Tom McCormack  passed July 5,2012

Dear Ellen,

It meant so much over the past weeks to be able to visit you and Tom in the beautiful, welcoming  home you created together, to be included in that marvelous circle of loving family and friends that ever surrounds you. There were stories of so many good times, laughter and always  from Tom a hearty  hug and “I love you” to take away. 

He will always be a unique and splendid   gift to each of us. These are some of my treasured memories…

Healing peace and love to you,

Mike and Cyndy

                            ***********************************

Tom would joke that we went to high school together. There were so many really smart, funny and  wonderfully good hearted  guys in that 3E English Junior English Class at B.C High in 1966. A few would become my life-long friends, and the best of   all was Tom our teacher, my hero. He encouraged us to think critically, to discuss, to write. to care about others. His classes were challenging, enjoyable, creative. He even made the revolutionary step 45 years ago of bringing a record player to classes and introducing the musical poetry and truth of Simon and Garfunkle -  running the range from the  anthemic call to social awareness and responsibility in “The Sounds of Silence”  to the   joie de vivre of “life I love you ,Feeling Groovy”.

He was respectfully dubbed “Rock” McCormack for his fun loving footwork as he chaperoned the Friday night dances…Tom was cool, fun, so smart, so inspiring. He inspired me to become an English teacher with hopes of being something like him if I only could.

He   walked the walk of social activism moving with fellow Jesuit scholastics into a rather rundown apartment in the then very rough and tumble Columbia Point Housing Project (now a much improved  Harbor Point.) His compassion led him to live among, befriend and help the needy folks there.  He did that everywhere and always throughout his life.

Tom taught the big life lessons and the more personal ones too. Sometimes my beleaguered parents did not seem to understand their oldest “teenager in love” and Tom would listen, commiserate, reassure…and sure enough-

And sure enough in December ’69 (almost 43 years ago) he was part of our wedding.  In the summer of 1970 he arranged a very alternative christening for our Joe in our small Dorchester apartment. We have some great photos he took of Joe in our first home and it was Joe at about age 4 who combined his names into “McTomack” which later Tom used as his email.

  I was so fortunate to have Tom as a friend and we’d catch up periodically over the    years to talk about the course of our lives. Over the past two years it was living with cancer, and healing when there was no cure.    

 Recently I came across the play he had us act out in class “JB”  by Archibald MacLeish – the story of a modern day Job ,coping with life’s suffering and loss  with the ultimate message:  “all that truly matters , what is, and what remains always is love.”

Within the past months we shared the brilliant poems of our  mutual friend Jim Hietter ,full of wit and wisdom. Many of Jim’s images seem to capture Tom.

 Tom will always be one of

“The great chorus

Of free spirits

Singing Yes

To the Universe”

 He was a “ bright salute to life”

And he will “ live

In the light and laughter

Of all that is new

 live in the now

Of nature’s eternal renewal”

Finally there is the wisdom and  peace of

“Brevity and Longevity”

You and I will fade,

Like everything that’s made,

Gifts on temporary loan.

And yet within there dwells

A being of no beginning, no end;

It can be known, but not named

Since words belong

To the world of what is made.

It’s everywhere and always,

Present in this moment;

Take a deep, deep breath

And let it come to you,

Easy,  fresh and welcome

As a schoolboy’s Saturday morning.”

Tom, thank you for teaching me in your wonderful way how to live…

Bruce Hall City Carpenter


Bruce A. Hall of Quincy passed away suddenly April 21, 2019. Bruce was raised in Quincy by his late grandparents, La Forrest and Esther Hall. He was a 1976 North Quincy High School graduate. Bruce was an exceptional carpenter for the city of Quincy for over 25 years. He was the husband of Cindy Curran Hall of Quincy; stepfather of Amber Tully of Brockton; step-grandfather of Daniel, Austin and Aiden; and brother of Wayne of N.H., La Forest "Woody" of Fla., and Jeanne Hall of N.Y. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the tribute for Bruce's life Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. in the Hamel Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock St., Quincy. Visiting hours Friday 3-7 p.m. Burial in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

We will always remember Bruce as a genuinely good guy and very talented carpenter. Each Spring he would come to repair or replace the wooden beach stairs for our neighborhood at Mallard and Post Island Roads, a small task for his talents,but always done with real skill and good humor. We would tell him how much this meant to us and all our neighbors because his work allowed us to access and enjoy our beloved beach for the summer. We always followed up with a note of appreciation to the Mayor and DPW Commissioner commending Bruce for his great work. There must be countless examples and stories of how he helped his Quincy neighbors.
Wishing peace, healing and happy memories to his wife and family.
Sincerely,
Mike and Cyndy Cotter
Post Island
5/16/19 

Michael S. Ferrara

Ferrara, Michael S. of Quincy, died November 28, 2019.

Mike adored his family and loved walking his dogs, “the boys”, along Wollaston Beach. He enjoyed boating, golf, and competing in skiing and gymnastics in his younger years. Mike owned MSF Associates and worked as an insurance adjuster. He assisted in both Hurricane Andrew and Katrina, helping those affected with their insurance claims. He also was a general contractor and built many houses around the South Shore and Boston area. Mike was the “Unofficial Mayor of Quincy” and had a great sense of humor, was strong willed, and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Son of the late Stanley and Ruth Ferrara. Loving father of Ashley Ferrara of Plymouth and Mark Ferrara and his wife Nikki of NYC. Cherished brother of Steven Ferrara of DC and Edwin Carlson of Weymouth. Former spouse of Deborah Kane. Also survived by nieces, nephews, his beloved dogs Spook, Woody, Petie, Bruschi, and dear friends Stephen Runge, Mike Burns, Michael “Trapper” Oneill, Ward Higgins, Paul Bimmler, and Eddie Cunnif.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday, December 13th from 2-6 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mike may be made to Quincy Animal Shelter, PO Box 690088, Quincy, MA 02269.

Dear Friends,

We have been away for months and just heard the sad news that Mike had passed away.

He was indeed a wonderful and wild guy. In the aftermath of Winter Storm Riley, 3/2/18  Mike in his expert and “take no bs modus operandi” acted as our advocate and champion with our flood insurance company and secured for us twice what had been offered. This was a huge help to us personally and financially. Thanks to Mike we could save our home. He knew he had our deep gratitude – as he had that of so many he helped in the wake of many disasters.

We will remember his stories, salty/funny language, good heart and showing up in his red corvette with his buddy  Bruschi.

