Obituary: Frances Ann Murphy

Frances Ann Murphy, 77
Frances Ann (“Duchie”) (DeMatteo) Murphy died peacefully at her home in Hingham on Jan. 21, surrounded lovingly by her family. She was 77.
She was born on Sept. 1, 1943, to Rose and Martin DeMatteo, of Milton, Wellesley, and Hingham. She spent her early childhood in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, but the majority of her childhood was in Milton.
Duchie attended high school at Jeanne D’Arc Academy in Milton and college at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree and went on to become an elementary school teacher. She was blessed to have had extraordinary and lifelong friendships with the special women she met in both places.
Duchie met and fell in love with her husband, Philip Murphy, at a young age, and they wed in July 1966 – a union that lasted 54 years. After their wedding, the couple moved to Hingham, raising their three daughters and enjoying lasting and meaningful relationships with countless friends and neighbors.  
Duchie was a natural nurturer and will be remembered as a stand-out mother, wife, and homemaker. To know her was to love her, and to enjoy her company was a privilege. Her door was always open to her friends and family. Those who were lucky enough to enjoy her company will surely remember many happy memories and delicious meals around her dinner table.  
Throughout life, Duchie enjoyed her strong faith, her close-knit family, gardening, traveling, cooking, horseback riding, playing bridge and Scrabble, the music of Josh Groban, and countless little pleasures like crossword puzzles, word games, jigsaw puzzles, and a good salty potato chip. 
Most of all Duchie took great pleasure in her summer home on Nantasket Beach in Hull, not only the beautiful natural setting that brought her joy but also her ability to share it year after year with her daughters, their families, and her grandchildren. Duchie truly made her home in Hull a special place, and her presence will be felt there for decades to come as she leaves behind so many memories of kindness, warmth, and laughter for her family, friends, and all others who knew her.
Duchie was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Philip; her siblings, Marty DeMatteo, of Hingham and Sarasota, Fla., and Claire (and Richard) Taylor, of Towson, Md.; her daughters, Laura (and Andrew) McIntosh, of Ripton, Vt., Nancy Murphy (and Mic Grant) of Middleborough, and Sarah (and Michael) Kiernan, of Norwell. She also leaves her five lucky grandchildren: Kate, Anna, and Amy Kiernan, of Norwell; and Beth and Matthew McIntosh, of Ripton, Vt. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Duchie’s family would like to thank her huge circle of friends for the messages sent, cards written, and phone calls and visits made in the last weeks of her life. We are awed by the lives she has touched.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Ann’s Church in Hull on Jan. 25. The family is planning a celebration of Duchie’s life this summer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Duchie can be made to Friends of the Paragon Carousel, P.O. Box 100, Hull, MA 02045, or to
Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA – two of the many causes Duchie was passionate about. 

Obituary: David Ernest Clinton

David Ernest Clinton, 82 
David Ernest Clinton, of Kingston, died Dec. 28 at the age of 82. 
Dave lived a life of service to the boating public foremost and to his home community of Conifer Green. He was a fiercely proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for more than 49 years with the Point Allerton Flotilla, 1203, of the First Coast Guard Northern District. He held numerous elected positions at the flotilla, division, and district level. 
Dave had a strong passion for operations and communication and held leadership positions in each at the district level over his USCG Auxiliary tenure. He also spent countless hours in the classroom, teaching boating safety and navigation skills to the boating public. He has mentored, taught, and recruited so many auxiliarists over the years, making then better boaters and shipmates.  
Dave was also passionate about his Braintree Yacht Club as one of the oldest standing members and past commodore. Following that term, he held leadership positions with the Massachusetts Bay Yacht Club Association as its commodore and Executive Board member. 
Closer to home, Dave was a member of the Conifer Green homeowners’ association, most recently serving as vice president. He loved his community and worked hard for its betterment on behalf of all the residents. He worked hard his entire life at many positions, including time as assistant harbormaster for Hull and harbormaster for the town of Kingston before his retirement. 
Dave was the beloved husband of the late Nancy G. (Dickson) Clinton and loving father of John Clinton and his wife, Karen, of Amherst, N.H.; James R. Clinton III, of Rockland; and David K. Clinton and his wife, Lindsay, of Hull. He was the brother of D. Kenneth Clinton, of Arizona, and the Rev. Katrina Clinton, of Attleboro, and the late Dennis Clinton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 
Dave was a kind, gentle man who loved his family, especially during holiday gatherings and times they could spend on boating outings, showing them his playground of the Boston Harbor Islands. He lived the Coast Guard motto of “semper paratus.” He very much valued preparedness and was true to his eagerness to help and be ready to serve as called upon.
Funeral services were private. A private gathering is being planned for this summer with his yacht club and USCG Auxiliary shipmates. 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378, www.coastguardfoundation.org. 

