Constance Keavy Martin

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Constance Keavy Martin, of Mattapoisett, widow of William B. Keavy and Richard A. Martin, passed away on Friday September 30, 2022 at home. She was 84 years old. Constance (Connie) was born in Brighton, MA, on May 18, 1938, daughter of the late William R. Harty and Edna B. Harty. She was predeceased by her brother, Thomas F. Harty.

            Connie graduated from Hingham High School in 1956 with highest honors, and the University of Massachusetts at Boston in 1960 Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Secondary Education – English, History and Geography. She later received her Elementary Degree from UMass Boston with honors. Connie received her Reading Degree from UMass Dartmouth.

            In 1961, Connie and Bill moved to Mattapoisett as a member of the English Department when Old Rochester Regional High School first opened. She loved all of her students and taught them English, debating, public speaking and drama. At O.R.R. and Apponequet Regional High School, Connie began an innovative remedial and developmental reading program as well as directed the senior play. She taught American and English Literature and devised skits and mini plays to make Literature enjoyable. When teaching English grammar, she taught her students how to diagram a sentence: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

            Connie spent 26 years teaching elementary classes at the Sergeant William H. Carney Academy in New Bedford. She had so many fond memories of Carney Academy. Connie also taught adult literacy classes at ORR in the 70’s and gave workshops over SouthCoast on making teaching materials for the classroom. She particularly loved using the newspaper in education and the Standard-Times featured articles on her efforts to show students the importance of the newspaper in daily life and learning about the world.

            Connie raised her children Shawna and Chris, and often said it was the best time of her life. She was heavily involved in her community and its activities. Connie co-directed the Confirmation program, was a Brownie leader, a PTA member, and member of St. Anthony’s choir and Couples’ Club. She was a member of the Growth Management Committee and the Village Historic District Study Group. Connie was also a member of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and a co-chair of the evening division of the Mattapoisett Women’s Club. She was the first female Cubmaster in the Southcoast between 1976-1978. In 1993, the Mattapoisett Selectmen awarded her a plaque in recognition and gratitude for her town service – “A Giving Spirit”.

            Connie was an animal lover, adopting two shelter kitties and contributing to the Humane Society, MSPCA and Cause for Paws in Mattapoisett.

            Connie was outgoing, fun loving, and passionate about her activities and loves. She loved teaching, quahoging, needlepoint, crewel, rug hooking, and gardening. She was an avid reader and devoted movie buff, recording hundreds of her favorite movies for viewing again and sharing with friends. She was a dedicated “Star Trek” fan.

            Survivors include her children, Shawna K. Keavy of Tiverton, RI, and Christopher W. Keavy and his wife Debra of Yarmouthport, two stepchildren, Ann Marie Viscuso and her husband Vincent of Sagamore Beach, and Michael Martin of Plymouth, five grandchildren, Shannon E. Keavy, William J. Keavy, Jacqueline Martin, Timothy Martin and Victoria Martin, and three great-grandchildren, Colton M. Martin, Jackson M. Martin and Lily S. Martin. Connie is also survived by her sister-in-law Ann E. Mitchell and brother-in-law, Robert Mitchell, as well as several nieces and nephews.

            Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday October 6th at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Bedford. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday October 5th from 5-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Ernest A. Deneault

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Ernest A. Deneault, 80, of Ft. Lauderdale died September 30, 2022 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

            He was the life partner of Robert M. Klein of Ft. Lauderdale.

            Born in New Bedford, son of the late Ernest H. and Beatrice (Frechette) Deneault, he lived in Mattapoisett, Duxbury and South Yarmouth before moving tp Ft. Lauderdale.

            He was formerly employed as a teacher with the Dennis-Yarmouth School System for many years until his retirement.

            He was a graduate of Stonehill College, class of 1964.

            He had a fondness for Bearded Iris, box turtles and Boston Terriers.

            Survivors include his life partner; a brother, Henry N. Deneault and his wife Lola; and a niece, Jacqueline Welham.

