Donald J. Tata Sr., 86, a life long resident of Leominster, died Monday April 23, 2012 in Sterling Village Healthcare surrounded by his family. He was born on July 12, 1925, in Leominster, MA, was the son of Domenico and Antonia (Fantozzi) Tata. He was a United States Army Veteran of WWII having served with the 129th Chemical Processing Company, and attained the rank of Technician 5th Grade. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Sharpshooter Rifle, and served with the 351st Ordnance Battalion overseas in Assum, India. Mr. Tata worked for Bond Bread, Mutual Bakery, the former Borden Chemical, and for City Stationers before retiring. He was a member of St. Anna Parish in Leominster, and was an avid gardener and fisherman. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Mary (Tata) Tata of Leominster, his two sons Donald J. Tata Jr., and his wife Martha, and William Tata and his wife Nancy, two daughters Susan Evernden and her husband Scott and Nancy Falvey and her husband Joseph, his grandchildren Michael Tata and his wife Danielle, Emily Tata, Dana Evernden, Sarah Falvey and Allison Falvey, and a great-grandchild Adele Tata. He was predeceased by his brother Angelo Tata and Benny Tata and his sister Angela Moquin.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St. Leominster, with a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anna Church 199 Lancaster St., Leominster, Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Leo’s Cemetery, Leominster. A calling hour will be held Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

Beth (Dolly) Conner was born in Leominster, MA January 14, 1925. The daughter of the late Ottie E. and Cora Belle Demazure Wallace. She attended St Leo’s Parochial School and Leominster Public Schools, graduating from L.H.S. in 1943. She received her nurse training at Leominster Hospital and Shepard School of Nursing in Boston.
Mrs. Conner leaves behind five children: James S. Conner Jr. and wife Ginny of Fitchburg, MA. Patricia Cucchiara and husband Dick of Leominster, MA. Twins: Colleen Conner of Westminster, MA. and Jonathan Conner and wife Patty of Austin, TX. Bradley Conner and wife Barbara of Austin, TX. A beloved daughter, Joan Petrini, predeceased her at the age of 48. She leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She leaves a sister, Joan Conner of Templeton, MA. She was also predeceased by her brother Walter Wallace and granddaughter Megan Cucchiara.

She was employed as nurse at the Leominster Hospital and at the offices of Dr. Paul Vom Eigen and Dr. William Havey for many years. She and three children, Jonathan, Colleen, and Bradley relocated to Texas. She was employed in Houston by Plastic Reconstruction Surgeons for a year and a team of Orthopedic Surgeons for four years. She then relocated to Florida where she was employed as a manager of an HMO for four years. She joined a recruitment firm specializing in Medical Executive Placement both in the U.S. and Internationally. She returned to her beloved New England where she continued in Medical Recruitment for two more years, at Nashua and Concord, NH doing a six month assignment in NC as manager and trainer. She conducted seminars for HMO and NutriSystem in the states of TX, FL, NH, and NC. She retired in 1991 to live between Hampton, NH and Fitchburg, MA.

Beth enjoyed snowshoeing, gardening and the outdoors. Her greatest pride was her six children and nursing. She will be missed by her family, friends and those who's lives she touched.

Burial was in St. Leo’s Cemetery.

 Isabelle C. (Perreault) Methe Campbell, 86 years old, of Fitchburg, formerly of Leominster, died Monday, June 13, 2011 in The Highlands in Fitchburg. She is survived by daughters Janice L. Kay and her husband John of Bradenton, FL, Joanne A. Bassler of Fitchburg, and Christine E. Donohoe and her husband John of West Falmouth, sisters Rolande Holman of Leominster, Priscilla Comeau of Leominster, and Jeanne Holman of Greenville, NH, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter. She was predeceased by her husband Robert E. Campbell, daughter Patricia A. Swaney, sister Lucille Coles, and brothers Jack Perreault and Maurice Perreault.

Isabelle was born in Leominster on July 16, 1924, daughter of Armand and Clara (Carron) Perreault and graduated from Leominster High School in 1943. She had worked at Allen Department Store in Leominster and later at Sage-Allen in the Searstown Mall in Leominster. She was a member of St. Cecilia's Church in Leominster & burial was in St. Cecilia's Cemetery.

