September 1, 2010

 THOMPSON, CT – Edgar “Petou” Racicot, 72, of Quaddick Town Farm Road, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the son of the late Edgar and Beatrice (LeBeouf) Racicot, and lived in Webster before moving to Thompson, CT, 43 years ago.

He leaves his loving wife of 54 years, Carol A. (Dalimonte) Racicot; two daughters, Wendy Blackburn and her husband Stanley of Thompson and Melissa King and her husband Thomas of Chaplin, CT; his grandchildren, Ashley, Sean, Joie, Jessica, Shelby, Sydney, Sheridan, and Shaylee; his great granddaughter, Jordan; his brother, Donald Racicot of Webster; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his son, Edgar “Chipper” Racicot, who died in October of 2009; and his sister, Rachel LaPlante.

He was born in Webster and retired from the U.S. Navy after serving 20 years as a 1st Class Parachute Rigger. He served on several naval aircraft carriers as an air crewman. After retiring, he owned and operated PC Upholstering. For many years, he was active in the Thompson Little League and was past president. He enjoyed vacationing off the Florida Coast. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan at their sporting events.

A funeral was held on Monday, August 30, 2010, from Bartel Funeral Home, 33 Schofield Ave., Dudley, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 18 East Main St., Webster. Burial followed at Mount Zion Cemetery in Webster. www.bartelfuneralhome.com

 Francis D. (Frank) Smith 81 of Kempner, Texas died Monday, August 30, 2010 in Lampasas, Texas.

He leaves his wife of 53 years JoAnne, two sons Charles and Robert, two daughters Kathleen and Elizabeth, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Mary (Butler), 4 brothers Charlie, George, William and Emmett, 2 sisters Margaret Collins and Theresa Brouwer.

He retired after 24 years in the United States Navy and 20 years with Burlington Northern Railroad. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 5 from 6-8 p.m. Services will be Monday, Sept. 6 at Sneed Funeral Chapel, Third & Chestnut, Lampasas, TX 76550.

Burial will follow at 12 Central, Texas Veterans Cemetery.

His family would like to say to all family members in the Mass./Conn. area, although Dad didn’t make it home as often as he would have liked, you were always in his thoughts.

 WEBSTER - Francis J. Kubicki, 92, died Friday, August 27, 2010 in Webster Manor.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Mary A. (Paholski) Kubicki; 4 children, Diane Perry and her husband Paul of Plymouth, Robert Kubicki Esq. of Dallas, TX, Mark Kubicki and his wife Joanne of Dudley, and Donna Wilson and her husband Philip of Ashland; 6 grandchildren, Matthew Perry and his wife Marcy, Lauren Perry, Leigh “Coco” Kubicki, Zachary Wilson, Chloe Wilson and Mara Wilson; a sister, Janet Kokoszka of Webster; nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Mary Kolak and Jane Stefanik.

He was born in Webster, the son of Frank and Sophia (Wadasz) Kubicki and lived here all of his life. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1936.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a captain in Europe. He was awarded the bronze star medal in 1945. He qualified in artillery and infantry and was appointed to the adjutant general’s corps, serving at the Pentagon for a short time. Joining the Mass. National Guard in 1951, he served as commander in Webster, Worcester, Cambridge and Melrose. There, he commanded the oldest army unit which dates back to 1636 and King Phillip’s War. He retired as a colonel on April 1, 1975, after 33 years of honorable service. He was a life member and charter commander of the Polish American Veterans, where he served as director for many years.

Mr. Kubicki was a postal carrier and then the first meritoriously selected postmaster of the Webster Post Office, retiring in 1981.

He was an active member of St. Joseph Basilica. He sang baritone in the church choir for many years, and was a lector for 40 years. He was in the first group chosen to be a lector at the church.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Webster First Federal Credit Union, and was elected president in 2000. He was currently serving as treasurer. He belonged to the Webster-Dudley Rotary Club and ran its annual blood drive for many years. He was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award.

He was a life member of the Auburn-Webster Lodge of Elks, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Retired Officers Association, the National Association of Postmasters and the 181st Infantry Regiment Association.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, September 1, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St. After cremation, burial will be at the convenience of the family. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will perform the military honors. Donations in his name may be made to Saint Joseph School Immediate Needs Fund, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570. www.sitkowski-malboeuf.com.

 Leonard P. Beaudry, 51, of Old Dudley Rd., beloved husband of Rachel M. (Cierpich) Beaudry, died suddenly on Monday, August 23, 2010, after being stricken ill at work. He is survived by his wife of 16 years; five children: Jennie M. Beaudry of Webster, Nina L. McManaman of Warren, Holly Beth Shays, Adrien A. Beaudry and Thomas V. Beaudry all of Oxford; his mother, Frances (Gomes) Chauvin of Oxford; his father, William J. Beaudry of Southbridge; and many extended family members and friends that he adored.