            His visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, October 4th from 9-10:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 AM in St. Anthony’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. For directions and online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Sobering Reminder of Ongoing Mission

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            Old Rochester School Committee member Frances Kearns, speaking for the Equity Subcommittee at the committee’s September 7 public meeting, spoke of its July meeting in which the membership discussed plans for the 2022-23 school year.

            Kearns noted that the creation of the subcommittee (originally known as the Anti-Racism Subcommittee) was the result of various students and families in the community voicing the need for diversity in education and making the Tri-Town district a safe and welcoming place for all students. She went on to describe how some goals that were created with direct input from students and their families were easy to meet, while others seemed out of reach.

            “On the second and third day of school this year, my son was subjected to multiple instances of serious and concerning racialized harassment. After we talked about the incident, he asked me to please do something because it’s only going to get worse,” said Kearns, who implored other members of the subcommittee to dedicate themselves to the “hard work” next time they meet. “We need to renew our focus to real, measurable actions that will remedy the current negative aspects of the school culture that allows this to happen.”

            While the committee had much to celebrate and look forward to as the 2022-23 academic year was being launched, Kearns’ words provided a sobering reminder that the work to address racism and other inequities now in the purview of the subcommittee remains an ongoing process subject to new actions.

            The September 7 meeting of the ORR School Committee began with a full roll call before Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson welcomed Shari Fedorowicz, the new assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, emphasizing how quickly she has jumped into her new role.

            Fedorowicz thanked the staff for her warm welcome and added her praise to the others, stating that she was thrilled with the first impression she got when touring school buildings.

            Several new staff members were introduced, including Julie Cotillo, the new school psychologist who owns a red husky named Kona and played the guitar and ukulele. Next was School Adjustment Counselor Vanessa Gelinas, who coaches gymnastics as a second job and will be getting married in October, followed by Courtney Higgens, preschool teacher, mother of four and enthusiastic painter of things from canvas to furniture.

            Kyrle Holland was introduced as a new English teacher, avid hiker and a Patriots fan, followed by Guidance Counselor Mike Janicki, who has a doctoral degree and has completed 13 marathons. Following him was Allison Lima, Physical Education teacher who speaks Portuguese as her first language and has a dog named Boston who was ironically rescued from Texas. Next up was Nicole Reedy, who has been a nurse for 15 years and will be working as one at Old Rochester Regional, alongside training for her first marathon in October.

            Paraprofessionals Teresa Camara, Paul Guilbeault, Jonathan Nogueira and Lori Westgate were all welcomed in sequence before moving on to ORR Junior High staff.

            Up first was Alisia Cabral, a Grade 7 Science teacher born in San Jose, with three dogs, three cats and a love of all things spooky. Then was Jennifer Medeiros, teaching Grade 7 Math, with a love of cooking, painting and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Darren Gray and Amy MacDonald were welcomed to the Junior High as paraprofessionals, along with Leslie Halnen in her new role as Special Education administrative assistant.

            The Central Office Report referenced opening festivities for staff, including coffee and breakfast treats followed by a pump-up meeting in the auditorium with a speech delivered by the superintendent. “My focus was celebrating our educators,” Nelson stated. “Acknowledging the incredibly important work they do for our children and families and how great they truly are.”

            Having visited the various schools on their first or second day of classes, Nelson told the story of one third-grade student who recognized him from the year before. “(The student) leaned over and he said, ‘You’re wearing the same shoes as last year, you didn’t get new school shoes?’” said Nelson, indicating it was time for a new pair of shoes.

            ORRHS Principal Mike Devoll explained further preparatory efforts undertaken by teachers and staff which had ended the last school year discussing the difficulties and impact of the ongoing pandemic, including the emotional toll it has taken on students and adults alike. Devoll praised the endurance and enthusiasm that the staff has been showing and expressed wholehearted optimism about the 2022-23 school year.

            Howie Barber, the assistant superintendent of Finance and Operations, discussed the FY23 operating budget, reminding those present of various policies, particularly regarding the ORR meal program which allots eligible students one free breakfast and one free lunch a day.

            Barber mentioned the potential of upcoming price changes for school meals as a result of item and shipping availability. He took an extra moment to thank custodial staff for their hard work both over the summer and into the ongoing school year, as well as the tech staff who maintain the school’s and students’ laptops, iPads and other learning devices.

