Author Archives: Dana Farwell

   Donna Lee (Porter) Rowell, 75, a longtime resident of Nashua, Hudson and Merrimack, and more recently of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, passed away Wednesday evening, February 23, 2022 at the St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab Center, after a period of declining health.        

   Mrs. Rowell was born on July 21, 1946 in St. Johnsbury, VT, a daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Porter.

    Donna will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved wild life, her pets, family and friends and her vacation home in Clarksville, NH. She also enjoyed playing yahtzee with her good friend, Shirley.

    In addition to her parents, Donna was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Charles C. Rowell, who passed away November 4, 2020.

    Members of her family include her children, Cindy Taylor, Paula Pombrio, Scott Rowell and his wife Shelley, Chris Rowell and wife Santa Santos, George Rowell and his wife Marie Silver, Danny Rowell, and the late Sheila Garneau; her grandchildren, Jason Dumais and his wife Rachel, Donald Dumais and his wife Jessica, Amber Mansfield and her husband Robert, Nick Rowell and Amber Shepherd, Samantha Sidilau and her husband Corey, Tiffany Bates and her husband Matt, Dustin Rowell, Shawn Rowell, Michael Rowell and his wife Andrea Taylor, and Elizabeth Rowell; ten great-grandchildren, Madison, Tayla, Cameron and Mason Dumais, Grace and Jayden Rowell, Odin and Trinity Bates, Cassie Sidilau and Avery Taylor; her brothers and sisters, Chuck Porter, Alice Porter, Jane St. Onge and her husband Dick, Faith Porter, and John Porter and his wife Shirley; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

    A private graveside service will be held for her family. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

Dawn Francine Delgardo, 87, of Nashua, widow of Peter V. Delgardo, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 22, 2022 at the High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA after a period of declining health.  

   Born in Medford, Massachusetts on January 26, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Dow and June (Clausen) Scovil. Dawn grew up in Medford and was educated in Medford schools. She was homemaker and was also employed as a supervisor at Compu Graphics in Wilmington, MA for twenty-five years.

    A resident of Nashua since the late 1980s, Dawn previously resided in Merrimack, NH for a few years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed baking cakes and Whoopie pies.

    Dawn was predeceased by her husband Peter, who passed away September 18, 2007; and her sons, Joseph E. Scovil in 1998 and Dean F. Scovil in 2006.

    Members of her family include her sons, Matthew Scovil and his wife Karen of Malden, MA and Colin Scovil of Nashua; daughter-in-law, Linda M. Scovil; ten  grandchildren, Melanie Brewer, Brandy, Derek, Gregory, Shaun, Christopher, Patricia, Michele, and Jeremy Scovil, and Noel James Brazil; nine great-grandchildren, Alliesha and Dean Brewer, Zykeium Fernandez, Lucas, Logan and Liberty Garvey, Joey Vavra, Sasha Scovil and Lexi Brazil; four great-great-grandchildren, Alec, Theo and Kyle Thompson and Daphne Brewer; a brother, Dow “Andy” Scovil of Melrose, MA; a sister, Fay Gaudet of Connecticut; also nieces, nephews and cousins.

     There are no formal services at this time. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

    Eugene E. Simard, 81, a lifelong resident of Hudson, passed away at his home, Saturday evening, February 19, 2022 after a period of declining health.         

    Born in Nashua on June 4, 1940, he was a son of the late Alphonse and Rhea (Dionne) Simard. Educated in Hudson schools, Gene was a graduate of Alvirne High School Class of 1958. After his graduation, Mr. Simard served with the Army Reserves. .

    Gene began his career as a police officer with the Hudson Police Department for a few years and then was employed as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service in Hudson for over 30 years.

    His favorite pastimes included traveling to Las Vegas and Florida; enjoyed fishing and was a sports fan of the Boston teams.

    Gene was the beloved husband of the late Patricia F. (Morse) Simard, who passed away April 24, 1986. They were married on September 25, 1965 and shared over twenty years together.  

