Aurele J. Goguen

The funeral will be held from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg, on Monday, March 7, with a Mass in Saint Bernard’s Parish at Saint Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg at 10:00am. Burial will follow in Saint Bernard’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 6, from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.



Fitchburg – Aurele J. Goguen, 88, passed away on February 28, in Nashoba Valley Medical Center. Aurele was born in Cocagne, New Brunswick on March 29, 1927, a son of the late Levi and Priscilla (Cormier) Goguen. He grew up on the family farm in Canada, and attended schools in New Brunswick. In 1955 he came to the United States where he settled briefly in Connecticut. He married Florence in 1958, and began their family in Waltham, MA. In time they family moved to Maynard. He began his own successful painting company, where he continued to work very hard for 35 years, until his retirement. During his time as a self-employed painter he would apprentice his workers to be able to go off and begin their own business, always wanting to promote the best in others. Having a green thumb and farming in his blood, Aurele always enjoyed tending his garden and sharing the overflow with others. Traveling back to Canada to see his home and family was always a treasured time for Aurele. Being an animal lover, he enjoyed attending fairs and keeping a few chickens to maintain those happy childhood memories. He lived his life the way he was taught with uncompromising dignity and respect for others and a strong sense of self sufficiency. He believed in God’s promises and was a faithful attendee at his church. He will be dearly missed. Aurele leaves his wife of 57 years, Florence (Poirier) Goguen; children, Anne Bower and husband Philip of Littleton, David Goguen of Stow, and Claire Shea and husband Sheldon of Fitchburg; grandchildren, Joshua Shea and wife Nicole, Emily and Olivia Shea, Megan and Hannah Bower, and a great granddaughter Lily Joy Shea; siblings, Henri Goguen, Phillip Goguen and wife Marie, Louise Cormier, Lionel Goguen and wife Dorine, Aline Bourque and husband Ulysse, and Carmeline Bourque; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Leandre and Yvon Goguen and his sister Florence Goguen.