Lenny was born in Webster and was a lifelong resident of Oxford. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1976. He worked at Automatic Rolls of New England in Dayville, CT for over 20 years. He cherished his daughters and his two sons that he adopted from Ukraine. He was an avid Celtics fan, and, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

A funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 27, 2010, at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial was at the convenience of the family at St. Roch’s Cemetery. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford directed arrangements. Memorial contributions for his young sons may be made to the Leonard P. Beaudry Memorial Trust, c/o Hometown Bank, 31 Sutton Ave., Oxford, MA 01540. www.paradisfuneralhome.com

 WEBSTER, MA / YUMA, AZ - Paul J. Harvanek, 69, formerly of Webster, died August 11, in Yuma, Arizona.

He leaves a nephew, Thomas A. and his wife Michelle Harvanek of North Grosvenordale, CT; a great niece, Camile Harvanek; a cousin, Barbara Weiss of Thompson, CT; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Terrence J. Harvanek in 1978, by his nephew James B. Harvanek in 1988, and by his aunt Jane Radzik in 2009.

He was born in Webster, a son of Joseph M. and Loretta S. (Zylka) Harvanek. He lived in Dudley for many years before moving to Webster in 1969. He later lived in Ashland until moving to Arizona in 1987.

Mr. Harvanek was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

He worked for many years on the assembly line at the General Motors plant in Framingham, MA before retiring in 1987.

A graveside service, with military honors, will be held at 9:00 AM Thursday, September 3, in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Old Worcester Road, Webster. There are no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster. www.sitkowski-malboeuf.com

 OXFORD – Rebecca J. (Meloon) Belliveau, 71, of Linden St., died peacefully on Monday, August 30, 2010, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Donald E. Belliveau of Oxford. She is survived by three children, Charles E. Belliveau of Riverview, FL, Sheila A. Anderson and her husband Jack of Worcester, and Debra J. Boutillette and her husband William of Webster; four grandchildren, Steven and Susan Anderson, Jessica and James Belliveau; three great grandchildren, Johanna and Jerrell Belliveau and Damian Purcell; her close friend and cousin, Ann M. Cotter; her aunt, Margaret Cotter; several cousins, nephews, nieces, and many dear friends. She was predeceased by her son, Kevin R. Belliveau of Oxford, who died in 2001. She was born in Keene, NH, the daughter of the late Charles T. and Agnes C. (Cotter) Meloon, and lived in Keene and Worcester before moving to Oxford in 1962. She graduated from Keene High School in 1956 and attended Keene State College.

Mrs. Belliveau was a tax advisor and office supervisor for nearly 30 years at H&R Block in Auburn (Sears) and in Webster. She was an election warden for many years in Oxford. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed cruises, bingo, and her time at Ashuelot Pond in Washington, NH. She will be sorely missed by her beloved cats, Bart, Jasper, Alex, and Andy.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will be private. Calling hours are Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or the VNA of Southern Worcester County, P.O. Box 368, 534 School St., Webster, MA 01570, or the Friends of the Oxford Animal Shelter, c/o Sheila Donohue, 503 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540. www.paradisfuneralhome.com

 PUTNAM - Rose B. (Liguz) Juszczyk, 89, formerly of Fairmount Street, died Monday in Lanessa Extended Care, Webster. Her husband, Walter Juszczyk, Sr., died in 1975.

She leaves a daughter, Barbara Ann Luther and her husband Edward T. Luther; a son, Walter Juszczyk, Jr. and his wife Heather (DeJager) Juszczyk, all of Thompson; a granddaughter, Alyssa Louise Juszczyk; nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Frank, Henry and John Liguz, and by 2 sisters, Amelia Liguz and Cecilia Przelomski.

She was born and raised in Killingly, a daughter of Walter and Annie (Pawelec) Liguz. She moved to Putnam in 1959. She attended Killingly High School.

She was a WAC in the Army Air Corps during World War II. She was a life member of the Putnam American Legion Post #13.

Mrs. Juszczyk was a parts order girl at the American Optical Company, first in Putnam and then in Southbridge, MA before retiring in 1983.

She was a member of Saint Mary of the Visitation Church.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Donations in her name may be made to St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 218 Providence Street, Putnam, CT 06260. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, MA.

www.sitkowski-malboeuf.com

 WEBSTER – Timothy A. Russell, 29, of Myrtle Ave., died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster. He is survived by his son, Hayden J. Russell of Webster; his parents, David G. and June E. (Kelley) Russell Sr. of Oxford; his brother, David G. Russell Jr. of Webster; the love of his life, Kristen M. Gagne of Oxford; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. He was born in Worcester lived in Oxford before moving to Webster 3 years ago. He graduated from Bay Path High School in Charlton in 2000.

Mr. Russell worked at Bell/Simons Co. in Worcester for the past 11 years. He loved music and enjoyed playing bass guitar in a local band. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, and will always be remembered for his kind heart.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton. Calling hours are Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, from 7-9 p.m. at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. www.paradisfuneralhome.com