Leo "Ronnie" Reponen

PHILLIPSTON - Leo “Ronnie” Reponen, 85, of Phillipston, passed away Saturday, June 30, 2018 surrounded by family. Mr. Reponen was born in Gardner on July 28, 1932, the son of Leo and Aini (Ikonen) Reponen and resided in Gardner and Phillipston all of his life. Mr. Reponen graduated from Gardner High School in 1950 and was a 1954 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce and earned a B.S. in Economics. He completed the Travelers Insurance Co.’s course for Multiple Line Insurance Agents. A licensed Massachusetts Insurance Broker, Mr. Reponen was the President of Leo Reponen Insurance Agency Inc. and the first President and Co-Founder of Heritage Insurance Agency Inc. of Gardner and Winchendon now known as Insurance Center of New England. His professional associations include the Independent Insurance Agents of Massachusetts, the Professional Insurance Agents of American and the Worcester North Insurance Agents. He served in the United States Army in 1954-1956. He received the Occupation Medal and Good Conduct ribbon for duty with the Seventh Army in Germany. He was a member of the American Legion Post 129 and a life member of the VFW post 905, both in Gardner. A former member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce and Incorporator at Heywood Hospital. In his youth, Mr. Reponen was active in scouting, earning his Eagle Scout Award in 1946 and going on to Explorer Scouting. He was a member of the Gardner High School Band, the Florence Stove Co. Band and the University of Pennsylvania Marching Band. He was active with his high school reunion committees, serving as a Chairman for a number of years. He served as a Cancer Crusade Chairman in Gardner. He was a past president and Treasurer of the Chair City Club. Mr. Reponen was a Director of the Colonial Cooperative Bank for thirty-two years, retiring in 2007 as its Vice-Chairman. He was a Director of the Knowlton Foundation for the Elderly in Gardner and served as Chairman of the Finance Committees. He loved many individual sports such as fishing, boating, golf and has been a member at Gardner Municipal Golf Club, Petersham Country Club, serving on their board of Directors. He spent many winters in Florida and summered at the family cottage on Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson, ME. He spent many wonderful retirement years at his home near Queen Lake in Phillipston. Mr. Reponen was a Freemason with memberships in Hope Lodge A.F. & A.M., Aleppo Shrine of Wilmington, Fitchburg/Leominster Shrine Club and past President of the Gardner Shrine Club. He was an avid stamp collector. He was a member of the Gardner Museum and a Life Member of the Historical Society of Phillipston. Mr. Reponen is predeceased by his wife, Roberta (Campbell) Reponen whom he married on May 19, 1962 and his great grandson Austin Joseph Robichaud. He leaves his three children, Matthew Reponen of Phillipston, Susan Reponen of Madison, NH, Jeanne Reponen of Baldwinville. He also leaves a sister Doris Huntley and Leon of New London, NH. Five grandchildren, Kate Robichaud and husband Justin, Erika Lepkowski, Matthew Lepkowski, Zachary Reponen and Makayla Reponen. Two great grandchildren Lexie Robichaud and Bryson Robichaud and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. Burial will private at a later date. A calling hour will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 from 10 - 11 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Gardner VNA, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440, or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.