We have made a donation in Mike’s name to Quincy Animal Shelter

Wishing you peace, healing and happy memories.

Mike and Cyndy Cotter, Post Island

Jesse Winchester - Songwriter Laureate

We sat in our RV in Austin crying at the news that having triumphed over laryngeal/esophageal cancer he succumbed to bladder cancer  today 4/11/14 and we listened to an NPR interview just after Love Filling Station came out, hearing his honest and humble story of growing up Protestant and Catholic, loving languages, moving to Montreal the world’s  2^nd largest French speaking city, to avoid the Viet Nam draft because it was smart ,while those who went were courageous and in his words courageous trumps smart. Played guitar in lounges, “Shadow of Your Smile”, left Les Astraunauts because the manager’s gimmick was to have them wear tights and football helmets…he wrote his first song “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz” and then all the rest…never trying to set the world afire, just be slow and steady and true, traditional and classical in the best songwriting senses. He met Cyndy , the “goddess in human form” and moved to Nashville and then West Virginia…ten years between albums due to a balance between laziness and perfectionism…and he sang “Shame about Him”, and the oh so sweet “Sham a lam a ding” …He was just the most poetic, elegant ,  evocative ,poignant, delightful  songwriter and performer- every song a gift so exquisitely wrapped and presented.

 We had seen him on so many venues- from the Orpheum return from Canada with full band, to   a tiny circle on the Boston booze cruise while Jonathan Edwards headlined , to folk clubs(The Narrows, Blackburn Tavern with Guy Clark)  and festivals and 3 times on the road where we met Cyndy at the concert with Clair Larkin in Maryland in fall 2008, then on Frick Island after he came back from throat Ca, then most recently at the Sellarsville Theater Pa, in November 2013 … always wonderful, always  moving us to laughter and tears from Rhumba Man to revived Twigs and Seeds to “Wave Bye-Bye” …”we always sail in circles so there’s no need to cry”…but we do out of gratitude and sadness for his Cyndy and that at 69 he should have had another 20-30 years of sharing his gifts…We will always listen and remember.

Bob- Our King of Comedy

Bob Roche- Our King of Comedy- His Legacy of Laughter and Joy

For a time Bob sported the license plate “Royalty” on his car and truly will always be our “King of Comedy”. He was the embodiment of joie de vivre, the joy of living in every aspect of his life and with every individual he encountered. Everyone always came away from a meeting with Bob feeling uplifted, by his contagious humor, warm smile,( always smiling) and twinkling eyes. He did as the poem says “live by the side of the road, being a friend to man”. Bob did not have as the saying goes "a mean bone in his body", lots of sneaky bones, but we’ll get to that later) If someone was obnoxious, crude or insensitive he’d be labeled “bananas” “Cement head “ or “a strange fruit”. Examining his birth certificate you’ll note Bob was actually born while his parents were guests of the US Navy in Panama, specifically - and I’m not making this up in the town of Coco Solo, freely translated “one of a kind nut” In fact when we celebrated his 80th birthday on January 8th making him officially the world’s youngest octogenarian, he reigned supreme sharing the ultimate ‘Nut cake /birthday cake “ created by dear friend Chef Robert Kenney of San Francisco. J Robert Roche also had several aliases from the Upham’s Corner Uptown Club youthful moniker “Bibbits” to “McGuiness”, Grampy Joe’s plumbing apprentice, to “Chesley” as in jokingly “56 fabulous years with Chesley”.

“The Big Bopper” as he dubbed himself was a true music lover from his Coast Guard Lightship serenades with Tony Hernan on guitar to his mellifluous greetings on the phone answering machine at 479-0131 whose tones are the opening to “I love Paris in the Springtime”. Bob favored callers with “Autumn Leaves"," Tip toe Through the Tulips” “Summer Time” and sometimes an accent borrowed from The Pink Panther’s Detective Clousseau. He knew the words to thousands of the great old songs, especially the witty ones like “Caldonia- what makes your big head so hot?” ,”Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby?", "How'd You Like to Spend Christmas on Christmas Island?” To that “Old English Madrigal” that begins -”There once was a bird", you know what that rhymes with and where it ends up... to the classic “Oh Suzanne Was a Funny Old Sow complete with symphonic snort and feigned flatulence. He loved Dixieland, especially the local Black Eagle Jazz band we heard many times on harbor cruises “Polka dots and Moonbeams” on tuba. Maestro Roche was classically trained and often performed his pianissimo rendition of “The Maiden’s Prayer” to awestruck audiences, scarcely able to believe their ears!

Bob loved the Movies and knew the names of countless classic films and stars. He reveled in imitating the original, histrionic Doctor Frankenstein’s cry .”It’s Alive!", or reenacting the scene from “Mutiny on the Bounty”#
# in which Charles Laughton’s sadistic Captain Bly orders a crew member flogged- Bly-”Inflict the punishment!”...horrified mate-”But Sir, the man’s dead!’ Bly-”nevertheless, inflict the punishment!” Bob would recount unforgettable lines as in “Lovers and Other Strangers on what interests keep a long married, but disparate couple together- “Your mother and I are interested in various types of food”. And the mother’s reply to son Richie’s call for guidance- “Son, happiness will only make you miserable!” Bob enjoyed so many visits to that cinematic showplace the Wollaston Theater on Monday and Tuesday nights of course when the admission is only one dollar, the coffee ten cents -just watch out for those seat springs, ceiling tiles and possible mold allergies!

Ten Shoreside Road a place of magic, mystery and occasional mishap...
Cyndy recalls coming home fro lunch from grammar school and walking into the dining room to see Bob's leg dangling through the ceiling due to a misstep in the attic...
- The time Bob lacerated his thumb trying to cut up a coconut on his trusty table saw- probably the only time that has been attempted in the annals of sawing.
-The famous exploit when he tried to move the workshop refrigerator onto a flood proof platform by himself and one by one frozen foods and juice cans tumbled out of the tipped open freezer shelves onto his hatless, bald head as he could not let go of the fridge or fend them off- and you know how full their freezers always are! “I can’t believe I didn’t get knocked out!", he'd remark. Speaking of comestibles-he and Lois were always the “king and Queenie of Coupons and the Regents of Rebates”- they invented the lifestyle motto-”The max for the minimum”. And other oft repeated words to live by echo unforgetably ...”Next week we’ve got to get organized!”,”But that’s another Story!”,and the guiding daily credo from antiquity-”Carpe Diem!”=“Seize the Day!”
Back to that near knock out,there's the legendary “don’t try this at home ”stunt when on the eve of a long anticipated vacation Bob went out into the darkened family room to adjust the dinner music, plunged down through the open trap door, which then whomped him on the head all 75 pounds of it and pile drove him into the catacomb/cellar. Lois came out from the kitchen, to investigate, calling “Bob, where are you?”-and he answered faintly from below-”I think I’m down here!” Upon extraction and examination, miraculously nothing was broken (“Lucky for me it was my head", he quipped, Just mussed my hair!”) The most recent entry to famous falls was the senior Olympic “Finnegan Flip” at Freddie and Debbie Nigro’s party when Bob, accompanied by family patriarch Uncle Neal somersaulted backwards over a picnic bench without serious harm and Matriarch Aunt Kitty landed on her feet-Okey-Dokey. Let it be known that blood alcohol levels were not a factor in any of the foregoing.

