Douglas T. Cherry, Jr., 84, of 11 Clark St., in the Rochdale section of Leicester, died Thursday, Dec. 18 at Overlook Masonic Healthcare in Charlton after a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 58 years, Doris I. (Caldwell) Cherry, two sons Brian T. Cherry and his wife Florenceanne of Leicester, and Mark D. Cherry and his wife Robin of Worcester, a daughter Susan A. Bulman and her husband Frank of Rochdale, a brother Donald Cherry and his wife Tina of Leicester, a sister Janet LaPage and her husband Kenneth of Leicester, his daughter in law Andrea Cherry Collins of Grafton, seven grand children Jaime, Frank, Michael, Julien, Jimmy, Brendan and Connor, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a son James A. Cherry in 2004 and a brother Wallace Cherry in 2000.
Mr. Cherry was a fleet manager at Nelson Freight in Vernon, Ct. before retiring in 1987. Previously, he worked in the same position at Table Talk Pies in Worcester. He was a longtime superintendent for the Cherry Valley/Rochdale Water Supply District. After his retirement in 1987, he was a bus driver for Varney's Garage in E. Brookfield for many years.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of Douglas T. and Elsie (Larson) Cherry, Sr. He graduated from Leicester High School and later served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corps in the So. Pacific and later during the Korean War with the Air Force in Rosswell, N.M. He was a member of the Rochdale VFW Post 7556 and the Rochdale American Legion Post 205. He was a Mason and member of the Joel Prouty Lodge, AF & AM in Auburn and the Melha Shriner's in Springfield.
He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, and at onetime was a part time Leicester Police Officer and volunteer fireman on the Rochdale Fire Dept. He enjoyed camping, traveling and "tinkering".
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10a.m. in Christ Church, 1089 Stafford St., in the Rochdale section of Leicester. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Greenville Baptist Cemetery, Rochdale. Calling hours at the MORIN-MORRISON FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester are Monday, Dec. 22 from 4 to 7p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either Christ Church, P.O. Box 142, Rochdale, 01542 or Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, Ma. 01104.
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