Wakefield Obituaries

Enjoyed the Red Sox and traveling 

WAKEFIELD — Michael James Muldowney was born September 12, 1927, in Kilgarvin, County Mayo, Ireland, the son of Michael Muldowney and Anne (Melvin) Muldowney. Mike, along with his older sister Mary Ellen and their younger brother Joe, lost their father in 1931 when Mike was only four. …

WMHS graduate was active in her church

BILLERICA — Sheila J. (Curran) Vitali, age 59, beloved wife of Edward S. Vitali died Monday at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading with her family by her side after a long battle with lung cancer.

She was born in Melrose, May 25, 1964, a daughter of the…

Enjoys reading, following politics and world events

WAKEFIELD — Justina A. (Hamilton) Rush, of Wakefield, passed away courageously on Wednesday, March 6. She was 91 years of age. 

Justina was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. She was an employee of Chas. F. Hartshorne & Son, Insurance Agency in Wakefield…

Enjoyed the outdoors, movies and concerts

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Michael Hourihan, 56, of Wesley Chapel, FL was suddenly called to his seat in eternity with his Lord and Savior on February 25.

Michael was a Wakefieldian, born and bred. He graduated from Wakefield Memorial High School, class of 1986. Educated at Middlesex Community College…

Enjoyed nights around the campfire and loved dogs

WAKEFIELD — Gail Haggerty, age 87 of Wakefield, died on Tuesday, March 5 at the Benchmark Senior Living at Woburn. She was born in Beverly on July 13, 1936 and was the daughter of the late Ruth Caswell.

Gail was a loving mother, wife, grandmother and great…

US Army veteran

NORTH PORT, FL — Charles “Chuck” Joseph Munroe, 87, of North Port, FL formerly of Lynnfield and Southborough, passed away peacefully on February 22 surrounded by his children. 

Born in Lynn on April 13, 1936, he was the son of the late Angus and Adeline (Murphy) Munroe. Mr. Munroe attended Wakefield High…

US Marine Corps veteran

READING — John F. (“Jack”) McManus, age 89, of Reading, formerly a longtime resident of Wakefield, died Monday, March 4 after a period of failing health.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 24, 1935 he was the son of the late V. Paul and Dorothea Frances (Devenport) McManus. Jack was raised…

US Marine Corps veteran

WAKEFIELD — Michael F. Morelli passed away on Wednesday, February 28, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Malden, Mike is the son of the late Frank and Rocchina (Viola) Morelli.

Beloved husband of Shirley Morelli. Devoted father of Michael Morelli Jr and his wife Gina of…

Loved gardening, traveling and Elvis Presley

WAKEFIELD — Rene Thomson lived an adventurous and fulfilling life; she maintained vigor and a razor-sharp wit even through the long-term effects of a stroke in 2008 and the Alzheimer’s Disease against which she fought bravely until she found peace and entered God’s Kingdom on February 29 at the age…

US Coast Guard veteran 

KENNEBUNK, ME — Herbert James Francis J “JR” Furness, 92, of Winchester, passed away on February 6 in Kennebunk, ME. He was born on May 11, 1931. Herbert was known for his kind and giving nature, always wearing a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. He had a happy disposition…

US Air Force veteran

NORTH ANDOVER — Stephen M. Gibbons, Jr. age 79, of North Andover, formerly of Wakefield, Saugus and Fort Myers, FL died Wednesday, February 28 at Lawrence General Hospital. 

Born in Boston on October 7, 1944 he was the son of the late Stephen and Janas (Storey) Gibbons. 

Stephen was…