            Nelson mentioned the ongoing implementation of Covid protocols in the schools, based on the BPH guidance from Massachusetts and aligned with the CDC. He continues to collaborate with local medical staff to make sure the community is kept informed and healthy and with that concluded the Central Office report.

            In his Principal’s Report, Devoll covered some of the ongoing athletic teams and early year activities.

            “One of our points of pride is getting the freshmen ready for their first day and a series of firsts. We try to string together as many positive firsts as possible. Your first day, your first week, your first term; the next thing you know, it’s been your first year,” he said.

            The committee voted to restructure, and Michelle Smith, the acting chair, was nominated outright, seconded instantly and unanimously voted into the role. Kearns was likewise the committee’s unanimous vote for vice-chair. The role of treasurer was carried on by Michael Perrone, and Diana Russo continues in her role as secretary, both with unanimous support. Further roles in various subcommittees can be found on the ORR website, though some are in the process of being updated to reflect the 2022-23 appointments.

            The next ORR School Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, at 6:30 pm both in person at the ORR Junior High media room and via Zoom.

Old Rochester School Committee

By Jack MC Staier

Getting the Last Word

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If you are younger than the traditional retirement age of 65, the notion of an obituary might be strange, morbidly strange. But if you are 70 years of age and beyond end-of-life stuff like wills and trusts, yes, even what will be included in your obituary is a natural part of preparing for the inevitable.

            Writing your own obituary might seem a bit pretentious but not if you are Judith Rosbe. According to the local historian, attorney and author, writing your own obituary has several important benefits. One would be ensuring that what you want said about your life becomes part of the obituary, and, secondly, you spare someone close to you doing what for them may be a difficult task.

            Rosbe struck on the idea of holding obituary-writing workshops after discussing program themes for seniors with Marion’s library director, Elizabeth Sherry. Throughout the month of September, Rosbe has been leading a group through the process of what constitutes a good obituary, one that leaves the reader knowing more about the deceased than merely a list of awards and good works. It tells you who this person was in life.

            Rosbe said the small group of attendees felt safe in sharing their thoughts and ideas on how they wished to be remembered and, “…telling the story so that it makes you wish you met that person.”

            The group learned that obituaries typically came from funeral homes. The responsibility of filling out a form would most likely fall to a grieving family member and there was always the chance, “they might muck it up,” Rosbe pointed out.

            What began in ancient Rome around 59 B.C. as death notices in a daily publication written on papyrus called Acta Diurna metamorphized into obituaries either written by specialists of the form employed by newspapers or sold like classified ads therefore becoming a revenue producer for the publication. By the 19th century, obituaries were becoming tributes to the deceased.

            “There is not a strict formula today for writing an obituary,” said Rosbe. “They started out as just death notices, notifying the public of a death and allowing them to participate in the mourning process. Many had a four-part structure: death announcement, short bio, survived by section and funeral information. Today, the modern obituary tells a story about the deceased, bringing them to life so that the reader wishes that they knew them. Obituaries today are more honest and open (i.e. telling how the person died, etc.) It is not just a dull resume of the person’s accomplishments.”

            As society has become more comfortable with what in bygone times might have been deemed family secrets, today deaths by drug overdose, suicide and other difficult endings are openly committed to the lines in a dearly departed’s obituary.

            “I believe there are no absolutes today about what must and must not be included,” said Rosbe, noting the modern tendency to, “be more open and honest. … There may be inclusion of same-sex partners, estranged family members and wedlock children.”

            Rosbe said she has always found reading obituaries interesting, especially those written by such newspapers as the Wall Street Journal and The Economist. She noted that one can learn so much about a person if the last words written upon the occasion of a person’s passing are well penned.

            But what about writing you own? How does one face what might be a daunting task?

            “Writing your own obituary gives one the opportunity to reflect about how one would like to be remembered and what one thinks is important about their life,” said Rosbe, stressing in the workshops that an obituary should be interesting to read, omitting trite statements and the obvious: “He passed on to his redeemer, he loved his wife, children, grandchildren, etc.”

