Linda M. (Bosworth) Harrison, of Randolph, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2022, at South Shore Hospital, with her loving family by her side.
Linda M. Harrison
Linda was raised in Braintree, and was a 1968 graduate of Braintree High School. She graduated in 1972 from Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing and was a registered nurse for many years. She also worked as a sales representative at The Quincy Sun and The Hingham Journal.
Linda was the beloved daughter of the late Henry W. Bosworth and the late Dorothy M. Bosworth of Braintree.
Beloved wife and best friend for 34 years of Ben Harrison of Randolph and devoted mother of Brian Harrison of Randolph. Linda is also survived by her siblings, Gail Happel of Weymouth, Donna Gray of Pembroke, Dolly Newman of Quincy, and Robert Bosworth of Harwich. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Donations in memory of Linda may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701, or online at cancer.org.
Philippa Vaughan of Machiasport, Maine, passed April 27, 2022 with her family by her side. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, November 4, 1925, she was the younger daughter of Harry and Marjorie (Anthes) Ormiston. The family moved to New York City after the hurricane of 1928, where her father worked for Universal Studios. Philippa spent her early school years in Forest Hills at P.S. 99 and one year at St. Faith’s School for Girls in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Philippa Vaughan
In 1937, Philippa’s father was transferred to Los Angeles California. She attended Van Nuys High School and graduated from Hollywood High School in 1944. She also attended the Grand Central Station /Art School in New York City.
In 1944 Philippa eloped to marry Gerald Stanton Powell while he was on leave from the United States Navy at Santa Barbara Mission. They had three children in California, then moved to New York City in 1950. They divorced in 1959, and she married Charles Harmon Stevens and moved to Falls Village, Connecticut. They divorced after three years, and Philippa moved to New Jersey, where she worked for American Photography as a supervisor.
While camping on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she met Peter Vaughan, and they were married in 1969 and lived in Quincy. She had an antique shop and painted portraits and other oils. After Peter passed away June 20, 2016, she moved to Machiasport, Maine to live with her daughter.
Philippa was predeceased by her sister, Patricia Nardoni. She leaves her children, Stephanie Strongin and husband, Jason, of Machiasport, son, Christopher Powell of Cambridge, England, Catherine Powell of Sonoma, California, and Chouan Strongin of Jonesport. She leaves her grandchildren Ajax Oakford, Jamaica Davis, Renee Areneda, Atlanta Powell and husband, Josh, Ayoun Strongin and Lauren Sachs; and great-grandchildren Ella Jane Geel, Tanaya Arenda and Owen Alexander Powell; great-great-grandson, Jay Strongin. She also leaves her nephew, Steven Emerson of Los Angeles, California. Other special family members are Heidi Vaughan and wife, Nancy, Judith Stevens and Fred Magrin, Nancy Rogers and Penny King, along with special friends, John Petraborg and wife, Galina and Peggy O’Brien. Philippa will be greatly missed by her loyal yorkie, Wolly.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias, where online condolences may be shared: bragdonkelley.com.
“Glad was the living—Blessed be the dying. Let the leaves fall.” Harriet Monroe.
Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Baker-Polito Administration announces that all Massachusetts residents ages 5-11 are eligible to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 booster. The booster should be administered at least five months after completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series to provide continued protection against COVID-19.
Children ages 5 to 11 are able to receive the Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 booster from hundreds of locations across the Commonwealth, ranging from retail pharmacies, primary care practices, community health centers, hospital systems, state-supported vaccination sites and mobile clinics.
“Just as it does for adults, getting a booster dose will provide continued protection for this age group against COVID-19 and its variants, and that’s good news,” said DPH Chief Medical Officer Estevan Garcia. “As a pediatrician and as a parent, I want to stress that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is safe and effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations in children, and I encourage parents and families to get their children boosted and contact their health care provider if they have any questions.”
How to find a pediatric COVID-19 booster appointment:
Parents who prefer to have their child vaccinated by their primary care provider should call their provider’s office directly.
