Wakefield Obituaries

WHS graduate, gifted athlete, coach retired from Massport

WAKEFIELD — William (Billy) A. Hankard Jr., of Wakefield, died on Wednesday November 9, surrounded by his loving family. He was a great man, loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend and coach.

He was born in Chelsea on November 2, 1953 and was the son…

Loving mother and wife who enjoyed helping people and gardening 

WAKEFIELD — Carolyn Ann Thomas, age 86, of Wakefield died Friday, November 11 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Born in Wakefield on June 28, 1936 she was the daughter of the late Michael and Frances (Dececca) Santoro.

Carolyn was raised in Wakefield and was a graduate…

An antique car enthusiast and loved to travel

WAKEFIELD — Robert E. Lee, age 89 of Wakefield died Friday, November 11 in Wakefield. He was born in Malden on August 9, 1933 and was the son of the late William E. and Muriel E. (McEwen) Lee. Mr. Lee was raised in Malden and was a…

An avid sports fan and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids 

WAKEFIELD — Stephen Edward Doyle, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 11, 2022.

Born and raised in Wakefield, he was the son of Francis W. and Catherine A. (Dugan) Doyle.

Steve attended Don Bosco Technical School in Boston. He served…

An avid NE sports fan and enjoyed the outdoors

NATICK — Neil Richard Podolsky, age 75, of Natick and former longtime Wakefield resident, died November 7 at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Everett on December 21, 1946 he was the son of the late Abram…

Enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening and walking

SEABROOK, N.H. — Florence “Anne” Cotter, 86, of Seabrook, N.H. formerly of Wakefield died on November 5 at her residence.

Born in Malden on August 17, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Florence (Murphy) Cotter.

Anne had retired from NYNEX and had also worked…

Enjoyed making his own beer and taking drives on the Kancamangus Highway

NORTH ATTLEBORO — Matthew “Matt” Paul Dalton, 55, of Attleboro, Ma passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, November 7, 2022. He was the husband of Yuxia Zhao.

Born in Melrose on January 20, 1967, he was…

A sweet and gentle soul who loved spending time with family

LYNNFIELD — Frances E. (Smith) Lacey, resident of Lynnfield, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at a Lynnfield healthcare facility. She was 97.

Frances was born in Dorchester on July 15, 1925, the only child of the late Howard and Hazel (Clark…

Loved sports, especially hockey, and spending time with family

WAKEFIELD — Walter J. “Wally” Roberts, 63, of Wakefield and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly at his home from natural causes, on Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Born in Melrose on July 13, 1959. He was the son of the late Walter and Janet L. (Jones…

Loved to travel, go on cruises, and spend time at the beach

SURFSIDE BEACH, South Carolina — Jean Marie Roberts, 80, of Surfside Beach, S.C., formerly of Wakefield, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. She was born November 30, 1941 in Lynn, daughter of the late Willard Lombard and Liane Fortier Lombard.

In addition to…

Past Commander of the AMVETS, post #21 in Melrose

READING — Peter Stronach, of Reading, passed away at the Royal Meadowview Nursing Home in North Reading on November 5, 2022, at the age of 81.

Peter was born in Somerville, raised in Billerica and a graduate of Billerica High School, Class of 1959. He went…