Thomas E. Collett

Hardwick---Thomas  E. Collett, 68, passed away at home on Monday, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife Nancy (Jankaukus) Collett, his daughters Shannon Mascitis of Ware, Shalene Friedhaber of Chicopee, and Shauna Collett of Ware, his stepsons Michael Paydos of Waltham and Nicholas Paydos of Gardner, his grandchildren Dominic Mascitis, Sloan and Brynn Friedhaber, Finnegan DeMarco and Alexis Paydos. To know Tom was to love him, as shown by the many family and friends, who stopped by to show their support in the last few weeks and months. He was born in Holden son of Thomas and Ruth (Kelly) Collett and was a life long resident of Hardwick. Tom served his country in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. A sergeant he was awarded two Purple Hearts and many other medals and citations. He served the Town of Hardwick as Water Superintendent  for many years. After his retirement in Hardwick, he continued the work he  loved operating his own business, Tri-S Water Services, which served many area water departments. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion Posts in Gilbertville, and the Ware Detachment Marine Corps League. He was a communicant of St. Aloysius Church. A  lover of animals he will be missed by his dog, Winnie, and by his cats Snow Cat and Gus-Gus. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 10am from the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St. in Ware, with a Mass at 11 am in St. Aloysius Church in Gilbertville. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Calling Hours will, be held on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Marine Toys for Tots, The Cooper Center, 18251 Quantico Dr.,Triangle Va. 22172-1776 or at www.toysfortots.org .