Donald E."Don" Croff

Donald E. "Don" Croff, 85, of 120A Lane Road, Barre and formerly of Gardner, died Wednesday, June 22, 2011 in his residence surrounded by his family following a long illness.
Donald was born in Gardner on November 5, 1925, the son of the late Hugh and Jennie (Smith) Croff.
He was a clerk and truck driver employed by Lynde Hardware of Gardner for several years, retiring in 1968.
Donald attended Gardner High School and received his GED in 2002.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner and St. Joseph's Church in Barre, where he was a Eucharistic Minister.
Donald was a WWII United States Navy Veteran, and served on the U.S.S. Franklin, CV-13 Aircraft Carrier, the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVB-42 Aircraft Carrier and the U.S.S. Enoree, TAO-69 Navy Tanker. He received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with 4 stars, the C.O. Commendation and the Philippine Liberation Medal with one star.
He was Chaplain and Senior Vice Commander of the D.A.V. in Gardner, and past Service Officer of the American Legion, Post 129 of Gardner. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Post 905 of Gardner, and while living in Barre was a member of the American Legion, Post 2 of Barre where he served as Jr. and Senior Vice Commander, Commander, Adjutant, Service Officer and Chaplain. He also served on numerous committees. Don was a member of the Barre Golden Age Club, and he also served as Chaplain. Don was also a Volunteer Firefighter for the City of Gardner.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Pauline M. (Belliveau) Croff of Barre; one son, David H. Croff and his wife Trudy of Barre; one daughter, Mary Lou Ovaska of Woodsfield, OH; four grandchildren, Thomas C. Croff of Orlando, FL, Christina D. Foley of Worcester, Jennifer L. Ovaska of Dayton, OH and Nichole M. Ovaska of Gardner; six great-grandchildren, Patrick F. and Mary S. Foley of Worcester, Eli D. Croff of Orlando, FL, Sarea D. Lavaley of Miamisburg, OH, Shelby R. Ovaska of Dayton, OH and Jaden L. Ovaska of Gardner; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one sister, Charleen Hayward.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 27th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial will be in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.
Calling hours will be Sunday, June 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be the American Legion Post 2, Valley Road, Barre, MA. 01005.

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