Franklin – Byron A. Pickering Sr., 89, of Franklin, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 at the Milford Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Lucille J. (Lacasse) Pickering, and is survived by his devoted partner and best friend, Mona Paine of Bellingham.
Born in Woonsocket, R.I., he was the son of the late Byron and Alice (Brummitt) Pickering and was educated in Bellingham schools. During the Korean Conflict he served with the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant. He resided in Franklin for many years, moving to Wrentham in 1988 and returning to Franklin in 2010.
Byron was employed as a machinist for 33 years at Draper Corporation in Hopedale and then for Northrop Corporation in Norwood, retiring in 1992. He also worked as a substitute mail carrier for the North Attleboro Post Office.
He was an avid gardener and enjoyed golf, playing cribbage, and all New England sports.
Byron is also survived by his five children, Byron A. Pickering Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Attleboro, Timothy A. Pickering Sr. and his wife Sandi of Bellingham, Patricia A. Bourque and her husband Kyle of Worcester, Lori J. Blake and her husband Gerald of Wrentham, and David A. Pickering and his wife Susan of Westborough; three sisters, Lois Laviolette of Bellingham, Doris Correia of Attleboro, and Helen Maynard of Portsmouth, R.I.; one brother, Charles Pickering of Ipswich; two cousins, Mae LeBlanc of Bellingham and James Brummitt of Tennessee; 12 grandchildren, Justine Pickering, Jessica Lindstrom and her husband, Kevin, Joshua Pickering and his wife, Jenn, Jamie Pickering, Timothy Pickering, Jr., Kelsey Bourque, Katie Pickering, Erin Blake, Andrew Pickering, Derek Bourque, Shawn Bourque, and Matthew Pickering; eight great-grandchildren, Tayvien Oeur, Joscelyn Fernandez, Jackson Lindstrom, Ari Chhea, Isabella Pickering, Kinsley Lindstrom, Rowen Chhea, and Kase Lindstrom; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was the brother of the late Mildred Beatty and cousin of the late William Brummitt.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m., in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage St., Franklin (www.oterifuneralhome.com). Burial, with military honors, will follow in Center Cemetery, Wrentham. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday, Sept. 30, from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the David A. Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.
