Robert E. Bashaw

LEOMINSTER - Robert E. Bashaw, 81 of 161 Spruce St., Leominster, died Friday, January 8, 2010 in the Health Alliance Leominster Campus after an illness. He was born in Leominster on August 19, 1928, the son of the late George and the late Marion (Robillard) Bashaw. He leaves one son, William Bashaw, Sr. and his companion Shirley Eddings of Fitchburg; one sister, Irene Burwinkle of Clinton; two grandsons, Robert J. Bashaw and William E. Bashaw Jr. and his wife Heather, all of Athol; four granddaughters, Karen E. Fredette and her husband Tim, Kimberly A. Sluder and her husband Ricky all of Athol, Heather K. Bashaw and Holly K. Ford and her husband Raymond, all of Leominster; three step granddaughters, eleven great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and two special friends, Corrine Drouin of Oakham and Stanley Washington of Avon whom he thought of as a son. He was predeceased by his wife of thirty years, Pauline V. (Surbaugh) Bashaw, in 1999; also by his son, Robert Bashaw, in May of 2001; by three brothers, Donald Bashaw of Clinton died in 1997, Edward Bashaw of Oceanside, California died in 2005, George Bashaw of Paxton died in 2009; by two stepsons, Jesse Patton, Gary Withrow; and by one step grandson, Timothy Patton. Mr. Bashaw was a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving as a rifleman in Co. B 43 Inf., enlisting in the Army on June 25, 1945 and was discharged October 29, 1947, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army Occupation Medal (Japan). Mr. Bashaw was lifelong resident of Leominster and was an over-the-road truck driver for over forty years. He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local #170 and the American Legion Post 151 in Leominster. He enjoyed fishing and he loved watching football on Sundays with his son. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker Street, Leominster. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 16, 2009 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the charity of one's choice and may be left at the funeral home. $(document).ready(function(){ });