Folsom Funeral Service

Arthur Joseph O’Neil, a resident of Dedham, died Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.  He was 57.  Arthur was born April 10, 1964 in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Edward and R. Marie (Sullivan) O’Neil.  He worked as a machinist for the EMS Company in North Attleboro.  Arthur is survived by his wife, Anne Marie (Monterisi); two sons, Matthew J. O’Neil, and Kevin F. O’Neil, both of Hyde Park; a daughter, Meghan Rose O’Neil, and her husband Thomas Tanner, of Hillsboro, New Hampshire; two brothers, Edward O’Neil of Canton, and Robert O’Neil of Roslindale; and two sisters, Ann Marie O’Neil of Boston, and Elizabeth O’Neil of Clarksville, Tennessee.  Arthur was the proud “Grumpy” of Parker James Tanner, and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, Dec 14th from 4 to 8 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home Wednesday starting at 8 am and proceed with us to St. Anne’s Church, 82 West Milton Street, Readville for his funeral mass at 9 o clock.  Interment will follow in Mount Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.  Donations to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 would be appreciated. 

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Ernest Caruso, a resident of Dedham, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 9th at the age of 91. Born October 31st 1930, Ernie was the son of Federico and Francesca (DeFazio) Caruso who both immigrated from Italy. Belovedhusband of the late Ann M. Caruso, loving father of Barbara Cawley and husband Richard of Dedham, Ernest Caruso and Kathleen of Westwood, Joanne McKay and husband Michael of Norwood, Anthony Caruso and wife Carol of Hull, Frances Sinclair and the late GregSinclair of Norwood, Diane Caruso of Norwood and Carl Caruso and wife Elisabeth of Norwood. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Along with his wife Ann, he raised 7 children instilling a strong senseof family bond. In a life of many accomplishments, this legacy of family is perhaps his greatest one. Ernest was also a proud Air Force Veteran. Ernie owned and operated Centre Deli in Dedham Square, which would become a staple of the community for over 50years. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post 18 in Dedham. Visiting hours will be held December 13th 2021 from 4-8pm at Folsom funeral home, 87 Milton St., Dedham. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home starting at9am on Tuesday, December 14th and proceed to St. Mary’s Church, 420 High St., Dedham, MA at 10am. Interment with military honors will follow at Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Punch 4 Parkinson’s a nonprofit organizationby check to 339 Washington St. Suite 203 Dedham, Ma. 02026 or at www.punch4parkinsons.com

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James W. Duffy, a man of strong faith and our dear father passed away at home surrounded by his loving daughters on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. He was 91. Jim grew up in Norwood, attending St. Catherine’s School in Norwood. He worked 50 years for the US Post Office, primarily in Needham, as well as 3M located in Needham. James was a dedicated member of the Dedham Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and a volunteer at Norwood Hospital. Jim is survived by his daughters; Peggy D’India and husband Michael, (Norwood), Patty Duffy and husband John Krauspe,(Cataumet), Suzanne Penney and late husband William, (North Attleboro), Lauren Duffy-Peter and husband Andrew, (Franklin) as well as son-in-law John Gately, of Norwood. Jim was predeceased by his loving wife Carol L (Cormier) Duffy, daughters; Kathleen Levin (Attleboro) and her late husband Don, and Paula Gately (Wayland). He was also predeceased by his brothers; Joseph G. Duffy and wife Eileen (Reading) and Bishop Paul F. Duffy, OMI. (Mongu, Zambia). Jim was the proud grandfather of Jennifer, Jessica, Jillian, Jamie, Dante, Nick, Chris, Carol, Harry, Emily, Jonathan, James, Samantha, Alexandra, Victoria, Cassius, and Elizabeth. He also additionally leaves 16 great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the Duffy family Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Folsom & May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood starting at 9 am until 10:30 am and then will proceed to St. Catherine of Siena Church, Norwood for his funeral mass at 11 am. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Norwood. In lieu of flowers, Jim specifically requested donations to “The Diocese of Mongu” and sent to Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 391 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 20017-1516, Attn: Father Jim Chambers.

