Gediminas P Penney

GARDNER- Gediminas “Gid” Peter Penney born in Vabalninko, Lithuania on January 19, 1923, son of Constance (Lapenas) Penney and Joseph Penney, Sr. Gid passed away at UMASS Worcester Hospital on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. He was predeceased by his wife Thelma (Wickeri) Penney on January 1, 2001 and is predeceased by his infant daughter Ellen Penney, his sister baby Veronica, brother Joseph Penney, Jr. and his sister Anne (Penney) Morse who died in 2005. Gid leaves his daughter Cathy (Penney) Morse and her husband Andy of Strafford, NH, his sons John Penney and Steven Penney of Gardner and sisters Albina (Penney) Kalanta and Elizabeth Penney of Gardner, niece Joan (Kalanta) Henry and nephews William Kalanta of Modesto, CA and Paul Kalanta of Ashburnham. As a child, Gid immigrated to Newfoundland, Canada with his parents and later as an adult to Gardner. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan during reconstruction time following WWII. He served his country proudly in the 8th Army Ordinance Corp receiving the Asian Pacific Campaign Ribbon, American Campaign Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, Japan Occupation Ribbon and the Marksman Badge For M1 Rifle. On the GI bill he graduated from electrical school in Chicago, apprenticed in Boston, and consequently operated his own business in Gardner for many years. His career ended at the age of 80 with retirement from Mount Wachusett Community College as head electrician. After his mother’s passing, Gid picked up the baton to produce homemade kielbasa for the family cookouts and holidays and especially enjoyed picnics at the Lithuanian Club on Hinds Pond and attending dinners at the VFW in Gardner with his now deceased brother-in-law Veto Kalanta. Before selling his private collection, Gid focused on early issue postage stamps exclusively for the Province of Newfoundland as a hobby. He was also serious about his classic vegetable garden and picking mushrooms for a lot of years, doing crossword puzzles, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday evenings. He enjoyed polka music, listening to shortwave radio, playing chess and learning piano. His Subaru has now come to a rest and will be missed with his familiar face around town from the Post Office to the Paramount, etc. on his usual round of errands as well as at the then active Sacred Heart Church where he was a long time communicant. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of The Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. A calling hour will be held Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 3 to 5 PM at the funeral home.