            With the loss of newspaper circulation, internet websites now publish obituaries, and newspapers that still print also have web-based platforms so that finding out if a former school pal has passed on remains a daily ritual for many readers.

            A quick spin around the internet will produce a number of sites specializing in obituary writing. Yet it may be more enlightening and more comfortable a process for writing your own if done with a circle of supportive folks ready to take that journey with you. Thanks to Rosbe, some have been able to do just that.

By Marilou Newell

Buttonwood Park: An “Olmsted” Park

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Come to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Sunday, October 16 from 1:30–2:30 to hear Friends of Buttonwood Park President Richard Leary give a fascinating talk – Buttonwood Park: An “Olmsted” Park. He will share the story of New Bedford’s largest and most heavily-used park. This presentation is a part of Olmsted 200, a yearlong nationwide bicentennial celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. The talk will include an overview of Olmsted and his theory and works, the 1980s Olmsted revival in Massachusetts and the history of Buttonwood Park.

            For those interested, a tour of the Park will be conducted after the lecture, weather permitting. Attendees can drive to the Park where Mr. Leary will give a tour starting at 3:00 pm. Details to be provided at the lecture.

Rochester Historical Commission

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A few years ago, the Rochester Historical Commission purchased a print at a Marion auction. The print is of the summer residence of the late Charles H. Leonard in Rochester. The residence was built in 1756 and remodeled in 1850. Sadly, it is no longer there as it burned down in the early 1900’s. The provenance of the print was that it actually hung in a home at Eastover. After having some restoration done to the print, it was framed, and this August it was loaned to the COA to hang in their foyer. We hope people look for the print when visiting the Rochester Senior Center, as the accompanying picture doesn’t do it justice.

Family Jeopardy at the Mattapoisett Library

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On Tuesday, October 4 at 6 pm, gather your family together and head to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library for Family Jeopardy. Experience some friendly competition as your family plays against others for the grand prize. The best part of Family Jeopardy is that no one loses as all participants walk away with a prize. When the game is over, the winners of the Library Card Sign-Up Month Raffle will be announced. This is an event not to be missed. No registration is required and all ages are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or by calling the library.

RMS Solar Draws Criticism

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            The Rochester Planning Board started its September 27 public meeting by briefly reviewing the draft decisions for the Arch at the Meadows project and the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Marion Road Scenic Highway permit application.

            Board Chairman Arnold Johnson quickly concluded that both plans were ready for Town Counsel Blair Bailey to review before they would be voted on at the Planning Board’s next meeting on Tuesday, October 11.

            The Arch at the Meadow plan is to move the property owner’s driveway to their home lot instead of its current location, which is closer to the business lot. Doing so will require waivers of parking and lighting regulations.

            The Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Scenic Roadway permit application involves permission to cut trees on 55 acres on Marion Road now owned by Elliot Farms, LLC.

            The board, however, reserved most of its time Tuesday night for an “informal discussion” of the plan to build a photovoltaic solar canopy in the back parking lot of the Rochester Memorial School.

            Senior project engineer Robert Bowman of Green Seal Environmental (GSE) began by noting suitable documents have been submitted to the board, and he was open to further questions.

            Johnson’s first criticism of the plan was that in some spots it promises the solar installation will supply 70 percent of the school’s electricity needs and in other spots only 68 percent. “I’d like you to be more consistent,” he said.

            Then Johnson noted the plan requests waivers from all stormwater regulation. A decision on that will require first the engineering peer-review report, he said. Next, he criticized the screening plan as not being adequate for the neighbors to the west of the school.

            Lastly, Johnson noted any decommissioning fee would have to be paid up front, not later, and he criticized GSE for paying for an engineering study that “got it wrong.” The study asserts the school building is one floor when, in fact, it is two floors.

            The board’s discussion with Bowman also revealed that the 14-foot-high steel beams holding up the canopy would be embedded in a concrete foundation, and the school will have direct access to the electricity it generates and to the installation’s lighting system.

            Town planner Nancy Durfee said she wants more information on how the installation’s electrical system will tie into the school’s system.