   Members of his family include his three children, Michael P. Simard and his wife Deanne, Pamela Jean Jarry and her husband Dean, and Thomas J. Simard and his significant other Ashley Correia; seven grandchildren, Michael Simard, Braden Simard, Ryan Jarry and his wife Kendra, Nicole Jarry, Evan Jarry, Haylee Jarry and Aidan Simard; four great-grandchildren, Ryland, Eloise, Oliver and Brycen Jarry; two brothers, Ronald Simard and his wife Theresa, and Gerard Simard and his wife Kathy; a sister, Dorothy Dionne and her husband Ronald; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

   Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday evening, February 24^th from 6 to 8 p.m. A Graveside service will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery, 71 Derry Road in Hudson, Saturday, February 26^th at 10 a.m.  Family and friends are invited to attend and meet at the cemetery. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua. 

For just over 99 years, Lois Hochard Straub Kopiski did, learned, taught, raised, fed, cleaned, fixed and worked. She tended her kids, their kids, and the kids they had, leaving her prints on them all. She shared her kitchen secrets, and she’d show you how. But hers was always better, no contest. You probably have a quilt she spent hundreds of hours getting right. She’d get in on your biggest projects and keep going long after you’re spent. There’s no telling how many she mentored in pie crust, and painting and sewing and.., Sauerkraut, endless skills. More memory saved up than anyone, she could win bets. Stitched all that was misshapen, ever certain and reliable, showing an example, working hard. She abandoned a 10 cup-a-day coffee habit, and no one noticed! To generations, she was “Mom”, then Mom-Mom. This is just a small sample, born on Christmas Eve makes you try harder. December 24, 1922 – February 19, 2022.

When the time came, rather than a swift flight, she gave just a few days. Time to gather, hold her hand, tell her best stories and hugs. So Generous. She left us with her sweet, sleeping face. Goodnight Lois Mae.

A family gathering will be held in the unfolding spring. Anything in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to either The Hudson NH Senior Center or Home Health and Hospice, Merrimack NH. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

Adam Constantine Gureckis Jr., well-known Nashua native, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the age of 70, after fighting cancer for over 15 years. Adam never gave up and was a true warrior in his fight against cancer. He “beat” cancer several times but suddenly God had different plans for him – maybe He just needed someone like Adam in Heaven!

Adam was born in Nashua on September 16, 1951, to the late Adam C. Gureckis Sr. and Evelyn (Shanahan) Gureckis. As a young child in the early 1950’s, Adam had a foot and leg disorder, and his doctors were not sure if he would run, jump, or walk properly. As a result, he was fitted for leg braces, which he wore for several years. His father worked on his legs every day and drove him to Boston for treatment as he was determined that his son would be able to run, jump and walk, not knowing he would one day become one of the greatest athletes in the State of New Hampshire. One of eight children, Adam was raised in a family that knew what family really meant and he carried that forward throughout his life. He was educated in local schools and graduated in the Nashua High School Class of 1971. Adam was an integral part of the 50^th Class Reunion held this past October.

Adam had an accomplished high school career in both baseball and basketball and set many records during his high school basketball career (1968-1971). He was also one of the outstanding baseball pitchers in the State of New Hampshire. Some of the highlights of his high school career were: All-time scoring leader in Nashua High basketball history with over 1,700 points in his 4-year high school career; set a tournament scoring record in 1969; named the 1971 Nashua High Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments in basketball and baseball; named to the all-tournament team year after year; cited by Letterman Magazine as one of the outstanding schoolboy prospects in the country in 1971; and he was inducted into the Nashua Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. Adam was given the name “Able Adam” by his many fans. Adam also went on to play basketball at Nathaniel Hawthorne College in Antrim.