Back to “mussed hair”- who ever got more material and laughter out of so few hairs? Bob explained that he went from a young curly-haired suitor to a follicular-challenged Romeo by “wearing it off on the headboard!” He would frequently caution us not to disturb his “coiff" or make that dramatic gesture as if sweeping a flowing mane back from his forehead, and he would delight himself and us on more formal occasions by sporting Brother Gene’s “Hairloom”.

“Clothes make the Man”- What a wardrobe! and Lois such a valet- Remember for their 50th Anniversary we rented the Scituate beach house and he and Lois descended the stairs, he in the fancy dressing robe from Mimi& Sal Bob announcing- “Lady Golytely and Lord Ashbarrel!” What other 80-year-old guy had diamond earring-So cool -his 50’ ish year old sons -in-law will emulate in tribute. ( And I will wear in my ear the diamond we gave him for his 75th “Diamond Birthday” so every morning on awakening ,every day we share,day and every sweet good night ,Cyndy might see in me a reflection of him...) Who else’s “meet your maker duds” would include a “Cleaner, Greener Quincy T-shirt”?

And hats-what a collection! “Well that’s another story", he'd say- for later...
at the “Custom House” celebration (the old “Fox and Hounds” restaurant where Lois professionally and most graciously waitressed to balance the family income) What parade of hats Bob sported ...like Bartholemew Cubbins with the 500 hats in the Dr.Seuss tale here are just a select few-(this especially for beloved Brothers Jack and Gene here with us from California bring the love of the whole family) starting with his Dad’s Boston Fireman’s helmet #21,from the Upham’s Corner neighborhood firehouse on Columbia Road...he loved and challenged,respected and forgave,but mostly loved his complicated father...and most of all his dear Mother “Maisy” she was as he always said “wonderful” Looking through papers in Bob’s amoire I found a copy of a song I wrote for him as he made his good-bye to her...
Maisy
Maisy while you were sleeping
I kept watch by your side.
Reading the words you gave me
To save me and be my guide...

Light your corner, tend your garden
Do what good you can do.
The world can hold such beauty!
To thine own self be true!

They called me one week later,
to tell me you had gone-
But you’ll never ever leave me -
Wherever I go, there you are.

Light your corner; tend your garden.
Do what good you can do
Maisy,this world is crazy-
But so much better for the love of you!

Hats I have a duffel bag full of them, only a sample - one for every occasion or any theme...the Captain’s cap, a cowboy hat, a hillbilly hat, a painting/fix up the compound hat, a jester’s hat, a hat with antlers (Bob was after all a “horny” guy as Lois will testify, a Red Sox cap (he was the ultimate optimist!), a top hat, a “Big Mac” hat, a colonial tri-corner (always the patriot),a birthday crown... after all he was “Roche Royalty” on and on the hats go for that noble and comic carapace...

As Sal proclaimed in addition to being “the best man I ever knew” Bob Roche was a true jack of all trades. He had to be to keep the family compound together- constantly, ingeniously, often hilariously modifying and improving all manner of things with his plumbing, electrical and carpentry skills. There are countless tools, parts and “what’s that for ?”gizzmos in the workshop collected over the years. “When you’ve got one, you've got none"," Work smarter, not harder”, and “Semper Paratus” harkened back to his Lightship experience as a 21 year old kid running an engine room by on the job trial and error. He recounted how the Captain got a very nasty surprise when he flushed the head and the contents exploded upward, outward, everywhere in the Captain’s quarters because of a pressure valve turned the wrong way from below in the engine room. Bob learned quickly out of necessity. Fast forward to the recent Boston Globe comic strip captured his amazing “Mr. Fix-it “ talent- He was “No leaks Roche", part Rube Goldberg and Gyro Gearloose. Knowing my hardware handicap he’d joke when advising me on how to repair something- “Mike-did you bring your hatchet?” He crafted exquisite, museum quality furniture that adorns Shoreside Road. He even invented his own language at his 40th Anniversary party “Lamisane”...He gifted me with this-the first home satellite dish... Check out this skylight opener-$30 at Home Depot- Bob fashioned this one from an antique bit-brace, piece of pipe and hook- patent pending. Remember his beloved father-in-law Joe notoriously asked as a challenge when Lois became pregnant with Nancy in the very small cottage-”what are you going to do now? You screwed yourself out of the house!” Bob turned a toy storage drawer into a pullout trundle bed (Joe-”What the hell’s that??) Three girls, one room, no problem. And what other home features a “butterfly roof” supported by a carved column in a family room or a “cantilevered pilothouse”? How many times did Bob stoke that original furnace with coal while the girls removed penny apiece buckets of accumulated ash and of all things the “how did those get there? golf balls? How many times did he disassemble or repair the boiler when the “f”word =flood happened? When the heat was finally moved above the tide line and he could tend the wood stove to drive off the winter chill ,could anyone have enjoyed the elemental task and comfort more?
Of course the woodstove wasn’t the only utility he tended- the odiferous task of managing the cesspool (one of Quincy’s last) he’d joke-I’ll be out back, going through the movements”...How many people also have a worm recycling compost farm? Who else but Bob and Lois, the “Ultimate Gardeners” could have transformed a veritable desert landscape into “The Marion and Joe Richards Memorial Park”? As the saying goes" He and she who plant a garden, plant happiness “ -they surely have!

They loved boating and fishing on “Paradise Harbor” Nobody ever got more fun from a 4.9 Evenrude and a 12 foot skiff than Bob or enjoyed fishing more for the awards= first, last, smallest, largest, most, and weirdest fish caught.

