Wilrose E. “Willie” Letendre, 76, of Hastings Road died Wednesday, Oct. 12 in Brigham & Women’s Hospital after an 18 month courageous battle with Leukemia.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Patricia E. (Cameron) Letendre, three daughters Debra A. Letendre and Jo-ann M. Letendre both of Spencer and Mary Lou Smith and her husband Charles of Millbury, a brother Robert Letendre of Spencer, four sisters Pearl Mominee and Pauline Paradis both of Spencer, Mildred Lachambre of Brookfield and Joan Lusignan of East Brookfield, four grandchildren Amy, Edward, Branden and Michael, several nieces and nephews and his beloved cat “Baby”. He was pre-deceased by four brothers Donald, Paul, Milton and Norman Letendre and a sister Rita Letendre.
Willie was born in Spencer, son of Louis and Clara (Ledoux) Letendre. He was Service Director at Ragsdale Chevrolet for over 25 years before retiring 15 years ago. He was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. He was the President of the Spencer Trotters Association Inc. for over 50 years, before retiring this year due to illness. He was Past President of Harness Horsemen’s Association of New England and a 5 term President of the “Chevrolets Only the Best Club”. He volunteered his time and mentored youths in the Brookfield area by teaching classes in the automotive field. He was well liked and helped numerous people through the years; he was a “good hearted man”. He enjoyed horses, the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, mowing his lawn and apple pie. Willie’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, especially Dr. David Steensma, Dara Stern, Ludmila Svoboda and Mary Delaney for their compassionate care.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, Oct. 17 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 Church Street, Spencer. Family and friends are asked to go directly to church. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Spencer. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Attention Leukemia Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
J.Henri Morin & Son Funeral Home, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer is directing arrangements for the family.