Harry J. Landry

Harry J. "Joe" Landry, 74, of Pioneer Place 113 New Athol Rd., Orange and formerly of 146 Ward St., Athol died Tuesday, June 7th in St. Vincent Hospital's Worcester Medical Center, following a short illness. He was formerly a fifty-year resident of Gardner.

Born in Gardner on October 18, 1930, he was the son of Louis J. and Eva (Lashua) Landry Sr.

He was Foreman of the Inspection Room at L.S.Starrett Co. of Athol for 37 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. He was a member of the Napoleon Club and Club 25. He served on the Athol Town Finance Committee for several years and was also a past chairman.

Mr. Landry enjoyed weekly cribbage games with his friends, traveling to the Maine Seacoast, working in his yard, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. He took great pride and satisfaction in his family's successes. He was a strong advocate for education and athletics even though he was self-taught.

He was a Korean War U.S. Navy Veteran and received the Good Conduct Medal.

His first wife, Elizabeth M. (Leroy) Landry died in 1975. He leaves his wife of 28 years, Jean E. (Nickerson) Landry of Orange; 2 sons, Steven L. Landry and wife Kristin of Fitchburg, Edward A. Landry and wife Sue of Acworth, GA; 2 stepsons, Gregory A. Landry and wife Carmen and Robert B. Landry and companion Marilee, all of Hollywood, FL; 1 daughter, Linda M. Parnass and husband Paul of Bow, NH; 2 sisters, Paulette Newton of New Salem and Louise Wiggins of Bowden, GA; 6 grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by 5 brothers, Cyrille P., Arthur, Arnold, Louis, Paul Landry and 2 sisters, Leona Chicoine and Evelyn Perreault.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 11th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner.

Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday, June 10th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Athol Library, 568 Main St., Athol, MA 01331 or to the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, 55 West Lynde St., Gardner, MA 01440.

Following is the eulogy given by his son Edward

Hello everyone and thank you for coming to share in the memory of Dad. And thank you Jean, Linda and Chuck for allowing me to represent the family in saying a few words about Dad. Since all of you have played such a very special part in his life, he would have been honored to see you here today.

As all of you have known Joe or Harry or Tetman or Dad or Pepe so well, you can appreciate that he would have been very uncomfortable with a gathering like today. Not only because he is lying there and we are sitting here, but because we are honoring and sympathizing over him. It was never about him. It was always about me, you, Jean, his kids, grandkids, old Meme (who he cherished), his brothers and sisters (who he had a wonderful opportunity to spend time with since his retirement), nieces, nephews, co-workers, friends and family.

- In the past few years when his health was less than kind to him, I have had several conversations with him. After triple bypass surgery I would ask him how things are going. He would say, it was a little blockage that made it hard to breathe on occasion. No big deal, it will go away, now tell me about the kids.

- After having a bout with cancer it was, a pain in his side that wasn't too bad, now tell me about Erica's pre-school.

- And if he could tell us about this week, it would have been a mild headache that will be gone by noon and Ed, please do not come home, everything is fine.

As a child and I know Chuck and Linda can concur, he always made us feel special.

- When he got up on Sunday mornings (his only day off) to take Linda to 7:00 mass before she went to work, it was about her, not him

- When he got up at 5am to cook me steak and eggs because I had swim practice before school and a meet in the afternoon. It was about giving me the best opportunity to win, not about him losing sleep.

- When Chuck got in a car accident, it was dad by his bedside telling him to "fight, you have a lot to live for" and "rest now and don't worry about your family, I will take care of them". And he always did.

Dad had more pride and any of us could have imagined. He took pride in:
- Working for Starretts for 37 years.
- Making and inspecting the best tools he could produce.
- Cutting his grass.
- Keeping his car clean.
- Doing the dishes.
- Being the "boss". He has often stated and truly believed that every job needs a boss and he is the perfect person for the job.

And boy was he proud of his family:

- Linda, he was so proud of what you have accomplished as a pharmacist and even more importantly as a mother

- Chuck, he has passed the "touch" on to you. You are a "rock of stability" just like him and there is no bigger show of pride from Dad.

- Katie, he was so proud to watch you graduate from Graduate School.

- Kristy, you know how important academics and athletics was too Pepe and he was proud of your accomplishments in swimming and school.

- Betsy, you reminded him of your namesake and how he cherished your "Meme in heaven" and my Mom, Betty.

- Sarah, he was so proud of you being elected Freshman Class President. He saw you to have no limits in what you can accomplish.

- Alex, you probably never saw it, but there was real joy in Pepe's eyes when he watched you play baseball.

- Erica, he loved your smile and your "spunk". The world is not going to take anything away from you. You brought youth back into his world.

- And Jean, he loved you so much. You fulfilled his world and gave him pride and joy every day.

Dad was one of the most unselfish and truly optimistic persons I think I have ever met. He always saw the glass as half full, not half empty. There was no problem he could not solve (unless it was mechanical and unfortunately he passed that down to me) nor challenge that he would shy away from. He was always there for us and could always be counted on. Dad you were a wonderful father, friend, confidant and person. I (we) will miss you dearly and thank you for everything that you have been to us. I love you.

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