Bob and Lois shared wonderful travel adventures- from California or Bust in their Hudson (half way across the continent advised by a mechanic “Turn back-you can’t take your family in that heap-you’ll never make it!”-He was wrong.) Greece and the other cradle of civilization-Panama and a yearlong North American motor home tour 1988-89. Cyndy and I had a happy rendezvous with them outside San Diego and Bob greeted us with these huge sunglasses and crazy hat ( a beanie with a propeller)

Bob has been lovingly dubbed “Father of Manet Community Health Center” in Houghs Neck where it all began in Fall 1979 with Cyndy as the first “Director of Nurse" and Lois as receptionist/den mother par excellence. Years before in the early days of World War II in the Coast Guard Bob and a few other rascals had commandeered some medical regalia and required unsuspecting new arrivals on Gallops Island to undergo some rather unorthodox physical exams-”You men, strip down to your underpants and jump up and down on one foot”...So years later at Manet he volunteered as a “freelance gynecologist”..Along with Red Rielly kept the jokes nonstop at parties (so Father Clancy found an inebriated Paddy O’Rourke alone in church doing the Stations of the Cross backwards...He went up to him and said “Paddy, you're doing them in reverse” to which Paddy replied -”So that’s it - I thought He was looking better and better!”) and Bob joined Frank Sullivan, his comrade in arms for rousing truly spirited renditions of patriotic anthems. Who else but Bob would report on his visits to physician/friend Rolf Knight -”I had great check-up.17 kisses from the lovely Manet ladies.” How fitting the establishment of the “Bob Roche Fun Fund” at Manet Houghs Neck for staff and patients in need of “stat infusion of merriment”( the final decision was a new sign in front of the building which says “donated in memory of Bob Roche” and actually looks like the whole health center has been donated in his name!)
Bob could and did joke about his health (humor the best medicine) He called his HMO “Lost Horizons” instead of Secure Horizons. He wore a T-shirt emblazoned “Tough Old Rooster” during his first round of surgeries because as he proved “Old age is not for sissies.” His first two operations this fall he termed “fusies” and he just wanted the doctor to “put his belly button back in the right place” because it had shifted to the side. Harkening back to his youth Bob would refer to “Eskeys Neurophosophate” the magical health elixir. Talk about nerves of steel- we remember his phone call during the bad storm in ‘92 when he was in the MGH ICU...we had assured him that everything was all right at home and he said" Then how come I’m watching the TV reporters out near the house?” As he said -“You can’t BS a B’ser” Just look at the picture he was “Super Bob ” indeed.

One of his recent jokes Christmas present was a product called “Exercise in a Bottle”. Who else but Bob would retitle the an epic circumnavigation of the world by famed English sailor Sir Francis Chichester -”How to Get Skinny By Drinking” when he saw the author’s dust jacket photo depicting his scrawney form as he showered on deck under sail. Who else would say he was going to the YMCA to exercise and to bring back hot water in a thermos to use at home? Just to get the most from his membership. Unable to walk more than a hundred yards without Charley-horse pain due to claudication he’d ride his bike through the neighborhood maintaining just enough speed to remain upright and scope out the doings of the neighbors and search for treasures in the trash. Oh that bike with the radio/light was appropriately inscribed “The Robin Hood Model” on the chaingaurd. We are thinking of having the bike bronzed....

Bob was as Mimi said a master raconteur- that’s French for story teller, not racketeer.
So many tales (just sketched here) he’d recount and we will cherish always in their vivid details...
Earliest editions of the “Doings of the Van Loons” he called his family of origin stories. -
The famous wise guy neighborhood kid crack to Granpa Roche -”Hey Mr.Roche-what a look she gave you! “Who?" Asked Roche Senior- “Mother Nature”...”Get the hell out of here you little”...
Bob borrowing Jack’s bicycle and how he finally figured out Jack’s secret as to how he knew each time...
The “Minesweeper and depth charging the German submarine while working at the local boatyard”...
Little Gene getting at Bob’s urging getting stuck being the wall while trying to get a sneak peek at the Christmas presents Dad had hidden”...
How Joe Hewes met his future wife Clara (the former Miss Dorchester) while Joe was guarding Grandpa Roche who had been AWOL -the “sauce “ had got him, but only temporarily.
Father Roche’s “The birds .the bees the Vaseline and the Holland Tunnel “ wedding eve advice to Jack and Bob whose reply was -”Oh that’s just beautiful Dad!”
There was so much laughter and love as Bob retold these over the years.
And in the neighborhood there were the classics-”Buck tooth Donovan” and “Deliver the Black Baloney”...
He’d recall Joe Richard’s line about shoveling snow only to be paid with “an apple and a holy card”
And what capers he had with Joe -you know money is really tight when you take tires off dealership cars your father-in-law brings home at lunchtime and you need to siphon gas out of the tank! Bob was of course always loveably larcenous--He knew how to get into the closet at the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport where the gourmet chocolates were hidden and he had keys to everything- he’d joke about how his sideline rental business was going with the empty cottages and condos where he and Lois had stayed.
Shoreside Road echoes with stories-
The door to door vacuum cleaner salesman who convinced Bob while Lois was out to purchase an expensive machine to save his innocent children from the “germ laden filth festering in their carpets”
Bob would regale us with stories of the tenants of #8 A&B Shoreside.Nana’s “I don’t like the smell of your party remark about a suspicious smoked substance...Tony Serafini who shouted in alarm at fumes pouring into his tiny apartment form some workshop experiment gone wrong -“Fumare- Joe is a trying to a kill me”,and the tenant who awoke to a foot of icy ocean water flooding his room ,who just put on his boots and jacket and waded out of the apartment, out the driveway and never came back ... how about that water meter that used to mysteriously fall of f until just before the reader would arrive to check it...and so many stories and jokes Bob’s famous “hit the paper hit the button, grind the coffee....” What other father, except maybe Joe Richards, would say to his daughter and son-in-law recounting how she lost her wedding ring recovered miraculously when it bounced out of the foot of the bed onto the floor after what Bob would call an anniversary “afternoon delight”-”Kids he said that’s not just a miracle -it’s really a F___ng miracle!