Dean Shalhoup, Telegraph sportswriter, said of Adam, “But back in the day Nashua had an answer for Flanagan: The pure, perfect-spin right-hand jump shot of a youngster named Adam Gureckis.” “Give Gureckis even a little daylight and he’d burn you. Safe to say that had the 3-point shot been around then, Gureckis, who played some as an eighth grader, more as a freshman and then started for three years, could very well hold the NHIAA record for career high school points.” Telegraph sports editor Greg Andruskevich said of Adam, “Gureckis often launched ‘from way downtown,’ borrowing a phrase coined by the late great Johnny Most. “Many of his bombs came from the top of the key and plenty from the right and left of the key.” Panther Captain Lou Richard chalked up the success of the 1969 Class L State Championship match with Manchester Memorial High School to “a few factors: A very motivating coach, a humble star, and a decent supporting cast. In my opinion we only had one star on the team, and that was Gureckis. He was our go to guy … he could shoot the lights out in any gym. He was ‘Mr. Clutch’ for sure.” Legendary basketball coach Tony Marandos once called Adam a “scorer supreme.” (See Dean Shalhoup’s “From no-chance to champs” – March 17, 2019).

Adam’s long successful career in sales led him to start his own successful business, AG Landscaping, where his sons have worked alongside him for many years. Adam and his boys took care of the lawns and grounds of hundreds of Nashua and surrounding area residents and businesses, decorated downtown Nashua with wreaths and holiday decorations, and delivered Christmas trees to their doors year after year.

Adam worked tirelessly for several Nashua nonprofits year after year, giving his all for their success. The non-profit closest to his heart, the Jenny Fund, was formed after the death of his niece, Jen Gureckis, to bring awareness to brain cancer and raise monies for brain cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Jen and Adam shared a connection – fighting cancer – and his tireless efforts have made the Jenny Fund the success it is today. As a member of the well-known Club National in Nashua, Adam was involved for years in the club’s fundraising efforts. Adam was also involved with the Friends of Nashua High Athletics which supported Nashua High School sports programs. He was also a Nashua Ward 7 Selectman. Adam has always given back to his community that he loved so much.

Adam married Beverly J. Hanson on October 18, 1975 and they shared over 46 years of marriage. Their sons, Craig and Aaron, were also exceptional athletes at Nashua High School, and you could always see Adam on the field, or in the gym, following their careers. Adam also followed them in their college baseball careers and loved traveling to Florida to see them play. He was always so proud of them.

In his spare time, Adam loved playing golf, traveling to Amish County in PA for business and leisure, where he would handpick hanging plants and nursery items for his clients. He looked forward to more vacations and cruises with family and friends.

Adam was known by everyone wherever he went throughout New Hampshire and beyond. His warm personality, and the smile always on his face, made him a well-liked and respected man. Some words that have been said about him this week are: a true Nashua legend; a Nashua icon; always a gentleman; incredible athlete and even better person; a torch bearer that young athletes strived to be like; was looked up to and cherished; a great athlete who entertained us –  a good friend, always there to help – and a devoted family man; Nashua is deeply honored to have you as one of their own and his legacy will live on; positive energy no matter what was going on with himself; and one of the toughest cancer fighters I’ve ever known.

Adam touched many lives and made an impact on everyone. If there is one person that changed the world, it was Adam C. Gureckis Jr., and this world is a better place because of him.

Members of his family include his wife, Beverly J. (Hanson) Gureckis; his sons, Craig Gureckis and Aaron Gureckis; his daughters-in-law, Amie Gureckis and Jennifer Gureckis; and his three grandchildren, Gabriella, Griffin, and Avery Gureckis. Adam is also survived by seven siblings and their spouses – his brother John and Sandi Gureckis; and sisters, Connie and Dennis McCullion, Linda and Jack Cunliffe, Judy and Jim Farrar, Pat and Jim Clark, Pam and Jim Ford, and Debra Gureckis. Adam is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Shawn McCullion, Kim Laurendi, Lisa Flanagan, John Cunliffe, Mike Farrar, Kristen Lafave, Ashley Clark, Jeff Clark, Heather Mucci, John Gureckis, Greg Ford, and Amy Bouley who all adored him. He is also survived by his special aunt and uncle Esther (Cookie) and Paul Gerstner and an aunt Agnes Gureckis. He also leaves numerous cousins.

