LEICESTER/CHERRY VALLEY; George David Dandurand passed away on Saturday, June 11th at the age of 96
surrounded by his loving family. He joins his beloved wife of 70 years,
Estelle (Raymond) Dandurand (2019). George was born on July 13,
1925 to Nelson and Angeline (Aucoin) Dandurand in Shrewsbury MA
where he grew up as the youngest of 5 children. He started work at an
early age on a farm and then as a bowling alley “pin boy”. George
attended high school at Worcester Boys Trade studying mechanics and
gear making. Like many other high schoolers at that time, he traded a
diploma for enlistment papers, enlisting in the US Navy at the age of 17.
George served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He
was a Machinist’s Mate 1st class and was then chosen to be part of an
elite group of divers, becoming a Deep-Sea Salvage Diver. During WWII
he took part as a diver in the D-Day invasion at the Beach Head in
Normandy moving on to the Battle of the Bulge then later completing
tactical missions in Japan. During the Korean War he was assigned to
the USS Cadmus.
After returning home George began his over 40-year career at Bancroft
Motors, pumping gas and then working his way up to Service Director
until retiring in 1990. It was at Bancroft Motors where he met Estelle
Raymond whom he married on Feb 19, 1949. The couple would
eventually move to Cherry Valley where they raised 7 children. Family
was the most important thing to them as well as their greatest joy and
accomplishment. They were so proud of their children, 13
grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Their home was the place for
family gatherings of cookouts, pool parties and celebrations with family
and friends.
George spent his free time gardening, growing enough vegetables to
feed the neighborhood. George and Estelle would make and freeze
their special tomato sauce as well as a variety of vegetables. George
was always working around his home and helping his kids with their
home projects. He even earned the nick name “MacGyver” because he
could always figure out the tough or impossible situations. George
Dandurand was a loving husband, dad, pépère, and grand pépère. He
was a loyal friend, fair boss and a brave veteran who was loved and will
be missed. He was a hero to all.
George leaves seven children. George Jr. of Cherry Valley, MA, Kenneth
and wife Patricia of Plymouth, MA, Richard and wife Martha of
Cornelius, NC, Elaine Beattie and husband Mark of Westwood, MA,
James and wife Dana of Mooresville, NC, Lisa Fitzpatrick and husband
James of Wrentham, MA and Thomas and wife Kristen of Wilmington,
DE. He leaves 12 grandchildren Jeffrey and wife Emily, Marcus and wife
Katy, Stephen, Joseph, Chloe, Ava and William Dandurand, Allison,
Caroline, and Jack Beattie, Aidan, and Isabelle Fitzpatrick. Three great
grandchildren Benjamin, Charles, and Lucille Dandurand. George was
predeceased by his grandson Matthew Dandurand (2005).
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 16 at 12 noon in the MORIN
FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester.
Burial with military honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
Calling hours are Wednesday from 5-8 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Quilts of Valor Foundation
https://www.qovf.org/donate/ or by mail: Quilts of Valor at Charlton
Sewing Center (Group 15307) Charlton, MA 01507 or the Dana Farber
Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/make-a-
memorial-or-tribute-gift/
www.morinfuneralhomes.com