Folsom Funeral Service

Minetta (Forward) Waite, a longtime resident of West Roxbury, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at the Faulkner Hospital in Boston.  She was 98.  Minetta was born November 1, 1922 in St John, Newfoundland, Canada, one of the four children of William John and Rebecca (Groves) Forward.  Her family moved to the United States in 1927 and she graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School and then took secretarial classes.  In 1955 she married Edwin E. “Bud” Waite to whom she has been married for 65 years.  In 1948 she joined the Stratford Street Baptist Church (now the Stratford Street United Church) where she has been the Superintendent of the Sunday School, a member of the Board of Christian Education, the Financial Secretary, and a member of the Stratford Club..  Minetta is the oldest member of the Stratford Street Church as well as its longest member. She and her husband enjoyed travelling with churchmembers including five trips to Europe organized by Past Minister the late George Moseley.  Minetta and Bud also had a home in Florida for a while where they liked to spend time.   In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Beverly W. Greenberg of Watertown; her two sons, Arthur W. Waite, and his wife Mary, of Dedham, and Douglas E. Waite, and his wife Anita, of Walpole; two grandchildren, Allison L. and Alexander L. Greenberg; as well and many nieces and nephews.  She was the sister of the late Annie Forward, the late Millicent Forward, and the late Alma Derry.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her graveside service Monday, November 23rd at 2 pm at the Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, Baker Street, West Roxbury.  In lieu of flowers donations to the Stratford Street United Church, 77 Stratford Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 or to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, 10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA 02116 would be appreciated.

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John Patrick O’Connell, a longtime resident of Dedham, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at his home in Dedham. He was 66. Okie was born October 14, 1954 in Methuen, Massachusetts, one of the eleven children of John Patrick and Margaret (Chapman) O’Connell. He graduated from Haverhill High School with the Class of 1972. He proudly played football during high school and continued at Bridgewater State College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree with the Class of 1976. It was at Bridgewater State that he met his future wife, Gail Marie Bradbury. After college Okie started O’Connell Fence Company which he ran for 15+ years. He changed careers and became an ironworker with Local 7.  In addition to Ironworkers Local Union 7 he was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Norwood Elks. Okie was the husband of the late Gail Marie (Bradbury) O’Connell and is survived by his two daughters, Keryn Anne LaCivita, and her husband Nicholas, of Mansfield, and Lisa Marie O’Connell of East Boston; his son John Patrick O’Connell of Abington; and his five beloved grandchildren, Brooklyn, Maelyn, Emily, Audrey, and Nolan. Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral Mass Saturday November 21, 2020 at 11 am at St. Mary’s Church, 420 High Street, Dedham. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105-9959 would be appreciated.

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Salvatore Philip Baressi, a longtime resident of Readville, died Monday, November 16, 2020 at the West Roxbury Medical Center in Boston.  He was 95.  Salvatore was born October 21, 1925 in Framingham, Massachusetts, the last surviving of the four children of Paulo and Providencia (Arnone) Baressi, immigrants from Italy.  He was inducted into the US Navy in December of 1943 and went through basic training at Sampson Air Force Base in New York before serving on the destroyer escort USS Jack Miller in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre where he was awarded two bronze stars.  “The bronze star is the fourth highest ranking award a service member can receive for a heroic and meritorious deed performed in an armed conflict*.”  Salvatore was honorably discharged as a machinist mate, 2nd class in February of 1946.  He went on to a 35 year career as a postal clerk in the US Post Office where he worked at the South Boston Postal Annex in Boston until his retirement in 1987. Salvatore was a 50 year member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Dedham.  He enjoyed ballroom dancing and was talented in carpentry and household repairs.  Salvatore was the husband of the late Ida Raffaela (Giammasi) Baressi for 66 years until her passing in 2018, and the brother of the late Edward Baressi, the late Dominic Baressi, and the late Madeline Rizzo.  He is survived by his daughter, Donna Baressi of Readville, as well as several nieces and nephews.  Visiting hours will be held Sunday, November 22nd from 2 to 6 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham.  Relatives and friends will gather at the funeral home Monday at 9:30 am and process to St. Anne’s Church, 82 West Milton Street, Readville for his funeral Mass at 10:30 am.  Interment with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.  Donations to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250-0301 would be appreciated.

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John William Steeves, Jr., a resident of Westwood for over 70 years, died Monday, November 16, 2020 at his home in Westwood after a brief illness.  He was 90. John was born September 6, 1930 in Needham, Massachusetts, one of the three children of John William Sr., and Mildred Earl (Bleakney) Steeves. After high school he studied accounting at Wentworth Institute in Boston before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951 where he served in the 4900th Motor Vehicle Squadron until his honorable discharge in 1955. John joined Local 103 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and learned the electrical trade. He remained a union electrician until 1975 when he started Steeves Electric.  John retired in 1995, turning the business over to his son Robert.  John loved golf, continuing into his 80’s and was a member of the Norwood Bowling League at the Norwood Sports Center.  He also was a member of the Missing Link Bicycle Club where he participated in competitive bicycle racing with all three of his sons. John was the husband of the late Anne E. (Morrow) Steeves and the brother of the late Robert E. Steeves and the late Priscilla Foley.  He is survived by his three sons, James E. Steeves, and his wife Kathy, of Wappingers Falls, New York, Scott D. Steeves of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and Robert M. Steeves, and his wife Angela, of Westwood; his five grandchildren, Robert M. Steeves Jr., Christopher Steeves, Crystal Glean, and her husband Joe, Scott Steeves, and Brian Steeves; and his seven great grandchildren, Chloe Gleason, Christopher Steeves, Taylor Gleason, Autumn Steeves, Maggie Steeves, Oaklyn Steeves, and Gracelyn Steeves.  Visiting hours will be held Friday, November 20, 2020 from 5 to 8 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Saturday at 10 am at the funeral home followed by interment with military honors in New Westwood Cemetery, Westwood.  Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 would be appreciated.

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Martin Anthony Egan, 61, years old, of Dedham MA, a loyal employee of Longwood Security for 30 years, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on 11/11/2020 after a courageous 8 month battle with glioblastoma. He leaves behind his wife of 25 years , Cynthia “Cindy” (Tuohy) Egan, his beloved dog Zoey, his father-in-law James Tuohy, sister-in-law Marianne Tuohy and her partner Mark Hoeffler, all of Dedham. He was predeceased by his late parents, James and Sarah of Ireland and his late mother-in-law Mary Tuohy. Cindy would like to thank their friends and family for their concern, well wishes, and visits. We never would have made it without all of you. Because of you, Marty was able to be cared for at home. We are blessed and eternally grateful. Visiting hours Thursday Nov 19 from 4-8 PM at Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham (social distancing and masks are required). Please feel free to wear your Halloween costume to the wake only. Marty would love that. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home Friday starting at 9:00 Am and process to St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre Street, West Roxbury for Marty’s funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Funeral is limited to 70 people inside of the church. Interment will follow in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boston Police Relief Association, 1249 Hyde Park Ave, Boston, MA 02136. 

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Jeanne (Rogers) Hyjer, 93 of Westwood, MA passed away surrounded by family on October 26, 2020.  Jeanne was born on June 14, 1927 to the late Archibald and Eva Belle Rogers of Newton, MA and was a cherished sister to the late Newell “Bill” Rogers of Naples, FL.  After graduating from high school and attending finishing school in Boston, she married and moved to Weston, MA to raise her family.  Jeanne loved being a mother and valued her family above all else.  She viewed them as God’s greatest gift and she spent her life making sure they always knew just how much she loved them.  To her, nothing was more special than a family gathering with her daughters and grandchildren.  Jeanne spent her childhood summers in York, Maine and she carried on that tradition until her death.  You could always find her sitting at the counter in the Goldenrod eating her turkey salad sandwich and coffee ice cream soda while chatting away with the patrons and staff.  Jeanne had a rare zest for life and an unending positivity that shone through anyone who met her. She will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering enthusiasm.  She could find joy and laughter in every single day and she carried her sense of humor with her always.  We are thankful that even throughout the “long goodbye,” her love and memories of us remained.  Not a day went by where she didn’t make us laugh with her amazing personality and quick wit, regardless of the challenges she faced.  Jeanne leaves behind her loving daughters, Linda Cain of Westwood; Wendy Daniels of Westwood and Judy McLean of York, ME. Her six grandchildren,  Wendy E. Cain of Westwood, Chris Daniels of Norton, John Cain of Portsmouth, RI, Chad Daniels of Norwood, Leslie Cain of San Francisco, CA and Lindsay Hyjer of York, ME.  She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Ashtyn and Crosby Daniels of Norton and her best friend of over 70 years, Lorraine Butler of Cheshire, CT.  The family wishes to thank Rachel and Michelle for their tremendous love and care.  She treasured your friendship.