Obituary: Josephine Cowen

Josephine Cowen, 97 
Josephine Cowen died peacefully at home on Jan. 20, with loved ones by her side. She was 97. 
Josephine was born on March 30, 1923. She was raised in Hingham and is a Hingham High School graduate. She married Kenneth Cowen on July 7, 1946, and they spent the next 50 years in Hull.  
They had three children: Candace Cowen (deceased 1969), Kenneth Cowen Jr., and Jodi Cowen. 
Josephine held multiple jobs, including as a telephone operator at the old phone company building on Nantasket Avenue; a long run at Richardson Insurance that she loved; and then almost 20 years as a Hull school bus driver (Mrs. C) with Ken and many other Hull friends. 
The couple retired in the 1990s and, with some other retired Hull folks, moved to Florida, where they played bingo, frequented the local casinos, and enjoyed their well-deserved time. They moved back to Hull in 2010 when they needed more care. Ken passed away in 2013. Josephine enjoyed her time playing bingo, feeding “her” birds at Hull Gut, eating out, and generally being spoiled by everyone who loved her. She will be remembered as a feisty, funny, tough lady.  
A Celebration of Life event will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Anne Scully Senior Center in Hull.

Obituary: Shelby J. Reno

Shelby J. Reno, 84
Shelby J. (Reynolds) Reno, a longtime resident of Hull before retiring to Florida, died on Jan. 14. She was 84. 
Shelby is survived by her brother, Dan Reynolds, and sister, Dianne Cabral, both of West Virginia. She leaves her children: Louie Collins and his wife, Patty, of Hull; Bobby Collins, of Florida; Mark Reno and his wife, Sandy, of Marshfield; and Andrea (Reno) McNamee and her husband, Rick, of Florida. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. 
Shelby was born in Parkersburg, W. Va. Even after living many years in California before moving to Hull in 1966, she never lost her southern charm, graciousness, and gift of hospitality. That was especially evident during the Blizzard of ‘78 when she opened her home to family, friends, and neighbors who were displaced by the storm. 
Shelby loved her job at the Atlantic Aquarium, where she worked until she began her career at the Hull Medical Center when it was located on B Street. She continued on in her role as office manager when the facility moved to its current location on George Washington Boulevard and saw it through the expansion, which included a much-needed Pediatric Department. She was very proud of having been instrumental in the hiring of the town’s first full-time pediatrician. After leaving the medical center, she began her beloved job at Talbots, where she forged lifelong and cherished friendships. 
Shelby was an avid reader and over the years enjoyed taking walks and volunteering her time and energy in support of town elections. But her driving force and source of joy was her commitment to her family. Her unending support and boundless generosity toward her children and grandchildren were undeniable. She will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her and share her love and friendship. 
Private services will be held at a later date in West Virginia.

