Francis M. Metterville

Francis M. Metterville, 79, retired President and CEO of Fidelity Co-operative Bank, of 65 Carriageway Drive, and 13720 Southampton Drive, Bonita Springs, Florida, died Friday, Nov.2, surrounded by his loving family, in his home in Fitchburg, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He leaves his loving wife of 55 years, Pauline L. (Proulx) Metterville; three daughters, Kathleen A. Metterville of Newmarket, NH, Pamela M. Goguen of Fitchburg, and Lynn M. Berube and her husband, Marc, of Fitchburg: three brothers, Edward Metterville of Orleans, William Metterville of Worcester, and Richard Metterville of Holden; one sister, Mary DiPilato of Holden; 5 grandchildren, Richard Reynolds of Somersworth, NH, Jonathan Goguen of Fitchburg, Caitlin Carlsen of Newmarket, NH, Gregory Berube of Fitchburg and Kiley Berube of Fitchburg; one greatgrandson, Nathanael Burks of Somersworth, NH; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Metterville began his career in Banking in 1952 with the Fidelity Co-Operative Bank in Fitchburg and was elected the Banks President and CEO in 1969 and served in that position until his retirement in 1993.

He was involved in many civic and community organizations, including serving as a Trustee of Burbank Hospital, Chairman of Centmass Systems, Inc., Director of Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Director of the North Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Bank Investment Fund, Member of the Fitchburg School Building Committee, Vice Chairman and Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, President and Director of the Co-operative Central Bank of Boston, President of the Massachusetts League of Community Banks, Legislative Committee of U.S. League of Savings Institutions and Planning Committee of the Mass Co-Operative Bank League, the Mortgage Review Board for Worcester County, and a Director for OMNEX. He also served as President of the United Fund of Greater Fitchburg Chairman of the Fitchburg Red Cross, Director of Catholic Social Service, Trustee of the Fitchburg Art Museum, and a member and Director of the Fay Club and member and Director of Oak Hill Country Club.

He was a graduate of St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester, and the Worcester School of Business Science. He was a former member of St. Camillus de Lellis Parish in Fitchburg and St. John's Parish in Naples, Florida and a former member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Leominster.

He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, Private First Class in the International Military Tribunal of the Far East.

He was born in Worcester, on May 28, 1928, a son of the late Edward S. and Nora (Melia) Metterville and lived here most of his life.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Nov.10, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Leo's Church, 128 Main St., Leominster, Ma., with his good friend, Rev. John E. Doran, acting as the Main Celebrant.

Private burial will be in the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon, Ma.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the D.V.N.A. Hospice, 25 Tucker Drive, Leominster, Ma. 01453 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, Ma. 01701.

The Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, is directing Funeral arrangements. See (www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net) for further information.