Noel O. Fugere Obituary (1931

Noel O. Fugere, 93, formerly of Wilmington MA, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025 at Bridges by Epoch in Westford. Noel was the beloved husband of Estelle D. (Tougas) Fugere, with whom he shared nearly 72 years of marriage. Noel was born in Central Falls, RI, on December 25, 1931, to the late Joseph and Ida (Gagnon) Fugere. Noel was raised in Central Falls where he attended St. Matthews Church and school and spent many idyllic summers at Camp Ker-Anna in Cumberland. After serving in the US Air Force as an x-ray technician during the Korean War, Noel completed his B.S. in physics at Providence College and worked as an aerospace engineer in both Sidney, NY and Wilmington. After aerospace engineering, Noel was also a quality control engineer in the phototypesetting industry. In retirement, Noel drove a school bus part-time for the Town of Wilmington and co-founded the ride ministry at St. Dorothy's Church in Wilmington, where he was also a long-time communicant. Quite the amateur musician, Noel enjoyed playing the drums, bugle, piano, and accordion; he particularly loved to listen to and sing old-time French-Canadian songs. Additional interests included volunteering with the Boy Scouts, coaching basketball, rooting for the PC Friars and tending to his backyard swimming pool for the enjoyment of several nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In addition to his loving wife Estelle, Noel leaves his daughters Jeanne Gilchrest of Chelmsford and Diane Sawyer of Clayton, North Carolina; grandchildren Joshua Gilchrest of Lowell, Dana (Sawyer) Torpey and her husband Sean of Somerville, Jacqueline (Sawyer) Schiwek and her husband Daniel of Clayton, NC, Catherine Joanna (Sawyer) Duran and her husband Shaun of Cary, NC, and Clark J Sawyer, III and his wife Paola of Tewksbury. Noel also leaves five great grandchildren: Stella and Finn Torpey, Lucia and Liesl Schiwek, and CJ Sawyer. Noel was predeceased by his brothers Clarence and Normand Fugere. A Catholic memorial service will be held at Blake Funeral Home in Chelmsford (date and time of which is to be determined by Noels family in upcoming months), followed by the private burial of remains in St. Josephs Cemetery, Cumberland, RI. A Catholic memorial service will be held at Blake Funeral Home in Chelmsford (date and time of which is to be determined by Noel's family in upcoming months), followed by the private burial of remains in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Cumberland, RI.