Obituary: Timothy W. Bilodeau

Timothy W. Bilodeau, 70
Timothy W. Bilodeau, of Hull, died peacefully on Jan. 9 in Boston. He was 70. 
Tim’s life was filled with love, laughs, and adventure. A man of great ability and even greater purpose, he always followed his heart. He deeply loved his family and friends and was incredibly grateful for their commitment and support of his life’s work.
Tim founded the organization Medicines for Humanity in 1997 after learning that millions of children around the world were dying from preventable causes. He set his mind to righting this wrong and used his gift of storytelling to unite his friends and family behind his vision. Together with devoted health care partners, MFH continues to provide critically needed health care services to more than 1 million children and mothers each year in some of world’s most underserved places.  
Tim called himself the luckiest man in the world and was forever grateful to his wife, Cathy, and so many dedicated family members and friends who believed in him and the mission of MFH.  
Born in 1950, Tim grew up in Milton and spent his summers in Hull. He graduated from Roxbury Latin School where he was a star student-athlete. He continued his education at Harvard University, playing for the Crimson’s baseball and football teams, and later graduated from Stanford Business School. Recently, Tim received an honorary doctorate degree from Canisius College.
He loved sports and coaching and was a fixture on the sidelines and in the bleachers at his sons’ games where the creativity and consistency of his referee heckling became the stuff of legend. He had a razor-sharp wit and was ready with a joke for every situation. His laugh was infectious. To spend time with him was to get caught in fits of laughter that would consume the entire room. His trademark chuckle and unmistakable voice will be sorely missed.
Tim loved nature. He was an avid fly fisherman and, later in life, a keen bird watcher. He enjoyed competition and conversation, and his greatest joy was spending time at his home on Nantasket Beach with his family, especially “Papa’s little angels.” 
He leaves behind the love of his life, Cathy; his four sons (TJ, Matthew, Christopher, and Michael Bilodeau) and their wives (Julie, Cassidy, Kim, and Natalia Bilodeau); six grandchildren and counting (Ty, Owen, Patrick, Cameron, Halle, and Adam Bilodeau); his sister, Nancy Bilodeau; his father and mother-in-law (Gordon and Lorraine Burger); a large extended family, countless friends, and his family dog, “Teddy.” 
Tim was predeceased by his parents (Thomas and Jane Bilodeau), his brother (Tom Bilodeau), and his sister (Jane Heggie). 
His legacy of saving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children lives on through MFH and all the people he inspired to make a positive difference in the world. 
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In the interim, Tim’s family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Medicines for Humanity, 800 Hingham St., Rockland, MA 02370, or by visiting medicinesforhumanity.org. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences. 

Obituary: Maria Grace Bongarzone

Maria Grace Bongarzone, 93
Maria Grace Bongarzone, of Hull, died peacefully on Dec. 26. She was 93.
A longtime resident of Hull, Maria was the devoted wife of the late Giuseppe Bongarzone and the beloved mother of Joseph Bongarzone and his companion, Brenda Myette, of East Bridgewater; and Ann Marie Bongarzone, of Hull. She was the loving grandmother of Adam Bongarzone and his wife, Samantha Lawler, of Balgonie, Saskatachawan, Canada; and Kacey Bongarzone and her husband, Colin Barry, of Quincy. She was the adoring great-grandmother of Sylvia and Fern Bongarzone-Lawler, of Canada. 
Maria was raised and educated in Palermiti, Italy, and moved to the United States at the age of 20. She settled in Hull and was a devoted wife and homemaker. She loved gardening and cooking for the many people who loved to spend time with her. She enjoyed nothing better than getting her family together and spending time with them. 
Due to current circumstances, a private Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Ann Church, Hull, followed by a private interment in Hull Village Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Maria can be made to St. Ann Church, 208 Samoset Ave., Hull, MA 02045. For an online guestbook, visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com.

Obituary: Robert G. McNamee

Robert G. McNamee, 88
Robert G. (“Bubba”) McNamee died on Jan. 8 after a 10-year battle with dementia. He was 88. 
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Rita D. (Shields) McNamee; his beloved partner of many years, Mona Meng; and his daughter, Sharon M. McNamee. He is survived by his sons, Robert, Thomas, William, Richard, and Francis, and his daughters, Keri and Dyanne. He is also survived by his grandchildren and Mona’s children, Christina, Alisa, and Raymond.
Robert was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving two years during the Korean conflict although not overseas. He was also a longtime and proud union pipefitter in Local 537. He took tremendous pride in his work ethic while serving in each role.
A self-described rabble-rouser, he was often outspoken and did not hide his true opinion, no matter what topic you were talking about.
He truly valued his family, yet he never expected to be awarded “Dad of the Year.” 
His lasting legacy in life is his fighting spirit. He fought the fight against dementia for more than 10 years. God willing, he has been released from the crippling grip of this cruel disease and is rejoicing his reunion with his loving wife, Rita. He will be missed by his fur baby, golden retriever Benny.
He was a devoted and loyal fan of the Boston sports teams, and he was particularly fond of Tom Brady and Dustin Pedroia.
He spent his later years, after retiring, living in Fort Kent, Maine. He loved snowmobiling, ice fishing, harvesting potatoes, and harvesting Christmas trees. He was a true outdoorsman. Back in Hull, he enjoyed bodysurfing and surfcasting all over Nantasket Beach.
He had a dry sense of humor and sharp wit and loved to tell stories about his life experiences. He will be truly missed.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Bourne National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.ALZ.org.
For additional information and the online guestbook, visit www.DowningChapel.com.