            Board member Chris Silveira asked whether the project’s design would meet setback requirements. Johnson said he will check with Town Counsel to answer that.

            Bowman expressed willingness to work on all of the above concerns.

            GSE officials on Zoom asked when the public hearing will take place. Durfee was unsure, as she is still reviewing the paperwork. But she said the hearing might be scheduled for the Planning Board’s October 25 public meeting.

            In related action, the board then signed the contract with Field Engineering for the peer review of the solar canopy project.

            Also Tuesday night, the board said it will post a meeting so it may attend an October 4 site visit of the Rounseville Road solar project.

            The Rochester Memorial School solar canopy is being installed as part of a power-purchase agreement between GSE and the school. GSE is paying for all construction and permitting costs.

            The Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, at 7:00 pm at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School library, also accessible live via Zoom.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

MATTREC Tri-Town Basketball Registration

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Mattapoisett Recreation Basketball registration is open. We are thrilled to be offering Tri-Town Basketball league to Grades 3-6, Grade 2 Basketball, and K-1 Afterschool basketball. Dates and information for all leagues is available on our website at www.mattrec.net. Last year, we had over 16 teams in the Tri-Town league. Games and practices are on weekdays, so players can still participate in travel basketball and other weekend sports. Sign up today. Registration deadline is October 30. Please email us with any questions at mattrec@mattapoisett.net.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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I’m probably showing my age when I ask how many remember Longfellow’s poem that begins,” This is the forest primeval, the murmuring pines and the hemlock.” If you guessed “Evangeline,” you’re correct. Reaching back to my 8th grade English class, I remember being upset at the treatment of Evangeline and her neighbors, but I don’t recall learning anything of the history that led up to the destruction of her village and the dispersal of her neighbors. While Longfellow created a fictional village and characters, he wrote the poem in part to highlight the treatment of actual Acadian inhabitants in the 1700’s.

            The wars that we here in America refer to as the French and Indian Wars were in truth a succession of wars pitting England and France against each other in both the old world and the new. New France’s (Canada) military and their alliance with the Wabanaki Confederacy stood in the way of the New England colonies, primarily Massachusetts, from expanding north. France claimed that the southern border of their territory was the Kennebec River. Massachusetts’ charter included today’s Maine and settlers wanted to expand beyond the Kennebec.

            The border between the two countries fluctuated back and forth depending on the success and failure of battles. Acadia, the present maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Maine, were home to many villages where people had farmed for generations. While over the course of the wars, some Acadians had helped with French military operations and also sent supplies during the siege of Louisburg, many more were neutral and wanted only to tend their land and raise their families.

            When the British forces had control of the area, they began at least three different expulsions of the residents. During some of these, British ships would arrive, and entire communities would be loaded onto ships, often separating husbands from wives and mothers from their children. During transport, many Acadians died of disease and drowning, as many shipwrecks occurred.

            I’m sure that about now, you are wondering what this has to do with Rochester’s history and Bowen’s Lane. According to Mary Hall Leonard’s book on the history of old Rochester, Massachusetts troops, which almost certainly included Rochester men, took part in one of the Acadian expulsions. In 1755, General Winslow of Marshfield was ordered to remove the inhabitants of Acadia, Nova Scotia. The General went on record as saying that the order to remove these people was, ” disagreeable to his natural make and temper and that his principles of implicit obedience” were put to a severe test. He did follow his orders and brought 1000 French Acadians to Massachusetts. While these exiles fared better than many, they were still in a strange land with only the possessions that they were wearing or could carry and whose language they couldn’t understand. Massachusetts divided up the group and sent them to different towns, including Rochester. For quite a few years, they were a ” public charge” and town records include bills for “cloath for the French”. More than one petition was sent to the General Court asking for “relief on account of the “natural French.”

            While some of the Acadians never adjusted to their fate and ended up in almshouses like the ones once on Bowen’s Lane, others assimilated into their new community, and it’s believed that some of the French surnames in the area can be traced back to Acadia. Once again, the echoes of history resonate into the present.

By Connie Eshbach