Folsom Funeral Service

Thomas Hugh Kent III, a resident of Readville, and formerly a longtime resident of Dedham, died Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 at his home in Readville. He was 56. Know as Tommy or Tom to his friends and family, Tom was born September 27, 1967 in Boston, Massachusetts, the devoted son of Thomas Hugh Jr. and Barbara Anne (Guilliams) Kent. He worked as a sprinkler fitter for Local 550 of Boston, and had formerly worked as a mechanic and as an Emergency Medical Technician. Tom loved the Boston Bruins and was an avid hockey player, and coached several of his nephew’s hockey teams. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Anne (Guilliams) Kent of Readville; his four sisters, Catherine Mauer, Catana Dussault, Cynthia Kent, and Mary Lagor; his brother James Kent of Texas as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom was a hard worker, and a jack-of-all trades who was always helping others. He enjoyed working on his cars and he was always seen in the company of beloved dog peanut or his later Boxer Joe. Visiting hours will be held Sunday, April 14th from 2 to 4 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home Monday, April 15th starting at 9 am and proceed with us to St. Mary’s Church, 420 High Street, Dedham for his funeral Mass at 10 ‘o clock. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, LaGrange Street, West Roxbury.

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Ronald Harold Erickson passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born May 21, 1931, in Springfield, MA to first generation Swedes, the late Harold and Ruth Erickson, he resided most of his early life in Longmeadow, MA. Ronald was known affectionately as Ronnie by his childhood friends and family, and as Ron throughout most of his life. Ron’s older sister Phylis Linder pre-deceased him in October 2018. Ron is remembered by his family and friends as a kind, generous and loving man, a role model who exemplified the values of hard work, loyalty, and integrity. He always saw the best in people and would greet them with his sparkling blue eyes, a big smile, and his welcoming personality. Ron will be greatly missed by all who know him and love him. Two major losses shaped Ron’s life—the tragic death of his beloved mother when he was a teenager and later the premature death his wife and the mother of his children, Lynn. After High School, he proudly served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict, working in counterespionage when he was stationed in Washington, DC. Following the Navy, he attended and graduated from American International College in Springfield, MA, with both a BS and MBA degree. Ron married Lynn Peck in June 1957, who pre-deceased him in 1987. They had three children Andrew, Cynthia, and Laurie, multiple family dogs and many wonderful family vacations over the years. Ron worked hard to provide for his family and send his children to private school and colleges. Early in his career, Ron worked for MassMutual as an investment analyst. He joined Friendly Ice Cream Corporation in 1963 where he served as Director and Vice President of Real Estate for 30+ years, overseeing the acquisition of new restaurant locations, as Friendly’s grew rapidly in the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida. Ron loved to travel and took many trips throughout the U.S., and abroad with his wife and children, and later during his retirement. He traveled to China twice, Russia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. He also visited Great Britain multiple times, and travelled across Europe and Scandinavia where he met distant Swedish relatives. Ron has always had a strong interest in history, particularly WWII which in turn influenced his passion for travel, including visiting the D-Day Beaches in Normandy, France. Ron retired from Friendly’s in 1994 and eventually moved from Wilbraham to build a retirement home in West Falmouth, MA, where he lived until 2012. He then moved to Bourne MA with his companion for a number of years, Kelley Pratt, with whom he enjoyed many fun trips in his later years. A charter member and former President of the Wilbraham Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, Ron continued to play an active role in the Falmouth Rotary Club and served for five years on the Falmouth Board of Appeals. Ron leaves behind his son Andrew Erickson and his wife Janet, and two daughters, Cynthia Zarker, Laurie Grabner, and her husband Kurt, along with his six grandchildren: Amanda, James, Jack, Peter, Katherine, and Abigail, as well as his companion Kelley Pratt. Ron’s family would like to thank the staff at White Oak Cottages at Fox Hill for their compassionate care over the last 4.5 years, and in particular their cook Diane for the tasty meals she served to Ron. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ron’s funeral and celebration of life on Thursday, April 4th at 10:00 am at the United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street, Medfield, MA. Later that afternoon at 2:30 pm, there will be an interment at the Woodland Dell Cemetery at 15 Woodland Dell Road in Wilbraham, MA. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to do so, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire https://www.alz.org/manh

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Robert Leonard Van Stry, of Norton, and formerly of Westwood, died Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Lifecare Center of Attleboro. He was 89. Robert was born October 29, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Leonard and Catherine (Defren) Van Stry. He enlisted in the US Army in 1954 and served in the 38th Infantry Division for two years until his honorable discharge in December of 1956. Robert earned his Master’s Degree in Businees from Northeastern University and then worked as a Director of Human Resources in the Equal Opportunity Department for Boston Edison. He was an Eagle Scout, a Norcap Counselor, and he taught night school in the Business Department at Bentley College in Waltham. Robert enjoyed gardening but his true passion was time spent with his grandchildren. Robert is survived by his wife, Ann Marie (Savage); his three daughters Karen M. Viles, and her husband Paul, of North Attleboro, Kathleen A. Gaughan, and her husband Paul, of Attleboro, and Kerri L. Haselton, and her husband Bruce, of North Attleboro; his six grandchildren, Kathryn, Emily, Caroline, Kristina, Kiley, and Connor; and his great grandaughter, Annie. He was the brother of the late Janet Sullivan. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, April 2nd from 4 to 7 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home, Wednesday, April 3rd starting at 9 am and proceed with us to St. Margaret Mary Church, 845 High Street, Westwood for his Mass of Christian Burial at 10 ‘o clock. Interment with military honors will follow at New Westwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Mayflower Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 83 Cedar Street, Milford, MA 01757 would be appreciated.

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February 14th, 1952- March 28th, 2024. Elizabeth Ann Lyons, affectionately known as Lisa passed away peacefully at the age of 72. The sixth of thirteen children, she was predeceased by her loving parents Tom and Virginia as well as her sisters Kippy ,Ginny and her big brother Tommy. She is survived by her siblings, Kathy, Rory (Jim), Claire (Joanne), Laura(Russ),Dot, Johnny (Kathy), Jimmy (Denise), Elaine (Ron), Michael (Julie). She also leaves behind her many beloved cousins, especially Dottie and Mary who spent much time with Lisa during her difficult last year. Lisa’s greatest pride and joy was her family, her many nieces and nephews all thought that they were her favorite and there was no question who the favorite Aunt was.        Lisa was born in Natick and grew up in Springfield where she attended Cathedral High School and later Springfield Technical College where she excelled in the performing arts program, earning her associates degree. She loved her cats and she loved to debate she excelled at scrabble, but her favorite place to be was always Cape Cod where she spent many vacations surrounded by relatives. Lisa worked for the phone company and later as a Director of housekeeping in the Drake hotel in Chicago, the Sonesta hotel in Cambridge and others, where she taught herself Spanish so as to better communicate with her employees Lisa was smart ,funny, gentile and kind and will be missed greatly.  A memorial and celebration of her life is being planned for a later date. 

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Frances E. (Clancey) Tradd, a long time resident of Dedham, passed away on March 24, 2024. She was 91.  Fran was the devoted wife of the late Alexander Tradd, and the loving mother of Alexander D Tradd and his wife Karen, of Foxborough, Mary Powell, of Easton, Beverlee O’Brien and her husband Robert, of Plymouth, John Tradd and his wife Nancy, of Foxborough, Robert P Tradd, of Clinton, Jennifer Reynolds and her husband Robert, of Hanson. Gregory R Tradd, of Mansfield, and the late Michael Tradd. She was also survived by her beloved 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was also the grandmother of the late Christopher Powell.

Visitation for Frances will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 4-8PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton St, DEDHAM.  Relatives and friends are also invited to attend her funeral on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 11AM at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.

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Josna Venkata Tayi, a resident of Norwood, died Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham after a brief illness. She was 67. Josna was born February 5, 1957 in Visakhapatnam, India, the daughter of Adinarayana Rao and Chellamamba (Koka) Samineni. She is survived by her husband, Giri Kumar Tayi; her daughter Anjana Tayi; and her son, Alok Tayi, and his wife Elaine Lee, and their daughter Rohini Tayi. Visiting hours will be held 2:30 to 4:30 pm Saturday, March 23rd at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood.

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Francesca (Spadea) Killion, a resident of Norwood, went home to be with her Lord Jesus on Friday, March 15, 2024 with her family by her side. Fran was born December 22, 1945 in Centrache, Italy, the daughter of Michele and Immaculata (Barone) Spadea. She grew up in Readville, and earned her Bachelor Degree from Fitchburg State College. Fran worked as a hairdresser and cosmetologist, eventually going on to teach her craft to others at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton . She was an active member of the Waters Church in Norwood where she was involved in the Women’s Ministry and the Children’s Ministry. Fran loved golfing, flower gardening, travel, hiking and yoga, but her passion was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Mark G. Killion; her four daughters, Nicole M. Turcotte of Arizona, Antoinette Decker of Colorado, Michele Tamulionis of Florida, and Tina M. Yanchuk of North Attleboro; her brother, Dominic Spadea of Easton; her grandchildren, Renee, Francesco, Victoria, Carmen, Spencer, Madlin, Taylor, Samantha, Francesca, Nicholas, Bella, Lizi, and Franki; and her great grandchildren, Brody and Brooks. She was the sister of the late Vito Spadea. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life on Thursday, March 21st, 2024 at 1 pm at the Waters Church, 668 Walpole Street, Norwood. Private interment was in Highland Cemetery in Norwood.