Helene T. (Tisdale) Schwartz, 87 years old, of Ayer, died Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Westford House in Westford. She is survived by her son David N. Schwartz and his wife Lorna M. Schwartz of Ayer, and 3 granddaughters Stephanie, Shannon and Sabrina. She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Joseph W. Schwartz, in 2002.

Mrs. Schwartz was born in Leominster on February 8, 1924, daughter of Albert A. and Hazel (Durant) Tisdale and graduated from Leominster High School in 1943. She had lived in Ayer for over 50 years.

Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH

Louise E. (Crane) Ryder 1925  -  2010

Louise E. (Crane) Ryder 84 of Leominster died Saturday September 18, 2010 at Briarwood Nursing Home in Needham, MA. She was born on December 20, 1925 in Leominster; MA was the daughter of James Bernard ( J.B.) and Helga Viola (Reeth) Crane. She worked as a bookkeeper for Eusey Press which then became Quebecor Co. in Leominster until her retirement. She was a member of St. Leo's Parish in Leominster and an avid reader of novels and poetry who also enjoyed arts and crafts such as dried flower arranging, sewing and other crafts. She shared her love of poetry and beauty with us all. She is survived by her daughter and son in law Susan E. and Lewis J. Cohen of Brookline/Chestnut Hill, MA, sister and brother in law Gladys and Edgar Worthen of Leominster, three grandchildren Jacob, Rachel and Benjamin Cohen, and many nieces and nephews. She was also sister to the late James, Francis, Mildred and Robert Crane.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday September 22, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St in Leominster, Burial will be in St. Leo's Cemetery in Leominster, a calling hour will precede the service on Wednesday September 22, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m.

Dorothy A. (Brooks) Guadagnoli 1925  -  2010

Dorothy A. (Brooks) Guadagnoli 85 of Leominster died Friday August 27, 2010 in UMass Healthcare in Worcester. She was born on August 8, 1925 in Leominster; MA was the daughter of Charles I. and Nellie J. (Verge) Brooks. She was a graduate of Leominster High School and Fitchburg State College. Dorothy worked as a school teacher at the Johnny Appleseed School in Leominster for 25 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster, the Daughters of Isabella, the Montachusett Organ Society, the Golden Ages, a Leominster Hospital Volunteer for 24 years, she volunteered at Johnny Appleseed, and St. Leo’s Parish where she taught C.C.D. She is survived by three daughters Debra Visco of Fitchburg, Donna Leibovitz of York Beach, Maine, and Diane Brock of Eugene, Oregon, two sisters Lorraine Gowdy of Leominster and Janet Langdon of Harrisburg, Oregon, and five grandchildren & 2 great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband Gino D. Guadagnoli who died in 1989. Dorothy will be remembered for her loving ways to god, families and the many lives she touched.

The funeral will be held from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St in Leominster on Monday August 30, 2010 with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Leo’s Church 128 Main St in Leominster, Burial will be in St. Leo’s Cemetery Leominster, calling hours will be Sunday from 4;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Donations may be made in her memory to St. Vincent De Paul Society or St. Leo’s Parish 128 Main St Leominster, MA 01453.

Doris L. (Bourgoin) Hastings 1924 - 2009

 Doris L. "Dottie" (Bourgoin) Hastings, 84 years old, of Leominster, MA, died Monday, July 27, 2009 in her home after an illness. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by her loving family and friends. She is survived by her son, Michael P. Hastings and his wife Patina Hastings of Cinnaminson, NJ, her daughter, Cynthia L. Hastings-Brutvan and her husband, Donald Brutvan of Westminster, her sister, Phyllis Dineen of Fitchburg, her 4 grandchildren, Heather Mee Hastings of Philadelphia, PA, Sean Michael Hastings of Myrtle Beach, SC, Lucas Jin Brutvan of Westminster and Rachel Yu Brutvan of Westminster, several nieces and nephews, especially Kevin Haverty of Alstead, NH, and Brian Haverty of Lunenburg, and her many good friends and neighbors including Carlene, Dorrie, and Bev, and the snowplow gang of Flaggler Rd. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Bourgoin.

