Obituary: Deborah Cleaves Scott

Deborah Cleaves Scott, 84 

Deborah Cleaves Scott died peacefully at South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth on Oct. 7. She was 84.

Deb was known and loved as a powerful and kind woman who exhibited a genuine fascination with the human condition. She touched the lives of many and will be fondly remembered for her unique soul and open heart. She inspired everyone in her orbit to live an authentic life, leading the way with spontaneous enthusiasm.

After graduating from Cornell University with a B.A. in English, Deb went on to receive an M.S. in social work from Columbia University and the title of LCSW. She spent many years fulfilling her passion by working in forensic services with the Connecticut Mental Health Center and the Yale Department of Psychiatry. In the final decade of an accomplished career, she held senior leadership positions at two departments of mental health, first in Connecticut and finally in Massachusetts.

Sunlight glinting off the waves and the fresh aroma of ocean brine nourished her soul. After moving from the seaside community of Guilford, Conn., Deb and her husband purchased a home in Hull. In retirement, they enjoyed sharing their time between Hull, overlooking Boston Harbor, and her beloved family home perched above Muscongus Bay in Browns Cove, Maine. 

Deb was predeceased by her parents, Barbara and Herbert Cleaves; her stepmother, Madolyn Cleaves; her first husband, Robert Herron; her husband, Blake Haskell; and her brother, Craig Cleaves. She is survived by her son, Nathaniel Herron, and his two children, Hunter and John Herron; her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Peter Farrell; her sister-in-law, Sara Cleaves; and countless nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. 

Deborah truly made a difference in the lives of everyone she met. Her love for life, kind soul, and humble wisdom will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in memory of Deborah. To honor and celebrate her life, a service will be held in Round Pond, Maine in the spring. 

Obituary: Thomas R. McNamee

Thomas R. McNamee, 63 

Thomas R. McNamee, of Foxborough and formerly of Hull, died on Oct. 17 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 63.

He is survived by his brothers Bob, Bill, Rick, and Frank; his sisters Keri McNamee and Dyanne Small; and his soul mate and sole companion Donna Lee Salhaney. He was predeceased by his sister Sharon McNamee and his parents, Robert G. and Rita D McNamee. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles, including his cousin Diane and aunt Francine Colwell, who loved him dearly.

Tom lived his life with a very kind and generous heart. He would truly do anything for anyone, and he found it literally impossible to say “no” to anyone who may have needed his help. 

Tom had a deep passion for horse racing, and if you believed him, he was an expert handicapper when it came to picking and betting on horses. His work experience consisted largely in two main areas: He washed windows, and he drove delivery vehicles for coffee and flower distributors.

Tom took pride in “being there” for his family, and he was always striving to be the voice of reason in the family. When he got his cancer diagnosis in December 2019, he took it hard, naturally. He decided to take on his misfortune, head-on, and he fought hard for almost two years. His strength and determination served as an inspiration to all of his closest friends and family. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him. 

Memorial and burial services will be private. If you are so moved, please consider making a donation in his memory and his name to the Jimmy Fund.

Obituary: Charles Karas

Charles Karas
Charles Karas, of Hull, died on Oct. 16. 
He was the beloved son of the late George and Julia Karas.
Charlie was a lifelong resident of Hull and had three brothers and five sisters. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Charlie was known for his opinions and answers on many town-related topics and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Graveside services will be at Hull Village Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 22, and 10:30 a.m.

Obituary: Blake T. Haskell

Blake T. Haskell, 68

Blake T. Haskell died peacefully on Sept. 30 with his loving wife Deborah at his side. He was 68.

Born to Philip and Evelyn Haskell of Easton, Conn., on March 31, 1953, Blake was known to many as a prankster. His colorful imagination afforded him a joke or story for every situation, good and bad. He kept in touch with many friends over the years and genuinely enjoyed making people happy. He will be forever remembered as a man with a kind heart and a caring soul.

