Cleo E. Monette

Cleo E. Monette, 85, 256 Baker Street, Gardner, died Sunday, June 1, 2014 in his residence in the loving arms of his entire family, following a brief struggle with cancer.
Cleo was born in Gardner on May 17, 1929, the son of the late Enzo A. and Albina C. (Houde) Monette.
He graduated from Saxton Trade High School of Leominster in 1947. Cleo attended the former Keene State Teachers College of Keene, NH, the former Worcester Jr. College of Worcester, University of Massachusetts of Amherst, Mount Wachusett Community College of Gardner.
He served in the Army National Guard from 1948 thru 1951.
Cleo was employed by GEM Industries of Gardner as Vice President and General Manager for five years, retiring in 1991. Following his retirement he worked at the Un-Employment Office of Gardner. He was previously employed by Sprague and Carlton Engineers of Keene, NH and C. H. Hartshorn, Inc. of Gardner.
Cleo was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Gardner, and he served as Past-President of its' St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Cleo spent his life serving the community in the City which he loved. He served as an At-Large City Councilor for the City of Gardner for 12 years. He was a past-member of the Board of Directors and was Past-President of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Past-President of the Gardner Community Development Center, former member of the Board of Directors for GAAMHA, Past-Treasurer of Gardner Re-Development Authority, former member of the Board of Directors of GVNA Healthcare, Inc., former member of the Gardner License Commission and recently served on the Gardner Charter Revision Committee. He was a member of the Gardner Manufacturing Association, was a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus of Gardner, a member of the American Legion Post 129 of Gardner, member of the Acadien Social Club of Gardner and the Polish American Citizens Club of Gardner. In 1997 Cleo was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed playing tennis, working in his yard and garage, and auto detailing. He was a well-respected gentleman, who served as a mentor to many people over the years. He will be truly missed by his family, and also by the residents of Gardner whose lives all benefited from being touched by this humble man.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Shirley A. (Smith) Monette of Gardner; one son, Daniel J. Monette and his wife Karol of Royalston; two daughters, Jill M. Cormier and her husband Rene of Gardner and Holly A. Nuzzo and her husband Daniel of Boston; nine grandchildren, Allison, Joshua, Heather, Jason, Melanie, Kate, Aimee, Chad and Kristopher; three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Ashlynn and Cadence; and several very special nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son Michael C. Monette who died in 2001; daughter, Kathleen Monette who died in 1950; brother, Raymond E. Monette who died in 1993; and two sisters, Jeanine M. Roy who died in 2012 and Annette Bourgeois who died in 1987.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 9th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross Street, Gardner. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours will be Sunday, June 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following: St. Vincent de Paul Society, 166 Cross Street, Gardner, MA 01440, GVNA Healthcare, Inc., 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440, Heywood Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, 242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440 or to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center Inc., 268 Central Street, Suite A, Gardner, MA 01440.

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