Obituary: Theresa G. Roberts

Theresa G. Roberts 
Theresa G. Roberts, of Hingham, formerly of Hull, died at Massachusetts General Hospital on Jan. 4, surrounded by her loving family. 
Theresa was born in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood to the late Helen and Dennis Sweeney.
She touched many lives with her kindness, generosity, and love of family. She enjoyed cooking and baking for loved ones. She especially loved her role as Nana; she treasured her grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.
Theresa was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 27 years, Eugene E. Roberts, and her siblings, Helen Amirault, Mary Page, Kay Hulme, Joanie Grattan, Dennis Sweeney, and Eileen Sweeney.
She is survived by her best friend and sister, Anne Hulme, of Boston’s West Roxbury; her five children and their spouses; Francis Saltalamacchia, of Sarasota, Fla.; Catherine Saltalamacchia and Mark Paigen, of Winchester; Eileen Martino, of New Fairfield, Conn.; Joanne and Fred Frazier, of Weymouth; and Jeanne and Dale Shea, of Hingham. She also leaves her stepchildren, Kimberly, Danni, and Tor Roberts, and her many adoring grandchildren, Alex, Erik and his wife, Diana, Lyndsey, Emily, Haleigh, Connor, Shawn, Peter, Daniel, Cody, Jennifer, and Elizabeth, and her great-grandchild, Carter. Theresa is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. 
She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Private services were planned for Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel in Hingham. 

Obituary: Laurence G. Notarangelo

Laurence G. Notarangelo, 89
Laurence G. (“Larry”) Notarangelo, of Hull, formerly of Quincy, died at his home on Jan. 2. He was 89.
Born in Quincy on Sept. 8, 1931, he was a son of the late Domenic and Josephine (Cariglia) Notarangelo and was raised in Quincy Point. He attended local schools and graduated from the Quincy Vocational High School with the class of 1951. 
After high school, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on June 6, 1956. 
He was the proprietor of the Royal Vending Machine Co. in Hingham. He enjoyed his work and the relationships he built throughout the years. He retired in 1993. 
In his spare time, he enjoyed working around the house, gardening, feeding the neighborhood pets, and hosting Friday night family dinner. 
Larry was the father of Lauren M. Gratta and her husband, Paul J. Gratta, of Norwell; Tracey A. Mitchell, of Hull; Gina M. Notarangelo, of Norwell; Jack L. Notarangelo and his wife, Kim, of Hanover; Paul J. Notarangelo and his wife, Sharon, of Scituate; and Deena Ballagh and her husband, Dennis, of Wisconsin. He was the loving grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of two. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Mario, Armando (“Peewee”), and David Notarangelo. 
Larry’s funeral service and interment will be celebrated privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Larry’s name can be sent to Hull Seaside Animal Rescue, 487 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045. 
Friends can offer their support by visiting www.Keohane.com and sharing a special memory or message. Those who cannot access the website can call 1-800-KEOHANE to have their messages added. 

Obituary: Frederick Blesedell

Frederick Blesedell, 95 
Frederick (“Fred”) Blesedell, of Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood and formerly of Hull, died on Dec. 25. He was 95. 
Beloved husband to Anne M. (Maguire) Blesedell, he was the devoted father of Kathleen M. Clements and her husband, James M., of East Bridgewater; and Deborah A. Blesedell, of Springfield, N.H. 
Born in Boston, he was the son of Cecil C. Blesedell and Clare (McAuley) Blesedell and brother of the late Edward T. Blesedell and his wife, Lorraine, of Avon. 
Fred was raised in Uphams Corner in Dorchester and was educated at the Edward Everett Elementary School; he was a graduate of Boston English High School. He worked for the city of Boston for 37 years, retiring as inspector. Afterward he worked a part-time job for more than 20 years at Stop and Shop in Cohasset where he enjoyed chatting with customers on their way through checkout. 
He traveled frequently, visiting Alaska, Ireland, the Bahamas, and many cities across the United States, including Nashville and Branson to entertain his love of country western music. While at home, he kept active in the community. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and served as president and a lifetime member of the Hull Lions Club. There he was regularly recognized for his work, receiving the Distinguished Service Award and the club’s highest achievement: the Melvin Jones Award. 
He was a diehard Atlanta Braves fan, loved Boston sports and detective novels, and often had a pencil on his ear ready for crossword puzzles. 
Fred spent 65 years married to the love of his life, Anne. He was proud grandpa to Thomas J. Clements and wife, Abigail, of Cohasset; Ryan M. Clements and wife, Meghan, of Milton; Kevin P. Clements, of Brooklyn N.Y.; and the late Hillman F. Blesedell-Moore, of New Hampshire. He was an adoring great-grandpa to Patrick and Mary, of Milton, and Eleanor, of Cohasset. 
He will be dearly missed and remembered always for his devotion to his family, his faith, work ethic, and legacy of service to his community.
The family would like to acknowledge the kindness and commitment of the caregivers at John Adams Healthcare, Quincy, and Standish Village, Dorchester. 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service and burial will be held privately; for those who would like to view Links to watch the Mass livestreamed, visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmaryhull or YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/ChristbytheSea.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s name to Hull Lions Club.
Arrangements were completed by the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences

Obituary: Michael M. Creech

Michael M. Creech, 35, 
Michael M. Creech, of Rockland, died suddenly on Dec. 15. He was 35.
Michael was born in Virginia Beach, Va., to Robert W. Creech Jr. and the late Mary (Rock) Creech. He spent his childhood years in Chocowinity, N.C., and later moved to Massachusetts where he attended Hull High School. 
Michael was employed for many years as a laborer and took pride working as a landscaper. He enjoyed a wide variety of music, outdoor activities at the beach, camping, and gardening, but most of all he loved spending time with his children. He will be fondly remembered for his infectious smile, quick wit, and sense of humor.
Michael was the beloved son of Bob Creech and his wife, Kathleen, of Hull, twin brother to Jacqueline Blair O’Connor, and uncle to John O’Connor, of North Carolina. He was a loving father to Elizabeth and Olivia Creech and the husband (separated) of Mardi Gardner, of Hull. He leaves behind a loving relationship with Leanne Hindy and their two children, Dylan and Autumn Creech, of Weymouth. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Funeral arrangements were by the Hamel-Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock St., Quincy.

Obituary: Norman A. Rogers

Norman A. Rogers, 84
Norman A. Rogers, of Hull, formerly of Quincy and Largo, Fla., died on Dec. 20 at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. He was 84.
Born in Malden on Jan. 3, 1936, he was the only son of the late Archer V. and Elizabeth F. (Small) Rogers. 
Norman lived a life of service. After graduating from Quincy High School in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the course of his career, he served aboard many vessels, including light ships, weather patrols, and the Yakutat during the Vietnam conflict. His last commission was as CO of Point Allerton Coast Guard station in Hull (1970).
After retiring from active duty, Norm adopted Hull as his hometown, and he easily made the transition into civilian life, captaining passenger boats for Massachusetts Bay Lines and Bay State Cruises. He served as co-captain of the Hull-to-Boston daily commuter boat. Never one to back away from a challenge, Norm piloted the ferry home to Hull during the Blizzard of ’78.
Norm’s service to his community also included 15 years on the Hull School Committee, membership in the Hull Lions Club, and numerous volunteer activities for the Hull Public Schools and the community-at-large.
Predeceased by his wife (Anne Bentley Rogers), Norm leaves his sister, Nancy Rogers, of Quincy, and his children: Michael (Christine), of New Hampshire; Mark (Terry), of Maine; Scott (Amanda), of Virginia; and Lisa, of Hull. He was the proud grandfather of six granddaughters: Ariel, Megan, Margaret, Emily, Caitlin, and Jenna.
May you have fair winds and following seas.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday, Dec. 28, from 5-8 p.m., in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central Street), Hingham. Norman’s funeral service will be celebrated privately. Following cremation, interment is private. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent in Norman’s name to the Anne Rogers Scholarship fund (which will be amended to the Anne & Norman Rogers Scholarship) at the Hingham Institute for Savings, 401 Nantasket Ave., Hull MA.
Friends who are unable to gather with Norman’s family at this time can still offer their support by visiting www.Keohane.com and sharing a special memory or message. Those who cannot access the website can call 1-800-KEOHANE to have their messages added.

