Peter G. Leasca,

WWII vet

WORCESTER — Peter G. Leasca, 91, of Worcester died Feb. 15, 2017, in St. Vincent Hospital after a brief illness. 

He was born in Thompson, the son of George and Speranta (Petrescu) Leasca and graduated from Bryant College and earned a management certificate from WPI. Peter worked as a financial advisor for 41 years; a vice president, retiring 10 years ago, from Morgan Stanley, where his legacy continues today in Wealth Management as The Leasca Group, which was founded 52 years ago. Also, he was the president/founder of the Worcester Stockbrokers Association for more than 30 years which often hosted local public companies to speak. Mr. Leasca was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, its Order of AHEPA where he was a member for 65 years, and chaired its veteran’s committee. Peter was an adjunct professor at Worcester State University, QCC and Becker College where he taught investments. He was a pioneer in 1991 on Greater Media Cable local TV#3 Stockwatch Report as its first nightly stockmarket reporter. Peter was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Melha Shrine Center, Springfield. Mr. Leasca was instrumental in the bringing one of the original Landing Ship Tanks from Greece back to the U.S. where it now serves as a floating museum in Indiana. This became a documentary on the History Channel called Hero Ships. 

Peter was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WWII. He was proud of his service and was active with the City of Worcester Veteran’s Services and was active with the World War II dedication. He led many parades in the city. The Worcester Armed Services Committee awarded Peter with the highest civilian honor as the Veteran of the Year in conjunction with the ROTC Program in a formal ceremony last May at the College of the Holy Cross.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Despina J. (Rougas) Leasca; two sons, George P. Leasca (Martha) of W. Brookfield, Mass., and John P. Leasca of Worcester; two daughters, Karen G. Gogos of W. Brookfield and Joanne M. Bilzerian (Alexander) of Holden, Mass.; a sister, Marguerita Karpenski of Putnam; 10 grandchildren, Pierce, Evan and Catie Leasca, Christina Pare, Kayla Ramey, Peter and Stephen Gogos, Alexander, Peter and Maria Bilzerian; two great grandchildren, Evan and Cole Pare. He was predeceased by a brother, James Leasca and a sister, Anthina Sylvester.

His funeral was Feb. 20 in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, with burial in Hope Cemetery. Donations: St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, c/o Endowment Fund, 102 Russell St., Worcester, MA 01609. O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, Worcester.

 

Blanche H. Doucette

GRISWOLD —  Blanche H. Doucette, 83, of Norman Rd., formerly of Putnam and N. Grosvenordale, died Feb. 25, 2017, at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden.  She was the  wife of the late Ernest J. Doucette.  Born in 1933 in Cambridge, Mass., she is the daughter of the late William and Blanche (Promovost) Curran.

On April 24, 1954, in Cambridge, she was united in marriage to Ernest J. Doucette who died on July 30, 1979.

Mrs. Doucette worked for many years as an inspector at U.S. Button in Putnam.

Blanche was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, Albert J. Breault Post 1523 in Putnam. 

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bowling, playing bingo, reading, and was an avid pet lover especially for her Siamese cats.

She leaves three sons William Doucette (Renee) of Nederland, Texas, Joseph Doucette (Cheryl) of Putnam, and Mark Doucette (Stacey) of Danielson; four daughters Sandra Barrows (Keith) of Putnam, Ruth LaPointe of Griswold, Rhonda Young of Danielson, and Patricia Hurm of Danielson; a sister Arline Milford of Dover, N.H.; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Dennis Doucette, a daughter Sue Ann Parker, and a sister Virginia Doucette. 

The Funeral arrangements are private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Marie Sullivan

DANIELSON — Marie V. (Berube) Sullivan, daughter of the late Edgar and Albina Berube, died Feb. 22, 2017.

Marie was employed for many years at Danielson Curtain before retiring to care for her great-grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and many other loved ones that considered her to be their memere.

She leaves her children, Robert Sullivan and Cyndi Lewallen, her grandchildren Tammy, Kevin, James (Buddy), Shandra, Kristin, Dan, Wayne, and Jon; 13 great-grandchildren, Erin, Ryan, Hope, Kaitlyn, Courtne, Emily, Matthew, Alex, Danielle, Nicholas, Kayla, Kyle, Justin and three great-great-grandchildren, Matthew, Madisyn, and James William. She was predeceased by her husband William A. Sullivan Sr. and her son William A. Sullivan Jr., her brothers, Carl, Raymond, Albert, and Edgar (Junior), and her step-father, John Barker.

Donations: Charity of donor’s choice.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

‘Whitey’ Woodworth Jr.,

Korean war vet

CENTRAL VILLAGE — Irving “Whitey” W. Woodworth Jr., died Feb. 21, 2017, at home. 

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Irving W. Woodworth Sr. and Mary (Hetes) Woodworth and lived in Mystic before moving to Central Village 10 years ago.  

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Korean era and was an electrician at Electric Boat in Groton.  He enjoyed his pets and was an animal advocate.  

He was a member of the Plainfield and Canterbury Senior centers. 

He was the husband of the late Patricia (O’Connor) Woodworth, who died in 1997.  He leaves three sons; Michael G. Woodworth of Auburn, Maine, David (Kelly Dyer) of Heborn, Maine, Dennis J. Woodworth (Alice) of Central Village; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; lady friend, Pauline Morneau of Canterbury.  He was predeceased by a son, Patrick Woodworth and a brother, Francis Woodworth.

There will be a Celebration of Life which will be announced later.  

Donations: Plainfield Dog Pound.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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