WORCESTER: Henry T. “Jake” Veroneau, 89, of 201 Providence St., formerly of 1442 Main St., died Saturday, November 8, 2008, under hospice care at Knollwood Nursing Center, after a long battle with prostate cancer. His wife of 54 years, Helen A. “Billie” Veroneau, died August 28, 1994.
He leaves a son, Ray T. Veroneau of Jefferson; two daughters, June Bolduc of Millbury, Deborah A. Veroneau of Worcester; a sister, Beverly A. Sundquist and her husband Kenneth of Spencer; a brother, David O. Veroneau and his wife Pauline of Cos Bay, Oregon; his beloved granddaughter, Victoriahope McAuliffe of Worcester; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; his longtime friends and hiking buddies, Frank Discipio and Paul McCarthy; the McAuliffe family of Newport RI, and the Ruttencutter family of Worcester. His fiancée, Carol Ruttencutter, died December 6, 2006. Four brothers and three sisters also predeceased him: Chester R., Hugh E., Paul, and Francis Veroneau; Florence Johnson, Winifred Veroneau, and Dorothy M. Greene. He was born and raised in Worcester, son of the late Henry and Ida (Owens) Veroneau and lived in Worcester most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Henry worked as a custodian for 16 years at State Mutual Life Assurance Company, retiring in 1985. He previously worked at Cure’s Furniture for many years. He was a member of the Worcester Historical Society and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He was an avid hiker and especially enjoyed Mount Monadnock and Mount Wachusett. He was a voracious reader and loved books. He was known to utter the phrase “I’d rather read a book.”
There are no calling hours. After cremation, burial will be at the convenience of the family. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held on SUNDAY, NOV. 23 at 4 P.M. at FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH of WORCESTER, 90 Main St. The family suggests donations in memory of Henry be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (EFMRI), 540 Gallivan Blvd., Boston, MA 02124 or Hope for the Future, c/o Gregory L. Holmes, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756.
KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St., is assisting the family. A condolence book is available on-line at www.kellyfuneralhome.com