Dr. Robert M. Trudel

Dr. Robert M. Trudel, a former Worcester based psychologist, died peacefully on March 7th at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was the beloved husband of Angela (Tocci) Trudel, to whom he was married for 57 years.

Born in Lowell, MA on May 14, 1947, he was the son of Edgar and Mary (Carney)Trudel. He was a graduate of St. Bernard's High School, Assumption College, and Boston University, where in 1978 he received his Doctor of Science degree (Sc.D.) in Rehabilitation Medicine and clinical psychology. Dr. Trudel was an outstanding basketball player at both St. Bernard's High School and Assumption College, who then went on to play briefly for the New England Travelers basketball club. In the 1980s and 1990s, he served as an assistant basketball coach at Leominster High School, for Head Coach, Ron Mazzaferro. In his later years, he became an avid golfer, and was a member of both Monoosnock Country Club and Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich, MA. For much of his life, Dr. Trudel was a parishioner of St. Anna's Parish in Leominster.

After graduating from Boston University, Dr. Trudel worked at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester where he was Director of the Alcoholism clinic for ten years. After which he established his own private practice in Worcester. He was also employed by the Ottman Company and later the Jernburg Corporation, traveling the country developing employee assistance programs for the victims of disasters. He also taught graduate courses at Worcester State, Holy Cross, Leominster School of Nursing and was an adjunct professor in the graduate school at Assumption College. He also served on the board at Leominster Credit Union and belonged to several organizations in his field of practice.

Doc, as he was affectionately called, and Angela were married after college, had three children and subsequently, eight grandchildren. His friends spanned much of North Worcester County, stemming from his large network of professional acquaintances, and from his many years of active sports participation in Leominster. His many friends included classmates from St. Bernard's, Leominster, and Fitchburg High Schools, friends of his adult children and friends at the Cape. Despite his social network, however, Dr. Trudel received his greatest joy from spending time with his eight grandchildren, particularly at his vacation home in Harwich, or visiting his sons and grandchildren at the Jersey Shore or attending their numerous activities. Across the community of North Worcester County, Dr. Trudel will be most remembered for the uncountable number of patients he counselled and advised in over 50 years of mental health service. His loyalty and dedication to his patients was unwavering, irrespective of holidays, vacations, or his own personal commitments. Dr. Trudel's extroverted personality, dedicated work ethic, passion for athletics, and relentless drive for professional exceptionalism, defined the essence of his life. He loved to read, travel, golf, play and coach basketball.

Dr. Trudel is survived by his wife, his son Michael and wife Shannon, his daughter Melissa and husband Douglas, his son Stephen and wife Victoria, his eight grandchildren, Matthew, Allison, Emily, Cecilia, Brady, Adriana, Benjamin, and John, his sisters Carroll Picucci, Colleen Trainor, and Bonnie Brown along with numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his brothers Richard and Gerard Trudel.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Anna's Church, 194 Lancaster St., Leominster, on Friday, March 13th at 11:00 AM. Anyone wishing to pay his respects is asked to go directly to St. Anna's, as there will be no calling hours. A private burial service will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to st. jude's hospital for Children or Tunnels to Towers.