Stephen A. Beland

Stephen A. Beland, 59, of Washington, D.C., died unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Steve was born in Leominster, son of the late Robert R. and Constance J. (Leger) Beland, and grew up in Sterling. He was a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School and California State University, where he earned a B.A. in Journalism. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982-86, then lived many years in California and Nevada, building a career as a writer and editor for several regional newspapers. The 21st-century decline in that industry led him in an unexpected direction: a 3-year stint teaching English as a second language in South Korea, from which he worked his way back into journalism through Korean-based media companies. He returned to the U.S. in 2017, settling in Washington, D.C. At the time of his death, he was employed as a Technical Writer and Editor for Aleut Federal, affiliated with the National Defense University.

Steve enjoyed traveling and visited many great places, including Ireland, Italy, China, and South Africa. A warm, gentle soul, he was a patient listener whose advice was sought by many. He was generous with his gift for words, aiding many friends and family members with resumes and other writing projects. His greatest joy, though, was being with those he loved, talking and laughing about the good old days.

Steve is survived by four brothers: Christopher J. Beland and his wife, Ainee of Uxbridge, Daniel R. Beland and his wife, Carrie of Templeton, Brian D. Beland and his partner, Dianna Lello of Long Island, NY, and Michael P. Beland of Webster; three sisters: Elizabeth A. Doiron and her husband, Steven of Gardner, Jennifer M. LeClerc and her husband, David of South Grafton, and Michelle L. Beland of Dudley, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Calling hour will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Winchendon, 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA 01475.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1^st street, suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or on their website (www.parkinson.org) or Gardner Animal Shelter c/o Gardner Police Department, 200 Main Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Stephen A. Beland.