Young Wife, Mother Gone But Not Forgotten

The following people, with ties to Grafton, passed away this week. If you know of someone not mentioned here, feel free to add the obituary and pertinent information in the comments section.

Donald J. Houde, 79, passed peacefully at home April 12, 2012, in the love and care of his family.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Marguerite I. (LaBrie) Houde, four children, Wayne R. and his wife Linda of Montrose CO, David D. of Harwich, Daniel J. in FL, Sandralyn I. and her husband Anthony Molinari Jr. of Grafton; one brother, Kenneth E. Houde and his wife Maureen of Venice FL, eight grandchildren, Nick, Andrea, Sam, Dustin, Chris, Spencer, Adam, Lauren and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Houde was predeceased by his parents Roland and Beatrice (Desrosiers) Houde and his brother Reggie Houde. Don was born Nov. 22, 1932, in Worcester and raised there.

He was a graduate of Worcester North High School where he was a standout athlete playing baseball and football being a member of the first Worcester Telegram Gazette High School All Star Football Team. He furthered his education at Boston University earning a degree in education and played varsity football for the university.

Don then enlisted in The US Army during The Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged at the rank of 1st LT. He then began a career as a safety engineer for 38 years working for Commercial Union Assurance Co., Safeco and Peerless Co. retiring in 1995. He then worked part time for Lori's Floral Bouquet in Grafton retiring fully to enjoy his passion for golf. Don loved times spent with his and his wife's families.

He also enjoyed gardening, working around his home and property and singing with The Framingham Chapter of Barbershop Singers.

He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in North Grafton. He also was a member of Adelphi Council #4181 Knights of Columbus in Shrewsbury, The Greendale Retired Men's Club and its golf league in Worcester. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Mary's Church Memorial Fund, 17 Waterville St. North Grafton MA 01536.

Services have already been held.

Antoinette E. (Noel) Huchowski, 94, formerly of 5C Zgonis Drive, Green Acres Estates in South Grafton passed April 18, 2012 after a brief illness with her family by her side. Her husband of 30 years, Walter Huchowski passed in 1973.

She is survived by her two sons, Walter Huchowski his wife Christine, James Huchowski his wife Christine "Tina" both of South Grafton, her daughter Sandra Gordon, her fiancée Lawrence Trainor of North Grafton; seven grandchildren, Jason Huchowski of South Grafton, Correne Huchowski of Whitinsville, James Huchowski, his wife Kerra of Harvard, Lindsey Huchowski of Los Angeles CA, Jessica Gallagher, her husband Dan of Worcester, Alicia, Vanessa Gordon both of North Grafton; One great granddaughter Ava Huchowski; Six sisters, Cecile Linnell of Whitinsville, Blanche Aubin, Ruth Mitchell, Mabel Charpentier all of South Grafton, Bernice Geer of Texas, Rita Dion, her husband Norman of Worcester; Two brothers, Ernest Noel of Millbury, Henry Noel, his wife Connie of Upton, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her sister Alice Noel and brother Simeon Noel. Mrs. Huchowski was born March 20, 1918 in Fitchburg the daughter of the late Georgianna and Simeon Noel and lived most of her life in South Grafton.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday April 21st at 12 pm at St. James
Catholic Church, 89 Main St. South Grafton. She will then be laid to rest with her husband in Fairview Cemetery South Grafton.

All are invited to calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 20 at The Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St. North Grafton.

Tracy Lynn (Gilliam) Blizard, 35, of South Grafton, died Saturday, April 14, in the UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester.

She is survived by her husband, Kevin W. Blizard; her children, Brandon E. Blizard and Alicia Marie Blizard; Her mother, Lorraine (Dumas) Gilliam, and her step-father, Kurt Hartman, of South Grafton; her father, Michael Gilliam, of Leesburg, FL; two sisters, Mandy Flynn, and her husband, Bill, of Millbury, and Sara Villegas, and her husband, Luigi, of Webster; a brother, Robert P. Mulliken, III, of South Grafton; a step-brother, Craig Hartmann, and his wife, Shannon, of Worcester; her father and mother-in-law, Donald and Gloria Blizard, of Petal, MS; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Blizard was born in Worcester, January 26, 1977. She grew up in Northbridge and had lived in South Grafton for 12 years. She graduated from Blackstone Valley Regional Technical High School on 1995. A certified nursing assistant, she was employed by Care Providers of the Blackstone Valley.
Tracy was a member of Saint James Church in South Grafton. She was an excellent and creative cook , known for collecting and trying new recipes, and she enjoyed writing poetry.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, in Saint James Church, Main Street, South Grafton. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Providence Road, Whitinsville. Calling Hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 20 in the Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill Street, Whitinsville.

A trust fund to benefit her children has been established, and donations may be sent to the Grafton Suburban Credit Union, 86 Worcester Street, No. Grafton, MA., 01536. Donations may also be made to Autism Speaks, by visiting: events.autismspeaks.org/tributes/brandonblizard.