Blake began his career at Boston EMS as an EMT and one of the first telecommunicators who co-occupied the Boston Police Department “Turret” in the 1970s. It was there where he learned the skills that would provide him with a successful career as a telecommunications consultant. He went on to work for the City of New York’s Office of Telecommunications, MetroMobile, and AT&T. In 2000, Blake opened his own telecommunications consultancy, J.D. Hunter Inc., named after his grandchildren.

As a mentor, Blake gained the trust and friendship of many in the 9-1-1 profession. He was a proud member of APCO as well as a dedicated and thoughtful supporter of many local and national police and fire departments and emergency medical services. Known to some as K1BTH, Blake had a passion for telecommunications that extended to a love for HAM radio.

Blake was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Philip Jr., Beth, and Greg. He was loved deeply by his friends and family and was survived by Deborah’s son, Nathaniel, and his children, Hunter and John Herron; his siblings Ann, Richard, and Leigh; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boston EMS Relief Association in memory of Blake. To honor and celebrate Blake’s life, a memorial service will be held in Round Pond, Maine, in the spring.

Obituary: David J. Hamilton Jr.

David J. Hamilton Jr., 63 

David J. (“Chuck”) Hamilton Jr. died on Oct. 3. He was 63.

A resident of Hull for more than 50 years, David served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1970s, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He worked in the vending and construction fields many years. 

David was an avid sports fan, following all the Boston teams, especially the Red Sox. Despite having multiple health issues late in his life, he always strived to be independent. He will be missed by his many friends and family. 

He is survived by his mother, Rose M. Hamilton; daughter and husband, Melisa and Joe Cassell; grandson Joey Cassell; son Michael Walsh; sister and husband, Mary and Ricky Delmonico; brother and wife, John and Debby; sister Jane Muzzi; and many nieces and nephews. 

An interment ceremony will be held in the Hull Village Cemetery at the Veterans Columbarium on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. 

Memorial donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund.

Obituary: David B. Eisenhaure

David B. Eisenhaure, 75

David B. Eisenhaure died on Oct. 16. He was 75. 

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Eisenhaure, of Cohasset; his daughter, Rachel Eisenhaure, and her husband, Ken Clark, of Weymouth; and grandchildren Owen, Agatha, Margaret, and David Clark. He is also survived by his siblings, Ward Eisenhaure, of Hingham, and his wife, Barbara; and Jane O’Brien, of Lincoln, and her husband, Mike. He was the proud uncle of Reid and Jeanne Eisenhaure and Edward and Michael O’Brien.  

Growing up on a farm in North Reading provided David with a hands-on education in both nature and machines. He studied mechanical engineering and played rugby at MIT, meeting his future wife during his senior year. As an MIT graduate student, he worked on attitude control systems for NASA’s Apollo missions. In his spare time, he became an award-winning striped bass fisherman.  

Following completion of his MIT graduate studies, David worked at Draper Laboratories in Cambridge until 1985, when he left to found his own company, SatCon Technology Corp. 

SatCon developed groundbreaking technology in energy storage and other areas, going public on Nasdaq in 1992. After SatCon became public, it acquired nine companies, including Westinghouse’s R&D laboratory, from Northrup Grumman, creating a diverse organization with four plants in the United States and Canada. SatCon provided products and services to major international companies, including Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Litton, Applied Materials, as well as major divisions of the U.S. armed forces. Products developed by SatCon have contributed to the advancement of the utility, hybrid vehicle, ship building, industrial automation, semiconductor processing, and defense markets. SatCon is particularly well known for its work in advanced electric drives, in the technology of inverters for smart grid and photovoltaic applications, and in the development of light-weight, high-power electronics, which contributed to the development of practical hybrid and electric vehicles. 

In addition to his work on SatCon, David served on the board of directors of a number of publicly traded companies and participated on the National Council for Technology Innovation from 1998-2005. After retiring from SatCon, he continued to invent through the end of his life, developing designs for the smooth integration of renewables into the electrical grid.  

