‘Crossed The Bar’

William Buchanan Obituary
William C. Buchanan, 78, a longtime resident of Leominster, died after an illness on September 26, 2024, ten months after losing the love of his life, Maureen Knox Buchanan.

Bill was born in Fitchburg on February 4, 1946, the eldest of four children of William Buchanan and Irene Kane Buchanan. A member of the Fitchburg High School Class of 1964, he played trumpet in the marching band that performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, 1962. After a short time in college, Bill joined the United States Coast Guard in 1965. He was stationed for three years in South Portland, Maine on the U.S.C.G Cowslip, a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender that maintained aids to navigation from Kittery to Bass Harbor. In 1968-69 he did a tour in Vietnam as a Quartermaster on the U.S.C.G. Cutter Bibb. He treasured his friendships with shipmates throughout his life and was an active participant and organizer of recent reunions.

Mutual friends introduced Bill to Maureen Knox after he returned from Vietnam. Their connection was immediate. Bill and Maureen were married in April 1970 and raised three daughters on Overlook Drive in Leominster.

Bill was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local # 4. After earning his Master Plumber’s license, he founded Buchanan Plumbing and Heating. Years later he merged his business with Leominster Heating, which became known as Leominster Plumbing & Heating and he worked there until his retirement. Bill was a pioneer in the solar power industry, installing systems in the late 1970’s with a slogan on his van that read, “The sun will rise, but not in price.”

Bill loved being by the water. He took great pride in his lakeside home and spent many winters by the ocean in Fort Pierce, FL after retiring. Bill enjoyed many deep sea fishing trips with friends, including his brother-in-law Jim Plourde, and he and Maureen traveled on several cruises. Bill’s last big voyage occurred this past summer, when he sailed on the Queen Mary II to England, Germany and Norway.

Bill loved to spend time with his family and friends as a member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges in Leominster, where he and Maureen were fierce competitors in the cribbage league. He was a dedicated fan of all the Boston sports teams – Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and Maureen, his wife of 53 years. He is survived by his three daughters, Erin McGurn and her husband Michael of Braintree, Bridget Elliott and her husband Chad of Leominster and Dr. Molly Buchanan and her husband Michael Moran of Leominster. He was enormously proud of his five grandsons, Sean McGurn, Benjamin Elliott, William McGurn, Jacob Elliott and Duke Moran, who Bill was delighted to welcome to the family just 5 weeks ago and affectionately termed “The Duke.” Bill also held a special place in his heart for grandson, Archie Moran, who passed on at birth in 2022.

He also is survived by his sisters, SuEllen Buchanan of Ashburnham, Brenda Buchanan and her wife Diane Kenty of Westbrook, Maine and Kate Bean and her husband Gary of Westminster. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Hugh Knox and his wife Joan of Shelburne Falls along with many adored nieces and nephews, dozens of cousins and many friends, including neighbors at the Brooks Pond neighborhood in Leominster, where he and Maureen resided at the end of their lives.

Bill’s funeral service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10 AM at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. A Celebration of Life at the Il Forno Restaurant, 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg, will follow directly after the services.

Bill was a proud U.S. Veteran. His family would be appreciative of remembrances made in his honor to the Leominster Disabled American Veterans Association, Chapter 24, 100 West St., Leominster, MA 01453 or alternatively, to The United Way of East Tennessee, to help with disaster recovery from the recent storms which impacted the western NC and eastern TN mountain communities. Bill’s father was born in Erwin, TN and Bill spent many summer vacations there as a child and remained close with many cousins from that area until his passing.

David E. Landry –  Lebanon, New Hampshire

Rondeau, Joseph, age 74, of Sea Cliff, NY, on August 6, 2021. Beloved husband of Madaline. Loving father of Kathrine, Christine (Ken) and Laura. Fun loving grandfather to Madaline, KJ and Maeve. Survived by sister, sister in laws, brother in laws and many nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday Aug. 11, 2021 2-4 and 7-9pm at Whitting Funeral Home 300 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head NY 11545 www.whitting.com Funeral service Thursday August 12 11 am St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Sea Cliff NY. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support Hospice Care Network or St Luke’s parish in Sea Cliff.
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Paul Dowd – Edgewater, Florida

1935 – 2022
Cemetery Service with Military Honors: 11 AM Sat., Jan. 29, 2022, Veterans Wall of Honor Mausoleum @ Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, Edgewater.
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Richard Lake –     August, 2019

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 John Gill –     July 20, 2019
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Walter Clayton Canady, 79, of Wilmington, died peacefully on Monday, February 29, 2016.