Bob was the genuine miracle! His life what a priceless legacy for Lois, his children, grand-children, family and friends. When answering the funeral director's queries for the obituary “ what clubs and organizations did he belong to? We laughed “The Clean Your Plate Club” and what organizations -He belonged to His Family and to the Family of Man!! Yes, and he was a Party man- the Democratic Party and the Fun Party! We have wonderful last pictures and memories of his 80th on Jan 8th. He said it so many times “Sharing is Loving” and he shared so much happiness with each of us. Every July 4th he’d hilariously announce the fireworks -”Stand back- The grand finale a “Happy Lamp”- he will always light up our lives.

Finally we gave him a medal at Christmas it depicts the Earth with the word “
“Representative “ above it. Bob will always be truly a representative of all that is best and most joyous for this planet and people. He brought joy into every home and heart he entered. He will always be “the one, the only, the extraordinary Bob Roche -Our King of Comedy and Lord of Laughter! Cheers, dearest Bob!


( Leaving Most Blessed Sacrament Church after the Funeral and at the reception celebration in his honor we sang with heartfelt gusto ,as he would want, and could do so well a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In”... as the poem goes “It was heaven here with you” and as he surely marched to that world a’waitin’ he’ll greet us with song and laughter one day...)

Posted by Writers on the Road at 10:38 AM  

Bob and Pat Daley

 Nice return letter –

5050 Hidden Path Way 3204  Sanford Fla  32771  Orlando area

407-878-2205

Dear Cheryl, 

Though many of these thoughts we shared with you and Bob at the services and luncheon we really felt it so important to put them in writing for you and for us.

Your Mom and Dad were just so wonderfully generous opening their home and hearts to Cyndy in her first and second years at BC, and to me as well before and after we were married 12/28/1969. Special treats were the delicious dinners Pat would prepare and share and any number of times Bob went out of his way to drive me over to UPS in Watertown for my evening shift.

We spoke to many of your family members who were also members of the “Third Floor Club”, beneficiaries of your folks’ remarkable generosity and graciousness.  What an extraordinary couple and example!

We felt so honored to be part of the tribute to your Mom, and especially to share the experience with Lois.  It is amazing to think that they met when Lois was 16, working at Edison when your Dad was first courting your Mom, and their friendship flourished for the rest of their lives. The similarities between  Bob D and Bob R were remarkable – both such loving, funny and kind men and Dads. Whenever we drive by 982 Beacon we experience such wonderful memories and such profound gratitude.  

We will always remember your Mom, our dear friend Pat, as the personification of grace, dignity, intellect and kindness.  Your total dedication to her over these past challenging years was the ultimate return of the love she shared with you.

We have made a donation in Pat’s memory to Hospice.

Perhaps we can connect when we are traveling in Florida in our RV Jan/Feb, happy refugees from the cold. We will be in touch.

Peace and Love,

Mike and Cyndy

617-471-4663

postisland@gmail.com

November 6,2010

My Brother /Our Beloved Billy

                                My Brother/Our Beloved  Billy

                                      June 2, 1955   - Dec. 8, 2009  

                                              Eulogy 12/11/09

    First, my deepest thanks and respect to Judy for the honor of speaking for us all, to try   to express what we have in our hearts and minds today, together and  individually, near  and far- an endless treasure of experiences with Bill.

–     I want to express gratitude to his caregivers at Dana Farber Cancer Center and the ICU staff at South Shore Hospital over these past surreal weeks and days, and as Judy asked, donations may be made to help others with cancer through the American Cancer Society. In keeping with his wishes Billy’s retinas have been donated to help others see, and hopefully the recipient (s) will share his happy vision of life.  A very special thanks to his comrades from the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department for their wonderful outpouring of generosity, support and respect.

–      

–     There are doubtless many important events that occurred and people who were born on June 2,1955 but most important to us will always be that on that day the gift of William Joseph Cotter was presented to our world as the fourth son of the Cotter family. It was the Saints’ Day of Alexander, Eugene, Felix, and Elmo – so thankfully Pat and Jaye chose to name him, William, in memory of our father’s father. The name William means “determined protector” and he would become just that to Judy and his beloved daughters, Jessica and Alisa. There are many famous Willams – from William the Conqueror to Shakespeare, but dearest to us is our beloved Bill.

–     Nelson DeMille was probably his favorite contemporary author.  His works feature intrigue filled action plots and very pointed social satire.  Bill and Rick and I would share his books and reviews after reading them. DeMille said, “We’re all pilgrims on the same journey, but some pilgrims have better road maps.” Bill set out on his road with great parents guiding the way, and a loving network of family, so many here today.

–     Family photos speak volumes, capture eras in our lives and I selected just a few as have Judy, Jess, Alisa, Mom and the rest of us.  I hope you have the opportunity to see them because what you will see in so many varied vignettes is the happiness and love Bill shared in and provided throughout his life.

–     As a teenager, on a snowy winter night, he had a misadventure with a snowplow ( he may have been “skid-hopping” a ride home from Houghs Neck.) Billy got tangled up behind it and it backed him into a telephone pole and crushed his pelvis. That could have been the end of his story right then and there, but so fortunately he recovered and we have had him for another 35 years…

–     As a teenager Billy had the usual “extra curricular” experiments and exploits and would concoct strange but true tales he insisted ,to explain why he smelled like beer and came home at dawn – because someone spilled beer on him as he fought his adversary for hours and then retreated to spend the night in a tree; but he survived those  various episodes too.

–     He is remembered by cousins early on for two life-long traits- humor the first. Cousin Johnny wrote,” Billy was always full of fun when we were kids” and second, a tender kindness.  Cousin Shawn Wynn shares,–“I remember when he lifted me gently  over the fence between our houses when I was 4 years old and he was 13 on the day my mother, Alice died.”

–      

–     Along with Kevin and Rick, Billy was a gifted athlete . He played basketball and football and at a Don Bosco High School Thanksgiving football game he intercepted  not just one but 2 passes ,and ran them both  back for touchdowns.  Dad and Mom went wild with us and everyone else in the stands.

–     Billy followed a Cotter tradition and married a wonderful neighborhood kid, Judy Kenney who became such a wonderful wife and mother.  She and her girls were so strong in this tragedy and so remarkable in making the toughest decisions. They are truly amazing women.

–     {Judy even went to the polls on Tuesday and voted for Massachusetts’ most likely long overdue first woman senator.}

–      

–     Almost 30 years ago I wrote Billy and Judy a song and sang it at their wedding:

–     “Here in the spring there’s a glad song to sing; Celebrate this new life.

–     The mornings are bright with a strong hopeful light; Let that light shine on you.