David loved fitness, being an avid weightlifter, and he loved the outdoors.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann Church, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, in Hull at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, and can be joined remotely through https://www.facebook.com/stmaryhull. 

Private burial will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in David’s memory to the Trustees of Reservations or the Arc of the South Shore would be welcomed.

Obituary: Rosemary Bonisolli

Rosemary Bonisolli, 84

Rosemary (Falletti) Bonisolli, of Hull, died on Oct. 4, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was 84.

Rosemary was born in Hingham on March 24, 1937, the second youngest among five brothers and seven sisters born to the Rocco and Carmella Falletti. She and her siblings learned at a young age the value of hard work and resourcefulness, having grown up on a large farm in her hometown of Hingham. 

Also, through helping with her siblings, in the multitude of daily chores necessitated by farm life, Rosemary developed the ability to cook some of the most amazing Italian dishes. Her flair for Italian cuisine became legend among successive generations, namely her grandchildren. 

In addition to her culinary art talents, Rosemary’s gardening skills produced an equally dazzling array of annual and perennial flowering plants, constantly attracting the attention and compliments of the local community and passersby.

Rosemary was married to Louis Bonisolli, a 30-year decorated Navy veteran of WWII and the Korean War, who died in 1977. She is survived by her son Robert and his wife, Susan, of Texas; son Roger and his wife, Debbie, of Wisconsin; daughter Christina, her fiancé Salvatore Auditore; and granddaughter Vivian, of Massachusetts. She also leaves her brother Salvatore (Lou) Falletti, of Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews; and her grandchildren, Aja, Robby, Anthony, Jay, and Jenna.

A funeral Mass will be held on June 3, 2022, at 10 a.m., at St. Paul’s Parish, 147 North St., Hingham, followed by a burial service at Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree. See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scituate Etrusco Associates (medical mobility equipment), 1 Common St., Scituate, MA 02066, or NVNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061.

Obituary: George W. Burke

George W. Burke, 63

George W. Burke, of Hull, died on Oct. 2. He was 63. 

The beloved husband of Rosanna (Ialuna) Burke, he was the devoted father of Matthew I. Burke, Jason L. Burke, and Georgina P. Burke, all of Hull. He was the loving son of Joan (Perry) Burke, of Plymouth, and the late George W. Burke and the loving brother of Stephen Burke, of Florida, Joan Burke, of Plymouth, and Timothy Burke of Plymouth. He is also survived by many in-laws, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

George was a graduate of Hanover High School, class of 1976, and entered the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country from 1977 through 1982.

George had a wonderful career with the MBTA, starting as repairman and becoming the superintendent of the Red Line until his retirement. Always curious and seeking information, he started a second career with Siemens, where he worked for 10 years as a service specialist of building technologies. 

George was an engaged conversationalist and an even better listener. He enjoyed hockey, football, and the beach, but most important to him was family and friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 208 Samoset Ave., Hull.  Interment in Hull Village Cemetery will follow. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, from 4-7 p.m., in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor George may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. 

For an online guestbook, visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com.

Obituary: Francesco Donato

Francesco Donato, 79

Francesco (“Frank”) Donato, of Hull, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sept. 29. He was 79. 

The beloved husband of 52 years to Maria (Calabria) Donato, of Hull, he was the cherished father of Joseph Donato and his wife, Janet, of Hull; Maria Wheaton and her husband, Brian, of Abington; Fabrizio Donato and his wife, Kerry, of Hull; Michael Donato, of North Attleboro; and Francesco Donato and his wife, Meaghan, of Rockland. He was the brother of Maria Joiris, of Belgium; Paulo Donato, of Italy; and the late Carmela Ventorini and Nicola Donato. He was devoted Nonno to Thomas, Alyssa, Giuliana, Zachary, Aria, Owen, and Logan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Frank was born and raised in Sambiase-Lamezia Terme, Italy. He served in the Italian Army and then moved to the United States. He married the love of his life, Maria (Calabria), and together they raised their five children. He was a longtime resident of Hull, living here since 1969. 