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Alexander I. Ajede, of Medford, and formerly of Boston, passed away on November 28, 2021 at the age of 32.  Born on May 5, 1989, he is the beloved son of Mrs. Tina Ata Ajede of Boston, and the late Mr. Lawrence Onojie Ajede. He leaves behind his siblings: Mavis, Mary, Augusta, Isimeme, Omohan, Iduowa, Enahoro, Felix and Tina. His cousins Frank Jr., Ozzy, Jolli and Edwin. He is also survived by his nieces Eva, Alora and Lexi- oghogho and his nephews Stephon, XO, Ethan, Aiden and David.  

Alex attended West Roxbury High school while living in Hyde Park. He furthered his education at Bridgewater State University where he studied Literary Arts. He also studied Professional Writing at Fitchburg State University.  Most recently, he worked in the service industry until his passing. Alex greatly enjoyed watching Amin movies, with his favorites being Bersek, Vinland and Invicible. He also enjoyed being able to travel and was able to visit Europe several times. Alex enjoyed outdoor sports, especially boxing, where we took such an interest that he even tried out for MMA boxing. He also enjoyed basketball and his favorite basketball team was the LA Clippers. As much as Alex enjoyed sports and travel, one of his favorite things to do was to spend time with his beautiful nieces and nephews.  They would often take him out to their favorite place.

Visitation for Alexander will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 9-10AM, at the Folsom Funeral Home, 63 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale, MA  02131, followed by a funeral at the funeral home at 10AM.  Masks are required at the funeral home.  Interment to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Roslindale. 

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Ann M. (Tayne) Provost, a resident of Westwood, (formerly of North Attleboro and Dorchester) passed away in Canton on December 3, 2021.  She was 92.  Ann was the loving wife of the late Norman Provost who passed away in 1995 and was the dearest sister of the late Catherine M. Griffin, Henry J. Tayne, Jr., and Edward J. Tayne.  She is survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Tayne of Franklin, her nieces Julia Cowell, Mary Ellen Emmerling, Bobbi Gerlitz, Kathie Tayne, and Elizabeth Tayne, and her nephew Jack Griffin.

Ann worked for Boston Edison for over 30 years. She was also extremely grateful for the Westwood Food Pantry and the Westwood Council on Aging for their services over the years. She was a devoted member of St. Denis Church and would regularly attend Yolanda’s Friday night prayer vigil from St. Denis Church.  

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation for Ann on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 A.M. at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood, before proceeding to St. Denis Church, 157 Washington Street, Westwood, for her Funeral Mass at 12 P.M.  A livestream of her mass can be viewed at https://www.stdeniswestwood.com/ under ‘online mass links’. Interment to follow at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI.  Masks are required at the funeral home and at church. Donations in Ann’s name can be made to The Friends of the Westwood Council on Aging, 60 Nahatan St., Westwood, MA 02090.

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“I’ve never met anyone quite like John”, is the prevailing thematic we hear most often. A man unmatched in his sharp wit, presence, and his strong but well-researched opinions about, well, just about anything.

John Charles Robinson of Dover, Massachusetts, passed away on December 1st, 2021, following a 5-month battle with the blood cancer MDS and multiple complications from the disease. Filled with humor and sharpness of mind throughout his illness, his diagnosis only gave him new jokes to add to his repertoire.

Born March 26, 1969, he grew up in Newark, Delaware, attending St. Marks High School and later the University of Delaware, where his father Charles E. Robinson was a long-tenured professor of English and an equally gifted writer and storyteller. John studied Journalism in college, working late nights to make deadlines for the college newspaper and at various summer reporter jobs in and around Delaware where he honed his skills at concise but entertaining writing, always under pressure. These skills served him well as he moved to Boston to pursue his career and later excel in the field of advertising and marketing.

