Everett J. Nygard

TEMPLETON - Everett John Nygard, 92, of Templeton died Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home of Gardner. Mr. Nygard was born April 7, 1924 in Templeton, the son of the late Everett and the late Anna (Rosbury) Nygard. Everett grew up in Templeton and graduated from Templeton High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. He received a commendation for downing a Japanese plane in WWII. He received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Mr. Nygard worked for American Fiber in Gardner for 5 years. He then went on to work for Simplex Time Recorder as a Manufacturing Engineer for 35 years, retiring in 1988. Everett was a life member of the D.A.V. and was Past Commander Chapter 30 from 1988-1989, a member of the former Gardner D.A.V. now Fitchburg, the Baldwinville American Legion Post 373; a former member of the Simplex Horse club, a Scout Master for Troop 30 in Templeton. He and his wife volunteered at the Northampton Veterans Medical Center. He leaves two daughters, Martha L. Arsenault of Staley, NC, Deborah A. Bockus and her husband Keith of Hubbardston; two sons, John E. Nygard and his wife Cynthia of Templeton, Mark S. Nygard and his wife Erika of Warwick; one brother, James Nygard of Templeton; one sister, Ann Oulette of Gardner; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Barbara M. (Norskey) Nygard who passed in 2015; three brothers, Roger Nygard, Richard Nygard and Charles Nygard who was killed in action during WWII. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 20, 2017 at 10:15 am in Holy Cross Church, 26 Lake Ave., East Templeton. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Calling hours will be Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440 or to a charity of one's choice. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith – A Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.