In addition to his parents, Adam was predeceased by twin grandsons at birth, Adam and David Gureckis, and a special niece, Jennifer Gureckis.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Monday, February 28^th from 4 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua on Tuesday, March 1^st at 1:30 pm. All are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Adam’s memory to the gofundme account set up in his honor to support his family with the expenses of his illness. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are in the care of Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua.

Gerald Valentine Butler, Jr., 81, of Nashua, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, February 16, 2022, at St. Joseph Hospital after a period of declining health.

Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on December 20, 1940, he was the eldest son of the late Gerald V. and Jean (Owen) Butler. After graduating from high school, Jerry attended USC in the NROTC program from 1958 to 1961. He then served with the Navy aboard the USS Ranger from 1961 to 1962. Later, he earned his degree at Stanford Business School in California.

Jerry was a senior executive and computer pioneer for over forty years. He was associated with companies including Lawrence Radiation, Digital Equipment Corporation, Culler Scientific, Prime Computers and Brite Voice Technologies. His work took him across the world to Japan, Switzerland, and Venice.

A resident of Nashua and Hollis since 1994, Jerry had also made his home in Irvine and Santa Barbara, California; Acton, Dover and Harvard, Massachusetts; and Amherst, New Hampshire.

Jerry served as Director of Ministry Effectiveness and was a dedicated member of Crossway Christian Church of Nashua. In his leisure time, he enjoyed jogging, computing, and traveling in his RV across the country. Jerry will be remembered as a loving, faithful and dedicated man of God. He was funny and punny, passionate, kind, gentle, sentimental, strong, hardworking, intelligent, and patriotic. Jerry left an enormous legacy.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, JoAnne (Geasland) Butler, who passed away in January, 2009.

Members of his family include his wife, Joyce Gathoni Butler; his four children, Gerald V. Butler III, Katharyn Raper and her husband Stephen, Elizabeth Butler, Laura Nashawaty and her husband Michael; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; a brother, David Butler; a sister, Bonnie Butler; also, several nieces and nephews.

A service is being planned and will be held at Crossway Christian Church on Monday, March 14th at 11:00 a.m. Please send donations in Jerry’s name to Crossway Christian Church at 503 Main Dunstable Road, Nashua, NH 03062. To send an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

  SCHEDULE CHANGE DUE TO SNOWSTORM:

Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 26th from 1 to 4 pm.

   Earl W. Munson, Jr., 70, went on to join the Rock and Roll Heaven band on Monday, February 14, 2022. He was born in Nashua on April 4, 1951 to Earl W. Munson, Sr. and Alice (Clark) Munson. He was raised in Hudson, NH and was a graduate of Alvirne High School Class of 1969.        

    He is survived by his sisters, April Chartier and her husband William of Wilton, NH and Marilyn Carpentier of Swanton, VT; his nephews, Thomas Latour of Wilton, and Justin Harnum and his wife Erika of Racine, WI; grandnephews, Lucas Latour and Hayden Harnum; grandnieces, Evie Latour and Charlotte Kuiper; several cousins; and his companion, Janet Lajoie Myshrall.

    Earl was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Lynn Alice; paternal grandparents, Willis Munson and Clara (Gerow, Munson) Rowe; and maternal grandparents, Victor and Florence (Smith) Clark; his brother-in-law, Greg Carpentier; his uncles and aunts, Frederick and Charlotte Clark and Alexander and Judith Macie.

    He was known as “Dirt” to his friends and bandmates. Earl was the drummer for the band Aces and Eights, the Hitchhikers, Soap, Reunion and the JiveKats. He was happiest when he was drumming. When the drummer for the group Brooklyn Bridge was ill, Earl was asked to fill in as their drummer. He met and spent some time with John Lennon.  

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Saturday, February 26^th from 1 to 4 p.m. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made a charity of one’s choice. Interment will take place at a later date at Gibson Cemetery in Pelham. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE in Nashua.

   Debra Susan Valcourt, 59, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, February 14, 2022, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.       

   Born September 29, 1962, to the late Roger Valcourt and Theresa J. (Petrain) Valcourt Henderson, Debra was a lifelong resident of Nashua. Educated in local schools, Debra was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1980.

