Obituary: Anita Leonard

Anita Leonard, at 98

Anita Gertrude (Zahn) Leonard passed peacefully from this life on October 6, 2024, at the age of 98.

Mrs. Leonard was born on January 21, 1926, in Boston to Arthur and Anna (Nadon) Zahn. She was raised in Braintree and after graduating Braintree High School, went to work at the Hingham Shipyard as a secretary. During the summer of 1949, she met her sweetheart, “Billy” Leonard, at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. However, Mr. Leonard was soon drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 to serve during the Korean War. After discharge, Bill and his “Teeta” married on September 12, 1953. They purchased their first home in Braintree in 1954, but moved to Hull in 1958 when their growing family required more space. Mr. Leonard had grown up in Hull and spent much of his youth working in the family business, Leonard Realty.

Their house in Hull was a historic 100-year-old, three-story structure, previously owned by the Damon family, for whom the Damon Elementary School was named. It was located atop Atlantic Hill and provided an expansive view of Nantasket Beach and Paragon Park below, where the screams of those riding the roller coaster could be heard on summer nights.

On April 21, 1963, that same roller coaster caught fire and embers from that fire, carried by the wind, landed on the wooden roof of the Leonards’ home, causing it to burn to the ground. The Leonard family subsequently moved to Bay Street for some years and continued to visit frequently, even after another move to Framingham, where they remained until retiring to Orlando, Florida.

In Orlando, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard enjoyed hosting visits from their children and grandchildren, staying active, playing golf and cards, and socializing with their many dear friends. After 33 wonderful years, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard returned to Massachusetts in 2019 to live briefly in Lenox before returning to their beloved Hull in 2020, when sadly, after 67 years of a very happy marriage, Mr. Leonard passed away. Mrs. Leonard soon after moved to the Residence at Penniman Hill in Hingham, where she made many new and cherished friends.

Mrs. Leonard is survived by her son, William F. Leonard, and his wife, Melanie, of Mashpee, MA; daughter Karen Stevens and her husband, Mark, of Hopedale; daughter Anne Zuber and her husband, Robert, of Hull; and son-in-law Stephen Thompson of Barnstable. Mrs. Leonard was predeceased by her daughter, Patricia Thompson, who passed much too soon, in 1997. She also is survived by seven grandchildren: Brett Leonard, Anna and Julia Stevens, Daniel (Kaitlin) and James (Avery) Zuber, and Emily and Patrick Thompson.

Burial service at the Hull Village Cemetery will be private. Condolences may be expressed at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel’s website, www.DowningChapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham and NVNA and Hospice at www.nvna.org.

Obituary: Kirk J. Farrell-O’Reilly

Kirk J. Farrell-O’Reilly

Kirk J. Farrell-O’Reilly peacefully passed at his home in Hull on September 19, 2024. Formerly of Brockton, Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly was the beloved husband of Christine Farrell-O’Reilly and the loving father of Sean O’Reilly of Waterbury, Vermont, and Kirk J. O’Reilly, Jr. of Brockton. He was the cherished grandfather of Cameron, Mackenzie, and Sofia O’Reilly, and the loving stepfather of Alyssa Atwood of Abington and Joshua Atwood and his wife, Audra, of Plymouth. Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly was the beloved brother of Patricia (O’Reilly) Buchanan of Bridgewater, Maureen (O’Reilly) Webb of Denver, Colorado, the late Mark O’Reilly of Chatham and the late Kevin O’Reilly of Beaufort, S.C. Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly also leaves many well-loved nieces, nephews and cousins, and his former wife, Madeline O’Reilly.

Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly joined the U.S. Marine Corps directly out of high school, serving four years of active duty, 13 months of which were in Vietnam. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Boston State College, Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly worked for 30 years as a probation officer in the Brockton District Court, first for juveniles and then for adults.

An avid fly fisherman, Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly used beautiful flies he tied himself. In earlier years, he was a dedicated runner who participated in a number of marathons. He loved to read, garden, play cards and board games, watch the Red Sox, and spend time at Hull Gut, whether fishing or not. He greatly enjoyed spending winters on Pine Island, Florida.

Visiting hours will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont St., Brockton, on Wednesday, October 23, from 4-7 p.m. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home on Thursday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edith Stein Church in Brockton. 

Interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Monday, November 18 at 11:15 a.m. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home Monday at 9:45 a.m.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family respectfully asks, with gratitude, to consider making a memorial contribution in Mr. Farrell-O’Reilly’s honor to one of these organizations, or to a charity of choice: Old Colony YMCA-East Bridgewater, 635 Plymouth St., East Bridgewater, MA 02333; PeaceTrees Vietnam, 509 Olive Way, Suite 1226, Seattle, WA 98101; or SEMA Trout Unlimited (Chapter 241), P.O. Box 531, Bridgewater, MA 02324.

For condolences, visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com or search for Conley Funeral & Cremation Service on Facebook.

Obituary: John M. Walsh, Jr.

John M. Walsh, Jr.

John M Walsh, Jr., the “car guy,” passed away on September 29, 2024 with his family by his side after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Mr. Walsh was a true Hull Kid, graduating from Hull High in 1975 and being named best dressed in his high school yearbook. Mr. Walsh was proud to be a member of the band Odyssey and a member of the Channel 7 Greater Bostonians. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina, graduating with a degree in interior design.

How did he go from interior design to car sales? His love of helping people. Mr. Walsh sold cars for more than 40 years. He met the love of his life, Jinnie Ryan Walsh, at a dealership when she went in with a service issue. The sales manager told him to take a ride to check out the complaint, and they were married a year later. They did trade in the car. John and Jinnie were married 30 years. Mrs. Walsh was the manager of Hingham Savings in Hull for 18 years. John and Jinnie were known by all as the banker and the car guy. You never left a conversation with Mr. Walsh without his business card in your hand and a referral to the bank.

Mr. Walsh was a Ford salesman at heart. He worked for many years at Dave Dinger Ford and remained with the dealership when it was sold to Herb Chambers Ford. Repeat customers were his favorite!

Mr. Walsh loved to cook and owned Big John’s House of Food in Randolph for several years. He was the king of thin crust pizza. He returned to his first love, car sales in 2008. In 2012 he was in a career-ending car accident, as he was no longer able to walk the car lot. A high school friend called and asked him to go with her as she looked for a new car and Auto Negotiators Unlimited was born.

Auto Negotiators allowed Mr. Walsh to do all the pre-work on cars from his home office, locate the car and travel with the customer to the dealership and negotiate the deal. Many dealers did not look forward to seeing him enter the dealership, as they knew their profit would soon be shrinking! If he never found a car for the person, there was no charge. He was very proud of this fact, reinforcing that the customer knew he was truly working for them. He always called Jinnie after each deal to tell her “Auto Negotiators did it again!”

In 2020, during the COVID19 pandemic, Mr. Walsh took great pride in assisting first responders and medical staff with their transportation needs. The deal now included a parking space at the Warren Street beach, as he felt these folks were working so hard for us, they deserved a restful day off.

Mr. Walsh loved his Golden Retrievers – Bailey, Seamus, Brady, and Dakota – all of whom predeceased him. His current Goldens – Mercedes, Bentley, and Maverick – are named after cars.

Mr. Walsh was predeceased by his parents, John M. Walsh and Vivian M. Walsh, brother Michael G. Walsh and sister Frances M. Galvin. He is survived by his wife, Jinnie Ryan Walsh, and his favorite niece, Erin M. Galvin, and her fiancé, Jon White. “Uncle John” is well remembered by his Indiana nephews – Christopher Walsh and his wife, Ashley, and their son, Calvin Michael; Thomas Walsh and his daughter, Nova; and Patrick Walsh – and their mother, Diane Walsh.

Mr. Walsh celebrated the 100th birthday of his mother-in-law, Virginia Ryan, in February 2024. He remained friends with many other “car guys,” as well as his fellow Hull Kids Jason Tabasky and Mark Forman.

Special thanks to the caring staff at Dana Farber Cancer Center and South Shore Hospital. Jinnie’s lifelong friend, Lisa Battista, was John’s personal chauffeur. Mr. Walsh did not want traditional services. There will be a celebration of his life next summer at Warren Street beach. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to MorrisAnimalFoundation.org. This organization is researching cures for cancer in Golden Retrievers.

Mr. Walsh lived life to the fullest and was a friend to everyone. Beach Avenue will be quieter now as he loved to crank the radio, open the sunroof in his F-150 truck, and cruise down Hull streets. Rest easy, Big John!

For more information and online guestbook, visit www.downingchapel.com.

Obituary: John M. Sullivan

John M. Sullivan, at 77 

John Michael Sullivan of Hull, formerly of Hingham and Easton, Massachusetts and Glen Ellyn, Illinois, died on September 20, 2024. 

It’s hard to lose one of the people who loved you most. If you’re reading this and you knew John, you’re likely feeling that loss today because John loved you. If you met him, you mattered to him and, as we’ve found out over the past several weeks and months of his illness, he mattered to a lot of you too.

Mr. Sullivan was born on June 8, 1947, in Brockton, the third of three children. After meeting Georgette Ader at Stonehill College, they went on to have three children of their own, followed by six grandchildren, all of whom Mr. Sullivan loved dearly. Always on the move, and always up for some friendly competition, he helped his family find the fun. Sunday trips to the bowling alley. Coaching John Barker basketball. Ski weekends at Sunday River. Rowdy rounds of “off-the-wall dice.” Adventures to Costco. Losing (mostly) gracefully to his grandchildren at board games. Taking life’s challenges (mostly) in stride, or at least with a healthy dose of humor. And laughing through it all. At every chance he and Georgette got, they’d gather that brood around their table and raise a toast to being together. 

Mr. Sullivan made new friends everywhere he went, and he loved them all. In the ’80s, he joined Mrs. Sullivan in founding the Crow Point Marching Kazoo Band, gathering their neighbors, donning Groucho Marx disguises, and performing to great acclaim in Hingham’s Fourth of July parade and Christmas in the Square celebration. More recently, he’d send friends daily inspirational quotes and his famous dog selfies to brighten their day.

Mr. Sullivan worked for the coolest brands at their coolest times. He sold Polaroid cameras when the SX-70 launched, Atari games and consoles at the height of their popularity, and Titleist balls and clubs when the Pro V1 was first introduced, and he helped a high-end Japanese golf brand called XXIO enter the U.S. market. While he was certainly passionate about the products, it was the people he talked about most. The time on the road with his reps, the customers turned friends, the opportunity to be a coach and mentor. And his proudest career moments occurred when he co-led a job search support group and talk radio show to help people who were out of work better understand their own value and then find an organization that would appreciate it.

Mr. Sullivan loved music, belting out songs with the car windows rolled down – a pastime he found all the more enjoyable if he had someone to sing with … or at. He loved dancing, which he did often, and with gusto. He loved playing golf, and running marathons and biking in his stronger days, and walking the dog every day. He loved clothes and looking spiffy, yet he was a stain magnet. He loved cars, and maybe especially washing them. He loved boats, although he was terrible at driving them. He loved reading the news, regularly reading aloud the parts he found interesting – which were a lot of parts. And he never met a hot dog that he didn’t like, except maybe for that one time.

Mr. Sullivan loved life. He believed in the future. He really and truly connected with people. He wasn’t perfect, but he was re-mark-able.

Take a page out of Mr. Sullivan’s playbook and compliment someone on a job well done to show that you noticed, and you appreciate their efforts. And make that phone call. Write that letter. Ask how the people around you are doing because we’re all on this crazy ride together and, as Mr. Sullivan taught us, life is so much richer if we celebrate that fact.

Mr. Sullivan’s memory, words of wisdom, and moments of unintentional comedic brilliance will live on in the hearts and minds of his family: his wife, Georgette Ader Sullivan; his children, Mark Sullivan and his wife, Cristina; Elisabeth Sullivan Greaney and her husband, Matthew; and Ned Sullivan and his wife, Abigail; his six grandchildren, Ana, Molly, Nora, Will, Isla, and Fiona; his siblings, Jane Sullivan, and Jeremiah Sullivan and his wife, Kate; and his niece, nephews, and extended family members and friends. 

We’d like to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to the wonderful medical teams who cared for him over the past few years, with special thanks to the Beth Israel oncology team, Encompass Health Braintree, the Pat Roche Hospice Home, and the EMTs of Hull. We owe you all a debt of gratitude. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, October 4, from 4-8 p.m. in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mr. Sullivan’s name to the David Einstein Discretionary Fund at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center by visiting www.bidmc.org/giving, or by check. Checks should be made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with “John Sullivan/David Einstein Discretionary Fund” in the memo line, and mailed to: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129.

Obituary: Carol Ann Bergen

Carol Ann Bergen, at 65 

Carol Ann (Blanchard) Bergen of Taunton passed away after a brief battle with metastatic cancer on September 14, 2024 at the age of 65. A cherished mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, Ms. Bergen's warmth and vibrant spirit left a mark on all who knew her. 

Ms. Bergen was born in the North End of Boston. At a young age she moved to Hull, where she lived for most of her life, raising her children in her same childhood home on K Street. She loved being with family and especially cherished her time spent with her grandchildren, who affectionately named her “Nana Bee.” Nana Bee was always up for a trip to Nantasket Beach, a swim in the pool, or to play a game of catch.

Ms. Bergen is survived by her children, Amanda Rosen and Mitchell Bergen; her grandchildren, Thomas and Madilynn Rosen; and two brothers, Franklin Blanchard and his wife, Judy, and William Blanchard and his wife, Carol. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Elena Blanchard.

A funeral Mass will be held in her honor on September 26 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, 208 Samoset Ave., Hull.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Carol to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St, West Bridgewater, MA 02379; www.OldColonyHospice.org.

Obituary: Sharon Belisle

Sharon Belisle, at 61

Sharon Jane (Walsh) Belisle passed away September 15, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 20, 1963, the ninth of 10 children and the youngest daughter of William and Edythe Walsh. 

Mrs. Belisle was raised in the coastal town of Hull and graduated from Hull High School in1981. She married John “Jack” Belisle, of Woburn, on September 19, 1987. They lived most of their married years at their home in Weymouth, where they raised their son, Christopher Belisle. Mrs. Belisle cherished her role as mother, but her dedication and tireless efforts did not stop there. She was equally devoted in all her responsibilities and challenges throughout her life – most importantly, a loving wife, affectionate mother, caring daughter, understanding sister, compassionate aunt, and a dedicated employee at Travelers for more than 30 years. Mrs. Belisle’s gift of friendship was something special for all of us who were blessed and fortunate to be in her life. However, she was warm-hearted and kind to anyone she met.

Mrs. Belisle loved Nantasket Beach, spending time at the Cape with her husband’s family and everything relating to the ocean and sea. She was particularly fond of boating with Jack, or hanging out on the dock with friends. She was also a loyal and loving Dog Mom to her past Golden Retrievers, Benjamin and Teddy, and her current grandpup Mikah.

Survivors include Jack, her husband of 37 years, son Christoper Belisle (Alyssa Powers) of Weymouth; brother Richard (Linda) Walsh of Vonore, Tennessee; brother David (Connie Herbert) Walsh of Hull; brother William (Barbie) Walsh of Weymouth; sister Priscilla Walsh of North Attleboro; sister Beverly of West Springfield; sister Cynthia (Bob) Murphy of Hull; sister Gail Walsh of Hull; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Belisle was preceded in death by her parents, William and Edythe Walsh, brother Paul Walsh, and sister Andrea Cassie.

The family will receive friends for visitation at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 21.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of their choice.

Mrs. Belisle’s wish was to be buried at sea. The family will hold a celebration of Sharon’s life at a later date.

Obituary: Christopher R. Hidell

Christopher R. Hidell, at 58

Christopher Robinson Hidell, 58, of Hull passed peacefully last Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute after an arduous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

At the time, he was surrounded by his wife of 22 years, Tricia (Marshall) Hidell, daughter Celia Hidell, and parents Patricia (Darling) Meyer of Falmouth, Maine, and Henry “Bob” Robinson Hidell III of Hingham. He is survived by his stepmother, Cynthia (Toth) Hidell of Hingham and was predeceased by his stepfather, John H. Meyer, of Windham, Maine.

A birthright Quaker, Mr. Hidell was born on February 14, 1966 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he remained for the first three and a half years of his life, living in residence with his two parents at Oakwood Friends School. As the family grew to include his two younger brothers – Bennett Hidell of Windham and Brooke Hidell of Casco, Maine – Mr. Hidell and his parents moved to Cohasset, where he came to love spending time on and around the water. Between frequent family trips to visit his four grandparents in Pennsylvania and attending Windham High School in Maine – Class of 1984 – Mr. Hidell had love for many places, but has always felt most at home out on the water that connects them all.

A true Renaissance man, Mr. Hidell’s insatiable curiosity and diverse interests led him to study various disciplines at a number of educational institutions. He ultimately earned an associate’s degree in architectural engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology and a bachelor of science in art from Northeastern University. He was proudest, however, of his sculpture studies at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine, and the recent acquisition of his Master 50 GRT Captain’s License after months of after-work night school in his 50s.

Before his more recent entry into the marine industry, Mr. Hidell completed roughly 100 kitchens from Maine to New York under his design/build cabinet shop, Hidell & Co., which he owned and operated for almost 20 years – right up until he received the colorectal cancer diagnosis that ultimately forced him to close the company in 2012. After three long years, 16 surgeries, and medical advice to perhaps not work again, Mr. Hidell beat the cancer and was hired at Steamboat Wharf Marina while walking the premises with the family’s beloved dog, Sadie. There, he served as dockmaster and general jack-of-all-trades before transitioning to work on the water for another branch of the marina, Aquamarine Services, in the job he frequently cited as the most joyous of his life. Most recently, he combined his various skill sets and lifelong interests by ideating and building the marina’s onsite restaurant, Red Sky (now The Drift).

Though Mr. Hidell had not been able to work since his most recent diagnosis, he found great enjoyment in a good cup of coffee, taking the long way home, walking Sadie around the marina, watching his daughter’s college adventures in Los Angeles, and generally spending time with his family in any and every form. Frequently citing his love of being alive, his impossibly positive aura and diplomatic spirit remained with him through his final moments and remains with his family now. In an effort to provide time for his loved ones to connect with one another,

Mr. Hidell requested to have a gathering rather than any formal service, which will be held this Friday, September 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home at 1 Summer St. in Cohasset.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to keep his favorite places alive through The Trustees of Reservations or to Reel Recovery – a volunteer-based organization that introduces cancer survivors to the art of the very fly fishing that granted him peace in his toughest moments. Donations can be made at the following links: The Trustees (https://give.thetrustees.org/give/508795); Reel Recovery (https://www.reelrecovery.org/donate); alternatively, pick up a rod (and let the fish go) in his honor.

Obituary: Margaret L’Italien

Margaret L’Italien, at 73

Margaret “Marnie” L’Italien (formerly Gillis), 73, died peacefully on September 2, 2024.

Mrs. L’Italien was the beloved mother of Eric Michael L’Italien (Courtney), Michael Ronald L’Italien (Molly), and Paul Colin L’Italien, and grandmother of Rhys L’Italien and Colin L’Italien. She was predeceased by her brother, Colin Gillis Jr., and her parents, Colin and Marguerite Gillis. Mrs. L’Italien leaves behind two sisters who loved her dearly, Mary Gillis of Hull and Jean O’Brien (Dennis) of Attleboro. 

Mrs. L’Italien was born in Hull and loved growing up in the seaside community surrounded by her extended family. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her sons and being regaled with stories of her two grandsons and their antics. Private services will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. L’Italien’s honor to the Wellspring Multi-Service Center.

Funeral arrangements are under the compassionate care of Hamel-Lydon Chapel. For information and online condolences, visit HamelLydon.com.

Obituary: Shirley Ruth Francer

Shirley Ruth Francer, at 95

Shirley Ruth Francer died on September 5, 2024 at the age of 95. She will always be in the hearts of her family, her wide group of friends, and all the people whose lives she touched over the years.

She was born on May 26, 1929 in Mattapan to Dora and Harry Lakin. Mrs. Francer was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 72 years, Hecky, who was everything to her, and her family was the most important thing in her life. She is survived by her children, Sharon Francer, Laurence Francer and his husband, Jerome, and Beth Napurano and her husband, Chris; her brother, Eugene Lakin and his wife Terri; and her grandchildren, Harrison and Benjamin Wurth. She will also be missed by their father, Andrew Wurth.

Mrs. Francer grew up in a loving family and was very close with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. An ice cream factory and candy store were the Lakin family businesses, and thus her lifelong sweet tooth was born. She spent one year at the University of Miami and then transferred to Boston University, where she graduated with a degree in education and French. After marrying Hecky, they moved to Brookline, where she worked at Filene’s in downtown Boston as a personal shopper and briefly taught French before moving to Hull to raise their family. Shirley and Hecky had a large group of friends through their affiliation with Temple Beth Sholom, where Mrs. Francer taught Hebrew School and was heavily involved in both the local and regional chapters of Hadassah. Mr. and Mrs. Francer would travel with their group of friends to the Catskills and Martha’s Vineyard but, mostly, they just enjoyed being on the beach with family. Mr. and Mrs. Francer loved music and they were subscribers to the Boston Symphony for more than 50 years. They loved fine restaurants, but none ever rivaled Mrs. Francer’s cooking. She will be remembered for her gourmet cuisine, her impeccable taste in fashion, and as one half of a beautiful couple – Shirley and Hecky. 

Her funeral service was held in the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Brookline on Tuesday, September 10. Interment followed in the Shepetovka Cemetery, West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Temple Beth Sholom, 600 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045 or the Dr. Ruth McLain Hospice House, 670 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184.

Obituary: Joseph Michael Orsie

Joseph Michael Orsie, at 42

Joseph Michael Orsie was born on October 17, 1981 and passed away at the age of 42 on September 4, 2024.

“Joe” is survived by his mother and father, Linda Orsie-Boehner and Wilfert Norman Boehner, Jr. of Melbourne, Florida; his brothers, Matthew Boehner of Dorchester and Jacob Boehner and his wife, Dana, of Tampa; his sisters, Krista Orsie of Mexico, Maine, Tabitha Cardona and her husband, Shane, of Ashburnham, and Annjala Rock of East Sandwich; his godmother, Beth Donahue of Sebastian, Florida, and many other beloved family members.

Mr. Orsie grew up in Hull and attended Hull High School, where his energetic spirit and natural charm quickly made him a memorable presence. With an infectious sense of humor and a gift for turning even the briefest encounters into lasting friendships, Mr. Orsie never met a stranger. He had a unique ability to connect with people, striking up conversations wherever he went and brightening the days of everyone he met. He will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart that touched all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1626 Oak Street, Melbourne, FL 32901, with a reception to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Gavin Foundation by visiting https://www.gavinfoundation.org/donate.

Obituary: Alan Chates

Alan Chates, at 74 

Alan Ira Chates was born on June 12, 1950 in Boston to Phil and Sally Chates. He leaves behind Harriet, his wife of 50 years, sons Seth and Ben along with daughter-in-law Athena and grandchildren Dov and Caraline.

As snowbirds, Mr. and Mrs. Chates spent their winters in Boynton Beach, Florida, and summers at Nantasket Beach. From the’50s on, he was a permanent fixture in the Kenberma Beach section, including lifeguarding in the ’60s, teaching his children handball at low tide, and mastering the art of bodysurfing. Mr. Chates enjoyed daily bike rides to the Gut and never bored of the views of both the bay and Boston Light. A true Hull legend.

He spent his career as an educational administrator, helping families succeed and helping children with special needs. A die-hard New England sports fan and collector, he enjoyed four seasons of sports and a love for live music. His favorite time was spent celebrating holidays with the family and leading Passover Seders. He will always be remembered as a loving family man and for his involvement in the community.

Services will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington St., Canton on Thursday, August 29 at 12:30 p.m. Burial at Kovner Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Shiva will follow the burial on Thursday at the Hilton Hotel banquet conference room, 25 Allied Drive, Dedham; dinner provided from 3:30-6:00 p.m. There will also be a Shiva hosted at the Chates residence in Worcester on Friday from 2-5 p.m.

Obituary: John Peter Charubini

John P. Charubini, at 68

John P. Charubini, also known as Peter, was a cherished family member who passed away on August 12, 2024 at home after his courageous battle with melanoma at the age of 68. 

Mr. Charubini was very religious and he loved animals. He enjoyed watching Boston sports; his favorite team was the Boston Bruins. He had a huge heart and would do anything for his family. Mr. Charubini was a devoted brother of David, Ann, Robert, and James Charubini, all from Hull. He was also a cherished uncle of James, Robert, Corey, Angela, and David Charubini, and Laura and James LaRosa. He was also great-uncle of Maria, James, and Rose, who cherished him dearly.

Born August 18, 1955, Mr. Charubini enjoyed living in Hull by the beach. In his younger years, he traveled to England and Scotland with the Boy Scouts, where he was awarded his Eagle Scout badge. He worked for the VA and also worked for Warren, Gorham, and LaMont, a publishing company.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John Peter Charubini’s memory to the Melanoma Research Foundation by visiting https://melanoma.org/ 

Rest in peace, Uncle Peter, we will all miss you so much!

Obituary: Elizabeth Conte

Elizabeth A. Conte, at 75

Elizabeth A. (Davidson) Conte, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, at the age of 75. Mrs. Conte was a longtime resident of Quincy and formerly lived in Hull.

She was well known for her keen sense of humor and love of life’s simple pleasures, and enjoyed taking walks around World’s End in Hingham, always taking time to appreciate the beauty in nature. An avid reader with a passion for National Geographic history and Western movies, she possessed an impressive vocabulary, making her a Scrabble master who was nearly unbeatable. Her generosity, kindness, and unwavering support for her family and friends were the hallmarks of her character. Mrs. Conte was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

She was the beloved mother of Tina Conte (Jennifer Collett) of Hanson, Christopher Conte (Jessica) of Hanover, and the late Richard Conte, and wife of the late William Conte. Stepmother of Anthony Conte of Quincy; sister of Robert Davidson of Weymouth, Julia Davidson of Hull, James Stanley (Denise) of Scituate, and the late Carolyn Wyman. She was the cherished grandmother of William Conte and is survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited greet the family during the visiting hours on Tuesday, August 27, from 4-7 p.m. in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, August 28, at 9 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church at 10 a.m. Burial in Hull Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elizabeth Conte may be made to MSPCA, Attn: Donation, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

Visit www.keohane.com for online condolences.

Obituary: Audrey DellaRusso

Audrey DellaRusso, at 87

Audrey (Anjali) DellaRusso passed away suddenly at South Shore Hospital on August 12, 2024. She was 87.

Ms. DellaRusso was born on July 30, 1937 in Boston, grew up in the Chelsea and Revere area, and was a graduate of Saint Rose High School in Chelsea. Ms. DellaRusso left the Boston area for many years, residing in New York City and in Cold Spring, N.Y. She received a bachelor of arts degree from The New School for Social Research and while in New York, she pursued multiple interests in the public sector, real estate, and modeling, among others. Ms. DellaRusso moved for the first phase of her retirement to Cold Spring, but eventually returned to the Boston area.

An 18-year resident of Hull, Ms. DellaRusso became involved in activities of the town, centering around her beach neighborhood and the senior center, focusing on her writing group and arts activities. She had been a member of the Hull Garden Club. A devout Catholic, Ms. DellaRusso was a former communicant of the Glastonbury Abbey, and, most recently remotely of St. Cecilia Church in Boston’s Back Bay. Ms. DellaRusso leaves some local and distant relatives, many devoted friends from all phases of her life, and her two elegant Himalayan cats, Emannuel and Valentine. She was much loved and will be remembered for her keen mind, street smarts, resilience, and positive outlook on life. Her joie de vivre emanated from interests in couture fashion and jewelry, the arts, current events, and politics, the state of the Catholic Church and the Pope, as well as travel, mostly armchair in recent years. Ms. DellaRusso’s storytelling was captivating, and she had been working on capturing her life experiences in a memoir. Most importantly, she cared about the state and well-being of her broad circle of friends, with whom she stayed in regular contact.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Audrey’s funeral Mass at St. Ann Church, 208 Samoset Ave. on Friday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice, considerate of her multiple concerns for animal well-being, holistic health, and charitable priorities of the Catholic Church.

Obituary: Richard Tatalias

Richard Tatalias

Richard “Ricky” Tatalias of Hull, formerly of Dorchester, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Raised in Dorchester, Mr. Tatalias was a proud member of Local 223 Laborers, working in Boston until he retired in 2022. In addition to construction, Mr. Tatalias obtained his cosmetology license in 1990 in an effort to spend more time with his hairstylist wife, Lisa. While his cosmetology career never took off, his adoration for his wife remained strong through their 35 years of marriage and being a husband was one of his proudest roles.

In addition to being a loving husband, Mr. Tatalias was a proud father of his two daughters, Shannon and Heather, and his late son, Ricky. He found his soft spot in being the best papa to his five grandchildren: Ashley, Gemma, Angelina, Sebastian, and Cooper. Family was everything to Mr. Tatalias, and he was lucky to collect family, blood-related or not, throughout his life.

Mr. Tatalias enjoyed boating, cooking, and taking day trips around New England. He recently retired and would spend his newly free time helping others with rides, odd jobs, and anything else they might need. He was always there to lend a helping hand. His favorite activity was driving his Gemma around to school and all of her activities. Many described him as larger than life, and he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Those lucky to know Ricky knew that his bark was bigger than his bite, and that his heart was even larger than he was.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lisa (Davis) Tatalias, daughter Shannon & husband Michael Sharkey of Hull, daughter Heather Niemic of the North Shore, brother Michael Tatalias of Weymouth, sisters Maureen Tatalias of Weymouth and Virginia (Cyndi) O’Mara of Florida, and his grandchildren. He also leaves behind, loving family, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Mr. Tatalias was preceded in death by his father, Wilfred Tatalias, and mother, Virginia (Maggie) Tatalias, and beloved son Richard (Ricky) C. Tatalias, and his dearest friend, “Superman.”

A Mass will be held on August 25 at 1:30 p.m. at The Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull St., Hingham, with a celebration of life to follow at the Glastonbury Abbey Conference Center next door.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Anchor of Hull in memory of Mr. Tatalias.

Obituary: Patricia A. Tighe

Patricia A. Tighe, at 88

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Patricia A. (Conant) Tighe went home to God. She was 88.

Mrs. Tighe was born in Weymouth to Edith M. (Wells) and George L. Conant. She grew up in the Weymouth and Quincy area and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Shortly after high school, she enlisted in the United States Navy. When she returned, she began taking courses at Berklee College of Music. 

She was a talented singer and sang at the Lenox Hotel in Boston for many years. It was there that she met the love of her life, Michael Tighe. The two hit it off and were soon married. The two settled in Hull and Mrs. Tighe would go on to live there for more than 50 years.

Mrs. Tighe was selfless and generous with her time. She was a devout Catholic and an oblate of St. Benedict. Mrs. Tighe was the cantor at St. Joseph’s Church and Glastonbury Abbey. She was at the Abbey so much that she found a second family there. When she wasn’t volunteering at the Abbey, Mrs. Tighe volunteered at Hull Town Hall to help with registering voters.

Mrs. Tighe was predeceased by her loving husband, Michael; her parents Edith and George Conant; her sisters, Barbara, Marion, Blanche, and Marie; her nieces Pamela, Marjorie, and Leslie Ann, and her nephew Dillio. Loving aunt to many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and great grand-nieces and nephews.

At Mrs. Tighe’s request, visiting hours will be omitted, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glastonbury Abbey, where she was a Benedictine Oblate and received her Benedictine name of Scholastica.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Celebration of Pat’s life, which will be held at the Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull St., Hingham on Thursday, August 22, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Glastonbury Columbarium.

Obituary: Richard William Means

Richard William Means, at 75

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our brother, Richard William Means, 75, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Hull and Durham, N.H. He succumbed to a short battle with lung cancer on July 26, 2024 and was surrounded by his loving family as he transitioned to his eternal place of peace and happiness in Heaven. 

“Dick” as he was fondly called by his family and friends, grew up in Hull. Being the oldest of 7, Mr. Means was always ready to give big brotherly advice to his younger siblings, even if they didn’t want to hear it. He attended St. Joseph’s Middle School in Quincy, followed by Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree. He excelled in academics and enjoyed success and camaraderie; running track and playing on the varsity tennis team. 

After graduation, Mr. Means went onto Suffolk University, earning his degree in business and marketing. He enjoyed being a student of academia and furthered his education, earning a master’s degree in business management at Northeastern University. 

As Mr. Means soared through the ranks in business, he achieved a position as regional sales manager in aeronautic engineering at National Semiconductor of New England. It was during this time that Mr. Means met and married his former wife, Mary (Healy) Means of Scituate. They bought their first home behind his childhood home, on Harold Place in Hull, after which they moved to Durham, N.H., where he and Mary raised their daughter Lauren and son Ryan. 

In 2004, Mr. Means moved to Houston, where he surged into the oil and gas business. It was during this time Mr. Means met his current wife, Annette Means, and they married in 2015. Mr. Means enjoyed his extended family with Annette, her two sons, daughter, and many grandchildren. His favorite times were enjoying family, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, and volunteering his time for people in need. He was a staunch Catholic and had deep faith in his life, his family, and the world around him. Mr. Means enjoyed sharing cigars with family and friends and was often heard saying his two favorite expressions over the years, “I’m a man about town!” and “Manischewitz!” 

Waiting to receive our brother Dick in Heaven are his parents, former Hull Fire Chief, Kervyn (Jeff) Means and Mary W. Means, his beloved son, Ryan Means, his brother Bobby (Numbas) Means, and his sister Virginia (Yinny) Winnett. Mr. Means is survived by his daughter Lauren Means (Jason), granddaughter Haley Donnell, sister Mary Means (Patti), brother William “Billy” Means (Renee), sister Carol Morris, brother Christopher Means, and brother-in-law, Jim Winnett. Mr. Means also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Carolyn, Emily, and Abby Winnett, Catherine Morris and Derek Means (Mason). Mr. Means is survived by his wife, Annette Means, her two sons and daughter David, Christopher, Jessica Polnick; grandchildren David III, Benjamin, Kamryn, Kinsley Polnick, and Aiden Dricker, Gracie and Jackson Jones. Until we meet again brother, your memory will be burned brightly in the hearts and lives of your family and friends.

Obituary: Joan Stephanie Rozzi

Joan Stephanie Rozzi, at 80

Joan Stephanie (Mascioli) Rozzi, 80, died July 28, 2024 at home, surrounded by her family after years of bravely facing a chronic and ultimately terminal illness.

She was born in Hull on March 18, 1944, along with her twin sister, Judy, one of five children of Peggy and Nick Mascioli of Hull. She was an energetic athlete in her youth and early adulthood, a member of Belles of St. Mary’s drill team from the age of eight until high school graduation, where she fostered many lifelong friendships. Mrs. Rozzi had a highly social and friendly competitive nature, involving herself in many activities over the years, including dance, bowling leagues, and later golf, which quickly became a favorite activity. She graduated Hull High School in the Class of 1962, and was married the following year to the Robert G. Rozzi, Sr. until his death in 2023.

Together, they raised three children in Hull: Judy Robbins of Hull, Robert Rozzi Jr. (Susan Sanders) also of Hull, and Peg Cavallo (Mike Pascarelli) of Lakeville. Mrs. Rozzi will be forever loved and remembered as the nucleus of the family, her influence and importance reverberating in every cherished memory. Gatherings, especially in summer for beach days, were frequent and cherished by all. Her door was always open, with a parking spot for the beach and friendly visits guaranteed.

When she wasn’t working tirelessly as a nurse’s aide during her 36-year career in healthcare, she could be found on the beach engrossed in a good book, on vacation with her sisters, or taking care of the many and various needs of a large extended family. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and, at times, harshest critic. But with her, you always knew where you stood. She was smart, funny, silly, energetic, compassionate, always there if you needed someone to talk to, and always ready to laugh the loudest. Her generosity to her friends and family was boundless and only expanded as the family grew.

She will be deeply missed by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia Gallup, Carol and Lou Dallesandro, Judy and George Fabrizio, and Nancy and Rich Hunnicut.

She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Stefani Corrigan (Chris), Marshall Cavallo, Theo Cavallo, Sandra Robbins, Michaela Robbins, Alissa Marcinkewich (Chuck), Robert Rozzi III (Meghan Millian), and Amanda Rozzi. Also, five great-grandchildren: Josefene, Christopher, Henry, Kamdyn, and Kinsey, all of whom were the greatest source of joy in her life.

Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, August 7, at the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, Hingham. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday prior to the funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will follow. Visit www.keohane.com for online condolences.

Obituary: Virginia T. Lyons

Virginia T. Lyons, at 99

Virginia T. “Ginny/Gigi” Lyons, age 99, passed away on July 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her daughter Jinny (Gagan) Nealon and her husband, Jack, formerly of Hull and her son Bill Gagan and his wife, Susan; as well as three grandchildren: Jordan, Taylor, and Connor Gagan, all of Bow, N.H. She was predeceased by her parents, John D. and Julia B (Byron) Lyons of Dorchester, and her siblings, Mary A.(Yaya) Collins and her husband, Jerry, of Portland, Oregon; Marguerite (Sissy) Lyons of Dorchester; Julia B (Bebe) Golden and her husband, James (Jimmie), of Hull and Milton; and John D.(Jack) Lyons, Jr. and his wife, Ruth, of Squantum. 

Ms. Lyons attended school at the St. Gregory Parish schools in Dorchester from elementary through high school and the Boston Trade School in Roxbury, where she developed a love for sewing, especially millinery. As a child, she studied the piano and elocution and was involved in many recitals for both. Her winters were spent in Dorchester, where she was an exceptional ice skater. The family spent summers in their beloved Hull, enjoying all the beach had to offer. Ms. Lyons loved rowing her boat in Hull Bay, swimming, playing tennis, participating in Hull Gala Days, and exploring the islands, especially Bumpkin Island. 

After school, Ms. Lyons was a milliner’s apprentice in the historic textile area of Boston. Following that apprenticeship, she was employed by the bridal designer Priscilla of Boston on Newbury Street as a runway model for bridal dresses and the head designer of the bridal veil department. Always up for an adventure, she often told of the glamorous buyers’ trips the Priscilla staff would take to New York City and the lavish restaurants and Broadway shows they would enjoy while in New York. Her favorite show was “The King and I” starring Yul Brynner and Gertrude Lawrence. Ms. Lyons was always fun-loving; whether it was family events for birthdays, weddings, or funerals, whenever the entire extended family was together, it was always a great time.

Following Priscilla, Ms. Lyons married and settled in Dorchester, Hyde Park, and finally, Hull. During that time, she was employed in a variety of jobs, such as salesperson in Remick’s of Quincy, Gates department store in Scituate, Talbots in Hingham, Priscilla’s Bridal Shop in Braintree, and in the Hull school system as a monitor in the lunch room of the Jacobs Elementary School. 

Ms. Lyons loved to dance, sing, knit, sew, make veils for brides and first communicants, garden, read, spend time with her friends and family, and watch “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” every night, but her favorite pastime was being in Hull and sitting on her porch on Cadish Avenue watching the sailboats in Hull Bay and counting the airplanes that flew in and out of Logan Airport, wondering where they were going to or coming from. She loved her family and friends and she will be missed.

A memorial Mass will take place at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on Monday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration to be announced at a later date.

Donations can be made in Ginny’s memory to the Friends of the Paragon Carousel, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Boston Archdiocese Catholic TV.

To leave the Lyons family a condolence message, please visit www.dolanfuneral.com.

Obituary: Ann Joyce Price

Ann Joyce Price, at 78

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ann Joyce (Park) Price, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Mrs. Price passed away peacefully at her home in Ashland, surrounded by her loving family, on July 27, 2024. She was 78.

Mrs. Price was born on March 15, 1946 in Boston. She was the loyal wife of Richard Lawrence Price and the beloved daughter of the late Louis Park and Mollie (Greenspan) Park. She was also the younger sister of Barry Park. She was the most perfect, nurturing, and supportive mother to her three children: Marc Scott Price, married to Hillary Koritz Price; Lori Beth Price, married to Yoni Kassar; and Stacey Jill Price, partner of Evan Duning. Mrs. Price was a doting “Grammie” to Jared Price, Mila Kassar, Judah Kassar, and Bijoux Price Duning.

Her family meant the world to her, and she expressed her love through cooking, baking, crafting, and gardening. Her home was always filled with the scent of delicious meals or freshly baked goods, and her gardens were always bursting with color and warmth. Her grandchildren were the absolute light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with each of them. Mrs. Price had a deep love for all the holidays, ensuring every celebration was filled with picture-perfect decorations, warmth for all, and joy. Each holiday was always accompanied by her signature cards without fail.

Mrs. Price had a beautiful, yet simple, passion for life. She found immense pleasure in hunting for and collecting sea glass, a hobby that symbolized her ability to find beauty in the smallest of things. Mrs. Price had a special affinity for the beach, finding peace and happiness watching waves come and go as boats drifted by.

Mrs. Price was fiercely devoted to her friends and family, always there with a helping hand and an encouraging word. Her unwavering support and boundless love will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services and burial were held on Monday, July 29 at the chapel at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon. The celebration of life followed the service at Pinebrook Country Club and continued the following evening at the Cookingham Greene Clubhouse in Ashland.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Mrs. Price’s memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Our Annie J & Grammie will forever be remembered for her kind heart, loving spirit, and the joy she brought into the lives of those around her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May her memory be a blessing. Zichrona l’vracha.