Obituaries

Shay Patrick Sullivan, Whittier Tech Teacher, Dies at 44

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Shay Patrick Sullivan, a devoted husband, father and son, peacefully passed away on June 11, just shy of his 45th birthday, surrounded by his loving family in Plaistow, N.H.

Born on July 6, 1978, in Methuen, Shay was a passionate educator who dedicated his career to teaching. After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UMass Amherst, he started his career as a reporter for the Longboat Key Observer. He later went on to earn a master’s degree in education from UMass Lowell and, from there, spent 14 years as an English teacher at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in Haverhill, where he found true fulfillment in guiding and inspiring young minds. Shay’s commitment to education went beyond the classroom, as he proudly served as president of the teacher’s union. He cherished his role in mentoring and shaping the lives of his students.

Haverhill

Richard Kelso Atwood, Former Owner of Haverhill’s Atwood Memorial, Dies at 93

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Richard Kelso Atwood, a former owner of Atwood Memorial Co., passed away June 3, at the age of 93. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was pre-deceased by his wife Lorraine, who passed away on May 3. He leaves behind his family, Sally Atwood Finan and spouse Douglas, Richard Atwood and spouse Meredith, Judy Atwood Ducey and spouse Thomas, Norman Roy and spouse Lynn, and Dr. Gary Roy. Grandchildren: Melissa Finan Holleran and spouse Edward, Scott Finan, Geoffrey Atwood and spouse Luis Williams, Andrew Atwood, Elizabeth Ducey, Thomas Ducey, Michael Ducey, and spouse Chloe.

Haverhill

Robert F. MacDonald, Boston Herald and Boston Globe Editor and Writer, Created ‘Beer Facts,’ Dies at 79

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Robert F. MacDonald, 79, of Haverhill, passed away unexpectedly May 13, at Lawrence General Hospital. He was the husband of Deborah (Mann) MacDonald. Born in Brockton on July 16, 1943, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Marion (Bryant) MacDonald. Following his graduation from New Hampton School he continued his education at Northeastern University, graduating with a degree in journalism and receiving a master’s in journalism at the University of Missouri. MacDonald pursued a career in journalism at the Boston Herald, Record American and concluded a successful and fulfilling 35-year career as copy editor of the Arts Department at the Boston Globe.

Obituaries

Memorial Service Saturday for Artist Thomas M. ‘Tomaso’ Schena

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A memorial service for Thomas M. “Tomaso” Schena, 43, of Newton, N.H., takes place this Saturday morning. Schena, known for his personal artistic depictions of people he met, died Friday May 5, at his home following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 25, 1980 in Exeter, N.H., son of the late Thomas and Sharon (Benjamin) Schena. He was a simple man, who found great joy in his art, and riding his bicycle.

Haverhill

One of Haverhill’s First Women Assessors, Helene A. Murphy, Dies at 86

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Former Haverhill Assessor Helene A. (McCaughey) Murphy, 86, of Salisbury and formerly of Bradford, joined her beloved husband Martin in eternal rest on April 27. Murphy, appointed by former Mayor William H. Ryan during the early 1980s, was one of the first women to serve on Haverhill’s reconstituted three-person board of assessors. Murphy, who rose to chair, served initially with assessors Mariana W. Morse and William J. Krajeski during a period of tumult following voter approval of the tax-limiting law, Proposition 2 ½. She was born in Lowell on June 2, 1936, daughter of the late Francis M. and Caroline (Krzystyniak) McCaughey. Murphy grew up in the Back Central neighborhood of Lowell and was a graduate of Lowell High School, class of 1953, where she was captain of the cheerleader squad and a girl officer.

Haverhill

Suzanne ‘Tudy’ Poore Davis, Served as Haverhill Public Library Trustee, Dies at 91

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It is with heavy, but grateful hearts that the family of Suzanne “Tudy” Poore Davis, announce her passing on Saturday, April 22, at her Haverhill home of 38 years. She was 91. A Haverhill native, she was born June 13, 1931, to Leon McGregor Poore and Helen Pauline Butler Poore. She was the youngest of two daughters. Tudy was the wife of the late Kingsbury Davis to whom she was married for 63 years prior to his passing in 2019.

Haverhill

Haverhill Orders City Hall Flag Lowered in Honor of Macek; Calling Hours Friday

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Editor’s Note: Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini ordered the city hall flag to be lowered to half-staff in honor of former City Councilor and Deputy Chief of Staff William J. Macek, who died Tuesday. William J. Macek, 71, a native and lifelong resident of Haverhill, died April 18, at Lawrence General Hospital after being stricken at his home. A former longtime Haverhill city councilor and community leader, he was the son of the late John and Stella (Paone) Macek. He was educated in the Haverhill school system and was a member of the Haverhill High School class of 1969. He went on to attend Northeast Broadcasting School in Boston and later received his First Class License from the Radio Engineering Institute in Sarasota, Fla.

Haverhill

John D. Stevens Sr., Advocate for Seniors at Glynn, Stevens-Bennett Dies at 81

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John D. Stevens Sr., of Haverhill, passed peacefully April 8 at age 81. He was born in Salem, N.H., Dec. 4, 1941, the devoted youngest son of the late Eva R. and Mansur K. Stevens. After graduating from Woodbury High School in Salem and Boston University, he married the love of his life Joyce (Daley) with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage in May. They raised five children on Groveland Street and later East Broadway in Haverhill.