    Debra began her career as a teller with the former Nashua Trust Company; but transitioned into different jobs over the years. Many might recognize her friendly face from Shaw’s supermarket on Spit Brook Road, where she worked for 13 years and United Health Care.  

    In her leisure time, Debra loved spending time at Old Orchard Beach in Maine or spoiling her cats. Her favorite pastime of all was spending time with her partner of 40 years and love of her life, Jeff.  She will be remembered for her kind heart and as someone who was dearly loved by her family.

    Members of her family include her lifelong companion, Jeffrey Latvis; her sister,  Janet Raisanen and her husband David; brother, Edward Valcourt; and niece and nephews Taylor and Amanda Raisanen, Crystal Antonucci, Courtney Lee and Elizabeth Valcourt. In addition to her parents, Debra was predeceased by a brother, Roger Valcourt. and her step-father, Frank H. Henderson.

   Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, February 23^rd from 6 to 8 p.m. All friends are invited to attend. In addition to flowers, donations are welcomed at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH 03064 in Debra’s memory. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Leo O. Marquis, Jr, 74, of Nashua, passed away early Sunday morning, February 13, 2022 at St. Joseph Hospital after a brief period of declining health.         

    A lifelong Nashua resident, Leo was born on July 17, 1947, a son of Leo O. Marquis and Priscilla (Lajoie) Landry Marquis. Educated in local schools, Mr. Marquis was an Army veteran and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.

    Leo was a longtime employee of Beebe Rubber Company, where he worked as a rubber compounder until his retirement

    A member of the Community Christian Church of New Ipswich, Leo was a former member of the New Testament Church in Nashua and was active in its soup kitchen.  

    In his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening around his home and spending time with his loved ones.

   Members of his family include his wife of 48 years, Brenda C. (Lambert) Marquis, whom he married on June 23, 1973; his son and daughter-in-law, Joshua J. and Courtney Marquis of Wilton; his granddaughter, MacKenzie Marquis; three sisters, Flora McClure of San Markis, TX, Hilda Bebirian of Nashua and Sharon LaPiana and her husband John of Rochester, NY; three brothers and their wives, Duane and Claire Landry of Nashua, Paul and Arlene Landry of Hudson and Gene and Denise Landry of Nashua; brother-in-law, John Montanez of Dublin; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Leo was also predeceased by a sister, Lorraine Montanez; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald A. and Eleanor (Cowgill) Landry.   

    There are no calling hours or formal services at this time. The family is planning a Celebration of His Life at a later date. Interment will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Donations may be made in his memory to the Community Christian Church, 32 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH 03071. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

Mary Alice (Ghilardi) Grallo, 96, a longtime resident of Nashua, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones and her 15 year old “baby” daschund Chas.

She is fondly remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a full-time homemaker while raising her children.  After that, there was no stopping her! She was a top-producing “Avon Lady” who pedaled her bike throughout the neighborhood for over 15 years. She also was a monitor at Charlotte Avenue school for 25 years, reluctantly retiring at 87 years young! She was generous with both her hugs and the candy in her pockets and was lovingly known as Mrs. “G” to thousands of students. For decades, she was an active member and top fundraiser for the Nashua Senior Activity Center and was a fixture in the Annual Senior Citizens Show singing and dancing in one of her many outrageous costumes every year. She loved her aerobics, dance and yoga up until the age of 94!

She was always active and loved working in her vegetable garden and was raking and mowing her lawn well into her 90’s. And this, from a city gal!

She was born on October 13, 1925, in Boston, MA, the daughter of the late Leo and Catherine Ghilardi and was predeceased by the love of her life, Anthony Grallo, whom she was married to for 50 years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Emma Stewart and her brothers Leo and John Ghilardi.

Survivors include her daughters and their spouses, Sandra and Jean-Paul Lanctot, Joyce McGrath and her buddies, Paul Young and James Weltzer (Mary’s “adopted” sons) and Linda and Kirk Pomeroy. Her grandchildren include Bruce Lanctot, Paula Gathright, Bret Pomeroy, Brianna Beam as well as two great-grandchildren, Jayla Gathright and Ambrose Beam.  She had many nieces and nephews, and she was considered a second Mom by her niece Katey Barbaro and her husband Frank and her nephew Steven Ghilardi.

