Obituaries

Methuen Adult Learning Center founder Shirley Callan dies

From the Eagle Tribune, February 03, 2010
Methuen educator Shirley Callan dies
By J.J. Huggins

METHUEN — Shirley Callan, founder and supervisor of the highly respected Methuen Adult Learning Center, died Monday at the age of 73. Callan had cancer and continued to work from her hospital bed, said Ann Marie Krusell, chairwoman of the Methuen High English department. “She’s the personification of what every educator should be,” Krusell said.

Callan, who leaves behind three sons, started the Methuen Adult Learning Center with grant money in February 1991. The school at 36 Boylston St., which is part of the Methuen public school system, has about 130 students who are learning English as a second language and receiving GEDs, according to her colleagues.

The state considers the learning center to be the best adult education program in Massachusetts, said Superintendent Jeanne Whitten.

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Chanel J. Hamel

Chanel J. Hamel of Methuen, a former market owner, died Wednesday at Nevins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Methuen. He was 85.

Born and raised in Lawrence, Mr. Hamel was a longtime Methuen resident.

Mr. Hamel was the former owner of Hamel’s Market for more than 40 years and for more than 20 years was employed at Thwaites Market in Methuen.

He was an active communicant of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Methuen, where he was the head usher for 60 years and the hospitality minister. A lifetime member of the Lawrence Lodge 65 BPOE. of Elks, Mr. Hamel was a former member of the French Social and Naturalization Club of Lawrence and a member of Methuen Council 4027 Knights of Columbus. In Methuen, he served on the Methuen Water Commission for 10 years and the Methuen Licensing Board for 15 years.

Mr. Hamel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara (Stacy); two sons, Richard of Haverhill and Thomas of Bedford, N.H.; a daughter, Deborah Weinhold of Methuen; two brothers, Lionel and John, both of Methuen; two sisters, Irene Gamache of Andover and Pauline Bissonnette of Salisbury; four grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Our Lady of Good Council – St. Theresa Church, Methuen.

Entombment will be in St. Mary Immaculate Conception Mausoleum, Lawrence.

Arrangements by Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Methuen.

Algerd R. Jessie

Algerd R. Jessie, 77, died Saturday December 19, 2009 at his family residence surrounded by his loving wife.

Mr. Jessie was a lifelong resident of Methuen where he was born the son of John and Annie (Ruksnis) Jessie. He attended Methuen’s Edward F. Searle’s High School, and during the Korean War he served his country in the United States Army and received the Army of Occupation Medal in Germany and theNational Service Defense Medal with the 302nd Bn, and the 332nd Commisioned Recon Company before his honorable discharge at war’s end.

For many years Algerd was employed as a foreman with the Andrew Wilson Co. of Lawrence before their closing.

Beside his loving family, Algerd enjoyed gardening and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years; Joanne M. (Lord) Jessie, three childrens:Pauline Jessie of Plaistow, NH, Robert Jessie of Bennington, NH, De-Anna Jessie, and several grandchildren.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen.

Barbara E. Heffernan (Pickles)

Barbara E. Heffernan (Pickles) 83, of Methuen, MA, died Monday November 30th at the Rivercrest Long Term Care Facility in Concord, MA. She leaves her children, Elaine S. Beshara and her husband Michael of Spring, TX, Linda B. Chapman and her husband Peter of Bellingham, WA, William J. Heffernan Jr. and his wife Sally of Clinton, CT, Susan G. McGreevy and her husband Arthur of South Berwick, ME, Scott S. Heffernan and his wife Patricia of Methuen and Kristen J. Enneguess and her husband Mark of Maynard, MA, a sister, Audrey Atkinson and her husband William of West Chester, PA, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday December 3rd at the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. Donations in Barbara’s name may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – New England Chapter, 60 Walnut Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. For directions or to make an online condolence, please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com.

Mary L. Dubois

Mary L. (LaPlante) Dubois of Salem, N.H., director of admissions at Bon Secours Hospital for many years, died Sunday at the Nevins Home in Methuen after a brief illness. She was 89. Born in Lawrence, she was a longtime resident of Methuen. She later moved to Salem, N.H. She graduated from St. Anne’s High School in Lawrence, where she won awards in literature and French studies. Mrs. Dubois was the director of admissions at Bon Secours Hospital in Methuen for many years.

Wife of the late Raymond A., Mrs. Dubois is survived by a daughter, Betty Ann Graichen of Salem, N.H.; four sons, Michael of Georgetown, Allan of Hooksett, N.H., Stephen of Hampstead, N.H., and Kevin of Bradford; a sister, Dorothy Barbin Rinaldo of Andover; a brother, Robert LaPlante of Amesbury; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 9 a.m. today at St. Monica’s Church, Methuen. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Andover. Arrangements by Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Methuen.

Anthony J. Tagliaferro

Anthony J. Tagliaferro 79, died unexpectedly, Sunday, November 22, 2009 at his home. Born and raised in Lawrence, he was the son of the late Antonio and Rosalie (Vernile) Tagliaferro. He received his education in the Lawrence school system and graduated from Lawrence High School.

An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Navy. Mr. Tagliaferro had been employed for twenty nine years for Sweet Life Foods in Northboro, MA until the time of his retirement.

A longtime resident of Methuen, Tony Tag was an avid and accomplished musician, having played the drums with the likes of Woody Herman and Al Donahue. He also had a passion for horse racing and as a young man had trained to be a jockey. He was a loving father, grandfather and brother who will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving him are two sons, Anthony C. Tagliaferro and his wife, Cheyenne of Worcester, and Vincent J. Tagliaferro and his wife, Kristy of Worcester, one granddaughter, Veronica, two sisters, Florence Arivella and her husband, Guido of Lawrence and Vinnie Bider and her husband, Michael of Lawrence, former wife Marcia Tagliaferro of Worcester, and several nieces and nephews. He was also brother of the late Angelina Nardozza and Vincent “James” Tagliaferro.

private. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen, MA 01844. His burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences, please visit our website at www.cataudellaFH.com

Edward M. Moore D.C

Edward M. Moore D.C., 89, died peacefully Sunday November 22nd, 2009 at his home surrounded by those he loved. Born on March 2nd, 1920 in Lawrence, Edward was the son of Edward and Mary (Codyre) Moore. He was educated in the Lawrence O’Toole Grammar School and then graduated from the Edward F. Searles High School in Methuen, class of 1937. Edward graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. For more than 50 years Edward worked as a chiropractor in his own practice, Moore- Kish Chiropractic Office.

During WWII Edward served for his country as part of the United States Army Medical Corps. He was a communicant of St. Josephs in Salem, NH and part of St. Basils Methuen Cursillo Community.

Dr. Moore will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his wife, Mary K. (Cahill) Moore of Methuen, three daughters, Mary Ellen Moore- Kish D.C. and her husband Joseph J. Kish D.C. of Methuen, Ann K. Perry, L.P.N and her husband Scott Perry of Amesbury, Lori J. Corey R.N. and her husband Fred A. Corey of Methuen, two sons, Brain E. Moore, M.D. and his wife Jennifer Lee M.D. of Springfield IL, and Kevin J. Moore-Orth and Patrick Orth of Seattle, WA, eight grandchildren, Peter, Lauren, Jenna, Fred, Christina, Kristen, Liam, and Ava, one sister, Adeline Reader of North Andover as well as several nieces and a nephew.

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday, November 24th from 3-8 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday November 25th at 11:30 AM at St. Josephs Church in Salem, NH with Burial to follow at the Immaculate Conception cemetery in Lawrence. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Edwards name to the AlAlzheimer’s Association- 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472

Theresa M. (Hamel) Morel

Theresa M. (Hamel) Morel 85, of Methuen died Sunday November 15, 2009 at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA. Born in Lawrence, MA, daughter of Alfred and Desanges (Gagne) Hamel, she attended Mount Carmel Grammar School. She worked for many years at Western Electric which became AT&T and more formerly Lucent Technologies in North Andover, MA. She was a parishioner of St. Lucy’s Church in Methuen. She enjoyed crosswords, word search and watching television and also playing Keno.

The widow of Roger Morel, she is survived children, Roger Morel and his wife Janet of Ocala, FL, Richard Morel and his wife Michele of Methuen, MA, Irene Alton and her husband Phil of Westford, MA, Lucille Schuldt and her husband David of Johnson City, TN and Robert Morel and his wife JoAnn of Dracut, MA. 2 sisters Jeannette Cline of Oregon and Doris Byrnes of Hawaii. 1 brother Alfred (Sinou) Hamel of Methuen, MA. 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. and 7:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc., 233 Lawrence Street Methuen, MA 01844. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00a.m. at St. Lucy’s Church in Methuen, Ma. Burial will take place at a later date in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Andover, MA. For condolences or directions visit pollardfuneralhome.com

David Tryder

David Tryder, 55, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 at his residence. Born in Chelsea, David graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1973, and attended Boston State College. David was the son of John J. and Helen Y. (Degurski) Tryder, both living in Chelsea. He was formerly employed as a supervisor with Verizon of Boston and for many years was a bank auditor.

David had many involvements such as the Miss New Hampshire USA, and Teen New Hampshire USA, the Miss New York USA, and Teen New York USA Beauty Pageants. Was also associated with the Miss America Beauty Pageant systems, before entering the USA system.

A longtime Methuen resident, David was a supporter of Methuen’s Festival of Trees event.

Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers, John J. and his wife Rosalind Tryder of Peabody, and Allen C. Tryder of Derry, N.H. Survivors also include nieces and nephews, Cristen, Brendan, Kimberly, Jonathan; close friend, Jane McCarthy of Windham, N.H.; and his former sister-in-law, Jacqueline Tryder of Derry, N.H.

ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will take place on Monday at 10:30 a.m. from the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen, with burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Friends may pay their respects on Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Methuen Festival of Trees, P.O. Box 14, Methuen, MA 01844. For directions and to send online condolences please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com.

Mary (Baleckas) Braciska

Mary (Baleckas) Braciska, 97, of Methuen, passed away Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 at Lakewood Manor in Waterville, Maine.

She was born in Lawrence and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Patricia (Ambrozevich) Baleckas. Mary was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence.

She worked for many years as an Electronics Assembler at ITT Semiconductors in Lawrence. Mary enjoyed gardening and also attended to and took in foster children.

She was the beloved wife of the late John Braciska with whom she had shared 67 years of marriage and was the sister of the late Peter Belitsky.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Charlenne Smart of Troy, Maine; son, John J. Braciska and his wife Barbara of Wilmington; grandchildren, Mary Anne Pruner and her husband Kevin of Fairfield, Maine, Gregg J. Braciska of Wilmington and Eric A. Braciska and his wife Andrea of Wilmington; great-grandchildren, Nicholas John-Paul Rousselle, Nicholas Ryan Pruner, Zachery Francis-James Pruner, Kyle Scott Braciska, Allyson and Meghan Braciska. There are also four nieces and two nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may call on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at the Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. A funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated following visiting hours on Saturday at noon in St. Mary’s Church, Lawrence. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. For directions and condolences, please visit our online Web site at www.cataudellafh.com.

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