Grafton – Earl F. Parenteau, of North Grafton, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015. His wife, Genevieve (Wojtanek), passed away in July 2013.
He is survived by two sons, Michael and his wife Margie of Ft. Worth, Texas and William and his wife Mary of North Grafton; a daughter, Cynthia Parenteau of Worcester; his grandchildren, Amy Grossman and her husband Josh of Littleton, Michelle Davis and her husband Steve of Portland, Ore., Meaghan Semple and her husband Jay of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Andrew and Christopher Parenteau; his great-grandchildren, Gabriella Grossman, Teddy and Genevieve Davis, and Chloe, Maelin, and Gracie Semple; his sister-in-law, Barbara Parenteau; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, William Parenteau and Paul Parenteau and his wife Lorraine.
He was born in Worcester, son of the late Mary (Daniels) and Joseph Parenteau. He graduated from St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester. He played in the City All Star game in 1947 and was inducted in the St. Peter Marian Hall of Fame in 2004.
A Korean War veteran, he joined the 11th Airborne Division and was sent to Korea with the 187nd Airborne Reg. Combat team in 1950. After his discharge in 1952, he met his wife-to-be while playing fast pitch softball. They celebrated their 60th anniversary April 18, 2013.
He refereed high school games as a member of the Central Mass Football Officials for 15 years. He was a member of Post 341, the Twin Springs Golf Course for many years, and he coached Babe Ruth Baseball and hockey for many years in Grafton.
He was a retired member of the Knights of Columbus Benedict Council 2379, of Grafton and the 4th degree Bishop O’Reilly Assembly of Worcester.
He also leaves special friends from his service days, Tony and Sue Guerrero of Fayateville, N.C. and John and Sheila Reilly of Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Church, 17 Waterville St., North Grafton, MA 01536 or St. Peter Marian High School, c/o Athletic Dept., 781 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.
All are invited to gather with Earl’s family and friends Wednesday, June 24, from 5-8 p.m., at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church in North Grafton. He will then be laid to rest with military honors at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton.