Mary was also blessed with a second family, Melissa and Al Martin, their daughter Ashleigh and her son Grayson and Allan Jr. and his family.

Mom’s beautiful face, her laughter and her indomitable spirit will always live on through those who were privileged to know and love her. She will always be loved from the moon and back a million times.

Visiting hours will be on Saturday, February 19, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, followed by a Celebration of Life at Courtyard by Marriott, 2200 Southwood Dr., Nashua, NH 03063. A Funeral Mass will take place on the following Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Parish, 216 E Dunstable Rd, Nashua, NH 03062. Friends and family are cordially invited to meet directly at the church. Service will be livestreamed starting at 10:00 am www.iccnashuanh.org/media-library Interment to follow at Edgewood Cemetery, 107 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03064.

In lieu of flowers, for those planning an expression of sympathy, the family asks that donations honoring the life of Mary Grallo be made to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054, Attention: Development or online at www. hhhc.org or to The Nashua Senior Activity Center, 70 Temple St, Nashua, NH 03060.  Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE (603) 882-0591. To send an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Neil Curtis Guild, 88, of Nashua, NH and formerly of Hyannis, MA, passed away at his home, early Thursday morning, February 10, 2022 after a period of declining health.         

    Born in Chatham, Massachusetts on August 25, 1933, he was a son of the late Charles A. and Elizabeth (O’Neill) Guild.  Neil grew up in Hyannis and was a graduate of Barnstable High School and attended Boston University for a year. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Neil was an Air Traffic Controller and held the rank of Staff Sergeant.

    After his honorable discharge in January 1957, Neil continued a long career as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration in Columbus, Ohio and Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Nashua in 1964. He furthered his education at Rivier University where earned a Bachelor’s degree.

    Earlier in his life, Neil played minor league baseball with the Air Force in Montana. He was a longtime left-handed golfer and fan of all the Boston sports teams. While residing in Hyannis, Neil was a Trumpet player in high school and later with the Air Force. He attended the Federated Church of Hyannis and sang in the choir and the Air Force.

   Members of his family include his brother, Eugene Guild of Pelham, NH; a nephew, Matthew Guild of Billerica, MA; his dear companion, Patricia Clark of Nashua, NH; also many nieces and nephews residing on Cape Cod; and many friends. In addition to his parents, Neil was also predeceased by a brother, Edward Guild of Hyannis, MA.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, February 16^th from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a prayer service. Friends are invited to attend. Interment will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Thursday, February 17th at 1:30 p.m. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, Nashua, NH.

   Claire A. (Provencher) Marsolais, 93, of Hudson, passed away at her home, with her beloved family and her precious cat by her side early Tuesday morning, February 8, 2022 after a short period of declining health.         

    Mrs. Marsolais was born in Manchester on January 22, 1929, a daughter of the late Athanase and Bernadette (Pelletier) Provencher. She attended St. Augustine Parochial School and was a graduate of Central High School.

    A longtime resident of Hudson, Claire had been employed at St. John the Evangelist School and later worked at the former Indian Head National Bank in Nashua. After she retired, Claire made her home at Buttercup Hill on Webster Street in Hudson for many years, and developed many longtime friendships. For the last two years she lived with her family.

   Claire was a loving and devoted mother, who always put her children first. She enjoyed attending her son’s sports activities; playing cards with her family; spent many hours cooking, sewing and loved reading to her kids and grandkids. She had a great sense of humor. Some of her favorite pastimes were going out for long shore rides for ice cream and lobster rolls, trips to the lake and beaches; making her famous Christmas treat “Nuts & Bolts”, buying scratch tickets, watching game shows and she also learned how to text on her phone at 89. She and her cat Nike were inseparable and she often sang “You are my Sunshine” to Nike. She was always a very kind and compassionate person that put others’ needs in front of her own.