Frank worked as a carpenter, bricklayer, and, in the latter part of his career, a laborer for Local 133 for 20 plus years. He had a strong work ethic and passed that along to his family. 

In his free time, Frank enjoyed gardening, walking (especially along Nantasket Beach), and spending time with his grandchildren. Proud of his Italian roots, he loved to watch Italian soccer. He loved his garden, especially his tomatoes and his cherished fig tree. 

Frank will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a cherished Nonno. He will be sadly missed by all those who were blessed to have had him in their lives.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Wednesday prior to the funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull. Burial took place in Hull Village Cemetery. 

Donations in memory of Frank can be made to American Lung Association in Massachusetts, 1661 Worcester Road, Suite 301, Framingham, MA 01701. 

See www.Keohane.com online condolences.

Obituary: Thomas W. Taylor

Thomas W. Taylor, 86

 Thomas W. Taylor died at home on Friday, Oct. 1. He was 86.

Tom was raised and educated in Brookline. He graduated in 1952 from Brookline High School where he excelled at playing football. He served in the Army during the Korean War and then worked as a Boston police officer for many years until his retirement in 1976.

Tom was a true adventurer who never wasted an opportunity to travel, especially if he could fly his Cessna to whatever destination he was heading. He enjoyed many trips to Costa Rica, Ireland, and Florida, among other places.

Tom was the loving brother of Elizabeth Tamborella and her late husband, Michael, of Weymouth, Walter Taylor and his wife, Delores, of California, and the late Mary Fagan. Tom is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation for Tom on Friday, Oct. 8, from 9-10:30 a.m., in the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home, located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Square) in Weymouth. A funeral Mass will be held in St. Francis Xavier Church, Weymouth, at 11 a.m., immediately following the visitation. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Brookline. 

Donations can be made in memory of Tom to the charity of your choice. Visit www.CCShepherd.com or call 781-337-0050 for directions or online condolences.

Obituary: Stephen Andrew Lamm

Stephen Andrew Lamm, 79

Stephen A. Lamm died Sept. 16 at the West Palm Beach Medical Center, ending his battle with years of multiple illnesses. He was 79.

His story began on Oct. 6, 1941, in Weymouth. He grew up in Nantasket, on Second Avenue in Hull, beginning his lifelong love of the ocean, seafood, and Boston’s professional sports teams.

Stephen served his country proudly as a naval seaman during the Vietnam War aboard the U.S.S. Canberra as she conducted anti-infiltration and close fire support missions in the South China Sea. Stephen loved family above all and will always be remembered by his nephews and nieces as the self-proclaimed “best cribbage player in the family.” He also loved his friends, the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Patriots. 

For many years, Stephen struggled with health and addiction issues but found comfort and strength in the many Alcoholics Anonymous groups he met with and the camaraderie of the group of friends he made there.

He was the nephew of the late Phyllis (Lamm) Gould and the many Popes who lived or once lived in Hull. His father, Lester Lamm, was a former superintendent of the Hull Light Department.

Stephen is survived by his seven nieces and nephews: Diana, Deborah, and Michael, from his brother Lester, and Mike, Chris, Tim, and Elizabeth, from his brother Frank, as well as two sisters-in-law, Mary and Bonnie. His family takes comfort knowing that he can finally rest and join his two brothers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, WWW.PKDCURE.ORG

Obituary: Elizabeth F. Baglione

Elizabeth F. Baglione, 95

Elizabeth F. (Shamlian) Baglione, of Hull, died on Sept. 22 at the Faulkner Hospital in Boston. She was 95.

Born in Lynn on May 19, 1926, Liz was the daughter of the late Frank and Varsen (Minassian) Shamlian. She was raised in Dorchester, attended local schools, and graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School with the class of 1944.

