Earle L. Sylvia, 85, of Mattapoisett, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
He was the husband of Mary-Jane (Silveira) Sylvia.
Born in Wareham, son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Hawley) Sylvia, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life. He attended Center School in Mattapoisett, graduated from Fairhaven High School, and earned his Bachelor's degree from St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH.
Earle enjoyed racing cars at Lime Rock Park and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. He loved living near the water and working on his yard.
Survivors include his wife; his children, Paul Sylvia of New Bedford, and Michael J. Sylvia of Dartmouth; 3 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his sister Eleanor Roche.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Esther Irene (Clemishaw) Peltola, 92, of Middleboro, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2021 at the Hannah B.G. Shaw Home. She was the wife of the late Edwin H. Peltola and the daughter of the late Walter and Viola (Maxim) Clemishaw of Rochester.
Esther was born in Wareham and raised in Rochester. She attended Rochester and Wareham public schools. She was proud of her rural roots in Rochester, W. Wareham and S. Middleboro. Ever thoughtful and accepting of others, she cherished many lifelong friendships and loving relationships with her siblings, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. Like many of the "Greatest Generation," Esther went to work at McLellans Five & Dime store to help support her family. Before she married, she worked for several years as a telephone operator for New England Telephone. She married Edwin and together they raised four daughters on Gault Rd in W. Wareham during a time when neighborliness was the norm. She forever cherished those memories and the friendships she had made. To all her children she passed along a love for music and dancing.
Esther loved to swim and would reminisce about time spent at Blackmore Pond, Mary's Pond and Sampson's Pond. She and her husband purchased family cranberry bogs in S. Middleboro and built a new home there. They later formed Big Rock Farm, Inc. Esther enjoyed taking care of her home and living the farming life. She never shied away from a hard days' work. She enjoyed her country lifestyle, taking walks around the bogs and just getting together for a cup of coffee. She was always delighted to hear about the lives of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Esther always had a smile, was a wonderful role model and was there for her grandchildren growing up. They have wonderful memories to hold onto and will surely miss their "Gram." Although quiet by nature she is fondly remembered for finding humor in ordinary experiences and for being "laugh-out-loud" funny with her equally lighthearted siblings. The world will miss her kind heart and gentle soul.
Survivors include her daughters Judy Stringer and husband Granny of W. Wareham, Carol Pierce of W. Wareham, Lori Peltola and husband Cliff Sylvia of Wareham, Cheryl Farrell and Keith Hollenbeck of Marion; her siblings, Alice Meier of Monument Beach, Charles "Bill" Clemishaw of Rochester, Florence MacPherson of Spokane, WA and Walter "Junie" Clemishaw of League City, TX; grandchildren Annette, Leanne, Nicky, Jessica, Katie and Matthew; great grandchildren Justin, Steve, Hannah, Owen, Olivia, Delaney, Mackenzie, Jeffrey, Quincy, Joey, Kinley and Connor. She was predeceased by brother Wallace Clemishaw, sister Phyllis Leconte, sons-in-law Walter Pierce and Mike Farrell.
Due to COVID restrictions, services will be private. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham.

Hilda Fernandes (Lage) Laliberte, 88 years beautiful, passed away on Friday, February 19, at her home. She was the wife of the late Edmond Laliberte and daughter of the late Daniel and Anna (Gonsalves) Lage. She was born in New Bedford on February 16, 1933 and was a resident of Acushnet for 60 years. Hilda graduated from Normandin middle school in 1947 and from New Bedford High School in 1951, where she was voted most "happy go lucky". Hilda and Edmond were married on November 25, 1954 at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. As a young woman, she worked at United Fruit and later as a saleswoman at Delilah's Boutique and as a bookkeeper for Smith's (a local seller of fine goods and products). She was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church. Survivors include her children Edmond Laliberte Jr. of New Bedford, Michel Ferguson of New Bedford, Donna Laliberte of Rochester and Mark Steven Laliberte of New Bedford, her elder brother Fernando Lage of Acushnet, her grandchildren, Shawn Ferguson, Jennifer Ferguson, Michael Laliberte, Christopher Laliberte and Julia Laliberte. She is also survived by 5 great grandchildren. Hilda loved being with her family, being outdoors, the ocean and camping. She spent many summer's camping at Mary's Pond. She enjoyed traveling with her husband. Hilda was an avid animal lover and enjoyed giving to her favorite charitable organizations, including St. Jude's, Salesian Missions and various VA support organizations. Her family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice team, especially nurse Danielle Charbonneau, CNA Wendy Stevens and Chaplin Ken Hart for their continuous love and support. Also Beacon Hospice nurse Larissa Hoff, Chaplin Daryl Gray and CNA Dulce Mota. A special thank you to Dr. Ahmet Dirican for his loyalty and gift of Elder Home Care Specialist, his office manager Karen for their exceptional love and loyalty to their patients. A special thank you to mom's loyal private caregivers Doreen Smith and Lenox Rose, for the past 3 years, Paula Almeida and former caregivers Gabriella Medeiros, Bonnie Lee and Rebecca Maldonado. Services will be private with a Memorial Mass at a later date. Arrangements are by the Boulevard Funeral Home 223 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, MA. For online guest book please visit www.boulevardfh.com.

