Palmyra “Pal” (Silveira) O’Leary

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Palmyra “Pal” (Silveira) O’Leary, 89, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully at home on Saturday June 8, 2019. She was the wife of the late John M. O’Leary. 

Born in Providence. R.I., the daughter of the late Frank and Palmeida (Rose) Silveira, she lived in Mattapoisett for most of her life. 

She was an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church. 

Pal and her late husband owned and operated Bowlmor Lanes in Mattapoisett. She was an avid bowler and bridge player. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League with the rank of Gold Life Master. 

She is survived by five children, Kevin O’Leary and his wife Beth of Rochester, NY, Thomas O’Leary of Fairhaven, William O’Leary and his wife Bonnie of Methuen, Kathleen Macedo and her husband Neil of Mattapoisett, and Sandra Edgell and her husband Eugene of Wareham; and seven grandchildren, Shannon, Caitlin, and Meghan O’Leary, David and Matthew Macedo, and Adam and Jonathan Edgell. 

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 15th at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Anthony’s Church, P.O. Box 501, Mattapoisett, MA 02739 or SouthCoast VNA, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Community Blood Drive

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Mattapoisett resident, Jillian Zucco, will host her annual blood drive with the American Red Cross during World Blood Donor Week on Wednesday, June 12, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at St. Anthony’s Church hall at 22 Barstow St. in Mattapoisett.

            As a 2016 graduate of UMASS Dartmouth’s Nursing program, now working full-time as a registered nurse, Zucco is committed to strengthening our community and helping to meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations. “This blood drive is a way of providing community members an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. The short amount of time it takes to donate can mean a lifetime to a patient in critical need.”

            Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross. “We urge eligible donors to join us in the selfless act of giving blood. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”

            There’s a serious need of all blood types, especially O negative, A negative, and B negative. O negative is the universal blood type that can be safely transfused to anyone, and is often used to treat trauma patients and those battling cancer. While walk-ins are welcome, it is recommended to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or by signing up online at redcrossblood.org and use the code MA02739. The Red Cross has promised extra staff at this event to accommodate the great number of donors this drive has brought in over the years to help minimize any wait times.

MATTREC Adult Summer Offerings

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Adult Pickleball Drop-in at Hammond Street Courts is on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:30 pm to sundown and Saturday 9:00 am to noon. 3 Courts will be set up and all levels are welcome.

            Adult Tennis Drop-in through The Mattapoisett Community Tennis Association (MCTA) is starting another season and looking for new members. Morning drop-ins are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 am currently at the Center School in Mattapoisett and at ORR High School during late June, July, and August. The program also includes in-house Tournaments and other social events, including an annual cookout. Team competition against surrounding towns is also offered. To join MCTA, please download the 2019 Registration form on www.mattapoisetttennis.com and send it to the treasurer, Jackie Slade, along with $15. You can also contact the president, Wayne Miller, at wlm17@verizon.net or 772-631-8096 for more information. An application can also be obtained at drop-in from Mike Hickey, the court captain.

Elizabeth Taber Library Bridge Tournament

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Save the date of Friday, August 2for the return of the Elizabeth Taber Library Bridge Tournament at the Marion Music Hall. Both Duplicate and Social bridge players are invited to participate in this bi-annual fundraiser. Director Alan Hudson will manage the Duplicate Tournament.

            The Bridge Committee is working hard to organize the event. Doors will open at 1:15 pm, and tournament play will begin at 2:00 pm. Light refreshment will be served. There will be a Raffle for gift certificates from popular local restaurants and stores, as well as tournament prizes for the winners.

            The entry fee is $35.00. All proceeds from the day’s event will go towards enhancing the programs and services offered by the Elizabeth Taber Library. 

            Registration details will be announced soon. The event is likely to sell out so early registration is recommended. For more information, call the library at 508-748-1252.

Marjorie J. Forgette

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Marjorie J. Forgette, 90, of Marion, died Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Plymouth.  She was the wife of the late Robert J. Forgette and George Briggs.

            Born in Fairhaven, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Beatrice (Flood) Peterson. A lifelong resident of Marion, she was a homemaker and a Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed oil painting, particularly flowers and ships, and baking.

            She is survived by four sons, George Briggs of Glastonbury, CT, Ronald Briggs of Mansfield, Ernie Briggs of Chichester, NH, and Robert J. Forgette, Jr. of Plymouth. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two sisters, the late Louise Tripp and Frances Medeiros.

            A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in Old Landing Cemetery, Spring St., Marion at 1 PM. Visiting hours have been omitted.

            Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham.

Tree Spared the Ax

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No one can say that Mattapoisett doesn’t try its best to protect and defend trees, especially those that are on town property or public easements. That truth was demonstrated on June 3 when the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room filled for the continued public hearing of the Form C Definitive Subdivision application filed by Scott Snow. In attendance were members of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee, Tree Warden Roland Cote, and interested townspeople – people who were invested in not only the fate of the proposed project, but the tree in question.

            The project, Eldridge Estates, a five-lot subdivision planned for a large parcel of land off Prospect Road, features a private entrance roadway next to a tree – a very large, very healthy tree that was planted by the town many decades ago in the public easement.

            The project, which has been on and off the agenda of the Mattapoisett Planning Board since July 2018, has gone through much iteration. It has also been the subject of frustration for Chairman Tom Tucker who believed the applicant was unprepared to present a fully fleshed out project. There was also an issue that arose with another project Snow developed that has lain incomplete for a decade. But first, the tree.

            As the board members began to go through a list of waivers presented by Snow’s representative, Richard Rheaume of Prime Engineering, the issue of whether or not the linden tree should be given the ax or left in peace was discussed for more than 30 minutes.

            While the applicant did not include removal of the tree in his plans, as Snow’s earlier concepts kept the tree in place, subsequent study of the roadway layout found the tree in the crosshairs of Highway Superintendent Barry Denham. 

            Denham had suggested that snow removal would be difficult at the entranceway to the subdivision because the tree was in the path of the plow blade. During previous debates on the future of the tree, he argued that although the roadway for the five-lot subdivision was private, history had shown that such roads could become the responsibility of the town. Denham also questioned the width of the roadway, planned at 20-feet, believing it was insufficient for emergency apparatus.

            The board members asked for and received a letter from the Fire Department regarding the tree. Tucker read the letter from Chief Andrew Murray. Murray had taken large fire trucks to the project site and tested the viability of the entranceway. He confirmed that the tree would not impede the equipment if a height clearance of 13.6 feet was maintained at all times.

            Cote and the Tree Committee made the case for leaving the tree in place noting its age, somewhere north of 50 years, and size. Tree Committee Chairman Sandra Hering also pleaded to leave the specimen in place. When the waiver vote was taken for that line item, the tree was spared the ax.

            But that wasn’t the only drama of the night.

            There came a point in the two-hour long meeting when there arose a problem with the plans. It became clear that the board members and the engineer were looking at different documents.  Rheaume had some pages from an earlier set, while the board members were saying they had never received a newer set dated May 30.

            In the absence of Mary Crain, Planning Board administrator, Tucker called a recess while he and board member Arlene Fidalgo attempted to locate plans Rheaume said his office had in fact sent.

            Upon returning, Tucker announced that he had spoken to Crain and learned that the missing plans had not been received in time for the board members to review them prior to the meeting.

            However, Tucker did allow the meeting to continue.

            The board continued to review each of the six waivers requested, such as exempting the need for a separate utilities plan, accepting the 20-foot roadway, and other matters related to the layout of the private road and drainage system. Tucker said of the waivers, “Let’s finish waivers, everything’s looking better now.” He also told Rheaume that the hearing would have to be continued, “Two more weeks isn’t going to kill anyone.”

            At the urging of board member Janice Robbins, the issues of surety, bond versus land, and all things related to ensuring that the project is completed was discussed.

            A fly in the ointment for Snow seemed to be buzzing in from another project, one that has gone incomplete for a decade – Ocean Breeze.

            Later in the evening, Tucker commented that he had wanted to bring up this problematic subdivision, but had been advised to consider Eldridge Estates on its own merits without consideration of other matters. When asked about the status of the incomplete roadway at that earlier project, Snow said he was holding checks. It was later learned those were to pay for the top coat on the Ocean Breeze roadway, and that work would be completed in a few days. Snow said that issues with FEMA had caused the 10-year long delay.

            Robbins thought, for the project now before the board, a performance bond would be beneficial. Rheaume wanted the board to consider holding lots versus a cash surety.

            That matter will be taken up when the applicant returns to the Planning Board on June 17 with a final set of plans. Tucker remarked after the applicant had left the room, “They’ll forget something.”

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for June 17 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Lorraine B. (Pepin) Vieira

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, 85, of Mattapoisett passed away suddenly at home on Sunday June 9, 2019. She was the loving wife of Edward Vieira.

            Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Eugene and Yvonne (Levasseur) Pepin, she lived in New Bedford before moving to Acushnet in 1968 and to Mattapoisett in 2009.

            She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a former communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church and was blessed to serve as a Eucharistic Minister. She taught confirmation classes in her home and was a former active member of the Legion of Mary and adorer of the Blessed Sacrament.

            Mrs. Vieira was formerly employed at Aerovox for eight years before staying at home to be a mother and homemaker.

            She attended New Bedford Catholic Schools and was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School.

            She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and playing computer games.

            Survivors include her devoted husband, Edward; two sons, Richard Vieira and his wife Mary of Acushnet and Michael Vieira and his wife Patricia of Mattapoisett; two daughters, Diane Bergeron and her husband Scott of Acushnet and Doreen Brown and her husband Walter of Dartmouth; a brother Raymond Pepin of Acushnet; nine grandchildren, Jake Vieira, Taryn Semenec, Hayden Vieira, Hannah Vieira, Jennifer Cox, Allie Bergeron, Jared Lizotte, Katie Kochan, and Jonathan Duarte; a great-granddaughter, Lumina Vieira; and several nieces and nephews.

            She was the grandmother of the late Andrew Bergeron, and the sister of the late Claire Donth, Cecile Robitaille, Rachel Jussaume, and Paul Pepin.

            Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday June 12, 2019 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett, followed by burial in Tabor Cemetery, Acushnet. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Meeting Street, One Posa Place, Dartmouth, MA 02747 in honor of her late grandson, Andrew Bergeron who left us much too soon. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Joshua David Costa

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Joshua David Costa, age 39, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday June 8, 2019 after a long battle with drug addiction. Josh had tried recovery many times throughout the years with the support of his family and friends.

            Born in New Bedford and raised in Mattapoisett, Josh attended Old Rochester Regional High School and UMass Dartmouth, earning a degree in Fine Arts. Josh worked some time as a graphic artist for various apparel printing companies, as well as designing the family restaurant logo. He had a love of photography, art and music that he enjoyed sharing with his sister. Josh had a strong compassion for all animals, the backyard birds, a love of penguins, and people in general, and enjoyed taking the time to bring soup from the restaurant to his elementary school principal before a snowstorm in Marion.

            Josh spent the last eight years working as the bartender and waiter at the family restaurant in which he helped design and paint. His patrons will miss his infectious smile, the twinkle in his eyes, quirky sense of humor and knowledge of random trivia. He was known for making “the best martinis” anywhere and took pride and care in each one made. Josh was good at making all the food sound so delicious, mostly because he loved food and would try everything.

            Joshua is survived by his mother and father, Marc and Carol Lareau, his sister Brittany Lareau, David Costa and his wife and children, his grandparents Alex and Louis Costa, grandmother Marcelle Lareau and many aunts and cousins. He is also survived by his restaurant family and friends including his brothers Trevor Francis, Corey Zaccari, little sister Samantha Francis, and his deeply loved best friend, Heather Souza.

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday June 13, 2019 at 9:30 am at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday June 12, 2019 from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Massachusetts Humane Society. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Gun Violence

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To the Editor:

            You have heard the statistics about deaths by gun violence. You have seen the stories in the news about school shootings; gun violence in churches, synagogues, and mosques; and everyday killings and suicides in every town across the United States. People are wearing orange and speaking out on National Gun Violence Awareness day on June 7. At events throughout the weekend, activists will join together with a message about gun violence prevention. I urge you to go to www.wearorange.org to find locations nearest you and to learn more about ways to get involved. Wear orange and let your voice be heard to make our families and communities safer by curbing gun violence.

Phoebe Girard, Mattapoisett

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Saint Rose of Lima Chicken Barbeque

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The Saint Rose of Lima Church will be holding their 56th chicken barbeque on Sunday, June 23.

            Plan on a day of family fun beginning with a tasty and ever popular chicken dinner prepared on their open barbeque pits. The menu includes half a chicken with cranberry sauce, a vegetable, potato, roll, watermelon, and a beverage. Meals will be available from Noon – 3:00 pm or while supply lasts. Tickets may be purchased after weekend masses or on the day of the event. They are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 years and under.

            A concession stand and bakery booth will be stocked with a variety of other foods to tempt everyone’s palate.

            Come and enjoy some old fashion fun! There will be games to test your skill and luck, a bouncy house, dunk tank, raffles, a silent auction, and a white elephant table. DJ Alex will provide entertainment throughout the day.

            Bring your whole family and join the festivities at St. Rose of Lima, just off 105 in Rochester at 282 Vaughan Hill Road.