A homemaker, Liz raised her family with love and devotion. Painting was her passion, and she loved oil paints and painting seascapes. She adored teaching art lessons at her home in Hull. She also enjoyed reading, going to the movies, and visiting the Museum of Fine Arts. She was an active member of the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset and a founding member of the Hull Harbor Arts Festival.

Liz was the beloved wife of the late Joseph A. Baglione Sr., who died in 1997. The two married on Aug. 19, 1951, in Boston. Together they shared 46 loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Lisa K. Howie and her husband, Christopher, of Rockland; Joseph A. Baglione Jr. and his wife, Monica Anderson, of Halifax; Steven P. Baglione and his wife, Janet, of Maine; and Gina A. O’Leary, of Weymouth. She was the loving grandmother of six and the dear sister of the late Susan Moschella and her surviving husband, Americo, of Florida. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, Hingham. Services were to conclude with interment in Hull Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elizabeth can be made to Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 431 Pond St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130; https://awwa.us/donate/. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences

Obituary: Stephen Blakeney Murphy

Stephen Blakeney Murphy, 61 

Stephen Blakeney Murphy died peacefully at his home in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 61 years young. 

The son of William (predeceased) and Ellen Murphy, Stephen grew up in Hull Village along with his sister, Paula, and brothers, Greg, Mark, and Blake. He also leaves behind a son, Ryan. 

After graduating from Hull High School, Stephen was proud to serve in the U.S. Navy, aboard the battleship, the USS New Jersey. He settled in Las Vegas and enjoyed working in the food service industry. 

Stephen was a very good-natured, easygoing man, well-liked by all who knew him. He had the best qualities a brother could have: loyalty, honesty, and camaraderie. 

Though he will be dearly missed, he will always be part of our most treasured memories. 

Rest in peace, Brother.

Obituary: Mark C. Orlandi

Mark C. Orlandi, 60 

Mark C. Orlandi, of Hull, passed away on Sept. 2 surrounded by his family and friends after a short yet courageous battle. He was 60.

He was predeceased by his larger-than-life father, Richard (“Pups”) Orlandi, and his gourmet cooking mother, Mary Ann (“Gans”) (Maggiacomo) Orlandi, as well as his beloved and cherished sister, Marlene Orlandi. His older brothers, Richard and John Orlandi, both of Hull, mourn the loss of their younger brother. 

Mark is survived by his longtime companion, Steven Patricelli, of Hull, along with his enormous family who loved Mark as their own. He was brother-in-law to Barbara Haley Orlandi, Elizabeth Bizzozero Orlandi, and Susanna D’Arcy. He was the remarkable uncle of Luke, Rich, Kerin, Angela, and Stephanie, as well as loved by and more so loved his great-nieces and nephews: Caesar, Roman, Sophia, Ava, Dudley, Leila, and Francesca. We cannot forget the great love that he shared for his friends who he considered family.

Mark was a lifelong resident of Hull, graduating with the class of 1979 from Hull High School. He treasured his hometown, which he rarely left, but when he did it was for vacations or trips or off to the Boston Convention Center for his job as a chef, a job he truly adored. If you knew Mark, cooking and baking were his favorite pastimes, and you couldn’t find a better pizzelles or a classic anisette Italian cookie than his. His greatest pleasure was spending time with family and preparing for these gatherings, which always included the perfectly themed holiday shirt. 

Mark’s love was contagious, whether it was for family, friends, or “I Love Lucy”; to know him was to truly love him. Although his loss is immeasurable to others, family and friends feel fortunate to have been blessed by having him in their lives.  

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m., at St. Ann’s Church in Hull. As over the top that Mark could be, the family is respecting his wishes to refrain from visiting hours, so we ask that all enjoy us in celebrating Mark in a memorial service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mark to Hull Seaside Animal Rescue, 487 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045.

Obituary: Ann M. Percoco

Ann M. Percoco, 93

Ann M. (DeVasto) Percoco, of Hull, died peacefully on Sept. 10 at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. She was 93.

Born in Somerville on Aug. 24, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse Gus and Mary (Palumbo) DeVasto and attended local schools. A homemaker, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was very important to her, and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for the people she cared for.