   One of seven children, she was predeceased by her brothers, Emile Provencher and his wife Jesse, Leon Provencher, and George W. Provencher and his wives, Lucille (Cote) Provencher and Rita (St. Pierre) Provencher; two sisters and their husbands, Marcelle and Raymond LaMontagne and Therese and Harold Tremblay; her brother-in-law, Joseph Girard; and her former husband, Paul R. Marsolais.  

    Members of her family include her three children, Paula Tate, Pamela Brodeur and Brian Marsolais; three grandchildren, Mike Peters, Kyle Tate and Scott Thompson; four great-grandchildren, Eddie, Billy and Charlie Thompson, and Paisley Tate; her sister, Irene Girard of Plaistow, NH; her sister-in-law, Priscilla Provencher of Vernon, Conn.; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, February 15^th from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 11 o’clock. Interment will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Family and friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in her memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservicecom . Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE.

   Shirley G. Nason, 86, of Hudson, widow of Richard C. Nason, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 5, 2022 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua after a period of declining health.

    A resident of Hudson for over 60 years, Mrs. Nason was born in Nashua on September 18, 1935, a daughter of the late Edward C. and Gladys M. (Raymond) Grant.  Shirley grew up in Merrimack and was a graduate of Nashua High School.

    Shirley was employed at the former Smith Flower Shop in downtown Nashua from 1956 to 1964.  She later served as the secretary at the First Baptist Church of Hudson for over twenty years. Shirley also worked as a paralegal and bank customer service representative.

    She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Hudson and BAFTA Fellowship; held membership in Pilgrim Chapter #55, Order of Eastern Star; and was a former member of Nashua Assembly #9 Rainbow for Girls.  

    Shirley and her husband “Dick” were married on June 21, 1957 and shared 47 years together until his passing on February 10, 2005.  Devoted to her family, Shirley always made herself available and hosted creative, fabulous family gatherings.  She was talented in art and writing and loved square dancing. 

    In addition to her husband and parents, she was also predeceased by her daughter Diane E. Nason in February 2019; great grandson, Zypher M. Thompson in 2017; her sister and brother-in-law, Marion Louise “Tiny” and Horace Knights; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald E. and Barbara Grant and William P. and Eleanor Grant.

    Members of her family include her daughter, Nancy L. Nason of Hudson; son-in-law, George Roehl of Bridgewater; four grandchildren, Nichole Kyrychok and her husband, Andri of Antrim, Karen Black of Rumney, Christopher Black and his fiancée, Lydia Cooley of Pembroke and Elizabeth Ann Luna of Tampa Bay, FL.; great-grandchildren, Private Collin Nason , US Army; Adin Kyrychok,  Noella Black, Loki Normandin, Felix Thompson, and Analea Nichols; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, February 15^th from 2 to 4 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the First Baptist Church, 236 Central Street in Hudson, Wednesday morning at 10 am.   Interment will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.  Friends are invited to attend. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE in Nashua.  

    Leo William Soucy, Sr., 69, of Nashua, passed away Thursday evening, February 3, 2022 at St. Joseph Hospital after a period of declining health.

    A lifelong resident of this city, Leo was born on July 9, 1952, son of the late Leo P. and Bertha (Durand) Soucy. He attended the former Sacred Heart School of St. Patrick Church and Nashua public schools.

    Leo began working as a teenager at Maynard & Lesieur, Inc. in Nashua from 1968 to 1983; then as a maintenance man at the McDonald’s restaurant on Derry Road in Hudson from 1983 to 1988. He continued his career at Kollsman Instruments in Merrimack as an HVAC technician from 1988 to 1992 and later worked at Costco until his retirement in 2012.

    In his leisure time, Leo loved drag racing and collected Hot Rod magazines. He and his wife Carol, visited 180 breweries around the country and traveled to Lake Placid, NY where they enjoyed riding on a 4-man bobsled and dog sled. Leo also loved spending time with his family at his camp at Shapleigh on Treasure Island in Maine for many years. A very religious person, Leo read his bible every day.

