Bernard Lefty Dufresne

Bernard V. "Lefty" Dufresne, 87, of Worcester, died peacefully surrounded by family Monday, August 19th 2013 after a period of declining health. Born in Worcester, Lefty was one of seven children of Carlton and Helena (Packard) Dufresne. He attended Commerce High School. He left school at age 17 to join the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving his country honorably in the South Pacific. Upon returning home Lefty met and married the women who would become his devoted wife and life's love for the next 66 years Doris (Berard) Dufresne. Together they settled in Worcester to raise their family and have lived here all their lives. Lefty worked for Massachusetts Electric Co. for 45 years retiring as an underground supervisor. Lefty is survived by the family he loved so much and whom loved him; his wife Doris, children, John L. Dufresne, his wife Cindy Chinelly and their son Tristan, Paula L. Sullivan, her husband Denis and their children, Matthew and Andrew, Mark D. Dufresne his wife Lucille and their children, Nathan and Aimee, Cynthia L Wondolowski, her husband Conrad and their children Jason and Sara Zelesky and Evan; twelve great grandchildren he cherished, Maddison, Jade, Logan, Lucas, Aidan, Caroline, Brady, Avah, Taylor, Finnley, Teagan and Zoey. He is also survived by two brothers, Carlton Dufresne Jr., and Robert "Bob" Dufresne and two sisters, Marie Daige and Jane Marino, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Two brothers, Donald and Raymond "Butch" Dufresne pre deceased him. In his youth, Lefty became a well known semi- pro baseball player who once pitched a perfect game. He was a founding member of the American Legion Grafton Hill Post 323 baseball program, and served as the team's first coach. He maintained a life-long commitment to the team, which culminated in the dedication of the 2004 season to him. He was a member of St Stephen Church, the Worcester Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Grafton Hill Post 323 American Legion, and Post 3, Italian American War Veterans. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing the many golf courses in the area, especially with the Senility League at the Thompson Raceway Course. Upon his retirement from Mass Electric he was awarded the Key to the City of Worcester from then Mayor Jordon Levy for the dedicated years of service to the company. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family, Friday, August 23rd from 3 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be held Saturday from the funeral home with a procession at 9:30am to St Stephen's Church, 357 Grafton St where his Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am. Entombment with full Military Honors will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Bernard's name can be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton MA 01061-0515 or the Salmon VNA and Hospice, 37 Birch Street, Milford 01757. The family wishes to thank the staffs of the Beaumont Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center, and the Salmon VNA and Hospice for their commitment to providing high quality, dedicated care the last two weeks of Lefty's life. Members of the Worcester Detachment of the Marine Corps League will meet at 630 friday night at the funeral home to conduct their ritual.