Ann was the beloved wife of the late Stephen L. Percoco, who died in 2013. The two shared 66 loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Jane M. Walsh and her husband, Ken, of Hull, and the loving grandmother of Lauren A. Walsh, of Burlington, Vt., and Hull, and Alison S. Walsh, of Manchester, N.H., and Hull. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Mary and Carmella Percoco, Helen Riccio, Cosmo, Frank, and Pat DeVasto. 

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 9-10:30 a.m., in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central Street), Hingham. A celebration of life service will be held in the funeral home prior to the funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull, at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with interment in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Hingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ann’s name can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.

Obituary: Harold Kirtland Switzer

Harold Kirtland Switzer II 

Harold Kirtland Switzer II, of Hull, died peacefully on Aug. 27.  

Kirtland is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Ransome; two sisters, Karen Switzer Keirstead, of Osterville, and Suzanne Switzer, of Litchfield, Conn.; stepsister Kim Hayzer, of Lehigh, Fla.; and stepmother Margaret Switzer, of Lehigh, Fla.  

Kirt was the loving father of Kimberly Switzer Robbins and husband, Brian Devin Robbins, of Sandwich; Pamela Gray Switzer, of Mashpee; Deidre Switzer Riehle and husband, Parker Maynard Riehle, of South Burlington, Vt.; and Harold Kirtland Switzer III (Kirt) and wife, Aileen Galindo Switzer, of Alamo, Calif. He leaves 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

Kirt was born in Litchfield, Conn., the son of George John Switzer and Muriel Belden Switzer. He was proud of the legacy of the George J. Switzer Co. in Litchfield.

He received his bachelor of arts degree from Hobart College and his master of arts degree from Trinity College.

He served as a regular officer in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He spent his career working as an investment banker. Companies that he worked with included Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Alex Brown & Sons, Confederation Life Insurance Co. of Canada, Moseley, Hallgarten, Estabrook & Weeden, Lawrence Energy Associates, and the Electric Supply Board of Ireland.

His projects took him around the world, focusing on natural resources, including forestry, oil, gas, and water. He was particularly fond of time spent in Ireland, Australia, Vietnam, and China. He traveled to Vietnam before the U.S. embargo was lifted on a basic human need exemption to develop a Vietnamese domestic bottled water business. It was there that he worked with and fell in love with his wife in 1992.

Kirt raised his children in Duxbury where he was actively involved in supporting the youth sports endeavors of all his children, including coaching many of their youth sports teams. He spent many days on the beach with the family, often taking them off-roading in his jeep or fishing and crabbing. He deeply loved and was proud of his family. 

He was an avid athlete who enjoyed skiing, tennis, sailing, and running. He ran many marathons in his life.

He was a devoted member of the United First Parish Church (Church of the Presidents) in Quincy where he served on the board of trustees and the Finance Committee, and he was the founding chair of the Historic Preservation Committee. He was proud to be chairman when the church played a key role in advocating for marriage equality, influencing public and political opinion, and ultimately seeing legislation enacted in Massachusetts.  

Kirt is remembered for his strength and courage, his compassion, humor, keen intelligence, and wit. He sought the good in every person. He faced life’s challenges with optimism and faith.  

A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 25 at United First Parish Church in Quincy.

Donations can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

Obituary: Donald “Stan” McDonald

Donald “Stan” McDonald,  87

Long-time Hull resident Stan McDonald died in a Florida hospice on February 10th, shortly after his 87th birthday.

Stan’s family moved to Hull when he was two years old, and he spent the next 60 years living, working, and playing in the town he so loved. He was an avid athlete, playing for the all-Europe baseball and basketball teams while in the service and played touch football well into his 50s. But his passion was swimming and spending time walking the Hull beaches.  Passively, he was a fan of all professional sports, earning the nickname by which most people knew him in his early school years, arguing with friends that Stan Musial was a better ballplayer than Ted Williams.