Visit the VaxFinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of hundreds of available locations. Residents will be able to narrow results to search for locations offering the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, with some appointments available now for booking. Additional appointments will be available online in the coming days. Many locations will be booking appointments out weeks in advance.
For individuals who are unable to use VaxFinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9 AM – 2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.
The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. Additional information on the COVID-booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/covidvaccinekids .
Vaccines are widely available across the Commonwealth and the best protection against COVID-19 is remaining up to date on vaccinations and boosters. A fully vaccinated person is much less likely to get sick or spread the virus that causes COVID-19, especially if they have their booster shot. Learn more at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
Roseanne Grace (Poli) DiBlasi, of Quincy, formerly of Saco, Maine, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. She was 94.
Roseanne G. DiBlasi
Born in Biddeford, Maine on Feb. 24, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Grace (Scoti) Poli. Roseanne attended local schools and graduated from Biddeford High School with the Class of 1946. After high school, Roseanne worked as an accountant for the Ford Motor Company, a blueprint supervisor for Raytheon and an accountant at Jordan Marsh. Once Roseanne and her husband started their family, she became a homemaker, and raised her family with love and devotion.
Family was the most important part of Roseanne’s life. She loved her children more than anything and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for the people she cared for. She loved her home, working in her garden and playing the piano. Roseanne was a loving and caring person. Her life lessons and example are part of her legacy that continue through her family. She will be deeply missed by all the lives she touched.
Roseanne was the beloved wife of the late John L. DiBlasi, who died in 2004. The two married on Aug. 27, 1961, at St. Joseph’s Church in Boston’s West End. Together the two shared 43 loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Diane DiBlasi, James DiBlasi, and Richard DiBlasi, all of Quincy. Roseanne was preceded in death by her siblings Florence Scachetti and Lucia Poli. She is also survived by many loving extended family members and dear friends.
Roseanne’s funeral services and interment will be held privately.
Memorial contributions may be sent in Roseanne’s name to the charitable organization of one’s choice.
See Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.
Esther A. (Croft) O’Connell, of Marshfield, formerly of Quincy, Long Valley, New Jersey, and Bow, New Hampshire, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. She was 73.
Esther A. O’Connell
Born in Boston on March 18, 1949, she was the daughter of the late David and Helen (McDonough) Croft. Esther was raised in Quincy, attended local schools, and graduated from North Quincy High School with the Class of 1967.
Esther began her career in Boston as an anatomical morgue assistant. In 1971 she moved to Keene, NH with her husband, Kevin J. O’Connell, and began building her family. She most loved being a mother and grandmother; a living example of how to live with grace, compassion and kindness. She especially enjoyed “sneaking” her grandchildren candy and little bowls of chocolate chips while making her famous chocolate chip pancakes. In her retirement, Esther loved family trips to Lincoln, NH where they owned a condo for 28 years. She had beautiful memories of traveling with her husband to Tahiti, Key West and San Francisco. Bermuda was her favorite place to visit, and it was there she and her husband honeymooned. They later celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in Tahiti.
Esther was a proud friend of Bill W. for many years. She treasured the friendships she built in AA and was always willing to help someone in their time of need. She was rich in faith. Her legacy of love will continue to inspire and empower us to find the silver linings in life. The vessel is gone, but her spirit will embrace us, until we meet again.
Esther was the beloved wife of Kevin J. O’Connell of Marshfield. The two were married on June 6, 1970, in St. Agatha Parish in Milton. Together they shared fifty-two loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Kathleen A. O’Connell of Hanover and her former husband Matthew McGonagle of Hingham, Kevin M. O’Connell and his wife Christen of Andover, and the late Maureen K. O’Connell, who died in 1976. Esther was the loving grandmother of Maureen, Bridget, and Patrick McGonagle, all of Hingham, Faith and Hope O’Connell, both of Andover, Siri and Connor O’Connell, both of Pelham, New Hampshire, and MacKenzie O’Connell of Atkinson, New Hampshire. She was the dear sister of Mary Cedrone and her husband Michael of Quincy, and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Agatha Parish, Milton at 10:30 AM. Cremation will follow. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to honor her memory with random acts of kindness as you move through life.
See Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.
The city’s annual Flag Day Parade and fireworks spectacular will take place on Saturday, June 11th. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. in Quincy Center and the fireworks will launch over Black’s Creek starting just after 9 p.m. Viewing will be available at Pageant Field. This photo was taken at the 2019 Flag Day celebration. Quincy Sun File Photo/Robert Bosworth
Mayor Thomas Koch announces that the city’s annual Flag Day Parade and fireworks spectacular will take place on Saturday, June 11th. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. in Quincy Center and the fireworks will launch over Black’s Creek starting just after 9 p.m.
This year’s parade will feature bands, floats, color guards, specialty units, and hundreds of flag-waving youngsters from the numerous youth groups in the city. The parade steps off on Coddington Street, heads north on Hancock Street, before turning down Merrymount Parkway and ending at Adams Field.
“Flag Day is the unofficial start of the summer season in Quincy,” Koch said. “The patriotism, the traditions, and the participation of so many members of our community make this a truly special event. It’s great to see our community come together as one to celebrate our nation’s flag and all the good that it represents. I look forward to seeing everyone at the parade.”
The Quincy Flag Day Parade is the longest running Flag Day parade in the country, beginning in 1952. Richard Koch started the Flag Day Parade by marching the young people from the youth organization The Koch Club through Norfolk Downs. Koch’s goal was to encourage patriotism in young people and let them participate in the parade and not just spectate. That tradition continues 71 years later.
This year the fireworks will return to Black’s Creek. The fireworks were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID and moved to Quincy Bay in 2021 to allow for more people to spread out while watching the amazing display.
The Parade Committee will also be honoring a Grand Marshal and the annual Richard J. and Simone G. Koch Youth Service Award winner during the parade. Those award winners will be announced next week.
Added Mayor Koch: “Pageant Field in Merrymount Park is a great spot to watch the fireworks with the giant 50’ by 80’ flag flying in the foreground. The intimacy of the site is unlike any other place that you can watch fireworks.”
Kim Reynolds, 64, of Quincy passed peacefully on May 16, 2022.
Kim Reynolds
Daughter of the late Shirlene Shea of Quincy. Kim leaves behind her son Kevin Reynolds of Quincy. Loving sister of Christina Kenney of Colorado, Denise Feeney of Weymouth, Joanne Shea of Quincy, and the late Cindy Nieters of New Hampshire and her brother-in-law Michael Nieters. Cherished grandmother of Anthony Reynolds of Quincy and Leilani Reynolds of Quincy. Kim also leaves behind sister-in-law Karen Kenney of Weymouth, brother-in-law Robert Reynolds and wife Cheryl of Maine, longtime best friend Debbie Werra of Quincy, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her longtime partner Ron Bayer.
Kim worked for Quincy Medical Center for 20 years before she retired.
Kim was a kind person and was always willing to help a person in need. She will be missed dearly by her friends and family.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday May 26, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. at the Hamel Lydon Chapel at 650 Hancock Street, Quincy.
Donations may be made in Kim’s name to the American Cancer Society at https://donate3.cancer.org.
Francisco Alvarez Vidal (Paco) passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer on May 16, 2022.
Francisco Alvarez Vidal
Paco was a quiet, kind, and gentle man and he will be dearly missed by many. Paco was the son of Maria de las Mercedes Vidal of Antofogasta, Chile and the late Eduardo Alvarez. Paco was born in Antofogasta, Chile on June 17, 1964, and although he moved to the Boston area in 2002, a large part of his heart remained in Chile with his many family members and friends there.
Paco is survived by his loving wife of twenty years, Marie MacNeil and their beloved son, Daniel, both of Quincy.