Roger Normand Bolduc made his last wildly inappropriate and probably sarcastic comment on February 18th 2021.
Roger was born in New Bedford, MA and immediately dubbed "our favorite child" to Azaire "Jerry" and Germaine (Maranda) Bolduc in August of 1936. Even though he was an only child, their constant love, support and caring far exceeded anything Roger deserved so they eventually sent him to live at Mt. Saint Charles High School in Woonsocket, RI to complete his high school years. Roger was an amazing basketball player who was known as "Goose".
Roger was married and preceded in death by his overly devoted wife of 62 years Claudette LeRoux-Bolduc. His proudest accomplishments that came out of that union was a daughter, Claudine Bolduc of Wareham, MA and a son and daughter-in-law Robert & Adrianna Bolduc of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Additionally, he is survived by his 5 (why the hell did you have so many kids Claudine?) very spirited grandchildren - Daniel, Mathieu, Aidan, Julian & Kai'ana who still live and sponge off their mother in Wareham.
Roger's demise will now allow them to emerge from his shadow.
Roger proudly volunteered for service in the United States Navy at the ripe old age of 22 and immediately realized he didn't much enjoy being bossed around. He only stuck it out for 2 years.
Roger's employment history was very simple but one of his greatest accomplishments - A Plumber/Carpenter by trade and also served as the Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Rochester. His 65 plus years as a plumber and business owner is an outstanding milestone that let him into the most private of places in people's homes. Half a dozen or so of these folks that Roger met might speak of him fondly if pressed.
Roger did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, ate breakfast every morning at some little hole in the wall restaurant in a 50 mile radius, overindulged in popcorn, never met a rule he couldn't break, a boundary he couldn't push, line he couldn't cross, a story he couldn't stretch and learned what he wanted to learn, fix what he wanted to fix and loved who he wanted to love.
His regrets were few but include: no video evidence existing of his prowess in the bedroom and leaving behind a house full of crap to his daughter and son who have no idea what to do with it. So if you're looking for 300 pounds of birdseed, dead houseplants, 1,000 tools that we aren't sure what they're used for, 5 million pieces of scrap wood and trim boards, 2 extremely large TV's from the 80s, every dvd from Blockbuster, every fake flower that the craft store ever sold and enough Christmas string lights to light up the entire world then you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine.
His devout feistiness and stubbornness had served him well throughout his life. And even in his waning months, he was a model of strong will and sheer determination right up until the end of his journey here on earth.
Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 pm, on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham. Appropriate COVID-19 protocol will be observed including the use of face masks, social distancing and wait times in line due to temporary limited capacity.
His funeral and burial are being held privately.

Gloria Jean (Lunt) Precopio, 74, of Mattapoisett, MA, passed on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, MA, after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Ralph M. Precopio Sr.
Gloria was born in Yarmouth, ME, spent her childhood growing up on Frenchboro Island, ME, then lived in the Lewiston-Auburn and Phippsburg areas until moving to Mattapoisett, MA. Gloria is known for her hospitality, always welcoming people into her home and cooking up a storm for friends and family. A creative and fun-loving person, Gloria loved various art forms, cooking, sewing, and is known for her beautiful quilts and papercrafts. For several years, Gloria was the co-owner and a familiar face at the farmstand at East Over Farms in Rochester, MA, where her delicious homemade pies and cookies kept everyone well fed.
Her friends and family will miss Gloria tremendously. She will always be remembered for her kindness, love, and blueberry pie.
She is survived by her daughter, Maria Precopio-Giddings of Providence, RI, and her son-in-law Patrick Giddings.
