WORCESTER___Omer J.Collette, formerly of Plantation Street in Worcester died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 8 in his home at the Christopher House at the age of 83.
He was born in Gardner, MA., the “special” child of the late Pierre and Rose (Bourque) Collette and spent most of his life in Worcester. Mr. Collette is fondly remembered in the community as the paperboy who in rain, snow, sleet or shine sold the Telegram and Gazette at Harrington Corner and in front of the Slater Building for more than 40 years. He had a tremendous devotion to the newspaper and his customers and he was a friend to all. It did not matter if you were the Mayor of the City, the Bishop of the Diocese or homeless, you were his friend. A simple man with simple pleasures Mr.Collette enjoyed his nieces and nephews, music, the band concerts at Institute Park, Holy Cross football and the Boston Celtics. Mr. Collette was a member of St. Joseph Church in Worcester until the time of his death.
Mr. Collette is survived by his devoted family, his two brothers, Gerald and his wife Ann, Raymond and his wife Joan all of Worcester; and three sisters, Jeannette and her husband Arthur Daoust of Seminole, Florida; Dorise and her husband Gerald Soucy of Auburn, with whom he made his home for many years and Yvette Gaulin of Largo, Florida; 18 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.
The Collette family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Omer’s “family” at the former Belmont Home and Christopher House who cared for him like a family member until the time of his death. Special thanks go to his daily companion Lydie who made everyday special for him.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday September 11, from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 35 Hamilton Street. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday September 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted and that contributions in Omer’s memory be made to the Activities Department, Christopher House, 10 Mary Scano Drive, Worcester, MA., 01605.