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Frieda Rodriguez (nee Diaz) of Dedham, died peacefully on November 9, 2020, surrounded by her family.  Born in New York City on March 5, 1924 to Efidencio and Romana Diaz, both originally from Puerto Rico.  Frieda grew up in Manhatten with her sisters, the late Ovidia Ramos, Ida Quintana and Victoria Cabrera.  She graduated from Wadleigh High School.  Frieda worked for several years as a secretary before marrying in 1947.  Following the passing of her husband George and daughter Teresa, Frieda continued to live in Levittown, NY before moving to the Traditions of Dedham senior community in 2016 to be near her family.  Those who knew Frieda will not need any memento to remember her; she made friends into family with an effortless magnetism that made her an immediate favorite in her every community.  With age, Frieda only blossomed.  Always eager to explore a new passion, Frieda discovered a gift for watercolor painting in her later years, a talent that never ceased to amaze her family, friends and teachers.  She recorded the history of her family with the same fervor that she lived for their future, and she devoted herself to her loved ones until her last day. Frieda is survived by her daughter Renee Slason, her granddaughters Kim and Caroline Slason and their father Donald Slason, and her nephew Robert Ramos.  A private service will be held in Calverton, NY on Monday, November 16.

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Agnes Theresa (McDonough) Mahoney, of Norwood, and formally of Westwood, Dedham, and Walpole, passed away on November 2, 202.  She was 92. Loving wife of the late Vincent G. Mahoney, and dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Her Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church in Westwood, and burial at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne were private.

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Nora Sanchez (Banzon) Santos, a resident of Dedham, died Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center in Needham.  She was 83.  Nora was born April 21, 1937 in Balanga, Phlippines, one of the two daughters of Jose Tiangco and Serapia (Sanchez) Banzon.  She earned her Master’s Degree and worked as the business manager in a meical practice.  Nora is survived by her husband, Rodolfo Jacinto Santos; her two sons, Elmer Banzon Santos of Michigan, and Michael Banzon Santos of Oklahome; her two daughters, Marianne Banzon McChesney, and her husband Steven, of Dedham, and Ellen Banzon Santos of Dedham; her sister Agnes Banzon Vea of the Philippines; and her twin grandsons, William Thomas Santos McChesney, and Steven Rudolfo Santos McChesney.  Services and interment were private.

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Henry “Hank” Oscar Wainwright of Westwood, passed away in his home at the age 83 years old on October 29, 2020. Loving husband to Erika Wainwright, devoted father to his sons Mark Wainwright and his wife Christina of Holbrook, David Wainwright and his wife Lauren of Andover, and Brent Wainwright and his wife Melissa of Norfolk. He leaves behind grandchildren that he loved and adored; Grace, Olivia, William, Benjamin, Caleb, Vera, Hudson, and Teddy. Hank was born in Methuen on September 29, 1937 to Henry Oscar Wainwright of Lawrence and Eileen Kay of England. While at Methuen High School, Hank excelled as a three-letter athlete where he was offered a baseball scholarship as a pitcher to Arizona State University. After arm issues plagued his early years at ASU, his athletic scholarship was revoked after his Sophomore season. Instead of packing his bags and heading for home, Hank used his entrepreneurial skills to pay his tuition. He opened a sandwich shop on campus, and with its success he was able to pay his tuition and remain a student. It was this moment that defined Hank as a person; his hard work and “don’t take no for an answer” mentality. In addition to studies and work, he was also a member of the Navy ROTC and Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated ASU in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science. After graduating he spent six years in the Navy, which encompassed the time during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, Hank moved back to Boston where he met the love of his life, Erika. They married on May 16, 1964. From here he started a family and a business as a property manager and painter. Hank was someone who knew exactly what he wanted. While he was very successful in business, he lived a pretty simple life, preferring to use his earnings to provide for his family rather than himself. He enjoyed sports, an avid fan of all the 4 major Boston sports teams. He did a lot for his sons and grandchildren. He ensured that they were all put in the position to succeed. He taught them valuable life lessons. Always had their backs. He didn’t sugar coat anything. If he didn’t agree with you, he would let you know. He expected hard work and didn’t accept excuses. While it seemed that he was somewhat of a “tough cookie,” he also had a soft side to him that exhibited love and understanding. He embodied this attitude up until his last day. He will be sorely missed. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Folsom Funeral Home located at 649 High St. in Westwood, MA on Friday, November 6, 2020 between the hours of 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers donations please send memorial donations to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1195 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132.

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