Obituary: Gregory Joseph Fleck

Gregory Joseph Fleck, 35 
Gregory Joseph (“Gregg”) Fleck, of Hull, died unexpectedly on Dec. 16. He was 35.
The third child of Gregory and Patricia (McBride) Fleck, he was a lifelong resident of Hull. He grew up with two older brothers, Michael and Thomas, and his younger sister, Elizabeth. 
Gregg had an infectious love about him from the time he came into this world. He had many nicknames: Chico, Red-Dog, Little Gregg, Hi-O among them. Growing up in Hull, he cherished all the relationships he formed in life. He battled at “The Gut” on the football field with his friends, the “‘O’ Street Gang,” as they called themselves. He taught himself to skate and became a hockey player. He learned the drums, marching with the school band. He gave himself to everything he ever set out to do. 
He was called to the ocean at a young age and was a skilled lobsterman, learning the trade from many, including his father and his cousin, Johnny Fleck. He loved being out on the water.
Gregg was a Friend of Bill and battled alcoholism and addiction. In recovery he was surrounded by love and support. Ultimately, his disease proved too deadly, and he was called home to God. His infectious, loving spirit will continue to live within all who knew him. His whole life he exemplified the spiritual principle of service, always willing to help anyone and everyone in need. He survives and is remembered as this.
Gregg is survived by his loving parents, Patricia and Gregory Fleck, of Hull; his brother Michael; his brother Thomas and his wife, Jessica, and their children, Delia, Louise, and Zelda, of Norwell; and his sister, Elizabeth Burns, and her children, Hattie and Bernie, of Hingham. He also leaves many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; supportive friends; and dedicated mentors whose lives he touched throughout his own short life. 
Gregg’s funeral Mass was celebrated privately, with limited attendance, at St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull, on Dec. 23. A Celebration of Life will be planned for the warmer summer months.nTo view the livestream funeral Mass, visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmaryhull; or YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/ChristbytheSea.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gregg’s name can be sent to the Anchor House, 7 Hadassah Way, Hull, MA 02045. Friends can also offer their support to Gregg’s family by visiting www.Keohane.com and sharing a special memory or message. Those who cannot access the website can call 1-800-KEOHANE to have their messages added.

Obituary: Robert Brian Norton Jr.

Robert Brian Norton Jr., 53
Robert Brian (“Bob”) Norton Jr., of Hull, died suddenly at his home on Dec. 3. He was 53.
Born in Quincy on May 13, 1967, he was raised in Hull and was the son of Robert B. Norton of Naples, Fla., and the late Beverly A. (Stewart) Norton. 
Bob attended local schools and graduated from Hull High School with the class of 1985. He worked for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as an operator. He drove buses in the Greater Boston area. 
In his spare time, Bob enjoyed fishing, building model airplanes, and working in his garden. An avid reader, he loved history and learning about wars, historical events, and keeping up-to-date with current affairs. Most of all, he had a deep love of his family.
Bob is also survived by his loving siblings: Laura Harris, of Hull; Millie Lohnes and her husband, Kenny, of Avon; Barbara O’Connell and her husband, T.J., of Weymouth; Florence Petruzzelli and her husband, Stephen, of Hull; and the late Julie Silva. He was the dear uncle of nine nieces and nephews.  
His funeral service and interment will be celebrated privately in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, Hingham. 
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, 1820 W. Webster Ave., Suite 304, Chicago, ILL 60614.
Although we cannot gather together with the family at this time, friends can still offer their support by visiting www.Keohane.com and sharing a special memory or message. For those who cannot access the website, call 1-800-KEOHANE to have your message added. 

Obituary: Rocco C. DiTullio

Rocco C. DiTullio, 78 
Rocco C. DiTullio, a longtime resident of Hull, died peacefully on Nov. 29 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78.
Rocco was born in Boston to the late Esterina M. (Palla) and Rocco DiTullio. He was raised and educated in Arlington and was a graduate of Arlington High School. 
Rocco had lived in Hull for more than 50 years. He was proud to have served in the U.S. Air Force during the early 1960s.
Rocco was the well-known owner and operator of Rocco’s Barber Shop on Washington Street in Quincy Point. He established the business in 1968, operating it for 46 years before retiring in 2014. He loved being a barber and enjoyed many long-standing relationships with loyal customers.
Anyone who knew Rocco experienced his larger- than-life personality. He was a voice of counsel for many, always available for his customers, relatives, and friends in any adversity they might be experiencing. 
Rocco had a voice that filled a room with an unmistakable laugh that commanded our attention and lightened our hearts. He had passion, and he shared it lavishly with us all even when it was sharing discoveries, such as the best way to warm day-old pizza to fresh perfection: Set the oven to 250 degrees; place the pizza in the oven; take it out just as the preheat finishes.
You always knew how Rocco felt at any given time. He was often a hard man to disagree with but an easy man to love, and love him we did and do.
He was the beloved husband of the late Valerie A. (Bythrow) DiTullio and the devoted father of Rocco C. DiTullio Jr. and his wife, Luci, of Rowley; Lawrence A. DiTullio, of Hull; and Lisa M. Laverty and her husband, Kevin, of Essex, Vt. He was the loving grandfather of Rocco C. DiTullio III, Catherine R. DiTullio, John L. DiTullio, Anna F. DiTullio, Samantha R. DiTullio, Richard V. Laverty, Krispen J. Laverty, Carl A. Laverty, Roland F. Laverty, Oliver P. Laverty, Augustine L. Laverty, and Paul M. Laverty, and loving father-in-law of Stacy DiTullio.
He was the longtime companion of Margaret Gianibas, of Hull, and loving surrogate father to Lisa Harrigan, Terry McDonald, and Nick Gianibas and their spouses and surrogate grandfather to their children.
Rocco is also survived by many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Parish at St. Ann’s Church in Hull on Dec. 4. The Mass was livestreamed, and a recording of it can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristbytheSea and St. Mary of the Assumption Parish | Facebook. Interment, with military honors, followed at Hull Village Cemetery. 
Donations in Rocco’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701.