John was most recently the Chief Creative Officer of Fidelity Investments, headquartered in Boston, where he led the internal agency’s efforts to help customers and clients learn about their leading products and services in places like TV and via digital channels and advisor locations. He is credited with always leading with authenticity and customers’ most important personal needs in mind; responsibly driving improved business performance while encouraging his team to “make cool shit that works”; and expertly evolving Fidelity’s brand and advertising campaigns through the use of some pretty great 80’s and 90’s music. Prior to joining Fidelity in 2015, John was a Creative Director at the global agency Digitas, also based in Boston. He traveled the world working with exciting brands over his 16-year tenure, and it was here that he met his wife Jodi and fell deeply in love during their temporary re-location working in London. They eventually moved back to Boston, married, and started their family. Jodi remains at Digitas to this day as now CEO.

John is frequently pictured praying (that is, holding a fish) on a river or what he called “his temple”. Apologies when those pictures do not reveal his shockingly beautiful silver hair and steely-blue eyes under a hat and sunglasses, but the smile is always unmistakable.

His list of other interests was as long as his fishing tales were tall: a phenomenal self-taught cook, tech geek, video gamer, music savant, news junkie, sports fan, general outdoorsman and hopeless dog lover. But his children — Ava and Locke – were his greatest creation and love by far. He combined all his great loves to put on the best BBQ, Super Bowl party, and Holiday celebrations. He planned epic family and friend vacations to places near and far, from jungle rainforests and remote beaches around the world; to places of great natural beauty nationally spanning Arizona and Montana to New England treasures like Mt. Washington, NH, and Vermont; and most recently, enjoyed spending time at a new summer vacation home in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha’s Vineyard, where future generations of Robinsons will gather.

John is deeply missed by his wife Jodi, daughter Ava, and son Locke Robinson of Dover, MA. He is the beloved son of Peggy (Charles) Falls of Williamsburg, VA. He is predeceased by his father Charles E. (Nannette) Robinson of Arden, DE. Brother of Clare K. Robinson of Philadelphia, PA. Best friend to the coolest, funniest, most generous friends on the planet. Robinson dogs Tippet and Bix are keeping family guard until they can meet again.

A Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned for early next year, when those who knew, worked, and loved John are invited to remember him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider: making a donation to Horizons for Homeless Children at https://horizonschildren.org/, where a dear friend leads efforts to shine the spotlight and raise funds for one of the most well-run and much-needed non-profits in the Boston area; or, getting involved as a potential bone marrow registry or stem cell donor or through financial support of BeTheMatch.org. John was not well enough to receive his life-saving transplant, but another child, woman, or beautiful curmudgeon of a man will be, and they need you.

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Shirley Elizabeth (Libby) McAuliffe, a resident of Mansfield, and formerly of Norwood, died Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at the Hope Health Hospicecare facility in Providence, Rhode Island.  She was 93.  Shirley was born August 17, 1928 in Canton, Massachusetts, a daughter of George Harlan “Guy” and Madeline (Rounds) Libby. She graduated from Canton High School and worked for Duvall’s and later at Raytheon.  Shirley was the wife of the late Charles William McAuliffe who predeceased her in 2017, and the mother of the late Linda MacCurtain.  She was the last survivor of her seven siblings.  Shirley is survived by her two sons, Joseph Francis McAuliffe of Litchfeild, and Richard Charles McAuliffe of Northboro; her three daughters, Sandra Jean Greene of Mansfield, Maureen Rinaldi of Carver, and Susan Marie Kuphal of Millis; as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  Visitation will be held on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 from 4 to 7 pm at the Folsom & May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood.  Private interment will be in Highland Cemetery in Norwood.  In lieu o flowers donations to the TTTS Foundation, 411 Longbeach Parkway, Bay Village, Ohio, 44140 would be appreciated.

