Obituaries - Marblehead Current

IN MEMORIAM: Remembering Marblehead’s ‘codfather’

31May

By William J. Dowd1 Comment

Culture, Local News, Obituaries, Top Stories

IN MEMORIAM: Remembering Marblehead’s ‘codfather’

Raymond C. Abbott, the man responsible for the ubiquitous golden codfish carvings adorning Marblehead homes, was laid to rest on May 23. His grandson, Derek Abbott, told the Marblehead Current that his grandfather passed away on April 20 after a period of declining health. He was 93. In the 1990s, Marblehead quickly adopted Abbott's golden codfish, elevating it to the status of other historic symbols gracing homes, including the majestic golden bald eagle and pineapples. Raymond Abbott, left, with his grandson, Derek Abbott, was the mastermind behind Marblehead's distinctive wooden codfish carvings that adorn local homes. COURTESY PHOTO / DEREK ABBOTT The golden cod adorning the facades of homes pays tribute to Marblehead's historical connection to the 17th-century fishing tra...

28May

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Gloria Gutwirth, 90

Gloria Wright Gutwirth, 90, left behind the many who loved her on May 10, 2023. The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Wright, she was raised in Beverly and resided for many years in Marblehead before moving to Naples, Florida. Gloria Gutwirth She is survived by her beloved companion, Carmine Palumbo, and his daughter, Marie Goetz. She was dear “Auntie Glo” and loved by Bruce Dallas, Linda Wigglesworth, Donna Noble, Dana Dobrenchuk, Heather Dallas, and her many great and great-grand nieces and nephews. Her beloved nephew, Greg Dobrenchuk, predeceased her. Gloria received her BA in sociology and psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and was offered a scholarship there to pursue her master’s degree. Instead, she chose to broaden her horizons by moving to England when o...

Arthur Epstein, beloved Marblehead benefactor, dies at 86

27May

By William J. Dowd1 Comment

Education, Local News, Obituaries, Top Stories

Arthur Epstein, beloved Marblehead benefactor, dies at 86

The Marblehead community is lamenting the loss of Arthur Joseph Epstein, a business executive, philanthropist and all-around mensch who leaves behind a legacy of transformative contributions to mental and behavioral health care and Jewish education on the North Shore. Epstein died on May 21. He was 86. Arthur Epstein in front of Epstein Hillel School in 2017 shortly after the school was renamed in his honor. COURTESY PHOTO / EPSTEIN HILLEL SCHOOL Hailing from Malden, Epstein grew up to become a successful entrepreneur and investor, becoming the second-largest franchise owner in the country. He and his late wife, Eunice, were high school sweethearts and raised their three children in Marblehead. They resided in the town for 50 years. Epstein bought his first Midas Muffler tire s...

20May

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Ferol S. Breymann, 97

Ferol Stark Breymann died peacefully on Dec. 12, 2022, at the age of 97 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Milwaukee. She was predeceased by her parents, her former husband, John B. Breymann III, her longtime partner, Donald B. Connors, and her brother, Donny Stark. Ferol S. Breymann She is survived by her daughters, Meg Breymann, Kerry Breymann, Annabelle Keil (Rodrigo Corazon) and Rebecca Leiter (Mark); her grandchildren, Will Breymann (Bailey Sheran), Jackson Mansfield, Maggie Mansfield (Sam Perkins), Ben Keil and Peter Keil (Frances), Gabriel Leiter, Nicky Leiter and Noa Leiter; and her great-grandson, Pace Breymann. Ferol graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s in journalism and from the Boston University ...

17May

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Phillips C. Cooke, 91

Phillips Carter Cooke, 91, of Marblehead passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023. He was born to parents Theodore Carter Cooke and Florence Phillips Cooke, on Feb. 28, 1932, in Lynn, just a few minutes before Leap Year Day. Phillips C. Cooke Of his close childhood relatives, he is predeceased by his brothers, James Henry and Donald James, and leaves his sister, Nancy Cooke Latta of Pompton Plains, New Jersey. He is survived by his three children, their spouses and six grandchildren: Jonathan Cooke and wife Sarah and their children, Rachel and Josh, of Newton; Peter Cooke and wife Mary Ann and their children, Maddie and Jake, of Westwood; and Jennifer Cooke Rotman and husband Richard Rotman and their children, Matt and Sam, of Westborough. He also leaves many loved nieces, nephews,...