    Members of his family include his wife, Carol L. (Casey) Soucy, whom he married on May 8, 1971, and celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary last year; his son, Leo W. Soucy, Jr; his daughter, Christine L. Soucy and her dog “Royal”; two grandchildren, Evan and Elena Soucy; two sisters and their husbands, Susan and Carbo Sauls of Sutton, NH and Paula and Bruce Sawyer of Moultonborough, NH; brother-in-law, Paul A. Desrosiers of Nashua; also nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Leo was predeceased by two sisters, Laurette Desrosiers and Lucille Baker; and his beloved cat “Puss”.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday evening, February 11^th from 6 to 8 p.m. His funeral service will be held in the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 242 Derry Road in Litchfield, Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend. To send an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, Nashua, NH.

   Gerard R. “Chick” Desrosiers, 96, a longtime resident of Hollis and formerly of Nashua, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday evening, February 1, 2022.               

   A resident of Hollis since 1968, he was born in Nashua on September 29, 1925, the son of the late Charles E. and Marie (April) Desrosiers. Educated in local schools, Chick was a graduate of Nashua High School. An Army veteran, he served during World War II with Troop A of the 121^st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in the European, African, Middle Eastern Theatre of operations and held the rank of Private First Class. After the war, Mr. Desrosiers continued his education at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1950.

   Mr. Desrosiers enjoyed a long career as a surveyor for the State of New Hampshire.

  An active sportsman, he was an avid mountain climber and held membership in Appalachian Mountain Club. A longtime member of the Nashua Country Club, Chick enjoyed golf, curling and squash. He was also a fan of the Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots.

    Chick was the beloved husband of Nancy M. (Bellavance) Desrosiers, who passed away on September 15, 2019. The couple shared 52 years together.

    He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Christopher Bonaventura of Milton Mills, NH; his granddaughter, Amanda Bonaventura of Milton Mills; a nephew, Daniel Bondonis of Nashua; two nieces, Diane Kisting of Cape Coral, FL and Marea Santos of Kingston, MA. In addition to his wife and parents, Chick was also predeceased by his sister, Irene M. Bondonis.

     A period of visitation will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, February 9^th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial in the Parish of the Resurrection at 11 o’clock. Interment and Army Honors will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice can be made in Chicks memory. To send an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE.

   Leslie L. (Bordeau) Holstein Ziegler, 63, of Durham, NC and Kennebunk, ME, and formerly of Nashua, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, after a brief illness.          

   Born in Nashua on November 29, 1958, she is a daughter of Wallace Bordeau and Bette (Bellisle) Roy. Educated in local schools, Leslie was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1976 and furthered her education at Daniel Webster College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree.

   Leslie had been employed with Fidelity Investments for several years and was currently working for the University of North Carolina Healthcare and was planning to retire in May of this year.

    A resident of North Carolina since 2006, Leslie had also resided at her summer home in Kennebunk, ME since 2017. She previously made her home in Weare, NH for many years.

    In her leisure time, Leslie was an avid reader, loved traveling, walking the beach in Maine, sewing, arts and crafts and visiting wineries. She was very proud of her girls and especially loved spending time with her family and was fondly known as “GiGi” to her grandchildren.

    Members of her family include her husband Carl Ziegler, whom she met in 2006; her daughters, Jamie Lovering and her husband Travis of Weare, NH and Kelly Holstein and her significant other Ryan Archambault of Manchester; three grandchildren, Austin and Joshua Lovering, and Gavin Archambault; her mother, Bette Roy of Bow; her father, Wallace Bordeau and his wife Florence of Nashua;her sister, Deborah Bordeau of Kennebunk, ME, who lived just around the corner from her; her brother William Bordeau and his wife Laurie of Nashua; a nephew, Corey-Allen Bordeau; a step-sister, Cori Kenney of East Haven, CT; and many cousins.  Leslie was predeceased by her first husband, James M. Holstein, who passed away May 9, 2002.

   Family and friends are invited to her calling hours at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday, February 11^th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a prayer service. Donations may be made in Leslie’s memory to AWS (Animal Welfare Society) P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Local arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE.