W. Warren Gerety, Longtime Local Banker, Co-Founder of Timberlane Community Band, Dies at 81

W. Warren Gerety, 81, of Freedom, N.H., and a former resident of Plaistow, N.H., for 40 years, and later of Fremont, died peacefully at his home, Tuesday evening, Jan. 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, son of the late William and Kathleen (Herridge) Gerety, he grew up traveling and living in multiple places with his family because his father was a career soldier in the U.S. Army.

Dennis E. Babbitt, Well-Known and Visible Haverhill Bicyclist, 81

Dennis E. Babbitt, 81, of Haverhill, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Babbitt was born in Tewksbury to Herbert W. and Dorothea (Moody) Babbitt. He and his brother Richard grew up on Essex Street near the railroad station, raised by Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald, very kind souls to take them in as youngsters. Babbitt attended the John C. Tilton and Haverhill High Schools.

Wayne R. Hogan, Longtime Manager of Haverhill Office of Gas Company, Dies at 83

Wayne R. Hogan, 83, of Bradford, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 13. He was born in Newburyport on Aug. 7, 1940, son of the late Francis J. Sr. and Dorothy Mae (Martin) Hogan and was predeceased by his brother Francis J. Hogan Jr.

He was a lifelong resident of Haverhill. He spent his childhood in Riverside and enjoyed living on Colby Street in Bradford from 1967 on following marriage.

Today’s Obituaries: Bruce D. Desmarais, 65, CFO of DeRoma Construction

Bruce D. Desmarais, 65, a resident of the Town of Atkinson since 1982, died on Sunday December 10, 2023 at Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Haverhill, son of the late Ernest and Frances (Besso) Desmarais, Bruce attended Saint Joseph Grammar School and was a member of the Haverhill High School Class of 1976. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Johnson and Wales College in Providence, R.I.

Bruce began his working career at Brock Paving Co. of Dracut and then worked for 27 years as the chief financial officer at ProCon of Hooksett, N.H., and most recently as the CFO of DeRoma Construction of Boston until his retirement. A former member of All Saints Parish and the former Saint Joseph Parish, he was an active supporter of his children’s church life as a member of the Atkinson Congregational Church.

Founder and Namesake of Ben Consoli Realty Dies at 86

The founder and longtime owner of Ben Consoli Realty, Ben (Biaggio) Consoli, in Bradford died Friday at age 86. He was born and raised in Lawrence, the son of Paul Consoli and Mary (Liciardello) Consoli. He grew up in a loving family and was destined to create his own one day. Following his graduation from Lawrence High School, he dedicated time to serving his country in the National Guard. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he became a cherished neighborhood barber shop owner.

Today’s Obituaries: Beloved Haverhill Teacher Jean (Andrewartha) Ray Dies at 70

Jean (Andrewartha) Ray, 70, a cherished mother, devoted friend, esteemed educator and a pillar of the Haverhill community, passed away peacefully at her home in Bradford on Thursday, Nov. 30. Jean was born on Sept. 26, 1953 to the late Alfred J. Andrewartha and Alberta Andrewartha in Haverhill. Born and raised in Bradford, Jean was a proud graduate of Haverhill High School class of 1971 and went on to study at Emmanuel College where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in French in 1975 and in 1976, earned a master’s degree from an exchange program at the University of Valencia in Spain.

Judith E. Kimball, Who Oversaw Kimball Farm’s Transition, Dies at 86

Judith E. (Battis) Kimball, who helped transition Haverhill’s Kimball Farm from milking cows to raising Polled Hereford cattle and llamas, died last Friday at age 86. Kimball of Milton, N.H., a former longtime resident of Haverhill, passed peacefully at her home after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of the late Leonard H. Kimball, who passed on June 17, 1997. Born in Amesbury on Sept. 27, 1937, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Sarah L. (Carpenter) Battis and graduated from Amesbury High School and Fisher Junior College.