–     When sweet Judy blue eyes and William are wed, on an evening in April,

–     stars rise overhead, and just like those stars may your dreams rise above ,and may you always live in love.”

–     Judy, thank you from Mom, Kevin, Rick, Mary and myself for loving our Billy,for bringing him such love and happiness, such beautiful daughters ,such a lovely home through every challenge and reward.

–     Like every couple we know you agreed on everything all the time – but like the song says “we can work it out” and you did. Afterall, “All You Need is Love” -and patience, a sense of humor, commitment, and negotiation skills

–      

–     The obituary notes that Bill enjoyed travelling, and luckily in recent years he travelled a lot with Judy to San Diego and Seattle to visit his West Coast girls; and he and Judy ventured with some of the Kenney clan to Egypt this past March.

–     He loved listening to and making music and he played the guitar quite well. Our Cousin Jimmy Wynn wrote,” Billy taught me my first chords on the guitar and how to play rock and roll. I will miss his easy going ways, sense of humor and his almost perpetual smile.”

–     The photo in the obituary is classic Billy, for if you see the full picture it is taken from, it is Billy smiling amongst those he loved and treasured most.

–     There are special characteristics not listed in the obituary, for example, Billy was “hair personified “ – early on D’Artagnan, then Omar Shariff, Tom Selleck, Magnum PI all rolled into one.

–      He was a connoisseur of Miller beer, and a fan of “The Rockford Files” and “The Simpsons”; talk to Judy about his personal favorites and particularities in every category.

–     Professionally, as a Corrections Officer Bill brought respect and fairness to his every encounter with those at odds with the law. His keen mind and kind heart led him to pursue the science and art of nursing and as a nurse he gave expert care and compassion to those suffering with mental illness.  Another quote from DeMille-“ If everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first steps towards a real humanity”. Bill took those steps, encouraged and inspired others as his colleagues testified so sincerely and respectfully.

–      

–     Our wonderful sister Mary recounts how so many people have told her that Billy was just an absolutely  “Great Guy”. When you investigate origins you find “guy” means the quintessential  “Everyman” and a  “Guide” for others.  As for greatness, this quote is on the mark – “Do not confuse notoriety and fame with greatness, for you see that greatness is a measure of one’s spirit, not a result of one’s rank in human affairs.”  What a spirit Billy had.

–      

–     My wife Cyndy and I had just returned early from our travels Saturday and I will always be so grateful to have been with Bill along with Judy and Alisa on what became his last day. As we each comforted him with touch and tenderness, he was not afraid; he was grateful and looking forward to another morning.

–     Bill was blessed that next morning as he left this life to have his Mom at his side and Judy with whom he had brought wonderful Jess and Alisa to us. To be with him at the moment of his death was a heartbreaking, but heartfilling and sacred experience. As our brother Kevin led us so tenderly with hands joined circling Bill in reciting  ‘Our Father, who art in heaven “, I thought of our Dad Pat who surely is in heaven, 9and his last words: “This life is too short; We should not argue or fight; A Family is a miracle; We are so lucky; It is best to be together.”

–     We left the hospital in the morning sun so very sad and yet so very grateful together.

–     When such a shockingly unexpected death as Bill’s occur it is a challenge to our reason and faith and our family’s reply has been renewed faith in an everlasting goodness and love.

–     On Tuesday, December 8^th at South Shore Hospital Billy did not pass away; he passed forever into our hearts and memories. And we did not lose him, for his spirit is forever within us.

–     Judy’s new Grand Nephew, William McCarthy was born the next day at the same hospital and named for Bill. He is a sweet reminder of hope and life ahead. May he always be as loved and loving as his namesake.

–      

–     Throughout our lives it is our relationships and bonds with one another that give us meaning, purpose and richness of life and Bill was in that regard the richest of men.

– As a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, comrade, caregiver and friend he offered only love and devotion, ever humble and thankful, not expecting accolades, but for all these ways that he gifted us, let us now stand… salute him, give thanks for him and to him, and applaud our always strong and sweet William, our ever beloved Billy.

Our 50th Anniversary 12/28/19 -Mike

Mike 50^th

       Perspectives- Stories and Comments from Mike  

Part 1

 Cyndy and I  had known each other from Church, I was even  an altar boy for her Grand parents’ / Marion and Joe’s 50^th wedding anniversary mass-  

We had some mutual neighborhood friends

There would be informal group meet ups , and hang outs (not hook-ups) all  very innocent “folk song sing a long “  home  parties –really no drinking ,”hanky Panky” etc. (That came later…)

 Our first date was 7/12/66 Boston Pops Esplanade concert  along with my Mom and Dad Jaye and Pat, Mary, maybe Bernie  …and that was the beginning…

I’d row down in my little boat from Peterson Road and pick Cyndy up at the Shoreside beach- we’d row around the Bay, talk, laugh and smooch – One time Lois was waiting for Cyndy to come in to take care of Robbie so she could go to her waitress job. We had been clowning around in the boat and it capsized – Cyndy had street clothes on and got soaked, we righted the boat and baled it out and   had to row around until her hair and clothes dried, so we were late coming in. Mrs. Roche /Lois greeted us with “You 2 always go overboard!”  and she was right. And in some ways we have always tended to go overboard.

Mr. Roche/Bob would say with a little worry  during our first summer – “You 2 are together morning, noon and night“ -and we were , and have mostly always been and still are.

*The Lunar Landing and Woodstock were in the summer of ’69. We did not get to either one  …but much more important for us was our wedding 12/28/69.

   3 days after Christmas-what a Christmas surprise for our parents –  The “have a blast at the repast” reception invite we had thought was funny, but Cyndy’s  parents asked “What would Aunt Bertha think? “Actually we thought she’d be OK with it as she and Slicky along with Marion and Joe had roared around on their  motorcycles with sidecars in the early 1920’s.  We changed that part then  and included it this time.

You may remember our wedding was at the student chapel at Boston College with about 200 family and friends looking on …many maybe with the words of the Chuck Berry song in their minds – “It Was a Teenage Wedding “ ….

It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

Fr. Gene Boyle- who not too long before took us on CYO ski trips, officiated -  He was 15 minutes late…Cyndy in her wedding gown from Bev had to go to bathroom in boy’s dorm …. turns out Fr. Boyle had run out of gas on the way and had to run up Chesnut Hill to get to the chapel…during his homily he started to laugh, he had quite the giggle (maybe he was high) and we were afraid he would not stop …  Nancy  , and I played guitar, Cyndy and I sang ….10 bridesmaids and 10 ushers = our wedding photo looked like a small high school  prom picture .

