George G. Cournoyer

George G. Cournoyer, of Blackstone, Mass., and formerly of North Smithfield, R.I., passed peacefully in his 89th year, surrounded by his family on December 17, 2025.

Born in Woonsocket on June 25, 1937, he was the son of the late George and Rose (née Either) Cournoyer.

He was predeceased by his wonderful wife of 60 years, Sheila (née Walsh) Cournoyer, whom he married in 1960.

George is survived by his four children who will miss him immensely – his daughter Madonna, and his sons Gregory, James and Jeffrey and their respective wives Kelly, Shaun and Kimberly, along with his cherished grandchildren, Ariana, Isabella, Faye, Greer, Alyssa and Alex and great-grandson Giovanni.  He was a loyal, caring, proud, and exceptionally supportive father and grandfather to them all.

Additionally, George leaves three siblings, Paul Cournoyer and his wife Rachel of North Smithfield, Pauline Bouvier of North Smithfield, and Theresa and her husband John Ritacco of Amherst, NH.  He was predeceased by his sister Constance Barret of Cumberland.

George was self-reliant with boundless energy and an unrivaled work ethic.  He had an inquisitive and sharp mind, a terrific sense of humor and loved to engage in conversation with others.  He graduated from Mount St. Charles Academy and Bryant College before embarking on a career in accounting and finance.  

He served on the North Smithfield Planning Board for a number of years and took an active role in public affairs in both North Smithfield and Blackstone.  He was also interested in public finance. After proposing an idea aimed at the dual goals of increasing the national savings rate and reducing the federal deficit, he was invited to discuss his proposal with a member of then President Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board and later with Nobel Laureat in economics, Franco Madigliani.

George was a man of deep and abiding faith and regularly attended church services until his later years.

A private funeral service for immediate and extended family will be held Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 8:30AM from the Holt Funeral Home, 510 So. Main St., Woonsocket, followed by a private Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in Divine Mercy Parish, 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone. Private burial will be held in the parish cemetery.

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