Albert W. Lajoie

Albert W. Lajoie Phillipston – Albert W. Lajoie, 79, died Monday, February 11, 2013 at University of Mass Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester.      Al was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, September 1, 1933, the son of William and Celina(Comeau) Lajoie.  He grew up in Athol, attending Athol High School and since 1978 he has lived in Phillipston.  He attended Northeast Institute of Industrial Technology, Hobert Welding School, Boiler School (fireman) at Worcester Trade, Technical Instructors School and Peter Pan Tour Driving Training.        Al served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars with the Navy Atlantic Fleet, the Navy Construction Battalion receiving his honorable discharge (MCB-12) after serving in Vietnam, with a rank of SWl Petty Officer.  While serving in the Navy he received the U.S. Navy Achievement Medal in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968-1969.      Al worked for R.W. Chapman Co. Well Drilling of Oakdale, MA as a pipe welder and machine operator, U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion XLL, DaNang, Vietnam as a steel worked 1st class and crew leader, New England Power Co. in Worcester, MA as a Jr. pipe fitter – journeyman-welder, worked on all coal fired boilers and atomic plants in the New England area, New England Boiler Repair of West Springfield, MA as a maintenance/welding foreman, Barry Wright of Worcester, MA as a maintenance mechanic, Whitman and Howard Engineering as chief maintenance mechanic, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Westminster, MA as maintenance mechanic and St. Joseph’s Parish in Fitchburg as building and ground supervisor until his retirement.  Al also owned and operated his business “Bee Line Van Service” for eight years.      Al was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Turners Falls, also attended St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Baldwinville, Turners Falls Council of Knights of Columbus #737, Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks #1837,Athol American Legion Post #102, VFW Post #15022 and Gentlemen of St. Joseph in Turners Falls.      He leaves his wife of 52 years, Ronnie L. (Abbott) Lajoie; two daughters, Karen Whittle and her husband Stuart of Suffield, CT and Kelly Haley and her husband Ted of Templeton; four grandsons, Mitchell and Trevor Haley and Austin and Zachery Whittle and a sister, Nancy Powers and her husband John of Homosassa, FL.  He was predeceased by a brother, Roger Lajoie.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 15, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. Burial with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.  There are no calling hours and in lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Al’s name be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.   For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });