Joseph Thomas Speranza, 78, of Southborough, died on Monday, June 6, 2016, after a period of declining health.

He was the husband of Barbara (Evers) Speranza and the late Kathleen (Watts) Speranza who passed away in 2000.

Born in Framingham he was the son of the late Salvatore and Francesca (Giacomarra) Speranza.

Tom was a graduate of Hopkinton High School and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology. He was a US Army veteran. Tom spent most of his career working for Wellesley Press and later for W.A. Wilde, retiring in 2002. He was an active member of the Southborough Senior Citizens and an avid Red Sox and Patriot fan.

Tom’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Kristine McLaughlin of Northborough; William Speranza and his wife Carrie of Northborough; his sisters, Josephini Faini, of Framingham; Vincenza Lentoni of Framingham; Mary Rinaldo of Ashland; Jane Tucci of Framingham; his grandchildren, Dale and Danika McLaughlin and Jason and Brenden Speranza; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a sister, Frances Palanzi, and 3 brothers, Robert, William and John Speranza.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 9, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, June 10, at 10 AM at St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough. Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Phyllis M. (Rosicky) Jachowicz, age 86, of Southborough, formerly of Framingham, passed away on June 26, 2016 after a long struggle with cancer.

She was the wife of 63 years to the late Robert Joseph Jachowicz.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Charles F. and Yvonne (Hamel) Rosicky, and was a graduate of Lynn English High School.

Phyllis raised her six children in Framingham in a big old Victorian house that she loved. She was an avid high school football fan, attending all the games coached by her husband Bob and having people over after every game. She worked 19 years at Sears in the Accounting Office and for many years was elected as a Trustee of Framingham Public Library. She had a special place in her heart for each of her pets.

She was the mother of Crispin Jachowicz and his wife Donna of Framingham, Robert Jachowicz of Southborough, Joann Jachowicz of Framingham, John Jachowicz and his wife Jennifer of Portsmouth, NH, Claudia Bonvouloir and her husband Paul of Manchester, NH and James Jachowicz of Boston. Grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of three she leaves behind her sister Barbara Riddleberger of Naples, Florida.

A time of visitation at the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St., Framingham will be Friday from 4 – 7 PM. Burial will be private at a later date.

(Obituary via Norton Funeral Home)

Judith Ellen (Bailey) Keneman, 69, passed away at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro with family by her side, Sunday, May 22, 2016. Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, she grew up in the nearby town of Southborough. Judith attended Algonquin Regional High School graduating with honors in 1965. She was a member of the National Honors Society and held the position of Worthy Advisor of the Marlboro Chapter of Rainbow Girls. She was elected from the state of Massachusetts to function as the Grand Drill Leader for a statewide assembly, as well as being selected to be a foreign exchange student.

Judith began her college studies in September of 1965 at Simmons College in Boston studying Nursing. She met her true love, Scott Allen Keneman, during her freshman year and married him in June 1967. After working various jobs to help support them while Scott acquired his PhD degree, she became a homemaker, raising a son Brian Scott and a daughter Amy Lynn. Judith returned to her college studies at Trenton State College, (now known as “The College of New Jersey”) many years later, receiving her BA in History, with Honors, in May 1993. She returned to the working world as Office Manager of Imani Presbyterian Church in Trenton where she worked for several years. Then she was hired as the Executive Assistant to the Gallup Poll Editor in Chief at the Gallup Poll in Princeton, where she worked for 12 years. During this time Judith helped to select and manage the Gallup Blue Books, a collection of the most important and newsworthy articles each year, in addition to managing the Gallup Brain subscription, before retiring in 2011. 

During her retirement Judith spent countless hours enjoying her many hobbies including birdwatching, gardening, family genealogy, photography, and spending lots of time with her two beloved grandsons. In 2012, Judith won her first photo award from Cape Cod Life Magazine, which led to 4 years of award-winning photos being featured in Cape Cod Life Magazine, as well as the cover of their 2013 Annual Calendar. Judith won several more awards in the coming years for her photos of birds, landscapes, sunsets, and other nature shots from NJ Audubon exhibits and at various galleries in Mercer County, NJ and Bucks County, PA. She was an active member of the Princeton Photography Club, Yardley Photography Club, and the New Hope Art League.

Her most recent accomplishments include: having one of her Bucks County Covered Bridge photos chosen for a billboard by a local bank and featured in Bucks County Magazine; having several of her nature and animal photos displayed on the walls of a newly opened upscale farm-to-table restaurant in Hopewell NJ; and having a 7-photo/ 6-page portfolio with Biography published in the May Issue of Cape Cod Life Magazine. Judith won 3 separate “Best of 2016 Readers Choice Awards” in Cape Cod Life Magazine’s June issue, with one photograph featured in the May 23rd local Boston ABC Television Show Chronicle.

Judith was a member of NJ Audubon, Mass Audubon, and Friends of Patterson Farm Preservation. Her love of history and over 40 years of research in genealogy were supported by her active role and memberships to the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American Revolution, New England Historic Genealogical Society, John Alden Society, Duxbury Historical Society, Framingham Historical Society, and Southborough Historical Society. Judith was also a longstanding member of Pennington Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon for many years, in addition to volunteering in the office. During her adult life, she also lived in Carmel, IN; Lancaster, PA; and Barrington, Il. She and Scott moved back to Princeton with their children in 1989, where they have resided since.

Judith is survived by her husband, Scott Allen Keneman of Princeton, NJ; daughter Amy Lynn Keneman Djerbal and husband Merouane of Newtown, PA; two grandsons, Rafi Keneman Djerbal and Malek Alden Djerbal; her sister, Susan Elizabeth Bailey of Richmond, VA; two uncles, Frederick Zartarian of Boston, Mass and Jack Kocyk of San Marcos, CA; and aunt JoAnn Kocyk; as well as sister in law Sharon Dolan and husband Stan of Frisco, TX; sister in law Barrie Kimball and husband Steven of Towson, MD; and by nieces and nephews who knew her as “Aunt Judy”: Brad and Katie Kimball, Gavin and Ashley Kimball, and Beth Kimball of Towson, MD; Jaime and Trey Worley, Lori and Eric Haas, and Bryce and Meredith Dolan of Dallas, TX. She leaves behind many beloved cousins including her goddaughter and cousin, Glynis “Gigi” Zywicki and husband Ron of Lombard, IL; Scott Garland and wife Jane of Warrenton, VA; Greg Garland of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Tanya Kocyk Gabriella of San Marcos, CA; Sasha Kocyk Andrews and husband Rob of Carlsbad, CA; Kim Kocyk Landry and husband James of Lexington, Mass; Edgar Bailey and wife Priscilla of Providence, RI; James Bailey and wife Betsy; and Meg Bailey and husband Rob. Judith’s son, Brian Scott Keneman, preceded her in death.

Though gone too soon, Judith had a life well-lived, was well-loved and will be very missed by those who knew and loved her. Memorials Donations to honor Judith may be made to NJ Audubon or Mass Audubon. A Memorial Service [was] held on Sunday, June 26th, 5pm, at Apple-Wilson Funeral Home in Pennington, NJ.

(Obituary contributed by her family)

Vernelle L. (Thomas) Cibelli, 84, of Northborough and formerly a long time resident of Southborough, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

Her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, Raymond M. Cibelli survives her.

She leaves her children and their families: Cindy and Wally Foster of Southborough; Ed and Diane Cibelli of Afton TN; Elaine Cibelli of Auburn; Carol Cibelli and Bill Haxton of Greeneville, TN; John, Dawn, Sarah and Julia Cibelli of Worcester; Paul Cibelli, Heidi, Morgan, and Dylan Lindsey of Northborough; Katherine Cibelli of Northborough. She also leaves her sister June Quitadamo of Worcester and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vernelle was born in Marlborough, MA daughter of Blanche and Joseph Thomas.

She was a graduate of St. Anne’s Academy. After many years as a busy stay-at-home mother, she worked for McDonalds and Canteen Corporation. She was a long-time poll-worker for the Town of Southborough. In her retirement years, Vernelle was an active member of the Friends of the Southborough Library and of the Southborough Senior Center. She and her husband, Ray, enjoyed many trips to their home in Jonesport, Maine.

Vernelle loved to play Scrabble with her family and friends. She also loved to garden and to read. Vernelle was predeceased by her infant daughter Sandra.

She was a loving, caring, giving person who took care of many family members in their time of need. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knows her.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 6, from 4 to 7PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough..

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, July 7, at 10 AM at St Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough.

Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via  Morris Funeral Home or other funeral home linked to website)

Barbara (Cabitt) Singer, age 84 years, of Southborough, formerly of Lynnfield, after a short illness on Friday, July 8, 2016. For 59 years, she was the beloved wife of Arnold J. Singer. Loving mother of Charles T. & Alyssa E. Singer of N. Reading, James K. & Barbara S. Singer of Natick, Andrew D. & Carolyn C. Singer of Rancho Santa Fe, CA and Shira L. & Adam J. Blumenstein of Needham. Adored grandmother of Lindsay & Kevin, Allison, Laura & Brian, Jacob & Cole and Daniel & Eli. Dear sister of the late Col. Gerald Cabitt.

Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon on Monday, July 11 at 11:45am. Memorial observance immediately following at the Carriage Hill Clubhouse, Southborough through 6pm and continuing Tuesday & Wednesday from 3-6pm at her late residence.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Cabitt Educational Endowment Fund, c/o Maimonides School, 34 Philbrick Rd., Brookline, MA 02445 or a charity of your choice.

Barbara was a 1953 Graduate of Wellesley College and was active in community service in Lynnfield. Her hobbies included needlepointing, knitting, and reading. She was an avid Red Sox fan and loved spending her time with her grandchildren.

(Obituary and photo via Dignity Memorial and Levine Chapels)

Mildred E. (Knowles) Blood, 80, of Northborough and a formerly a long time Southborough resident died on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Mass General Hospital after a very short illness.

She was the wife of Edward L. Blood for over 60 years.

Born in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Cooper and Violet (Johnston) Knowles. Millie was a 1953 graduate of Marlborough High School and was secretary of her class. She was a self-employed real estate agent for many years.

Millie was an active member of Pilgrim Church of Southborough. She was also an active member of Northborough and Southborough Senior Center and enjoyed volunteering at Marlboro Hospital, and Tower Hill Botanical Gardens as she was an avid gardener. Millie also made many visits to nursing homes and housebound folks. She was a member of a Harmonica Club in Northborough and a member of the Southboro Singer Songsters as she loved to sing. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Edward L. Blood, Jr. and his wife Mary; Debra Petrie and her husband Jim; Donna Ahern and her husband Steve; Timothy Blood and his wife Lisa; 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandsons; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

There will be no visiting hours.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 17, at 1:30 PM at Pilgrim Church, Common Street, Southborough, all are welcome to celebrate her life with the Lord that she loved so much.

In her memory, contributions may be sent to Pilgrim Church, Common Street, Southborough, MA 01772

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Ralph A. Claflin, 88, of Westborough, formerly a long time resident of Southborough died on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Beaumont Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough after a period of declining health.

He was the husband of Myra (Farnum) Claflin who died in 2012.

Mr. Claflin attended Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine as well as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He worked as a graphic artist for DesignPak in Marlboro. Ralph is best known for his oil paintings which explored Biblical themes as well as early church and medieval history. A good summation of his work can be found at the following website… http://suite3d.com/video/claflin.shtml 

He is survived by his sons, Steve Claflin and his wife Juanita of Irvine, CA; Jonathan Claflin and his wife Susan of Bradford; 4 grandchildren, Heather Smith of Yorba Linda, CA, Rebecca Hatfield of Wake Forest, NC, Carolyn Claflin of Brockton; Samuel Claflin of Bradford; 4 great grandchildren; Abigail Smith, Stephen Smith, Hannah Walter, and Evelynn Hatfield.

He is predeceased by his son, David Claflin, who passed away in 2003.

There will be a visiting hour held on Saturday, July 16, from 10 to 11AM followed by a funeral service at 11AM at the First Community Church, 137 Southville Road, Southborough, Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to First Community Church of Southborough.

To send condolence to the family, please visit morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Lois (Johnson) Earhart, 97 of Southborough, died on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of the late Warren S. Earhart who passed away in 2008.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Paine and Elizabeth (Goodman) Johnson.

In 1940 Lois earned a bachelor’s degree at Bryn Mawr and married Captain Warren Earhart in 1945 just after he returned from World War II. They moved to Ironton, OH where her five children were born. In 1992 Lois and Warren moved to Southborough. She was a member of Trinity Church in Bolton was a women of great faith in God.

She is survived by her 5 children, John Earhart of Colchester, CT and his friend Mary Tedd of Montreal; Ralph Earhart and his wife, Susan of Charlestown, SC; Marty Coleman and her husband Ross of Southborough; Mark Earhart of Columbus, OH; Nancy Smith and her husband Rick of Hilliard, OH; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and many good friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 30 at 11 AM, at Trinity Church,
14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd, Bolton. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Child Fund, Box 26511, Richmond, VA 23261

Arrangements are under the direction of the Morris Funeral Home, Southborough. To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Roland P. Flot, 91, a longtime resident of Southborough, died at Beaumont Nursing Home in Westborough, on Monday, July 25, 2016.

He was the third of five children of the late Louis and Lillian C (Robicheau) Flot

Ron was raised in East Boston, graduated from East Boston High School. He was a US navy veteran, serving from 1943 to 1946. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Northeastern University. Ron was employed at Raytheon Corporation for 43 years. 

Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years Priscilla (Meade) Flot, and his children: Michael and his wife Rosalie; Robert and his wife Debra; Linda Krakowski and her husband Ben; Jennifer Surabian and her husband Edwin; Stephanie Doyle and her husband Stewart; a sister Lillian Bostrom. Roland leaves 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers William, Robert, and Edward.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday morning, July 28 from 10 to 12, noon at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough. A funeral home service will follow at 12:30 PM. Burial will be in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to St. Matthew’s Church, 105 Highland St., Southborough, MA, 01772 or the Salvation Army

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Calvin (Cal, Callie) J. Mauro, 90, a lifelong resident of Southborough passed away peacefully at his home with family on Sunday, July 31st.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years Sylvia (Ordung) Mauro.

Calvin was the son of the late Joseph and Lucy (Pessolano) Mauro.

Cal was born on the Mauro family farm in Fayville. He loved and served the town of Southborough as a volunteer firefighter for 36 years, he worked on the Southborough Highway Department for 49 years, and he was appointed as a town special policeman for many years. He was a long time member of the Fayville Athletic Association and a member of the Southborough Firefighter’s Association.

He grew up on his parent’s dairy farm in Southborough, where he and his wife also chose to raise their family. It was the place he always called home. Cal was a man of few words but when he spoke you listened. He was a man of many talents, a craftsman, a fisherman, a boat builder and a practical joker. For those who knew Cal you knew him as a hardworking, giving, caring, and selfless man always willing to help anyone. He loved fishing and Cape Cod, but above all he loved his family. 

He is survived by his six children: Susan Storlazzi and her partner Tommy Magrini of Upton, Brian Mauro and his wife Diane of Mashpee, Lisa Schnare of Southborough, Jeanne Bannon and her husband Michael Bannon of Southborough, Rachel Mauro Puccio of Shrewsbury, and Sylvia Mauro and her fiancé Mark Elias of Barrington, NH. He leaves nine grandchildren: Heather Storlazzi-Ward and her husband Kevin, Jared Storlazzi and his wife Suzanne, Keziah Jusseaume and her husband Michael, Christopher Mauro and his wife Jessica, Nicholas Schnare and his wife Carolyn, Justin Schnare and his wife Ashley, Lindsay and Mariah Bannon, Erika Despo and her husband Michael as well as nine great grandchildren: Aiden and Asher Ward, Oliver Storlazzi, Eliza and Colby Jusseaume, Christopher Mauro, Alexandria and Nathan Schnare and Henry Schnare. He leaves his two brothers Johnny and Willy Mauro and their wives, a sister in law Maureen Remie as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough on Friday, August 5th from 4:00-7:00 PM.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 6th at 10:00 AM at St Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough.

Donations may be sent in his memory to the Southborough Ambulance Fund, 21 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

H. Diane Brown, 83 of Southborough, died on Monday, August 1, 2016 at Metro West Medical Center in Framingham.

She was the wife of the late David S. Brown who passed away in 2004.

Diane was a graduate of Framingham State College and was an elementary school teacher at the Center School in Hopkinton for many years. She was also an opera singer who sang with the Boston Opera and Tanglewood Festival Chorus for over 25 years. Diane was an active member of the Southborough Senior Center. 

She is survived by her children, D. Sperry Brown, Jr. of San Jaun; J. Norris Brown of Bourne; Kyle Brown and his wife Natalie of Ashby; two grandchildren, Emily and David Brown.

Calling hours will be held at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough on Friday August 12, from 10 to 12, Noon, followed by a graveside service at 12:15PM at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road.

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

The Sunday before last, a long-time former Southborough employee passed away. 90 year old Cal Mauro had retired 20 years earlier. But judging by a story from Southborough Wicked Local, he was not forgotten by current and former officials.

SWL shared some of their rememberances of the man. (Which I somehow missed earlier).

Here are some highlights:

Calvin Mauro was quiet, but always had a good prank up his sleeve.

“He was always keeping everyone on their toes,” said his nephew Joe Mauro, the town’s fire chief.

Calvin Mauro, who worked for the Department of Public Works for 49 years and as a call firefighter for 36 years, died on Sunday at his Park Street home. He was 90. . .

“He set the bar high and expected the same from everyone,” [former Selectman Bill Boland] said, noting Mauro never had anything bad to say of anyone. . .

Boland said he has a picture of Mauro from his last day on the job with the Department of Public Works.

“He was down in a trench digging a manhole at 70,” Boland said. “That was the kind of worker he was.”

For the full story, click here.

John H. Leeds, Jr., 70, of Southborough, died on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at his home.

He was the husband of Suzanne (Perry) Leeds for the past 47 years.

Born in Winchester, he was the son of the late Barbara (Bulwinkle) and John H. Leeds, Sr.

John was a Navy veteran, serving in the Vietnam War. He worked as an electrical engineer for the former Digital Equipment, Compaq and Hewlett Packard. John served on the Southborough Conservation Committee for 22 years.

He was a member of the American Legion, DAV 114, and Ashland VFW, where he enjoyed the Sunday meat shoots with his friends. John had many interests, gardening, farming, bee keeping, carpentry, and his Model A.

In addition to his wife, he is leaves his children, Tara Varney Leeds; John H. Leeds, III and his wife Wannida; 2 grandchildren, John H. Leeds, IV; Samantha S. Varney; a great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Keith; and a brother, Curt D. Leeds.

He is predeceased by a son Richard W. Leeds and a sister, Jacqueline E. Leeds.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 4 to 7PM at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough.

Funeral and burial will be private at Southborough rural Cemetery.

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Elaine (White) Beals, 93, died Sunday August 21, 2016 after a short period of failing health. She was the wife of the late Philip C. Beals who died in 2008.

A memorial service in Southborough is being planned for some time in October. Burial will be private. Arrangements under the direction of the William R. Short and Son Funeral Home (www.shortfuneral.com) of Marlborough.

(Obituary via Legacy.com and Metrowest Daily News)

[Editor’s Note: For readers who aren’t aware, Elaine Beal (and her late husband Philip) made an important, amazingly generous contribution to the preservation of Southborough’s open space.

As explained in Philip’s obituary:

In the 1950s and 60s, he and his wife purchased 190 acres abutting their farm to keep developers at bay. All the land now is protected by permanent conservation restrictions, a lasting tribute to Beals conservation ethic and love for his town.

56 acres of that land is the Beals Preserve gifted to the Southborough Open Land Foundation.]

Jeffrey James Merloni, 55 of Southborough passed away in his sleep early Friday morning, August 26, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.

He was the son of Victor and Anne (Zucchi) Merloni of Southborough..

Jeff started his career as a union laborer with local 609 in Framingham and then became a heavy equipment operator with local 4 in Boston. He was an avid outdoorsman, and excellent hunter and fisherman. Jeff loved nature. Most of all he was a loving father.

In addition to his parents, he leaves his children, Jeffrey Merloni of Framingham; Kristy Merloni of Cambridge; Ryder Grant Merloni of Southborough; his sisters; Susan Serra and her husband Tony of Southborough; Maria Merloni of Douglas; and many nieces and nephews. 

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 1, from 4 to 7 PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 2, at 11 AM at St. Matthew Church, 26 Highland Street, Southborough. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Rita Anne (Rossini) Baker, 91, of Southborough, died on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 after a period of declining health.

She was the wife of William H. Baker, Jr, who passed away in 2006.

Rita earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UMass Amherst in 1946. She worked for Fenwal Corp. in Ashland, where she set up their chemistry lab. Later Rita worked for American Greeting Card Company. She was Vice President of the Wellesley Amateur Radio Club, N1DDI and was a volunteer for the Loon Preservation Club in Moultonborough, NH. Rita enjoyed many summers at their home in Gilford, NH with her family.

She leaves her children, William H. Baker, III of Southborough; Suzanne Hazen and her husband Brian of New Boston, NH; a sister Frances Pepe of Southborough; her grandchildren, Michael, Christopher and Daniel; and several nieces and nephews.

A visiting hour will be held on Saturday morning, September 3, from 9 to 10AM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough.

A graveside service will follow at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 110 Medway Road, Rte 109, Milford.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Loon Preservation Committee, Box 604, Moultonborough, NH 03254

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com.

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Rena B. (Berte) Zanella, 91, of Southborough, died Wednesday, September 07, 2016 after a period of declining health. Born in Framingham, she was daughter of the late Peter & Julia Berte, and the beloved wife of the late Richard V. Zanella. Rena worked for many years at the Crowne Plaza in Natick.

She is survived by her four children, Richard Zanella and Mary Poteet of Milford, Carol Wills of Southborough, Mark Zanella & his wife Candus of CA, and Karen Zanella-Prater & her husband James of Southborough, her granddaughter, Brittany Wills-Lemoine & her husband Nicholas of North Dakota, and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St, FRAMINGHAM, on Tuesday morning, September 13th at 9 oclock. Funeral Mass to follow in St. Matthews Church, 105 Southville Rd., Southborough, at 11 am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment in Rural Cemetery, Southborough.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Renas name to: The Alzheimer’s Association , 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472. For directions and messages of condolence, please visit www.mccarthyfh.com.

(Obituary via Metrowest Daily News and Legacy.com)

Butler, Raymond J., 86, of Sarasota FL and Southborough, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at the U Mass Medical Center in Worcester.

Son of the late Raymond and Alice (Conley) Butler, husband of Elizabeth (Fish) Butler for 56 years. Father of James M. Butler and his wife Nancy of Milford and Margaret M. and her husband Kris Erickson of Worcester, brother of the late David Butler and Jean Mullen.

Mr. Butler retired in 1987 from Mead- Johnson in Evansville, IN, where he was employed as a district sales manager.

Visiting hours at the Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington St., BROOKLINE, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, from 1-3PM. Burial will be private. Late U.S. Army, Korea, Veteran.
Published in The Boston Globe on Sept. 21, 2016

(Obituary via Legacy.com and The Boston Globe)

Laura Virginia Chalifoux, 76, of Southborough, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 16, 2016 at home.

She was born in Nashua, NH, to Levi J. and Mildred E. (Shunaman) Chalifoux. Laura grew up on a dairy farm in Hudson, New Hampshire and graduated from Alvirne High School in Hudson in 1958. After working as a hospital laboratory technician in Nashua for several years, she graduated with a biology degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1969.

Laura was employed for many years by Harvard Medical School, moving to the New England Regional Primate Center in Southborough when it opened and retiring in 2000. During that time, she was author/coauthor of more than 40 scientific papers and book chapters.

Laura was always a lover of animals, first as a young 4-H member caring for Jersey cows on the family farm, and later raising canaries. She was especially devoted to her pet dogs, Sun Dog, Bonnie, Frisky, Mildred, and Dundee.

Laura is survived by her sister, Margery C. Coombs, and her husband, Walter P. Coombs, Jr., of Belchertown, MA; a nephew, Matthew W. Coombs and his wife Tana Bloom of Greenfield, MA; a niece, Alexandra V. Coombs and her husband Shane Treesh of West Grove, PA; also numerous cousins and their families and several good friends.

Her thoughtfulness and quiet kind nature will always be remembered.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 26, at 2 PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough, MA.

Burial will be in St Peter’s Cemetery, Walpole, NH, with her parents and other members of the Chalifoux family, on Tuesday at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to the Nature Conservancy.

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)

Candido Anthony Torcoletti (Torc), longtime resident of Southborough, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, September 22, 2016, just shy of his 98th birthday.

Torc leaves behind children; Nina of Berkeley, CA and Nadia Egan and her husband of Worcester; Steven and his wife Heidi of Missoula, MT and Paul and his wife Mary Roz of Dallas, TX; a brother Robert and his wife Simone of Tynsboro; four grandchildren, Bill and his wife Eileen, and Tom Egan, Dylan and Leigh Torcoletti; and, many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Sina (Gasparoni) Torcoletti; his parents Caterina (Antonioni) and Adolfo Torcoletti; his sister Lavinia; his brothers Attilio and Elio; and his cousin Enio.

Torc was born in Fitchburg on October 3, 1918 and lived for many years with his family on Tolman Ave in Leominster where he was a graduate of Leominster High School, playing football with his brother Elio. Torc was a WWII Army veteran, serving in Boston during the war. Torc moved to Southborough upon marrying Sina in 1943 and has lived at 34 Latisquama Rd since 1948. Torc had various careers but is perhaps best remembered as a truck driver for Inland Express and Sweet Life. He was a proud Teamster. 

Torc was a simple, kind, quiet, funny and warm-hearted man who loved his family, enjoyed tending to his bountiful vegetable and flower gardens (while whistling “Honey”), liked a cold beer now and again, had a great laugh and twinkle in his eye. Torc never was known to be one to turn down a good meal especially Ma’s spaghetti and meatballs, some of which would inevitably end up on his shirt! Apparently, this is a genetic trait, because his four children also tend to wear their food. Torc and Sina could dance a mean polka.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to family, friends, and long-time healthcare providers who have assisted Torc and us over the past several years. Your acts of kindness are too numerous to mention. With your assistance we were able to keep Torc at home, and for that we are eternally grateful. Although suffering from memory loss, he always knew he was safe in his home at “34”.

Calling hours will be on Friday, September 30th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St, Southborough.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Anne Church on Saturday, October 1st at 10:00 AM. Burial will followed at Southborough Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the Southborough Senior Center 9 Cordaville Road, Southborough, MA 01772

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit morrisfuneralparlor.com

(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)