Mrs. Hastings was born in Leominster on April 6, 1925, daughter of Raymond and Maybelle (Sargent) Bourgoin and was a lifelong resident. In 1943, she graduated from Leominster High School where she was secretary of her class, a member of the Student Council, and a varsity cheerleader. In her younger years, she was an avid ballroom dancer and especially loved to jitterbug on Saturday nights at the Whalom Ballroom. Dottie had worked for 43 years for the Division of Employment Security where she began as a claims clerk and worked her way up to Head Interviewer and Office Supervisor. Mostly, she worked at the Fitchburg office but also served at Gardner, Worcester, Clinton and Boston. Mrs. Hastings was known by all for her never-ending kindness and compassion for those who were on unemployment insurance. She retired on April 6, 1986 and enjoyed many activities including the former Putnam Alley's Wednesday Morning Coffee Bowling Team, St. Cecilia's Friday night bingo, trips to Foxwoods casino, watching the Boston Red Sox, especially Mike Lowell, gardening and cooking, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. Her memory, spirit, and love of life will be deeply cherished by all whose lives she touched.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church, the Leominster Senior Center, the Golden Age Club, and the Mass. Retired State Employees Association.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 31 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a mass at 10 am in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Diversified Home Services - Hospice, 25 Tucker Dr., Leominster, MA 01453.

Doris ( Ceruto ) DiRusso 1924 - 2009

Doris M. DiRusso lifelong resident of Leominster; 84 LEOMINSTER Doris M. (Ceruto) DiRusso, 84 years old, of Leominster, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 11, 2009. She is survived by her son, Christopher M. DiRusso and his wife, Tina DiRusso of Longwood, FL; her 5 daughters, Susan A. Moniz and her husband, Gregory E. Moniz, Joan A. Sparks, Nancy M. Bell and her husband, John C. Bell, Carla M. Antocci and her husband, Robert F. Antocci and Amelia "Amy" A. Peralta and her husband, Thomas A. Peralta, Jr., all of Leominster; her sister, Lorraine McNamara of Falmouth; her brother, Robert Ceruto of Leominster; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Her husband of 54 years, Dante J. DiRusso died in 2003. She was also predeceased by 2 sisters, Pauline Hachey, and Theresa Jones. Mrs. DiRusso was born in Leominster on November 27, 1924, daughter of Rosario and Aurora (Contois) Ceruto, and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1943, and was a member of Holy Family of Nazareth Church in Leominster. She had worked for the Clerk of Courts in Leominster and then was a case worker for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services in Fitchburg, before retiring in 1992. Doris was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. Her enthusiasm for family, life and music defined her. Some of her talents included gourmet cooking, rug braiding, knitting and sewing. Sports were a joy to her throughout her life and following the "Celtics", and golf in later years gave her much enjoyment. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2009 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a mass at 10 am in Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster. Burial will be in St. Leo's Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 4-6 pm in the funeral home. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net

Robert Barlow 1925 - 2009

Robert Barlow, 83 years old, died suddenly, early Sunday morning, March 15, 2009 in his home here in Leominster. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Wanda V. (Mancewicz); 2 sons, William Barlow and his wife Rhonda of Overland Park, Kansas, James Barlow and his wife Donna of Leominster; and twin grandsons, Daniel and Andrew Barlow.

Robert was born June 3, 1925 in Leominster, son of the late Henry and Edith (Taylor) Barlow and had lived here all his life. Mr. Barlow graduated from the Burdett Business School of Boston. He was employed by the Army Exchange Service at Fort Devens where he worked for over 30 years, retiring as store manager in 1982. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and as a Sergeant also served in Korea from 1946-47. He was member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Leominster, the Leominster Senior Citizens Club, the Golden Age Club, the American Association for Retired Persons, and had been a past President of the New England Chapter of Area Military Bases with which he was associated for many years.

A funeral was held from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home with a service in St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

James F. Pritchard 1923  -  2008

A private service will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Winchendon. There are no calling hours.