North Oxford – Edward R. Deyette, 76, of North Oxford, passed away on April 30, 2021 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by loving family.
Edward is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Barbara A. (Ritacco) Deyette; three daughters, Julie Zanghi and her husband Frank of Holden, Jill Miranda and her husband Patrick of Grafton, and Andrea Deyette of Worcester; a sister, Barbara Deyette Palmer of Sandy Hook, Utah; two brothers, Robert Deyette of Douglas and Daniel Deyette of Grafton; a brother-in-law, Anthony F. Ritacco Jr. and his wife Margaret of Dudley; two sisters-in-law, Dolores Kachajian, wife of the late George J. Kachajian of Worcester, and Maria-Elena Payne, wife of the late Kendall B. Payne of Paxton; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Edward was born in Milford, son of the late, Richard and Barbara E. (Cote) Deyette, and grew up in Grafton. Edward graduated high school and joined the United States Navy in 1961 and served on the USS Forrestal.
Following his military service, Edward worked in the Forge Shop at Wyman Gordon Company before following his passion for horses. He joined the horse stable of F. Lee Hanson and received his apprentice license in training thoroughbred racehorses and became an assistant to the trainer. Shortly thereafter, he graduated and obtained his training license from the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association pursued his career, eventually operating his own horse racing business. He primarily trained and raced in the New England Area and New York State, and at one time became the leading trainer in Rhode Island.
Edward later became a union truck driver with the Teamsters Local 170 and Local 25, where he worked for 25 years driving for USF Red Star Express, retiring in 2005.
Edward enjoyed golfing, tending to his home and yard, and was an animal lover. He always had a variety of animals at his home, with a passion for the grace and elegance of a thoroughbred horse. He enjoyed sports and loved watching the great teams of New England.
There are no calling hours. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend Edward’s funeral Mass on Friday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m., at Christ The King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester (please go directly to church). Interment will follow at Moreland Cemetery, Paxton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org or to the A.S.P.C.A. by visiting www.aspca.org.
The family has entrusted Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester.