Obituary: Liam McArdle Bowes

Liam McArdle Bowes, 29
Liam McArdle Bowes, of Hull, died suddenly on Nov. 19. He was 29.  
Liam was a young man who loved and adored his family and many friends. He possessed a love of music, a wry sense of humor, creative imagination, and an empathic heart.
One of Liam’s loves was playing drums with his fellow band members of Zebra Accident at the C Note in Hull. Another was being a passionate fan of the Patriots and making game day videos for “Dev and Bowes: Three Keys to Victory.” He enjoyed spending time in Maine, hiking Mosquito Mountain and taking in the beauty of Moxie Falls.
Liam was the beloved son of Robert and Catherine Bowes, of Hull, and cherished brother of Meghan Bowes, of Brighton. He was the grandson of the late William and Rita Bowes and Kevin and Anna McArdle. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be especially missed by his large group of friends, aka The Crew.
Visiting hours are at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 160 So. Main St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset, on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9-10:30 a.m.; please register  to attend online at www.mcnamara-sparrell.com on Liam’s tribute page, where you can leave messages. A funeral Mass will immediately follow at St. Ann Church, Samoset Avenue, Hull, at 11 a.m.  Relatives and friends are invited. Face masks will be required of all; COVID-19 guidelines and capacity regulations are mandated. Those who wish to attend the Mass can register at liambowesfuneralmass.eventbrite.com.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in memory of Liam to: The National Alliance of Mental Health, https://www.nami.org/Home, 529 Main St., #1m17, Boston, MA 02019; or Save the C Note Benefit Fund, https://www.gofundme.com/f/c-note-benefit-fund, 159 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045.

Obituary: John R. Cassidy

John R. Cassidy, 70
John R. Cassidy, of Hull, died on Dec. 1 after a long period of declining health, with his wife of 34 years, Dottie (Nyen), by his side. He was 70. 
John was the second of five children born to Frank and Collette (Kane) Cassidy, entering the world on Sept. 21, 1950, in Boston.  
John loved and was beloved by his brothers and sisters: Joe Cassidy and his wife, Lucy; Marion Meradji and her husband, Ahmad; Patrick Cassidy and his wife, Karen; and Kathleen Mulcahy. He was glad to be the cool uncle to Chris Mulcahy and Steven and Kevin Cassidy. But he especially loved being Daii to his niece Angela DeCaires and his nephew Omid Meradji (and to Angela’s children, Navid and Mia Luna). He was dearly loved by many lifelong friends as well as those who he considered his chosen family. 
John grew up in Boston’s West Roxbury neighborhood, eventually traveling all around the United States, having adventures and misadventures, before becoming an HVAC technician at Beth Israel Hospital and Marriott Copley Place when it opened. John then held management positions at Marriott Copley Place and Marriott Long Wharf, ending up as chief engineer at the Holiday Inn at Government Center. 
In 1996, he left the hospitality industry and opened an Army/Navy store, Cassidy Cutlery and Military Surplus, teaching and sharing with others his passion for history, edged weapons, and military collectibles and becoming known locally as “the knife guy.”  
After closing his store in 2002 due to illness and surviving a kidney and liver transplant in 2004, John continued buying and selling on auction sites and at flea markets until his last illness in 2019. But his favorite was Hull’s “Stem to Stern,” and he eagerly awaited the announced dates each year.  
He loved and cared for a long succession of rescued feline companions over the years, the latest being Carmella (aka Baby). His gardens each year were legendary, providing fresh tomatoes and other goodies to friends and acquaintances alike, and he enjoyed a friendly garden competition with his friend Carlos for many years. A highlight of his life was being well enough to ride his motorcycle to attend Bike Week in Laconia in 2008. 
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6-8 p.m. in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central Street), Hingham.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home followed by burial at Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed on John’s obituary at www.Keohane.com. 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at bidmc.org/give or to Hull Seaside Animal Rescue at hsar.org/donate.