Night of our honeymoon at the Copley Plaza about 10 of our pals joined us for pizza in the Bridal Suite . My folks offered to send us to Disney World – but we declined and instead, borrowing a car from generous and sympathetic Aunt Niddy and Uncle Jimmy  and we drove to Hyannis and spent 3 days at the Harvest House Motel – ventured to Johnny Yee’s Oriental Restaurant and Night Club (we had a coupon)  …then the next 4 days we celebrated  with many of our friends at Bev Roper’s Dad’s summer  house in Plymouth…

And from there it’s been an amazing 50 years of us, Joe, achievements, adventures, family and friends – And now we are the “old folks”

 C’est la vie…. what a wonderful life!

                                                         **********************

        Part 2                                              A tribute to Cyndy -

I wrote this about 25 years ago and it’s proved so true-

My nomination for recognition as Nurse Practitioner of this year (and every year ) is Cynthia Roche-Cotter, RN, FNP.  Cynthia’s commitment to professional growth and excellence in patient care is truly extra-ordinary and exemplary.  As a young wife and mother, and while working part-time as a “store nurse” at a landmark Boston department store Filene’s Basement, she completed her Associate Degree/RN training.  Upon graduation she chose to practice on extremely challenging neurology units at Boston City Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital.  During a year of cross-country travel with her husband and son she worked at San Francisco General’s Trauma Unit and also agency private duty.  Upon returning home to Quincy,MA, Cynthia became the first RN and a “Founding Mother” of Manet Community Health Center, largely responsible for the establishment and growth of its model family-community health practice.  Over the next thirteen years she served as the first director of nursing, became the Center’s first Nurse Practitioner (graduating from Northeastern University with Brenda ) and earned her BSN from the University of New York Regent’s Program  .-also with Brenda   All the while she has been a constant advocate-provider for the health needs and rights of women, children, seniors, minorities, the disadvantaged and people with HIV/AIDS.  She has reached into the community, local government and schools as HIV/AIDS resource person and sexuality educator.  For her beloved and loving co-workers she has been the un-offcial, always sought after “resident health expert and counselor.”

Cyndy can best be characterized as a “human being extraordinaire ”  with an amazing genius and gift for living.  A sense of balance between service to others and self-fulfillment in personal relationships with family and friends, and myriad creative interests. 

Now Cyndy has been a nurse for 44 years, 38 of them as NP. Those years are filled with literally thousands of encounters in which she has profoundly helped individuals and families to heal their particular hurts- always with respect, dignity,  ”common-sensitivity”, humility, humor and love –from struggling immigrant families to traumatized “adult children”, to the 97 year old whom she matched with an African student so the exceptional elder could continue to live in her own home.

 Cyndy inspired me to enter nursing  28 years ago and to imitate her example.  She will always be my respected and beloved partner and “Sheroe”.

And she still laughs at my antics and jokes…

Leo Kelly

Leo J. Kelly, of Houghs Neck, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at age 87. A lifelong Houghs Neck resident, he was Korean War Veteran U.S. Navy. He started his lifelong community service in Leo's barber shop in Houghs Neck. Before retiring in 2014, city councilor Leo Kelly served nine terms (1973-1983 and 2003-2009) on the Quincy city council. Among his accomplishments, he was proud of helping start the Manet Community Health Center in Houghs Neck, which has since expanded to five sites. Passionate about preserving open space, Leo was instrumental in stopping the topping and filling in of Quincy Bay and ending plans to build the Nut Island sewage treatment plant there and working to preserve open spaces at the Granite Rail, Little Granite Quarry and General Palmer Park, plus acres of other marshland, including Broad Meadows and Brill Field. For 10 years he was the project manager for the Quincy Housing Authority and continued to serve on the Commission Board, helping residents with their problems. He helped with the oversight of the new Quincy High School and the Community Centers in Houghs Neck and Germantown. He was also a Board Member of Quincy Community Action and District Chair of the Blue Granite Rail Council, Quincy Boy Scouts. The Houghs Neck Garden Club honored him with the Leo J. Kelly Park. In the end, Leo was a passionate shopper at Home Goods. The beloved husband of Margaret Milne-Kelly, Leo was the loving step-father of Lynne McKeever and her husband Brian of Quincy and Jill M. Gichuhi of Quincy; dear brother of John Kelly, Bernadette Kelly, both of Quincy, and the late Robert , Edward and Joseph Kelly; and is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to visiting hours which will be held on Thursday, December 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home, 74 Elm St., Quincy Center. On Friday there will be a gathering at the funeral home at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1015 Sea St., Quincy. Burial with Military Honors is at Mount Wollaston Cemetery. Donations in Leo's memory may be made to the Germantown Neighborhood Center, 366 Palmer St., Quincy, MA 02169 or the Quincy Garden Club, Attn: Patty Williams, 1193 Sea St., Quincy MA 02169. Please visit dennissweeneyfuneralhome.com

Published in The Patriot Ledger on Dec. 18, 2019

                                      *********************************

Sent to The Sun, Houghs Neck Bulletin , Sweeney, and Facebook ,Joe

Leo Kelly will always be remembered by us, and everyone privileged to know him, as that rare and remarkable individual who served his neighborhood and city with amazing dedication and effectiveness in so many ways. He was a true public servant. He literally turned the term “open space” into an action verb. He led the way to “open space” so many threatened, special areas in Ward 1 and throughout the city. Every time we and our family walk around “The Crusher” in Houghs Neck we are so grateful to Leo for preserving this special area. When we swim in and boat on Quincy Bay and enjoy the islands we remember it was Leo who led the Harbor clean up, and helped change Nut Island from a health hazard to a wonderful recreational park. Innumerable folks of all ages benefited from his commitment to healthcare, bringing compassionate comprehensive primary care to Houghs Neck and Germantown via Manet Community Health Center. He was likewise committed to assuring quality housing through his work with the Quincy Housing Authority. His good works have made a lasting improvement in the quality of life all over Quincy.

 What an amazing legacy of caring and commitment that will endure!

Leo, you have our respect and gratitude always.

