Phillip L. Fougere, 78 of Chase Road died peacefully Wednesday October 25, 2006 at home with his wife Charlotte (Anderson) Fougere by his side. Born in Westboro, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Phillip E. and Ethel M. (Simmons) Fougere.
He attended Westboro schools, graduating from Westboro High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the minesweeper YMS 361 in the Pacific Theater, and during the Korean conflict on the battleship USS New Jersey taking part in major combat operations. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a lumberjack, a butcher and from 1953 until 1967 at Bay State Abrasive Products Co. of Westboro. He became totally blind in 1967 from a degenerative disease.
He attended the Carroll School in Newton and learned Braille and other techniques to successfully overcome his blindness. He then attended Clark University, graduating in 1971 with a B.A., and continued his education at Assumption College, where he graduated in 1973 with a M.A. and C.A.G.S. degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. He began working as a counselor with the Worcester Area Mental Health Association in 1973, and became the Chief Executive Officer of this organization in 1975. He held this position until his retirement in 1990.
He lived for many years in Westboro, then in Natick, Mass. until 1985, when he and his wife moved to Thompson, CT. He was an ardent gardener, lover of nature and also enjoyed traveling with his wife. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Parish of North Grosvenordale, CT.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children; Rhonda G. Fougere of Holden, MA, Karen R. Fougere – deVillers and her husband Robert of Westerly, RI, and Phillip E. Fougere and his wife Martha of Medway, MA; three step-children; Martha F. Church and her husband Kevin of Powhatan, VA, Christopher H. Smith and his wife Jennifer of Reedville, VA, and Lisa S. Smart and her husband Jack of Bellingham, MA; a brother, George R. Fougere, of Shrewsbury, MA; nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a stepdaughter, the Rev. Judith Anders-Richards; two brothers Charles P. Fougere and Gerald M. Fougere, and by a sister, Harriet F. Kiley.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Phillip’s family on Sunday, October 29, 2006, from 4:00-7:00 pm. in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main Street, North Grosvenordale, CT. A gathering will begin at 9am Monday at the funeral home with a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main Street, North Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Luke the Evangelist Cemetery in Westboro, MA. Donations can be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 106 Franklin Commons, Route 32, Franklin, CT 06254
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