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Gail Lathlaen Miskell passed away peacefully after a prolonged series of illnesses on November 26, 2021 at the age of 68. She was the beloved and devoted wife of Thomas B. Miskell for 47 years, and the loving mother of Thomas B. Miskell Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Daly, of Norwood, Fr. Robert L.T. Miskell and Brian C. Miskell. She is also survived by her sister Carol Sue Yensco and her husband Andrew, and by her niece Rebecca Bean, her husband Andrew and their two children. Gail was a 1971 Graduate of Ossining High School in New York, attended Muskingum College, and received an Associate Degree from Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. In her teen years, Gail was active in international Order of Rainbow rising to hold a N.Y. state office. The greatest joy of Gail’s life was her career providing care for children in home settings, teaching nursery school and leading a volunteer program for children at Norwood Hospital. She also enjoyed volunteering and chairing church fairs at First Parish of Westwood for a number of years. A celebration of Gail’s life will be held at First Parish Church of Westwood on Thursday, December 9th at 10:30 AM. Private interment at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne will occur the following day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Children Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 (Attn Development Dept.).

For those who wish to watch Gail’s funeral service remotely, a livestream of the service will be available on https://www.youtube.com/, starting at approximately 10:20AM. Please enter in the top search bar ‘First Parish of Westwood Gail Miskell’,  or just ‘First Parish of Westwood.’ The search will take you to various videos from the Church.  One will be the live-stream of the service.

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Hurley, Lauren Mary, of Westwood, passed unexpectedly on November 25^th, 2021.  Beloved daughter of John Timothy Jr. and Teresa O’Connell Hurley of Westwood formerly of Dorchester.  Loving sister of John Timothy III and Molly Bridget. Devoted granddaughter of William F. O’Connell of Dorchester & the late Mary Esther O’Connell and Bridget A. McIntyre of Melrose formerly of Dorchester.  She is also survived by loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 

Lauren graduated from Westwood High School in 2014 and then from the Commonwealth Honors College of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2018 with a B.S. in Public Health Sciences with a concentration in microbiology.  Her kindness, creativity, and love of nature will always be remembered by the many who loved her. Lauren loved art from a very young age, creating numerous drawings, paintings, and graphic design work. A sliver of her talent can be seen at www.lauren-h.com/art. She was also a talented photographer with a unique ability to capture nature’s beauty—trees, mountains, mushrooms, and everything in between.  Lauren loved hiking and walks with her dog, Milo.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, December 1^st from 4-8 pm at Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High St., Westwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Thursday, December 2^nd at 9am, before proceeding to St. Denis Church, 157 Washington St., Westwood, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM.  Internment to follow at New Westwood Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral mass can be watched on the church’s website at https://www.stdeniswestwood.com/.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lauren to the IAMStrong Foundation, Address: PO Box 2644 Westwood, MA 02090, Website: http://www.iamstrongfoundation.org/. Masks are suggested at the funeral home and at church for those who are unvaccinated.

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Paul D. “Danny” Van Ryzin, Jr. , a longtime resident of Dedham, passed away on November 24, 2021 at the age of 78. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of Paul, Sr. and Dorothy (Milliard) Van Ryzin. Danny graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1962 then went on to the Franklin Institute and obtained an Associates degree. Working for General Electric, he was an electronic technician until he retired. He was a veteran of the US Navy, honorably discharged in March of 1968. Danny was the beloved husband of Ursula (Tousignant) and brother of Charles J. Van Ryzin of Tewksbury, Dorothy A. Van Ryzin of North Reading and Christina Marcus of Ossining, New York. He was predeceased by his brothers William, Joseph and James. He is also survived by his nephews; Bryan, Alexander and Jacob Van Ryzin and niece Marissa Van Ryzin. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton St., Dedham followed by a funeral mass at 10 o’clock at St. Mary’s Church, 420 High St., Dedham. Interment will be in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following; St. Mary’s Church (address listed above) or to Perkins Institute for the Blind, 175 No. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the French Cultural Center, 53 Marlborough St., Boston, MA 02116.

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