Donald H. Letendre

Donald H. Letendre, 95, Professor Emeritus at Assumption College and Veteran of WWII died Thursday, June 16, 2011 in the Holden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a long illness. He leaves his wife of sixty-two years, Rita (Collette) Letendre, their son Richard and his wife Stephanie (McGrail) Letendre, and a granddaughter Alina Letendre, all of Marblehead.

Mr. Letendre, son of Henry and Exina (Comeau) Letendre, was born in Spencer, Massachusetts. After his graduation from David Prouty High School, he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Clark University in Worcester, and attended additional graduate school at Boston University.

During WWII, Mr. Letendre served as a member of the Office of Strategic Services. He went to Yale University to study Mandarin and anthropology, and was sent to China. Shortly after discharge, he joined the English Department at Clark University, where he taught for twelve years. As the first lay administrator at Assumption College, he became Associate Dean and Professor of English and Theater Arts.

Mr. Letendre was involved with many community activities; he was a long-time member, officer and play reviewer of the New England Theater Conference, Trustee of Bay State Savings Bank, Book Reviewer for Sunday Telegram, former President of the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross College, a fundraiser for the Annual Diocesan Partners in Charity Appeal and he served on the Diocesan Board of Education for several years. He was also a frequent speaker at public and private schools, at faculty seminars and social and cultural clubs in New England.

He enjoyed theater and taught the subject with great enthusiasm and coached student plays at Assumption. At the time of his retirement from Assumption College, after twenty-five years of service, he was awarded a degree of Doctor of Pedagogy .

Funeral will be held at 11 o'clock on Tuesday, June 21 with a Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church, at 353 Grove Street in Worcester. He will be laid to rest privately at Notre Dame Mausoleum. Relatives and friends are invited to go directly to the Immaculate Conception Church on Grove Street for the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Assumption College Chapel Renovation Fund, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. Arrangements in the care of Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St.

www.callahanfay.com