Paco was so proud of his Chilean culture and traditions and loved sharing this with his wife and son. He enjoyed his trips back to Chile and loved sharing his home and country with Marie and Daniel. Paco was a graduate of the Universidad Catolica de Norte in Antofogasta, Chile where he studied computer programming. Paco was a computer programmer by profession and worked for many years at the Universidad de Antofogasta. Paco loved tinkering with computers and technology and was always happy to help family and friends with computers or any other technology issue. Paco passed along his love of technology to his son and they would spend many happy hours programming, working on websites and tinkering. Although Paco was a proud Chilean, he came to love his adopted country and became a United States citizen in 2015. Paco’s life revolved around faith, family and friends. His son Daniel was the light of his life and he was so proud of him. Paco’s Catholic faith was very important to him and he was a parishioner of St. Agatha Parish in Milton. He also proudly attended mass at St. Paul’s in Cambridge where his son was a student at the Choir School. Paco would beam with pride when his son was serving mass or singing in the choir. Paco was a kind and loyal friend and loved time with friends sharing Friday pizza nights, chess games, barbecues, etc. Although Paco loved his Chilean culture and traditions, he enjoyed the Scottish culture of his wife and enjoyed trips to Nova Scotia where he would enjoy time by the water fishing with his son, and time with family. Paco also loved annual family trips to Ogunquit, Maine where he enjoyed time with friends and family walking the Marginal Way, days at the beach and fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Paco was the loving brother of Maria de las Mercedes and her husband Alfredo Crooker of Chile, Marcelo and his wife Sandra of Argentina, Luis and Rodrigo of Chile. He was a loving brother in law to Margaret and Maureen MacNeil of Quincy. His is also survived by several nieces and nephews in Chile and Argentina.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Monday, May 23rd at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, East Milton Square from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paco’s memory may be made to either St. Paul Choir School, 29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or Catholic Memorial School, 235 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132.
An architect’s rendering of the proposed new Long Island Bridge, as presented to the Quincy Conservation Commission in 2018. Moon Island, which is within Quincy’s city limits, is shown at right here. Rendering courtesy the city of Boston.
By SCOTT JACKSON
US Attorney Rachael Rollins has begun an investigation to see if Quincy’s opposition to Boston’s proposal to rebuild the Long Island Bridge runs afoul of federal law that provides protection to people with substance-use disorders.
In a statement, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch said his office would cooperate with the federal investigation. He reiterated that Quincy does not oppose Boston’s proposed recovery campus on Long Island, and is willing to work cooperatively with its neighbor to the north on the “broader issue of opioid treatment and recovery.”
In a letter to Koch earlier this month, Rollins said her office was “initiating an investigation” to determine if Quincy had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for people with substance-use disorders, by opposing Boston’s proposal to rebuild the bridge. Boston has said the bridge is necessary to access a planned recovery campus on Long Island.
“Pursuant to our authority under the ADA, we are investigating the City of Quincy’s various efforts regarding the reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge,” Rollins said in her letter.
“This includes, but is not limited to, the Quincy Conservation Commission’s denial of an Order of Conditions for rebuilding the bridge, the Quincy City Council’s enactment of new permitting requirements for bridges, and the Quincy City Council’s enactment of restrictions on vehicular access to Moon Island.”
In her letter, Rollins said the investigation was in its “preliminary stage” and Quincy officials had 30 days to turn over the information she had requested to prosecutors.
A spokesperson for the US attorney declined to comment on the investigation.
In January 2018, then Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced plans to rebuild the Long Island Bridge and open a recovery campus on Long Island. The bridge would connect Long Island to Moon Island, the latter of which is within Quincy’s city limits, though fully owned by Boston, and accessible only via Squantum. The original Long Island Bridge was closed without warning in 2014 and demolished the following year.
In the spring of 2018, the Quincy City Council approved two ordinances related to Boston’s proposal to rebuild the bridge.
