Barbara Guskey

OXFORD – Barbara R. (Bruneau) Guskey, 86, of Main Street, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston with her grandson Jay by her side.  She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, George P. Guskey Sr., who died in 2001.  She is survived by two sons, George P. Guskey Jr. and his wife Linda of Dudley, and Richard A. Guskey of Oxford and his partner Michael Downs of Worcester; an adopted son, Richard A. Jones Sr. of Oxford; two grandsons, Marc Guskey and his wife Bobbie of Danielson, CT, and Jay Guskey of Southbridge; five great-grandchildren, Joseph and Alison Guskey of Danielson, CT, and Tyler, Brent, and Alex Guskey of Southbridge; two adopted grandchildren, Michael Guskey and Brandy Guskey; and many nephews and nieces.  She was born in Grafton, daughter of the late Napoleon J. and Johanna Clara (Buzzetti) Bruneau.

Mrs. Guskey was a sweater-hooker and gift-wrapper at Denholm’s in Worcester.  In addition, she worked at the lunch counter at Woolworths and then at Labonte’s Supermarket in Oxford until they closed.  After retirement from Labonte’s, she stayed home to take care of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She became a surrogate mother and grandmother to all of the children in the neighborhood.  In her later years, she traveled to her two favorite places – the ocean and the casino – with her friends Pat and Mary.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at North Cemetery in Oxford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the M.S.P.C.A., 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.  Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.