Rene J. Cormier

GARDNER - Rene J. Cormier, 90 of 45 Grant Street, Gardner, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 in the Heywood Hospital, Gardner. He was born in Canada, on July 2, 1917, the son of the late Amedee and Josephine (Babineau) Cormier. He served during World War II in the United States Army as a Corporal with Battery C, 552nd Field Artillery Battalion. He was involved in the following Battles and Campaigns; Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. He Received the Good Conduct Ribbon, EAME Campaign Ribbon with five battle stars, Victory Medal and the Occupation Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945. Mr. Cormier was a resident of Gardner for over 72 years coming from Leominster. He was employed at the former East Gardner State Hospital and at the Rutland State Hospital as a carpenter. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Church as a lecturer and Eucharistic Minster. He attended morning Mass daily and was involved with the church choir and was a soloist for many weddings and funerals. He was a member of the Perpetual Adoration Society and recited the rosary daily with a prayer group following Mass. Mr. Cormier was a former member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. As a Eucharistic Minster, he brought communion to shut-ins and visited them regularly. Mr. Cormier was a former President and member of the Sacred Heart Retreat League. Rene was well known as a handyman building his own summer residence. He enjoyed time spent with his loving family and was an avid bowler. He was predeceased by his wife, Ingrid (Wironen) Cormier who died on November 2, 1993. He leaves one daughter; Jean C. Allain and her husband Donald of Standish, Maine; two sons, Paul R. Cormier and his wife Gail of Gardner, Jay Gold of Clearwater, FL; two sisters, Lorette Richard of St. Anthony, New Brunswick, Canada, and Louise Sontag of Fitchburg; four grandchildren, Jay Cormier of Gardner; Christopher Allain of Westbrook, Maine; Michelle LaBella of Westbrook, Maine; Matthew Allain of Montana and two great-granddaughters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 11:00 am in Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will be at a later date in St. John's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the John H. Mack Funeral Home 91 Vernon St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Sacred Heart School 53 Lynde St., Gardner, MA 01440. $(document).ready(function(){ });