The first banned non-passenger vehicles from two Squantum streets that provide access to Moon Island. Boston Police and Fire Department vehicles traveling to and from Moon Island are exempt from the ban, as are delivery vehicles servicing residents of those two streets and the Nickerson Post.
Secondly, the council approved an amendment to Quincy’s zoning code that requires the Planning Board grant a special permit before any new bridge can be built in the city. One bridge – the Generals Bridge in Quincy Center – has undergone that permitting process since the change was made to the zoning code.
That same year, the Quincy Conservation Commission rejected Boston’s proposal to rebuild the bridge, saying Boston did not provide adequate information about the project. That rejection is the subject of ongoing litigation between the two cities.
In his statement, Koch said his office would cooperate with federal prosecutors.
“First and foremost, we’ll be happy to work cooperatively with the US Attorney’s inquiry and provide any and all information that has been requested,” Koch said. “All we have right now is an information request, so it is hard to speak on specifics, or what further action may lie ahead.
“We have told Boston officials we are willing to work with them toward a solution, and we have also said from Day One that the City of Quincy does not object to the plan to restore the treatment campus on Long Island. The issues are access points through Squantum that Boston’s own analysis stated were inadequate and the flawed bridge proposal that poses practical and environmental issues that the Quincy community has every right to raise.”
Quincy has asked Boston for information relative to its planned recovery campus on Long Island, Koch continued, but Boston officials have not been forthcoming with that information. Koch said he was hopeful his administration could learn more about the proposal by working with the US attorney.
“The US Attorney’s Office is concerned that Quincy’s efforts relate to the recovery campus. The fact is Boston has shared very little with Quincy officials about what they intend to do on the Island, and all we have asked for is information,” Koch said. “Much of what we learned has been through third parties, and Boston sought and won a court order to prevent us from discussing this information. We hope that, working with the US Attorney, we can all learn more about what is planned, and together develop a plan that will work for Boston and Quincy and the broader issue of opioid treatment and recovery.
“On that broader issue, I simply will not accept any premise that suggests Quincy has not done its part to protect and support the most vulnerable members of our community. We take a backseat to no one on this issue, and the record is clear. That includes millions of dollars of investment for a treatment center and recovery services; nationally recognized, first-of-a-kind interdiction programs; and millions of dollars more to help create a housing resource center that will be a statewide model for ending the tragic cycle of homelessness.
“Far from discriminating against people suffering from addiction, this community is a leader in the Commonwealth and the nation in providing life-saving and life-changing services to our residents. It’s a story we will be happy to share as this process moves forward.”
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Wednesday (May 18) confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada.
Initial testing was completed late Tuesday (May 17) at the State Public Health Laboratory in Jamaica Plain and confirmatory testing was completed May 18 at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPH is working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient’s health care providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while he was infectious. This contact tracing approach is the most appropriate given the nature and transmission of the virus.
The case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks. In parts of central and west Africa where monkeypox occurs, people can be exposed through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products. The virus does not spread easily between people; transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.
No monkeypox cases have previously been identified in the United States in 2022; Texas and Maryland each reported a case in 2021 in people with recent travel to Nigeria. Since early May 2022, the United Kingdom has identified 9 cases of monkeypox; the first case had recently traveled to Nigeria. None of the other cases have reported recent travel. UK health officials report that the most recent cases in the UK are in men who have sex with men.
Based on findings of the Massachusetts case and the recent cases in the UK, clinicians should consider a diagnosis of monkeypox in people who present with an otherwise unexplained rash and 1) traveled, in the last 30 days, to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox 2) report contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or 3) is a man who reports sexual contact with other men. This clinical guidance is consistent with recommendations from UK health officials and US federal health officials, based on identified cases.
Suspected cases may present with early flu-like symptoms and progress to lesions that may begin on one site on the body and spread to other parts. Illness could be clinically confused with a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or herpes, or with varicella zoster virus. The CDC plans to issue public informationsoon on poxvirus infections which, when available, will be found here.
