Michael J. Gonyeo

Michael J. Gonyeo, 73, of Gardner, died peacefully in his home on Friday, August 4, 2023.

Born in Gardner on June 25, 1950, he was the son of the late Stanley J. and Estelle L. (Marion) Gonyeo. Mike graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1968 and later graduated with a degree in Arboriculture and Forestry Management from the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge. Mike worked for the City of Gardner for 40 years before his retirement in 2012 as the Director of Municipal Grounds.

Mike was a parishioner of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Gardner. He enjoyed being outdoors exploring nature and going camping. Mike also loved to visit and share stories with friends, and his greatest joy was spending time with his family. Mike was always in attendance to support his grandchildren at their athletic events and extracurricular activities. He was a salt of the Earth, a “real deal” type of man who left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Mike will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, strength of character, and willingness to help everyone he met. He always said he "never had a bad day in his life", and he inspired others to live by that example.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Jessica Allard and her husband Robert of Winchendon; four grandchildren, Autumn and Amber Brown of Winchendon and Alexia and Dominic Allard of Winchendon; a brother, James P. Gonyeo and his wife Kay of Pelham, NH; two sisters, Elizabeth M. Leahy of Ashburnham and Margaret M. Jarek of North Andover; an aunt; Sheila Forget of Gardner; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 11:00am in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial at St. John’s Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA, will be held at a later date.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the funeral home.