins. Kraig was predeceased by his grandfather, Nathan L. Coffin, his maternal grandfather, Dana L. Harter and his cousin, Alysha M. Harter.
Cournoyer HARRISVILLE - Gerard R. “Gerry” Cournoyer, 66, died on Oct. 29, at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode
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Island, surrounded by his loving family after an illness. Gerry was born on Sept. 14, 1946 in Woonsocket, RI , the son of the late Raymond A. and Gertrude M. (Ethier) Cournoyer and lived in Millville all his life. Throughout the years Gerry had mastered many careers. Beginning with Carpentry, adhesive mixing for Dennison of Framingham, several years with the Millville Volunteer Fire Dept., bar tending at the Polish American Citizens Club and later for Millville Emergency Management Assn. of Millville which he helped start. Most recently he was the proud owner of Gerry’s small engine repair of Millville, retiring in March of this year due to his declining health. He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years Constance M. (Charpentier) Cournoyer who passed away in 2005. He is survived by 3 sons; Michael R. Cournoyer and his wife Wendy of Millville; Daniel R. Cournoyer of Millville; Raymond G. Cournoyer of Millville; 3 grandchildren Amanda Mowry of Douglas; Lyndsay Cournoyer of Millville, and Jared Cournoyer of Millville; his companion Denise Ellis with whom he lived and her 4 daughters; Stacey, Melissa, Mandie, and Courtney; Denise’s granddaughter Madison; 4 sisters; Ellen Cote and her husband Ken of Mapleville, RI; Lorraine Desrosiers of Millville; Suzanne Kelly of Blackstone; and Charlene Lussier and her husband Marc of Uxbridge; a brother Robert P. Cournoyer and his wife Sandra of Millville; also many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Shea UxBRIDGE - Patricia Dale Shea, 86, died on Oct. 31, in Beaumont Nursing Home of Northbridge surrounded by her family. Patricia was born on Dec. 11, 1925 in Milford, the daughter of the late Patrick P.J. and Blanche (Montville) Connors. Mrs. Shea was a lifelong resident of Uxbridge. She was a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Milford class 1943. She worked at Massachusetts Electric Company and the Uxbridge Public Schools. She volunteered for many years for Catholic Charities as a "holder" and brought newborn babies to their adoptive parents. She was an avid reader, loved gardening, crossword puzzles and vacations with her family on Cape Cod. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Uxbridge. She is survived by her husband George V. Shea of Uxbridge; her daughters Mary Creighton of Centerville, Mass. and her husband Thomas Creighton; Patricia Shea of Uxbridge and her longtime companion John Foley; and her son Skip Shea and his wife Anna Chinappi of Uxbridge; her grandchildren Kelly Creighton and her husband Jason Yanussi of Cheverly, Md.; Erin Porter and her husband Jason Porter of Milford; Don Liberty and his wife Cheryl of Boylston, Mass.; Andrew Chinappi and his wife Erin of continued on next page