Joseph R. Dery, 82, of 67 Draper Rd., Gardner died unexpectedly Tuesday in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, following a short illness.
Born in Gardner on July 1, 1921, where he lived his entire life, he was the son of Peter and Lydia (Gerrard) Dery.
He was an upholsterer employed by Custom & Modern Mfg. Co. of Gardner. He was previously employed by the former Heywood-Wakefield Co. of Gardner.
Mr. Dery was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post 129 of Gardner, a member of the local A.A.R.P. and the National A.A.R.P.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and served 3 ½ years in the Pacific. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal.
He leaves his wife of 60 years, Gaiete "Kitty" M. (Houde) Dery of Gardner; 2 daughters, Diane L. Homer and her husband, Russell Homer of Los Gatos, CA; Priscilla A. Dery of Arlington, MA; 2 grandchildren, Christina and Michael Homer of Los Gatos, CA; 1 sister, Phyllis Caron of Englewood, CA; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by 4 brothers, Jules, Philip, Sylvio, Paul Dery and 2 sisters, Priscilla Dery and Lorraine Croteau.
Funeral services will be held Saturday from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions made to Notre Dame Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 135 Nichols St., Gardner, MA 01440.
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Service Details
Saturday, January 24th, 2004 11:00am, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner
Interment Details
Notre Dame Cemetery, West St., Gardner