Winthrop B. Gay

Winthrop B. Gay, 93, of Maple St., passed away Sunday July 13, 2008 at his home.

He leaves two sons, Howard Gay and his wife Donna of West Brookfield and Winthrop B. Gay, Jr., and his wife Joan of Ware; two daughters, Martha Harder and her husband Mel of Hertford, NC and Marilyn Gaudette and her husband John of Newnan, GA; six grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. His wife of 70 years, Katherine S. (Sheldon) Gay died in 2006 and his grandson, Derek died in 1994. Winnie was born July 10, 1915 in Spencer, MA son of the late Winthrop V. and Viola (Bowen) Gay and was a resident of West Brookfield since 1940. He was a graduate of David Prouty High School in Spencer.

In 1955 he founded the Wick-Qua-Boag Weekly, the first Shopper in the area. He also owned and operated a Christmas Tree Farm where he raised and sold Christmas Trees. After his retirement from the newspaper business, he enjoyed many years weaving Nantucket baskets with his wife and creating wooden crafts in his woodshop for all the local artisans. He loved to read and was a strong supporter of the West Brookfield Library.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church and a member and past Master of the Bay Path Lodge of Masons in West Brookfield.

Funeral Services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Friends of the Merriam-Gilbert Public Library, P. O. Box 364, West Brookfield, MA 01585. Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield is directing arrangements.