Mike Cotter, Writer of “The Nut Island Blues” 1976

Cyndy Roche-Cotter, First Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Manet Community Health Center ,Houghs Neck 1979- 2008  

Lois -Mike's Salute

Friday 3/13/2020  - Celebration of Lois at Bay Pointe-   Mike’s Salute

There’s a one-line, old cliché of a joke that Henny Youngman may have passed on to Rodney Dangerfield that goes-

“Take my mother-in-law- Will you please?!”

Well I was so absolutely fortunate to have the one and only, Lois/ “Queenie” Roche for my 2^nd mother.

Another saying is so true of Lois- when she was born “they broke that perfect mold”.

The Roches and Cotters originally knew each other from Mass on Sundays at Blessed Sacrament Church in Houghs Neck -  kids and parents all dressed up, devout and happy in a much  simpler time.  I first met Lois soon after Cyndy and I started our life long romance at age 16 - July 12 1966. She and Bob had been at Jack and Rose’s 25^th anniversary celebration in California, so on this day later in July, Cyndy and I were perhaps going out for a row  I first met Lois.

She was in a bathing suit and kerchief ,painting the side of the house and of course she looked cute and lovely as she always  did in any of her Doris Day make up and outfits throughout her life…

Over the next 53 years I learned so much about and from Lois… and what a gift it was to have her be our guest of honor in November at our 50^th anniversary celebration- Lois really did “have a blast at our repast!”

She was totally accepting and tolerant of everyone – saw good people struggling with bad problems and with empathy when that person acted poorly she would comment supportively, “Oh, he’s just all mixed up”.

                                                             

So many folks have noted that Lois was the ultimate “People Person”. She genuinely connected with and cared for everyone she encountered, sometimes in astounding detail. We would laugh and be baffled  at her  incredible memory for relationships and  events when she would  say something like, “Oh, that’s John’s ex-wife’s 2^nd cousin in law’s brother, who did such and such at a  New Year’s Eve party in 1958”…How could she remember this? She just did, and could have worked for Ancestry.com.

Upon her passing so many people have come forward and shared a story of her kindness and thoughtfulness that was a powerful help in a trying time.

She always loved nature- for so many years gardening, bird watching, fishing, swimming, boating. So it is so appropriate to make donations in her name to Mass Audubon Society.  Lately she  especially enjoyed taking rides in the Blue Hills. She reveled in the trees, the clouds and the sky. She recounted how she and her girlfriends used to walk from Mattapan to Houghtons’s Pond, and how it became a favorite spot for her and Bob.

When asked what was her occupation = we had to reply, “the ultimate mother and homemaker”, truly one who makes a home, the center of nourishment and encouragement.  She made that remarkable home with Bob (and Marion and Joe) in what we called “the enchanted bungalow in the magical compound.” 

What a devoted, joyful and creative cook, like her heroine   Julia Child. Lois made every meal a feast fit for the salute ,“Bon Appetite”.

Lois had a remarkable and often funny way with words.

Early on, maybe misunderstanding my strength of character, she told Cyndy  I was  ”a stubborn monkey”. Much later during a grace before a meal she prayed for me facing serious surgery, “We hope Mike will  do well with his “travesty.” She meant “travail”, but the intent and the humor really helped.

Once she commented to a total stranger in an elevator about coping with life, “I’m a finagler; I finagle the bagel; I learned from my husband who was the best.”

Recently to a physical therapist at Hancock Park   who  for orientation asked her if she knew where she was  she replied instantly, “In my boudoir of course.”

This January while reminiscing about neighbors  ,Cyndy asked Lois ,”Mom, what ever  happened to Dr Cobb the dentist who used to live next door?  Lois thought for a moment and not quite sure  replied,   “Oh, he must have been absorbed into space!” And after her most recent fall she commented “I broke my schnozola.” She was never at a loss for words and humor was always a healing medicine for her.

And music was so important in Lois and Bob’s life - from those epic sing –a-long parties with family and friends  around the piano at #10 , to everyday life.

Their theme could be “Side by Side” 

When we listen to the words, it’s really their life…from the Depression, though  WWII, and all the days  ahead…

“Oh we ain’t got a barrel of money,

Maybe we’re ragged and funny.

But we’ll travel along

Singing a song

Side by side.

We don’t know what’s coming tomorrow,

Maybe it’s trouble and sorrow,

But we’ll travel the road

Sharing our load.

 Side by side.

Through all kinds of weather

What if the sky should fall?

Just as long as we’re together,

It really doesn’t matter at all.

When they’ve all had their quarrels and parted,

We’ll be the same as we started.

Just traveling along,

Singing a song-

Side by side.”

After a special wintry evening we spent together at our Kilby St home in 1975 , Lois and Bob, then married 30 years, celebrated with a ring of diamonds and rubies. This inspired me to write as I watched from our window, as they walked home arm in arm…

Diamonds and Rubies  

                                                                

 Come quick to the window-

What a beautiful sight1

Two lovers walking arm and arm

Home on a winter’s night.

Chorus

Diamonds and rubies,

A woman and a man,

The gifts of thirty seasons-

Worn on lover’s hands…

It’s a long road they’ve traveled,

It’s a different road we’re on.

All headed for our heaven

By the lights that we’ve known.

Chorus  

Laughter and sorrow ,

Each woman and each man,

The gifts of all the seasons,

Worn on lovers hands.

And now It is so poignant to pass by the site of the family homestead on Shoreside Road, physically gone, but the memories and love are for always…

The song goes on-  

Oh when that house is just a memory

and that street has long been gone,

there will be stars shining forever

above the place they made their home.

They’ll still sparkle in the darkness,

those splendid special lights!

There will be stars shining forever

above the place they   made their home-

There will be stars shining forever-

There will be stars...there will be stars!

As Lois wished there was no wake. Firmly she said, “I don’t want people looking at me in a box when I’m dead!”

Instead she wanted to be the first person in the family to go to Harvard Medical School – and so had her body donated there for research. Perhaps these aspiring doctors will discover from studying Lois a few of her secrets-

When a 80,70 or even 60 year old can’t –

How can a 93 year old woman bend over to the floor and tie her shoes?

 Or pick up miniscule items off the floor?

 Or leap from bed almost instantly from a sound sleep, and slide into a car to go for a joy ride?

 Or have super vision to see tiny things up close or a mile away?

 Or be interested in and curious about almost everything and everybody?

Or be so loving ,grateful happy and alive?

Perhaps those doctors will discover and share, at the cellular level, at the core of humanity, there’s a magical key to the extraordinary loving life force that propelled her, nourished us and  will always inspire us.

And they will call it Lois.