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Donald O. Folsom, 90, of Keene, NH, died peacefully on Saturday March 2, 2024, at Langdon Place in Keene after a period of declining health. 

‘Don’ was born on November 4, 1933, in Boston, MA, a son of the late E. Wilfred Folsom and Ada (Shannehan) Folsom.  He attended Boston Schools and graduated from the Bordentown Military Institute in 1952.   

Don served his country with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, in a unique fashion.  He was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where he served as an Operating Room Specialist.  Upon his honorable discharge, Don attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and graduated from the New England Institute of Applied Funeral Arts and Sciences in 1958.

Don worked alongside his family as a Funeral Director with his family’s business Folsom Funeral Service, in Dedham, MA. He would spend the next 30 years proudly serving his community. He was elected as a member of the Board of Health for the town of Dedham in the 1980’s and was a proud member of the Constellation Lodge A.F. & F.M. Don was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow after being a 30-year member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Dedham, and had also been an active parishioner, board member and choir singer for the Allin Congregational Church in Dedham.   He also had many fond memories of his membership in The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves.  

Upon moving to Keene, NH in 1988, Don became affiliated with the Fletcher Funeral Home, and later the Cournoyer Funeral Home.  He joined the Keene Pops Choir, where Don also served on their board of directors and enjoyed travelling extensively around Europe with the choir and the camaraderie the choir brought to his life.   

Donald is predeceased by his beloved wife Corinne “Connie” Folsom, a step-daughter, Kathleen Meade, and by his brothers, Earl and Richard Folsom, and his sister Jean Enman.

Donald is survived by his children, David Folsom, Deborah Folsom, Mark Goodell, Kim Goodell, Scott Goodell, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Family and friends are invited to join together at Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene, NH 03431, on Monday, March 18, 2024, where calling hours will be held from 1:00PM to 2:00 PM, and a funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM, in the chapel.

Arrangements by Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey, New Hampshire, www.cournoyerfh.com. We wish to express our deepest appreciation to them for kindness and compassion to Don’s family, and for allowing us to post this obituary to our website.

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Age 94, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024 surrounded by his family. Born in 1929 in Vienna, Austria, Charles was the youngest child of Charles and Edith Neuman de Vegvar. In his early years, when not in school in Vienna, he spent long idyllic summers at the family home in Zalaber, Hungary.

Charles moved to America with his family, eventually settling in Greenwich, CT. He attended Eaglebrook School and Phillips Exeter Academy, and then went on to graduate from Harvard College and MIT. As a young civil engineer, he worked in the steel industry in Pittsburgh for seven years before moving to the Boston area, where Milton would become his home for the next 50 years. In 1960, Charles founded the Cheviot Corporation in Needham, MA with his roommate from MIT, and he served as co-founder and Treasurer until his retirement at the age of 81.

Throughout this time, Charles always felt a strong connection to his Austro-Hungarian heritage. Those who knew Charles greatly admired his meticulous attention to detail, his dry wit, his infectious laugh, and his extraordinary generosity. Well read and always with a gleam in his eye, he traveled extensively throughout his lifetime and particularly enjoyed hiking in Switzerland, skiing in the Rockies and the Alps, and in later years cruising oceans and riverways throughout the world. He was also a strong supporter of the arts, with a particularly deep appreciation for Dutch paintings and classical music, especially opera. He firmly believed in the importance of education and provided countless opportunities for a great number of young people.

Charles is predeceased by his wife, Rosemarie Anzalone de Vegvar, and by his former wife, Stephanie Szechenyi de Vegvar. He is survived by his children, Edith Rowland of Canton, MA, Michael de Vegvar and his wife Sybille of London, England, and Christine Parson and her husband Fred of Westwood, MA, and by his grandchildren: Amy Rowland, Sharon Rowland, Emily de Vegvar, Alexa de Vegvar, Inga de Vegvar, Roger Parson, and Julia Parson; also by Rosemarie’s son Randy Ordway and his wife Lisa of Evans, Georgia, and their children Ryan Ordway and Laura Etterle and their families; as well as by his companion, Dolores Lezama, her children and grandchildren.

A memorial service is being planned and will be held at a later date.

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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Madison Binkley, who departed from this world surrounded by her family after suffering from a brief illness on February 11, 2024. She was 22 years old. Madison spent much of her childhood passionate about dance, attending Miss Donna’s Dance Studio for several years. Through her love of dance, she found a similar love of music. She enjoyed listening to various genres such as hip-hop and pop. She found immense joy in her friends, family, and pets. Her fondest moments were spent with her best friend and parents during their annual trips to Disney, creating cherished memories that will forever be etched in their hearts. Madison is survived by her parents, Philip and Paula (Francioso) Binkley, her best friend Cecelia DiFlaminies, her grandmother, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. In this time of grief, we find solace in the memories of a strong, free-spirited individual who touched the lives of everyone who met her. May she rest in peace. Services will be private

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