Sophia "Bunny" Coleman, 94, formerly of Southborough died peacefully on December 8, 2009, after a long illness.

She was the loving wife of the late Dr. George W. Coleman.

Born in New Britain, CT, she was the daughter of Steven and Helena (Panish) Stankievtz.

Mrs. Coleman was a graduate of Franklin County Hospital School of Nursing in Greenfield and was the beloved school nurse for the Town of Southborough for many years until her retirement in 1977. She took hundreds of temperatures, put on thousands of band aids and gave out lots of hugs. She was also known for helping families that were less fortunate, by finding them food, clothing, and furniture through private anonymous donors. Mrs. Coleman was an active member of the St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Southborough and a volunteer at the Southborough Public Library.

She leaves her daughter Emily S. Coleman and her husband Roeby Simons of Emigrant, MT; a brother John Stankievtz of Southington, CT; sister Nancy Hill of Sunnyvale, CA; nieces, Barbara Pasternak of Holyoke; Mary Ann Stankievtz of Kensington, CT; and nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews. She will be missed by many close friends and family.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 7 PM at Morris Funeral Home, (Morrisfuneralparlor.com) 40 Main St. Southborough. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday. Dec. 15, at 10 AM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 27 Main St. Southborough. Burial will follow in the Rural Cemetery, Southborough.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

December 12-13 Open Studio, Sunny Window Barn Southboro, MA, 10am-5pm

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., learn about “Shrubs in Winter” at Garden in the Woods in Framingham The leaves are nearly gone from most shrubs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to recognize them. Instructor Roland "Boot" Boutwell will focus on a number of macro-characteristics, such as branching patterns, growth habits, bark, persistent fruit, galls, and habitats to help participants identify more than 20 of our native New England shrubs in late fall and winter. The program begins with a classroom session and then moves into the field. Fee: $48 members, $56 nonmembers. Pre-registration is necessary by contacting the registrar at 1-508-877-7630 ext. 3303.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester, will be offering a Holiday Nature Crafts Open House from 1-4 p.m. Come to the visitor center to view the tree decorated with ornaments handcrafted from all-natural materials and then make your own decorations. Snow date: Dec. 13. Cost: adults $4 members/$5 nonmembers, kids $3 members/$4 nonmembers. To register or for info, call 1-508-753-6087.

Old South Meeting House, a museum and National Historic Landmark on Boston’s Freedom Trail, will host its annual Boston Tea Party Reenactment to honor the 236th anniversary of the history-making event. The reenactment is open to the public, and audience members are invited to choose sides – Patriot or Loyalist – and lend their support for or against the tariff. Tickets are $8 per person and available at www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Michael E. Capuano 245  or 22.1% votes

Martha Coakley  538 or 48.5% votes

Alan A. Khazei  210 or 18.9%  votes

Stephen G. Pagliuca 117 or 10.5% votes

Republicans

Jack E. Robinson 20 or 5.4% votes

Fire Lieutenant James Peltier and Safety Officer Jack Peltier received the St. Florian Award from Bishop Robert McManus of the Worcester Catholic Diocese at the annual Firefighter’s Memorial Mass held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester on December 6^th.

Two years ago, while reviewing Federal Fire Act Grants submitted by fire departments throughout the country at the National Firefighting Academy, Jim and Jack met a firefighter from Arkansas. Her name was Dayna Hilton from rural Johnson County. Dayna shared with the Peltiers the plight of her fire department, and how they could not afford to replace an aging, unsafe and unreliable fire engine. Upon their return home, Jim and Jack organized an effort to acquire a fire engine and the all of the equipment needed, to give the residents of Johnson County, Arkansas a reliable fire engine. They contacted several fire truck dealers and convinced one to contribute an engine which they had recently acquired in trade. Upon receipt of the truck, Jim, Jack and others whom they organized, worked on the truck to ensure it was in sound mechanical order. They continued to acquire donations of equipment such as hose, tools, and other basic firefighting equipment for the truck. They searched for a company to transport the truck to Arkansas from Marlborough, where the truck was stored. The National Guard came to the rescue through the Peltier’s efforts, and delivered the “new”, fully-equipped engine to Johnson County where it is in use today.

Most recently, Jim and Jack volunteered hundreds of hours each on Southborough’s Aerial Ladder Committee. Nearly two years ago, Southborough’s only ladder truck, purchased used in 1994, had to be retired due to safety and mechanical issues. Jim and Jack provided their talent in the form of their vast knowledge in the fire service, and time to investigate and research various options for an aerial which would be tailored to Southborough’s specific needs. The commitment and dedication by Jim, Jack and the Committee paid off as voters recently approved funding for Southborough’s first new aerial truck, in spite of the worst economic times since the great depression.

On a daily basis, Jim and Jack Peltier work to ensure the safety of the firefighters they work with. They have purchased equipment on their own to ensure a fellow firefighter’s safety. They volunteer their time to teach others in all aspects of firefighting.

Firefighter Dayna Hilton traveled from Arkansas to be present for the award. FF Hilton accepted the award for Safety Officer Peltier, who was unable to attend.