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Mark Wilmes –         July 31, 2016 – Seattle, WA
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Rennic “Tom” Thomas – Oct 25, 2016 – Honolulu, HI
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Edwin J. Bielski –         June 18, 2017 – Niles, OH
Edwin J. Bielski, age 94, WWII Coast Guard Veteran; beloved husband of the late Jeanne Bielski, nee Saelens; loving father of Joseph (Kathryn), Helen Bielski, Joann (late Kenny) Kempisty, Ron (Dar) and Annette (Robert) O’Connor; dearest papa of 9, great papa of 11. Cherished brother of the late Marie, Anna, Joseph, Albin and Elizabeth; fond uncle of many. He was a founding member and past commander of the American Legion FDR Post 923, a member of the Knights of Columbus North America Martyrs Council, The Holy Name Society, The Golden Agers Club and the member of St. John Brebeuf Parish for 57 years.

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Charles Corn –          July 31, 2016 – Seattle, WA
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Peter Kodis –       Jan 16, 2017      Mettapoisett, MA
Peter W. Kodis, Jr., 79, of Mattapoisett died Monday, January 16, 2017. He was the husband of Roberta Joyce (Maxon) Kodis.

Born in Norwood, son of the late Peter Kodis, Sr. and Marcella (Hobitz) Kodis, he lived in Norwood until joining the U.S. Coast Guard after high school. He then moved to Mattapoisett where his lived for the rest of his life.

MKCS Kodis served in the United States Coast Guard for 21 years until his retirement. He was then employed by Burr Brothers Boats, Inc. in Marion for 25 years.

He was a member of the National Maritime Historical Society, Naval Institute, Civil War Trust, Central Virginia Battlefield Trust, Cape and Islands Orchid Society, New Bedford Coin Club, Fin, Fur & Feather Club of Mattapoisett, and the Chief Petty Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Peter W. Kodis, III and his wife Rosemarie of New Bedford; and two grandchildren, Alexandra and Harrison.

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Sidney Bernstein – Jan 1, 2016     Boynton Beach, FL

Age 94, of Delray Beach, FL, passed away on January 1, 2016. He was preceded in his first wife, Terry Bernstein and by his son, Stuart Bernstein Survivors include his devoted wife, Bertha Haar-Bernstein; loving daughter, Judy (Donald) Springer; cherished grandchildren, Jayme, Holly, Rachel, Michael, Jonathan, and Alyssa; adored 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Jerome Bernstein; sister, Frieda Bernstein. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, January 4th at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, Boynton Beach, FL. Contributions may be made in his loving memory to Trustbridge Hospice. 

