FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024

Twenty-Two Departed Scouters Remembered at Annual Scout/Scouter Memorial Service

North Brookfield, MA – The Heart of New England Council held its 54th annual Scout/Scouter Memorial Service on Saturday evening, June 1 at the Walker Scout Memorial in Walnut Grove Cemetery, North Brookfield. Twenty-two area Scouts and Scouters who departed during the past year were remembered at this year’s ceremony.

Scout Troop 238 of East Brookfield were honor guards to the rest of the Scout units assembled. Walker Memorial Coordinator John Ebersold welcomed attendees and led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Committee Member Ryan Laroche read the Walker Memorial history.

David Bosselait, executive vice-president of the Heart of New England Council delivered greetings on behalf of the Council, and Committee Member and Chaplain Timothy Josti, Jr. read Psalm 23 and A Scout’s Prayer.

The Memorial Roll Call was read by Memorial Committee Member Michelle McCrillis and Ebersold, who provided a brief profile of each Scouter whose name was read. “All of these individuals being honored today and those we have recognized over the years are bound by a common thread involving their commitment to service to others,” Ebersold said. “We thank them for their service.”

Scouts from Troop 238 laid the wreath at the Scouter Statue. Memorial Committee Member Bob Laflamme led the group in Scout Vespers, and Memorial Committee Member Paul Davidson read Baden Powell’s farewell letter, Joe Klimavich sang Amazing Grace and Ebersold led the Scouts in Taps. After presentation of streamers to each of the units, those assembled were invited to join the Committee for refreshments.

The 2024 Memorial Roll Call

Robert Aiello – From Worcester, Bob was an accomplished artist and friend of the former Mohegan Council. As a fund-raising project, he was commissioned to paint a tribute to Treasure Valley Scout Reservation which included several images of the camp and camp life. Prints of his painting were sold to raise money for the Council and a framed print was prominently displayed in the conference room at the Council Office for many years.

Robert Barcomb – Robert was a long-time Scouter with both the former Monadnock and Nashua Valley Councils having served as a Cubmaster, Boy Scout Leader and Committee Member, most notably with Athol Troop 72. He served as a leader for National Jamboree and Philmont contingents and he was a Merit Badge Counselor and a Silver Beaver Award recipient.

John Boniface – From Southbridge, John sponsored an Explorer program at his company, Boniface Tool & Die.

James Cormier – From Sturbridge, Jim was a Committee Member with Troop 161 for many years

Jean Marie Decoteau – Jean Marie was a Cub Scout Den Leader with Pack 128 in North Brookfield.

Claire Despres – Wife of former Millbury Troop 110 SM Scott Despres, Claire was a longtime Cub Scout Leader with Pack 110, a Committee Member with Troop 110 and a Merit Badge Counselor. She and Scott also volunteered at both the District and Council level for many years.

Mark Durfee – Mark was an Eagle Scout from Troop 107 in Grafton.

Irene Dymek – Irene was the mother-in-law of long-time Troop 238 ASM Steve Georgian and the grandmother of Troop 238 Eagle Scout Andrew Georgian.

John Garby – From Southbridge, John was an ASM and Committee Member with Troop 160 for many years. He was a Unit Commissioner for the former Massasoit District of Mohegan Council earning the Arrowhead Award and he was a District Award of Merit recipient.

Susan George – Susan was a Den Leader with Whitinsville Pack 155 when her son Steven was a Cub Scout.

Robert Heck – Bob was a long-time volunteer having served as SM for Troop 143 in Sutton for 7 years where he provided outdoor learning opportunities and field trips that left lasting impressions on his Scouts. Bob was exceptionally proud when his son David became an Eagle Scout. He co-founded Explorer Post 73 in Worcester specializing in radio communications. His daughter Heidi was a charter member. He was a RT and Unit Commissioner with the former Hassanamisco District of Mohegan Council and he was a former Council Executive Board Member. Bob was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and a Silver Beaver Award recipient. He was a fixture at TVSR where he was a Staff Member and where he worked on countless service projects for the camp both before and after the formation of the FOTV.

Wanda Homme – Wanda was active in Scouting for over 67 years. She was involved with both Pack and Troop 173 in Webster and she served as both a camp inspector and a Unit Commissioner with the former Hassanamisco District of Mohegan Council. She was the first recipient of the Kente Cloth Award presented by the former Hassanamisco District for outstanding service to the district. She was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and a Silver Beaver Award recipient.

Larry Leonard – Larry was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America having spent many years in service to the former Quinsigamond District of Mohegan Council and TVSR. Larry spent countless hours at the Handicraft Lodge providing materials, tools and, most importantly, his knowledge to generations of Scouts. An avid Revolutionary War reenactor, Larry will be fondly remembered for firing his cannons during closing flag ceremonies at Treasure Valley.

Richard Murphy – Dick was a longtime Scouter from Charlton who served as both Cubmaster for Pack 165 and SM for Troop 338. His son Jason is an Eagle Scout. Dick was the Advancement Chair for the former Massasoit District of Mohegan Council. In that capacity, he worked with many Scouts on their Eagle Scout projects and conducted countless Eagle Boards of Review. He was a District Award of Merit recipient.

Donald Nichols, Sr. – Growing up, Donald was very active in Scouting alongside his parents and grandparents. Involved with both Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting in Troop 63 from Worcester, this experience instilled in him the values of integrity, responsibility, and camaraderie. Donald’s love for Scouting continued to influence his life as he grew older. While researching Donald’s Scouting history, we discovered that his parents, who both passed away in 2022, were not recognized at last year’s Scout Memorial Service so we are including them this year:

James Nichols, Joyce Nichols – Both James and Joyce were active in Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting in Troop 63 from Worcester when their sons Donald and Joseph were young.

Linda Peck – Linda was the stepmother of longtime Scouter and former SM David Peck from Troop 161 in Sturbridge and the grandmother of Eagle Scout and Treasure Valley Staff Member Dan Peck.

John Pillsbury, Jr. – John was an ASM with Troop 4 in Gardner for many years having been a youth member of Troop 13 in Pepperell previously. He looked forward to marching with his troop in the Memorial Day Parade each year and he took special pride in carrying the American flag. John will be remembered as a beautiful soul who lived life by welcoming every day with a smile. His family asks that we live life like John: be kind to all and love with all your heart.

Anthony Putnam – Anthony was a bright, loving, kind, and compassionate 5-year-old Lion Cub Scout who passed away suddenly in January. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.

Ronald Theriault – Ron was a longtime Scouter with Troop 477 in Leominster. He was the founder and curator of the Leominster Scouting Museum which serves as an engaging and interactive environment for visitors to experience Scouting in New England through the years

Marie Rousseau Urso – From Worcester, Marie was the wife of longtime Scouter and former SM of Worcester Troop 70 Anthony Urso and a longtime Scouter in her own right having served as both a Den Leader for Pack 51 and a Committee Member for Pack 63. She earned the Saint George Award which was conferred to her by Bishop Flanagan from the Diocese of Worcester. She was Wood Badge trained and both a District Award of Merit and a Silver Beaver Award recipient.