Memorial arrangements are postponed until warmer weather when it will be safer to gather and celebrate Gloria's life. The family asks that donations be made to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishing Alliance in place of flowers. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Rachel R. (Cloutier) Portelance, 53, of Marion passed away early morning Monday, February 15, 2021. Rachel ended her five-year battle with esophageal cancer at home alongside her husband Dan, her two sons Evan and Aaron and her puppy Walter.
Although the past five years have been difficult, Rachel never let her disease limit her compassion or weaken her spirits. Just months after her first set of treatments which included major surgery, Rachel returned to work as an oncology nurse at St. Annes Hudner Oncology, where she proudly worked for the past 18 years. Rachel would not let her medical setback stop her from her calling. Helping and comforting of people through the darkest times.
During her years as a nurse, Rachel left her shining mark on 100's if not 1000's of patients and their families, and each time taking a little piece of them with her to cherish, because nursing wasn't just a career to her, it was her reason for waking up and becoming a better person each day. Rachel's ability to relate with her patients gave hope to many, and the love she showed them would lift her patients' souls from their deepest and darkest moments.
When not working Rachel enjoyed spending time at home with her family and admiring her sons' accomplishments, and enjoying the delish meals her husband made for their family. Rachel lived for her family, and battled her disease with great courage to spend as much time with them as possible.
Rachel is survived by her mother Teresa Cloutier, her husband Daniel Portelance, her two sons Evan Portelance and Aaron Portelance and her brother Ronald Cloutier.
Her visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, MA 02745. Due to current occupancy restrictions, please be mindful that guests may have to wait outside while others pay their respects. Funeral service and burial are private.
At Rachel's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Rachel to: Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, 3012 Elm St, Dighton, MA 02715-1600

Emilie S. Piper passed away on Monday, February 15, after a period of declining health. A longtime resident of Pittsfield, MA, she spent her last months in comfort at the home of her son and daughter-in-law Geoff and Leslie Piper in Rochester, MA. Her passing, in the company of her children, was peaceful. She was 90 years old.
The daughter of Ralph and Edna Starke, Emilie was born on June 28, 1930, in East Orange, NJ. The family later moved to Pittsfield, MA, where her father was a Sr. Vice President for Berkshire Life Ins. Co. She was an active participant in school activities and sports at Miss Hall's School, and an excellent swimmer, skater, and sailor. She was honored to be elected the Pittsfield Winter Carnival Queen.
She earned her B.A. at Connecticut College, where she sang in the college choir for all four years. After graduating, she made a train and bicycle tour of Europe with classmates. She completed her M.A. at Cornell the following year. Because she liked a challenge (and without making a big deal about it, the bragging rights), she swam across the twin Lakes in Salisbury, CT.
In 1953, she married Winthrop W. Piper, a college professor, and their first son Winthrop was born in 1954. They lived in Waterville, ME. and then Burlington, VT, where two more sons, Geoffrey and Andrew, were born before the family moved to Pittsfield. Their only daughter, Emilie, was born there.
Starting in 1962, Emilie was the Music and Art Librarian at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, MA. As grade-schoolers, her children were proud that their Mom worked in the grand, circa-1876 stone building, right across the street from City Hall, and was one of the guardians of all it held.
The family lived then across the street from the neighborhood school. Emilie was unfazed by the regular presence of many neighborhood children climbing to the treehouse, attempting various feats of daring, and being, as free-range, early-1960's children generally were, a bit of a nuisance. On rainy days, when her own were underfoot, she swept them unceremoniously outdoors, saying, "You aren't made out of brown sugar, you won't melt".
When her marriage ended in 1967, she became the Librarian at Mt. Everett Regional School in Sheffield, MA, and in 1968, she married Richard Rutledge. In 1972, she completed her M.L.S., commuting from Sheffield to Albany to attend evening class, and in 1973 was elected to the International Library Science Honor Society. The marriage to Mr. Rutledge ended in 1975.
In 1977, Emilie joined a like-minded group to spend a week hiking in the Warner Wilderness in the Modoc National Forest in California. Later, she fulfilled a long-time dream by paddling the length of the Allagash Wilderness waterway on a canoe-camping trip. A trip with her children to the infamous "knife-edge" on Mt. Katadhin made for a tale told wide-eyed.
During her time in southern Berkshire County, she devoted many weekends to exploring the field and forest landscape in search of stone walls, abandoned roads, cellar holes, and orchards, and became an astute reader of the signs left behind hundreds of years earlier. This was history "en plein air", and on foot, the outdoor counterpart to the research she was involved in as Curator of the Sheffield Historical Society.
As ongoing sets of grandchildren came into the picture she found time to help their busy parents, forging important links in the family's generational chain.
Her interest in local history and her facility with historical sources and documents led to numerous publications, including "Americans of African Descent: An Annotated Bibliography of Berkshire County, Massachusetts," published in 2006, and an account of the family of Agrippa Hull, an African-American patriot, born free in Northampton, MA, who served in the Revolutionary War and became the largest black landowner in Stockbridge, MA.
She co-authored two books with anthropologist David Levinson, of Yale University's Human Relations Area Files. "On the Other Side of Glory," published in 2010, tells the story of African American men from Berkshire County and northwestern Connecticut who served in 54th Volunteer Infantry, the all Black "Glory" regiment, during the Civil War.
"One Minute a Free Woman" tells the story of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman of Sheffield, MA. Her lawsuit petitioning for her freedom led to the 1781 Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling in her favor that was the de facto end of slavery in the state. To create this account, Ms. Piper dug deep into local sources and records, eventually locating, among other things, Ms. Freeman's handwritten last will and testament. Emilie served on the Founding Advisory Council of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. Her own family was included in Emilie's research efforts: she traced their ancestry on both sides back to their arrivals from Europe in colonial times.
Emilie's long life was distinguished both by her determination to live life on her own terms, and by her many sacrifices for those she loved. Her moral compass pointed unerringly to fairness and justice. She passed on a rich appreciation for the natural world and a clear-eyed understanding of our part in it, as well as finding self-expression there. Included in those lessons was the knowledge that humans were made to be pretty sturdy, and that discomfort or even some hardship was part of living a full life. She was decades ahead of her time in teaching her sons that, when their turn came, contributing to family life would require more than bringing home a paycheck.
Wherever she lived she planted a beautiful garden and kept it well-tended, right up to her last year, and always kept a home-grown bouquet on her kitchen table. She spent many happy seasons in her garden, enjoying both her work and the natural beauty of her surroundings, and passed her appreciation on to her children.
True to her profession, she instilled in her children an abiding respect for reading, learning, and always striving to better understand the world and the people in it. She encouraged proficiency in every task and being engaged in both heart and mind. Ponies, dogs, horses, cats, and even a fostered raccoon cub helped with the "heart" part, and there was no such thing as too much knowledge.
While she never sought to be the center of attention, she reveled in being recognized for her many accomplishments. Though her research was often a solitary endeavor, her disposition was bright and funny she and loved good company and conversation. She will be sorely missed. In the words of a minister friend, "The world is never quite the same without your mother in it."
Emilie is survived by her four children and their spouses: Winthrop D. Piper II of Etna, NH, and his wife, Mundy; Geoffrey T. Piper of Rochester, MA, and his wife, Leslie; Andrew L. Piper of Pittsfield, MA, and his wife, Mimi; Emilie P. Shipman of Enfield, NH, and her husband, Phil. She has nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. <
A celebration of her life will take place at a summer date, to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to either the Local History department of the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield; or MA Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Evelyn Midura passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends whom she loved, on February 13, 2021, following a nine-year battle with Ovarian cancer.
Evelyn's friend, Sandy Holmes, wrote, "Evelyn was a creative person who always thought of others more than of herself. Evelyn belonged to several knitting groups and was a member of the Red Hats Society. Evelyn used her creative talents to beautify the world through her lovely garden and the plethora of hats, mittens, sweaters, and scarfs she made and donated to those in need. Evelyn loved music. She sang in the St. Mary's choir and played a variety of musical instruments. She made beautifully creative greeting cards which I shall always treasure. Evelyn took me places I'd never otherwise have seen. She was a good friend and generous beyond all measure. She will be sorely missed and gratefully remembered."
Evelyn grew up in New Bedford and earned her BS in accounting. She designed computer programs for several years before retiring. Evelyn is predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine Midura and her sister, Valerie Rollins. She is survived by her two sisters, Rosemary Pazer and Nancy Midura, her nephews, Peter (Lisa) Pazer and Jeffrey (Angela) Pazer, her niece, Jessica (Dan) Denisi and a grandniece, Eva Pazer and grandnephew, Alexander Pazer.
Memorial contributions may be made to ovarian cancer research or charity of choice.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank Southcoast Hospice and all those who helped Evelyn.