Obituary: Beverly D. Baecher

Beverly D. Baecher, 55
Beverly D. Baecher, of Hull, died on Nov. 14 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 55.
Beverly was born and raised in Hull and graduated from Hull High School. She loved cats, drawing, taking walks, and shopping. She also enjoyed arts and crafts and loved making cards for everyone.
She will be remembered as a caring and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt and will be sadly missed by all those who knew her.  
The cherished daughter of Doris Kaplan, of Hull, and the late Peter Baecher, she was the loving wife of Joanne Lowry, dear sister of Mark Baecher and his wife, Kelly, of Hull, and the late Peggy Deane and Sidney Baecher. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and her beloved cat, Max.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday, from 2-4 p.m., in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central Street), Hingham, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 4 p.m. Cremation will follow. A private burial will be held at a later date in Hull Village Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Beverly can be made to American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701.

Obituary: Naomi J. Sherman

Naomi J. Sherman
Naomi J. Greene (Shapiro) Sherman, of Hull, died on Nov. 22.
The beloved wife of the late Arnold Sherman and the late Alfred J. Greene, she was the devoted mother of Eric M. Greene and Venus, Susan Murphy and Michael, Sharon Kavanaugh, and Janet Sherman. She was the loving grandmother of Katie Sanchez and Frankie, Debra Wald and Joel, Matthew Murphy and Meg, Alana Greene and Jordan Lucus, Alyssa Zisk, and Christopher Kavanaugh. She was also the fond sister of Marshall D. Shapiro and Amy and the late Haskell Shapiro and Arline. 
Naomi was a past president of Temple Beth Sholom in Hull where she and Arnold were longtime members of the Board of Directors and Ritual Committee and were active participants and supporters of religious services and adult education classes.
Before moving to Hull, she was the longtime secretary at the Temple Emanuel Youth House in Newton. She was active at Temple Emanuel, serving on the Youth Activities and Education committees and as a member of the Couples Club.  
She later worked at Boston University Law School in the alumni office. 
Naomi loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting and other events. Other than her homes in Newton and later in Hull, the place that perhaps she loved most of all was Nantasket Beach.
Private services were held at the Hull Village Cemetery.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no Shiva, but a celebration of her life may be held when it is safe to gather.
Remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Sholom, 600 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045.

Obituary: Jay A. Sullivan

Jay A. Sullivan
Jay A. Sullivan, of Hull, died peacefully at his home on Nov. 4.  
He was born in Winthrop to John E. Sullivan and Marie (Abely) Sullivan and was stepson of Gwendolyn Sullivan. The husband of Josephine Ventresca Sullivan, he was the father of Michael A., Katy, and Sheila Sullivan; brother of Barry Sullivan, of Danbury, N.H., and the late Neil Sullivan of Bettendorf, Iowa; and the proud grandfather of Colin, Riane, and Liam Sullivan.  
Jay attended school in Winthrop as a child and Bridgeton Academy in Maine as a young adult. His talent as an artist was evident when he was very young and continued throughout adulthood, ranging from graphic design and illustration to fine marine landscape painting.  
After marriage and while raising a growing family, he attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston while working the nightshift in the advertising department of the old Boston Record/Sunday Advertiser as well as at various Boston advertising agencies. His 40-plus year career in newspaper advertising art ended when he retired from the Boston Herald in 2002.
Jay loved fishing, hunting, and camping with his young family in the White Mountains of New Hampshire; traveling the coast of Maine; all animals large and small; his spectacular Christmas trees, decorated with prized ornaments he had handpicked; photography; sunsets and surf in Hull, greeting the Tall Ships with his family on his Grady White in Boston Harbor for the nation’s 1976 bicentennial.  
From Winthrop to Boston to Hull, he was never far from the imagery of the sea.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jay’s name to the Norwell VNA or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A private family service is planned for a later date. For additional information and the online guestbook, visit www.DowningChapel.com.