Stan worked for the government most of his life - first as an air traffic controller and then as a postal worker in Hingham and Hull. He also served on the Hull Planning Board where he became an early advocate of beach renourishment, warning of the hazards of the rising sea.

Shortly after his retirement, Stan was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and, as a result, lost his voice and became a neck breather. He subsequently moved to Florida where the humidity allowed him to breathe more easily.  In a climate of year-round warmth, he often said his greatest regret in becoming a laryngetomee was not his loss of voice but his inability to swim.

Stan is survived by his wife and best friend, Joanne,  of Rotonda West FL; son Jack of Wilton Manors FL; brother John and his wife Judith of Hull and Austin TX; sister Dorothea and her husband Jim of Tulsa OK; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters Kathleen Nash and MaryLou Walsh and brother Daniel.

Friends and family gathered in Hull on August 8th to bid him farewell and allow him to swim once again.

Obituary: Jeffrey Eugene Harris

Jeffrey Eugene Harris, 60

Jeffrey Eugene Harris, a lifelong resident of Washington, D.C., died peacefully in his sleep at his summer home in Hull on Aug. 31. He was 60.

Jeff was the beloved husband of Anna-Liza (Brennan) Harris. Together they shared 34 loving years of marriage. He and Anna-Liza met when she interviewed him for an internship. It is rare to learn someone’s GPA before a first date, but he got the job and the girl. 

Jeff was the devoted father of Michael G. Harris and Elizabeth K. Harris, both of Washington, D.C. While his children were growing up, he was a regular presence at Michael’s soccer games and tennis matches and Elizabeth’s swim meets, always with a camera in his hand. He enjoyed photographing his family’s activities and the beautiful sunsets from his porch in Hull.

Jeff was a cherished son of Donald B. and Dorothy J. Harris, of Lewes, Del., and Bethesda, Md. He was the dear brother of Donald M. Harris and his wife, Dr. Jane Baxter, of Washington, D.C.; and Lindsay A. Harris and her husband, Peter Schaffer, of Falls Church, Va.; and the dear brother-in-law of Marie (Brennan) Niland, of Hull. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Jeff was a senior strategic advisor with Sellers Dorsey & Associates and a leading expert on Medicaid financing. He cared deeply about his work, which involved strengthening Medicaid for vulnerable populations with limited access to health care. He gave enormously of his time and provided good counsel to his colleagues and many friends in the world of health care finance.  

Before joining Sellers Dorsey, he was a principal of Spivey/Harris Health Policy Group, was a senior policy analyst for Medicaid issues at the National Governors’ Association, and served in a similar role for the American Public Welfare Association.

Jeff graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1984) and the George Washington University (M.P.A., 1986). He also graduated from the Landon School in Bethesda, Md., in 1980 and later served on Landon’s board of trustees.

He had many lifelong interests, especially opera, architecture, American history, and, passionately, D.C. sports. His favorite weekly ritual was a Monday morning rundown of the weekend’s spectator sports with a dear friend.  

He was known for his quick-witted sense of humor and, most of all, for his boundless love for his family. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held on a later date. The family requests that any remembrances of Jeff take the form of donations to Wellspring, https://wellspringmultiservice.org, a charitable organization in Hull. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.

Obituary: Elizabeth Anne Cotter

Elizabeth Anne Cotter, 70

Elizabeth Anne (Ferriter) Cotter, lovingly referred to as Betsy by her family, died suddenly in her Hollywood, Fla., home on Aug. 19. She was 70. 

Betsy was born during a snowstorm on Dec. 28, 1950, to Richard and Eleanor Ferriter in Hull, at the southern edge of the Boston Harbor. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1969. She was a first-rate scholar and an all-state basketball point guard nicknamed “Swish.” 

After high school, Betsy attended Boston College, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education in 1973, finishing third in her class. She also earned her master’s degree in special education at Boston College in 1974. She was always proud to be a member of the first graduating class with open enrollment for women at Boston College.   