Gertrude Trumbull Burr died peacefully at home in her sleep, on Friday, February 12th, age 97, after a life well-lived. No matter how busy, her home was always open, and she found time for all. She and her husband Carleton Burr (dec. 2003) lived their lives surrounded by a very large cast of devoted family and friends.
Gertrude was born and raised in Weston, MA, the daughter of Walter Henry Trumbull and Mary Winsor Trumbull. She attended Meadowbrook School, and in a harbinger of things to come, was the quarterback of the boys' football team. She graduated from Winsor School in Boston, and then Vassar College, majoring in Math and Engineering Physics.
After graduation in 1944, in the wartime accelerated academic program, she worked at M.I.T. in the aerospace effort, focused on calculating rocket trajectories. She was the only woman amongst 600 other mathematicians, engineers, and physicists.
In 1949, she married Carleton and moved to Mattapoisett, MA. Building community and strengthening family were their lifelong passions. She was an inspiration to her four children and a multitude of family members and friends, all the while being instrumental in developing the family business, Burr Brothers Boats. The business was a fitting continuation of her lifelong love of "messing about in boats", which she had done since childhood sailing her Herreshoff 12, "Rosebud".
With her indefatigable energy and can-do attitude she helped steer the business into novel endeavors, such as becoming one of the first boatyards in the country to develop a computer system tracking all accounting and operations. Her leadership in the industry also led her to become, in the 1970s, the first female Board Member of the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA), a national trade organization.
For her mentally disabled daughter, Gertrude co-founded a non-profit community home, which became LifeStream, Inc. Today Lifestream is an organization with a staff of over 500, and it has served thousands of developmentally disabled people and others facing personal challenges.
Gertrude's civic involvements were too many to list. She loved working with people and was especially good at using her skills to help organizations in which she believed. Amongst these were The Garden Club of Buzzards Bay, The Unitarian Church of New Bedford, LifeStream, and The Rotch-Jones Duff House and Garden Museum.
Over the years, Gertrude was also a member of numerous Clubs, which made for an active sporting and social life. She helped run various USTA tennis tournaments and managed to collect a closet full of trophies herself. Playing well into her 80s, she left opponents impressed not only with her play but also with her sportsmanship. She would win with such grace that she left everyone smiling. She was a very elegant skier, refusing to permanently come down off the mountains until nearly ninety years old. Her enthusiasm for hopping on board to go sailing continued into her 90s, while her rowing prowess lasted nearly to the end.
Somewhere, she and Carleton are together sailing and serving aces.
She is predeceased by her daughter Eleanor, husband Carleton, sisters Hope Moore and Eleanor Lowell, and brother Philip Trumbull. She is survived by her brother Walter H. Trumbull, her children and their spouses: Toby Burr (Barbara D. Burr), Cornelia Burr-Tarrant (Thomas A. Tarrant), and Walter Trumbull Burr. Also survived by four grandchildren: Tucker Burr (Luiza Casimiro Smith Burr), Alaska Burr Elia (Paul Elia), Thomas Tarrant IV, Elizabeth Tarrant; and two great-grandchildren, Thayer Gertrude Elia and Olympia Lorraine Elia; and scores of nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren, all of whom she kept track of with great joy.
A celebration of life is planned when warm weather arrives and COVID has abated. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum (www.rjdmuseum.org; 396 County St., New Bedford, MA 02740) or the Mattapoisett Community Sailing Program (www.mattsail.org; PO Box 947, Mattapoisett, MA 02739). For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Jesse Scott Landers (dob 7/23/82), Marion, MA. Passed away unexpectedly February 9, 2021. Loyal Husband and Father to Courtney and Pearl Landers, son to Paul and Adele Landers, brother to Jillian Haley and grandson to Joan Youngblood. Born in New Bedford, MA, graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and Champlain College. Jesse competed competitively in soccer and football and was an avid snowboarder. He was employed by Votacall since 2004 as a strategic sales consultant.
Jesse had a magnetic personality with a smile that lit up a room and a stranger to no one. A kind, generous spirit that he shared with so many throughout his life. He adored his wife and daughter and was proud to be part of a large close-knit family. Never passing up an opportunity to create wonderful memories, Jesse was the first one to accept an invitation.
Many family and friends fondly recall Jesse's love of sports, especially Boston sports. He had a keen recall and command of all professional sports and would lead many robust discussions about the latest playoff series and team stats.
When you remember Jesse...smile
In memory of Jesse, donations can be made to Pearl's College fund at Fidelity Investments.