26Apr

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Obituaries, Uncategorized

OBITUARY: Edward Rosenthal, 89

Edward Rosenthal,Beloved husband of Helen B. Rosenthal (nee Missel) for over 66 years, passed away on April 7. Loving father of Steven (Joan) Rosenthal, Joel (Patricia) Rosenthal and Mara (Gary) Friedman. “Papa” was the intensely proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Lee (Kathryn), Jon (Kayla Zerfoss), Alex Rosenthal; Sarah (Benjamin Bronstein) and David (Eleanor) Rosenthal; Max (Sonja Eliason), Michael, and Ariella Friedman. Great grandfather to Hazel, Warren, and Ellis Rosenthal. Preceded in death by his dear sister Rosalyn (Kit) Lovin. Ed was born on May 10, 1934 to Louis and Fannie Rosenthal of Dorchester where he was raised on Castlegate Road in a close family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was a graduate of Boston Latin School (’52) where h...

23Apr

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Alexander J. Finigan, 76

Self-proclaimed gearhead, “Cap’n” and “luckiest guy on Earth,” Alexander James Finigan, 76, passed away suddenly from complications from pneumonia on Sunday, April 9, 2023, with his wife Krista, son Alex and daughter Samantha at his side. Alexander J. Finigan Alex was born on Feb. 10, 1947, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lorraine Warren and Alexander Finigan. Alex grew up in North Arlington, New Jersey, and spent summers with his extended family on the Jersey Shore. After a short stint at a desk job that he quit by “leaving for lunch and never coming back,” Alex moved to Marblehead, where he met Krista, and together, they created a home. Alex’s true love was his family and many dear friends. His devotion to his wife and children was complete, as was his joy in his new role as grand...

21Apr

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Obituaries, Uncategorized

OBITUARY: Sylvia Swain, ‘full of grace’

In sorrow and love, we announce that Sylvia Swain passed away at home on April 3, 2023, at the age of 88. Sylvia Christine Lloyd was born Jan. 2, 1935 in Reading, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Marblehead, and Sylvia fell in love with her new hometown. Sylvia Swain She attended Marblehead Public Schools and was known for her vivacious personality. She became drum majorette for the high school band and caught the eye of Fran Swain. After graduating, she attended Beverly Nursing School and, while still a student nurse, she married Fran and they started their family. Sylvia worked as a nurse for Drs. Fallon and Tippetts in Marblehead for many years, and they encouraged her to continue her education. She became one of the first certified nurse practitioners in the country. ...

11Apr

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Edward T. Courtney, 78

Edward Thomas Courtney, age 78, of Pittsfield, formerly of Marblehead, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Edward T. Courtney Born in Niskayuna, New York, Edward was the son of the late Frederick Marvin and Esther (Mills) Courtney. Ed is survived by his dedicated daughter, Dianna Courtney-Chmiel, and her forever, Christopher Chmiel. He was the cherished cousin of Thomas Owen Mills. Ed leaves several close friends. He grew up in Scotia, New York, until his senior year in high school when he moved to Town and graduation from Marblehead High School with the Class of 1964. Ed raised his family in Marblehead, where he spent many years as the owner of Ed’s Getty on Pleasant Street before continuing his automotive expertise for the town of Marblehead. He was extremely proud...

1Apr

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Obituaries

OBITUARY: Lynn Goodchild, 77

Lynn Wilson Goodchild, a beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away on Feb. 20, 2023, in Annapolis, Maryland. Lynn Wilson Goodchild She was born on Feb. 9, 1946, in Pasadena, California, to Dr. John and Berenice Wilson. Lynn spent her childhood in Ohio before attending the University of Kentucky and later The Ohio State University, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. Lynn worked as a dental hygienist, and it was during this time that she met her future husband, Anthony “Tony” Goodchild, on a blind date in Boston. They were married on Sept. 4, 1971, and lived in Newbury, Hamilton and Marblehead while raising their two daughters, Paige (Doug) Hamilton and Brooke (Rush) McCloy. After retirement, Lynn and Tony lived in several location...