Ernest Beauchemin

ORANGE - Ernest J. Beauchemin Sr., 80 of 756 South Main Street, Orange, died Thursday, May 12, 2011 at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.     He was born in Leominster on June 3, 1930, the son of the late Ernest J. and the late Catherine (Duffy) Beauchemin.     Mr. Beauchemin served in the National Guard from 1948 to 1950. He worked as a short-order cook until he became a truck driver. He worked with the Teamster Local #170 and also drove limousines for a period of time. More recently, Mr. Beauchemin ran the Sunoco gas station on Daniel Shays Highway and a towing/auto repair company for many years.     His favorite activities included gardening, camping, watching movies, traveling, playing Texas Hold ‘em and Spades. Ernest loved having family get-togethers.     He leaves his wife of nearly fifty years, Hazel (Cummings) Beauchemin; seven sons, Ernest J. Beauchemin Jr. and his wife Michelle of Orange, David Beauchemin and his wife Bonnie of Orange, Steven Beauchemin of Athol, Michael Beauchemin and his partner Cheryl Sendek of Chicopee, Albert Beauchemin of Rindge, NH, Lester Beauchemin and his wife Gail of Leominster, Kenneth Beauchemin and his wife Ginger of Swansboro, NC; three daughters, Susan Gasperson and her husband Robert of Swansboro, NC, Gale Schertler and her husband Arnie of Centerville, MA, Nancy Cloutier of Rio Rancho, NM; two sisters: Lillian Bilodeau of Baton Rouge, LA, Joan Salavia of Leominster; one brother: William Beauchemin and his wife Betty of Leominster; twenty-eight grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren.     He was predeceased by his sister, Irene Young of Baton Rouge, LA.     Graveside services will be held Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in Gethsemane Cemetery, Daniel Shays Highway, Athol.     There are no calling hours.     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. $(document).ready(function(){ });