On July 23, 1968, Betsy and Bob Cotter had their first date at the Weymouth drive-in movie theater. Upon graduation from Boston College, they married, honeymooned, and moved to Hawaii where they pursued their careers and started a family. 

During 14 years in Hawaii, Betsy was an educator, principal, and ultimately the executive director of the Easter Seals Society of Hawaii. Her mission was to help deaf and blind children of mothers who contracted rubella (German measles) during their first trimester of pregnancy. In this pursuit, Betsy built numerous group homes to house local children in need and raised several million dollars in federal funding to support this cause. 

Betsy is survived by her husband of 47 years, Bob Cotter; her children Bob Jr. and his spouse, Madga Brown; Joe and his spouse, Ciara LaVelle; and Colleen. She also is survived by the three sons of her deceased brother, Bob Ferriter, whom Betsy lovingly called “the three bears”: Bob Jr. and his spouse, Esther Kim; Ryan and his fiancé, Sarah Falvey; and Steven and his spouse, Rory Cellucci Ferriter. 

According to Betsy, the best title she ever had was Nene, given to her by her oldest grandson, Finley. Betsy loved every second she spent with her grandchildren: Finley, Caidan, and Mia.
She also leaves

 her siblings: Richard and his spouse, Kaye Ferriter; Jim and his spouse, Patti Ferriter; and Ellen (Ferriter) McCallister and her spouse, Kevin McCallister; and their children. And she is survived by numerous in-laws, Cotter outlaws, and too many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to count. Betsy was considered a second mom to many and opened her door to anyone in need. 

While family was clearly Betsy’s favorite passion, she had many others. As a young girl, she was an avid sailor. She was a diehard fan of all Boston sports teams and loved to travel. In her travels she lived on three continents and in six states and built 19 loving homes. Betsy loved chasing rainbows, which brought her to some of the most beautiful beaches all over the world. She enjoyed an occasional day at the races, especially nights at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Happy Valley Racecourse. 

Betsy enjoyed volunteering at the International School of Brussels Raider Café and cofounded an annual golf tournament that raised money for ISB athletics. Another passion of Betsy’s was exploring the Irish countryside, especially going to the small town of Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter), her family’s ancestral home.

She was famous for her red sauce, Nene’s homemade ice cream, her contagious laughter, and her one-liner, “No hooligans pulling shenanigans,” usually directed at the three bears.

There will be a celebration of Betsy’s life on the South Shore on July 23, 2022, the 54th anniversary of Betsy’s and Bob’s first date. Details to come at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund in Betsy’s honor. 

The details for her Jimmy Fund giving page can be found on the following link: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20120a?team_id=9852&pg=team&fr_id=1200&NONCE_TOKEN=69B863D1292F17D557DF2A50EB7D70C7&s_hasSecureSession=true 

Obituary: Mark Andrew Karski

Mark Andrew Karski, 57
Mark Andrew Karski died unexpectedly on Aug. 14 at Highland Pointe Health and Rehabilitation Center in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, from medical complications spanning the past 10 months. He was 57.
Mark was born on Nov. 1, 1963, in Parma, Ohio, to John J. and Ann M. (Fredericks) Karski. He grew up in Mentor, Ohio, and was a 1982 graduate of Mentor High School. 
Mark continued his education at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., and earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering. He went on to serve as a professional fire protection engineer. 
A passionate golfer, Mark was the captain of his high school and college golf teams. He also qualified for the Amateur PGA Tour. 
In his free time, he enjoyed building/flying radio-controlled planes and cooking. He was also very fond of history, rock and roll, and “ice cold beah.” He was quite a character and leaves his friends and family with plenty of memories. 
Mark is survived by his loving children, Elena and Calvin Karski, both of Hull; former spouse, Anna (Plante) Karski, of Hull; and his sister, Kimberly Fossum (Ray), of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Karski, in addition to his parents.
Burial of ashes will be in Mentor Municipal Cemetery, Mentor, Ohio.