John L. Mongeau

Hardwick - John L. Mongeau, 85, of Gilbertville, died Feb. 7, 2017 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home with his daughters by his side.

Born in North Brookfield in 1931 to Wilfred and Lucienne (Flamand) Mongeau, he grew up in Ware. He attended Mt. Carmel School and served as an altar boy at Mt. Carmel Church. He attended Ware High School, leaving early to help support his family.

In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years at Fort Pickett in Virginia as a First Aid attendant during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and served four years in the Army Reserves.

He was employed by Brookfield Athletic Shoe, Phillips’ Package Store, Ludlow Papers, The House of Liquors and later at Monson Developmental Center, retiring at age 63. He helped his wife run a home daycare.

John was the oldest member of the American Legion in Gilbertville, a member of the Ware Knights of Columbus, Ware Lions Club and was a past president the Holy Name Society. He had belonged to the Ware Rotary Club and the Ware Mens' Club. He once served on Hardwick Planning Board. He was a parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Gilbertville.

John loved all Boston sports teams, Fenway Park and traveling to Aruba. He loved animals especially his two cats, Howard and Winston, who predeceased him.  After moving to the Soldiers’ Home, he became a popular karaoke singer, enjoyed playing bingo and pet visits.

John leaves his wife of 60 years, Theresa (Ostiguy), and daughters Kim and Jill. He was predeceased by his siblings Marguerite Wdowiak and Maurice Mongeau and leaves his sister Theresa Blair, nieces, nephews and five Godchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at St. Aloysius Church, 64 Church St., Gilbertville. There are no calling hours, and everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Charbonneau Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ware Junior-Senior High School Band “Adopt an Instrument Campaign,” 237 West St., Ware, MA 01082 (checks should be made out to Town of Ware), or to People for Animals League, 6 Kingsbury Road, Spencer, MA 01562 where John adopted his cat Winston.

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