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Thomas Gardner –  May 18, 2015  The Villages, FL
Thomas Ross Gardner, age 74 of The Villages passed away May 18, 2015 under the care of Cornerstone Hospice The Villages. Graveside services at Florida National Cemetery will be held at 10:00 am Monday June 1, 2015. Thomas is survived by his wife June.Thomas Ross Gardner, age 74, of The Villages passed away May 18, 2015 under the care of Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, Florida. Graveside services at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S.W. 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida, will be held at 10:00 am Monday June 1, 2015. A luncheon will follow at 12 noon at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1334 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida. Thomas is survived by his wife June, his daughters Catherine Anne Zizwarek and Patricia Lynn Gardner, granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Zizwarek, son-in-law John George Zizwarek, sister Nancy Garten, sisters-in-law Nancy Gardner and Laurel Gardner, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Born June 19, 1940 in Washington, D.C., Tom attended Silver Spring Elementary School, Eastern Junior High School and Montgomery Blair High School where he graduated in 1958. It was in eighth grade that he met his future wife, June. After high school, Tom joined the United States Coast Guard for four years where he served aboard the Bibb as a radio operator. On April 22, 1961, he married his long time sweetheart, June. In 1962, he worked with his father repairing typewriters, Dictaphones, etc. From 1963 until 1989, Tom joined the Washington, D.C. Fire Department where he served as a firefighter, fire investigator and an EMT. He also served as a volunteer EMT for Montgomery County, Maryland, and served the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Charles County, Maryland as a volunteer paramedic and Chief of the Rescue Squad for a combined total of 25 years. In 1992, Tom and his wife June moved to Florida. They lived in The Villages and Pennbrooke Fairways off and on, and also spent many years living full-time in their motorhome while traveling the country. In addition, from high school up until 2013, Tom greatly enjoyed playing the saxophone. He was a member of several different community bands. Sadly, in 2012, Tom developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow disorder. This weakened his immune system and in April 2015, he contracted pneumonia. In combination with a history of heart problems, he passed away May 18, 2015 at exactly 6:00 p.m. 

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Robert A Biller–        Charleston, SC
Capt. Robert A. Biller, USCG (Ret.) CHARLESTON – Capt. Robert A. Biller USCG (Ret.), 81, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Barbara Dixon Biller, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 4, 2015. There will be a memorial service in St. Andrews Parish UMC at a time to be announced. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway. Robert was born November 18, 1933 in Staten Island, New York, son of the late Robert C. Biller and Evelyn Mesbeth Biller. He graduated first of his class (1956) from USCG Academy, and earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He served 28 years in the United States Coast Guard. After retirement, he joined the Physics Department at Stockton State College in Pomona, NJ, where he worked for 20 years. He is survived by two sons, Eric Biller (Janet) of Cape May Court House, NJ, and Kurt Biller (Melinda) of Ravenel, SC; three grandchildren, Jessica, Kyle, and Alexandra; two great-grandchildren, Ryan, and Mason; two sisters, Joyce Bishop of Jacksonville, AR, and Linda Krakower of Effort, PA; and a brother, Ronald Biller of Tottenville, NY. 

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Frank S Fischer–       Spring Hill, FL
Frank S. Fischer, 69, passed away November 14, 2015. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, moved to Lake Tahoe in 1982 before moving here in 1992. He was a life member of VFW 10209 and a Disabled American Veteran having served during Vietnam in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a Proud American whom loved fishing, gardening and golf. Frank adored his grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister, Denise Kreisler. Frank is survived by his wife of 44 years, Donna; 3 children, Frank (Ashleigh) Fischer, Tiffany (Carl) Rosciti, Brittany Fischer; 2 brothers, Steven and Glenn Fischer; sister, Lorraine Stronski; 6 grandchildren, Taylor, Jordan, Reece, Madilyn, Makayla, Frankie; and loving family. Visitation will be held November 18 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at 280 Mariner Boulevard. Funeral Mass will be held November 19 at 10:30am at St Joan of Arc with burial to follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

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Albert Marinaro –       Sancier, MS
Anthony R. Marinaro age 80 passed away suddenly on June 9, 2011. Born in Philadelphia, he was a longtime resident of over 53 years of Norwood. He Retired in 1983 from BP Oil Company and formerly worked for Sinclair Oil Company. Anthony owned and operated A&A and ATL Trucking Companies. He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Church and the Overbrook Italian American Club. He enjoyed watching western movies and traveling with his family. He was a true family man and will be missed dearly. Predeceased by his sister Josephine DiLemmo and brothers Michael, Albert and Louis Marinaro. Survivors: Beloved wife of 59 years of Patricia Marinaro Loving father of Roseann Bader, Rita Dougherty, Anthony Jr., David and Sean (Niki) Marinaro. Cherished grandfather of 11 and dear brother of Rose Rancitelli.

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Barney Winn –       March 8, 2020

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Thomas (Pete) Pederson – Clarinda, IA
April 28, 1939  –  June 2, 2020
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Richard Keith –     March 3, 2017 – Rome, GA