Southbridge: Oliva J. "Ollie" Garceau, 84, of Chestnut St., passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Dec. 8 ^th , after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 22 years, Dorothy (Hargrove) Tassone Garceau; his two children, Michael J. Garceau of Southbridge and Laura J. Messier and her husband Rick of Southbridge; his former wife, Rose (Leveille) Garceau of Southbridge; his grandchildren, Mathew Messier and Meaghan Messier; his step children, Nicholas Tassone and his wife Nancy of Woonsocket, RI,  Robert Tassone and his wife Christine of East Haddam, CT and Hiedi Gallerani and her husband Joe of Mendon; four step grandchildren, Nicholas, Dominic, Joshua and Caitlyn; two step great grandchildren; his nephew, James LaPlante; and several other nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister Gloria T. Garceau.  Ollie was born in Sturbridge the son of the late Ovila J. and Maria Annie (Duby) Garceau.  Ollie was a graduate of the former Cole Trade High School in Southbridge and played on the school's baseball team.  He was also a US Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War era.

Ollie owned and operated Ollie Garceau Heating and Air Conditioning for many years, retiring several years ago.  He previously worked for McKinstry Oil Co. in Southbridge for many years.  Prior to McKinstry he worked as a carpenter/cabinet maker at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge.  He also previously worked as a cook at the former Spectown Diner in Southbridge and worked as a cook in a restaurant on Cape Cod.  He was a member of the Southbridge Optimist Club for many years.

Ollie loved sports of all kinds especially Softball and was a founding member of the Southbridge Softball Association.  He was known for his sense of humor and enjoyed sharing a good joke.  Ollie enjoyed carpentry and loved making all kinds of furniture and woodwork items for his family.  Above all he was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather.

A funeral Mass for Ollie will be held on Saturday, January 5 ^th , at 10:00am in St. Anne's Church, 16 Church St., Sturbridge.  Burial will follow in St. Anne's Cemetery, Sturbridge.  A calling hour in St. Anne's Church will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5 ^th from 9:00 to 10:00am, prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.