(Jim and his family with Dayna Hilton from Arkansas)

Triboro Titans Mite #3's pull upset in OT to win Mite Madness Tournament in Marlboro! The Titans broke a 0-0 tie in the 3rd period to take the lead. Only to have the game tied with 30 seconds remaining with KP Walpole on a power play and the goalie pulled. It took 2 overtimes to settle things as Triboro finally potted the winner in the 2nd OT in four on four play. What a game! A great team effort by the whole Triboro Titan Mite 3 squad.

Be sure to head to the polls next Tuesday, December 8, 2009 to vote in the Special State Primary Election.
Polling places will be open from 7:00am - 8:00pm statewide.

Dorothy E. (Pariselli) Manning, 82, of Marlborough and formerly of Southborough and Wells, ME, died on December 4, 2009 after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late John J. Manning who passed away in 2006.

Born in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Umberto and Maria (Albano) Pariselli. Mrs. Manning was a volunteer for the Southborough Library and was the secretary for the Southborough Board of Health for many years before retiring and moving to Wells, ME. She was a former active member of St. Matthew Church of Southborough and St. Mary's Church of Wells, ME. She enjoyed gardening, reading and there wasn't a puzzle she couldn't master. Mrs. Manning was known to all as a 'good kind sole'. Her greatest joy was spending time and cooking for her family. She leaves a daughter Donna Healy and her husband Ed of Westborough; a sister Louise Riddle of Framingham; a grandson Jason Healy and his wife Shelena of South Yarmouth; and her great granddaughter Siena Healy. She is predeceased by 3 sons, Jack, Stephen and Robert Healy; 2 sisters, Anna and Florence and a brother, Carlo.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday morning, December, 8, from 10 AM to 12 PM, followed by a short funeral home service at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St. www.morrisfuneralhome.com  and a burial at the Rural Cemetery in Southborough. In lieu of flowers memorial donations maybe sent in her memory to Asera Care Hospice, 4 Mount Royal Ave, # 110, Marlborough, MA 01752

Lisa Marie (Reimann) Simpson, 51, of Shrewsbury and formerly of Southborough died Wednesday, December 2, 2009 after a short illness.

She was the wife of Michael Simpson for many years.

Lisa was a graduate of Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough and also graduated with honors from Becker Jr. College in Worcester. She was a personal caregiver for several area agencies. She enjoyed spending time with her sons and adored her cats.

In addition to her husband she is survived by her 2 sons, Sean Simpson and his wife Heather (Trippi) of Shrewsbury; Andrew Simpson of Spencer; her father and step mother, George and Nancy Reimann of Hopkinton; a sister, Deborah Reimann of Waltham; a brother, Paul Reimann of Maynard; and a long time loyal friend, Karen Brewster of Shrewsbury. She was pre-deceased by her mother Barbara (Shaughnessy) Reimann.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St. Southborough. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Dec. 7 at 11 AM at the Morris Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rural Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Mass. Humane Society, Box 890127, E. Weymouth, MA 02189. www.Morrisfuneralparlor.com
 

Richard J. Ireland SOUTHBOROUGH Richard J. Ireland, 83, formerly of Johnstown, NY, passed peacefully on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at a future date at St. Mark's Church in Southborough.

Jim Millar, age 49, passed away on December 1, 2009, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on March 14, 1960 in New Jersey, the son of James Jr. and Lois Millar. They moved to Indiana and subsequently settled in Northborough where he graduated from Algonquin Regional High School. He received his Bachelors degree from Franklin Pierce College.

Jim was a heavy equipment operator for George Stone Excavating for ten years and then was a supervisor for Living Colors Painting, owned by his brother Jeff, until his cancer diagnosis in 2006.

Jim coached his children's Northborough Little League Baseball and Northborough/Southborough Girls Softball teams for many years. He was an avid history buff and New England sports fan. Jim shared with his family and friends his love and wonder of nature through camping, hiking and exploring.

His family would like to thank all of their friends, community, and Northborough/Southborough school district for their caring, guidance and support during Jim's illness. They also wish to thank the amazing staff at Beth Israel Hospital, whose compassion and outstanding care helped them through his journey and the VNA Hospice and his kind personal caregiver, Diane.

Survivors include his loving and supportive wife, Tina and the luckiest children in the world: James IV, Jacqueline, and Jennifer, all of Northborough. He is also survived by his proud parents, James and Lois Millar, devoted siblings, Debra (Stephen) Rolfe, Kathy Stone, Sally (Tom) Strout, Pam (Steve) Stickles, and Jeffrey (Sarah) Millar; sisters-in-law, Kelly (Tony) Raposo and Christine (Mark) Sepuka and brother-in-law, Michael (Janine) Cote; twenty-one nieces and nephews and his faithful dog, Lola.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to James A. Millar III Memorial Fund at Bank of America.

A gathering of friends will be held on Thursday, December 10 from 3pm - 7pm at Church of the Nativity, 45 Howard Street, Northborough. A Memorial Mass will be held at Church of the Nativity on Friday, December 11 at 11:11am.