Ronald F. Cormier

Ronald F. Cormier, 81, of Gardner, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in his home.

Born in Gardner on September 19, 1942, he was the son of the late Emelien and Ida (Richard) Cormier. He graduated from Notre Dame High School with the Class of 1960 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1971 and his Master of Education in 1974, both from Fitchburg State College. Ron was a teacher employed by Fitchburg Public Schools at Reingold Elementary from 1971 to 1996 until he became the Vice Principal of Crocker Elementary for six years until his retirement in 2002. In retirement, he and his wife, Marcelle, would unretire for two years to become the co-principals of the former Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School of Gardner.

Ron was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, where he was a member of its former League of Sacred Heart and was active in its annual Bazaar. He served on the advisory board for Holy Family Academy and director of its J. Ulysse Cormier Government Program. He was also a member of the Acadien Social Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and American Legion, all of Gardner, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the National Education Association, and Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts.

Ron was an active leader in the City of Gardner, serving on the Gardner City Council, where he was affectionately known as the “Dean of the Council” and was currently serving his tenth consecutive term as Councilor-at-Large, a position he held since 2004. Prior to he was a Ward 3 Councilor for sixteen years, from 1980 to 1996. During his tenure on the council, Ron served in many capacities, including Council President. He was a past board member of and chair of the House of Peace and Education, member of the Gardner Airport Commission, Chairman and member of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, served as Clerk and member of the Board of Trustees for the Levi Heywood Memorial Library and served on the advisory board for the new Gardner Elementary School.

In his free time, Ron enjoyed books, model trains and woodworking and was called by many Mr. Fix-it. He loved to take trips down to Cape Cod to go boating and enjoy his home, which he and Marcelle shared there for 33 years. Ron’s pride and joy was his family, especially his grandchildren, never missing an event.

Ron is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marcelle S. (Coulombe) Cormier of Gardner; his son, Councilor Craig R. Cormier and his wife Tara of Gardner; his daughter, Pamela A. Autery of Centerville; five grandchildren, Molly Autery of Northampton, Domenic Masingo of Gardner, and Xavier, Amelia and Oliver Cormier, all of Gardner; in-laws, Michael Coulombe and his wife Barbara of Lunenburg, and Ernest Coulombe of St. Petersburg, FL; two nephews, Bryce Coulombe and his wife Melissa of Virginia Beach, VA and Ryan Coulombe of Florida; and several cousins.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Gardner, MA. Those in attendance are asked to report directly to the church on the day of the service. Burial at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA, will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family. 

Calling Hours will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Academy, 99 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440, or the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, 55 West Lydne Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Ronald F. Cormier.