Gone But Not Forgotten

Obituary: Ruth Anne Bleakney, Director of Milford Senior Center

The Milford Senior Center will be renamed for Ruth Anne Bleakney, 66, who died April 17.

Ruth Anne Bleakney, longtime director of the Milford Senior Center, was a constant presence at the facility and a strong advocate for senior services. Mrs. Bleakney died Wednesday, April 17 of cancer, according to an obituary published by Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. She was 66. The Milford Senior Center, which she directed since 1988, will be renamed in her memory, at the request of the Milford Council on Aging. The Milford Board of Selectmen authorized the renaming Monday. The board had a moment of silence for her at the beginning of their meeting. "She was a wonderful advocate to the seniors of the community," said Brian Murray, chairman of the board. Mrs. Bleakney, a native of New Jersey, was educated at Pierce Junior College in …

• Photos (1)

Gone But Not Forgotten

Mustafa 'Tony' Demir, Owner of Tony's Place, Dies at 67

Tony Demir, the owner of Tony's Place, was known for friendly banter with customers, his fish and chips, and a love of the Three Stooges.

Tony's Place, a tiny retaurant on Main Street, was crammed with customers this weekend, like always. Dan Demir wanted to keep the breakfast-lunch spot open, following his father Tony's unexpected death Friday, so people could share their memories. Mustafa 'Tony' Demir, 67, died Friday following a brief illness, according to an obituary published by Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. Inside his namesake restaurant, the waitresses, cooks and other employees said he created a second family for them. "This was his home; he never left," said Marleni Tejada, an employee of eight years who started in the kitchen next to him, before moving on to waitressing out front. "He was so full of life," she said. "He was nice to everyone." Known for generous …

•  13 Comments
• Photos (3)

Gone But Not Forgotten

Paul Seaver, Coach, Milford Youth Center Commission Chairman, Dies at 53

Seaver, a longtime youth and community league coach in Milford, and chairman of the town's Youth Center Commission, died Tuesday of ALS.

Paul Seaver, a dedicated and decorated coach, and longtime advocate for Milford's youth, died Tuesday following a two-year battle with ALS. He was the chairman of the Milford Youth Center Commission, and had served for years as president of the town's Amateur Basketball Association. Mr. Seaver grew up in Milford and graduated from Milford High School in 1977. He initially worked at a family-owned business, Seaver's Express Co. Prior to his diagnosis, he worked at EMC Corp. in Hopkinton. He was a varsity or junior varsity coach in several towns, including Milford, Franklin, and Wellesley. Following his disclosure of his ALS diagnosis, the Milford community rallied around him, holding benefit basketball tournaments and games that drew …

• Photos (2)

Gone But Not Forgotten

James Kellett II, Owner of James E. Kellett and Son Funeral Home, Dies at 61

James Kellett, the 40-year owner and funeral director of James E. Kellett and Son Funeral Home, died Wednesday. Calling hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

James E. Kellett II, the nearly 40-year owner and funeral director of James E. Kellett and Son Funeral Home, died this week following a long battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Mr. Kellett, who was 61, was a graduate of Milford High School, and of New England Institute for Applied Sciences. He was a member of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, and a past president of Milford Rotary Club. Survivors include his wife, Janet M. (Consigli) Kellett, his son, James Kellett III, and two daughters, LaurenMarie Kellett and Kendra Kellett. Born in Milford, Mr. Kellett was the son of the late James E. and Rachel A. (Gubana) Kellett. In an obituary published Thursday, his family said he loved his work, and helping people in their time of…

• Photos (1)

Gone But Not Forgotten

Obituaries: George Consigli, Christine Gurciullo

Milford has lost two of its longest residents.

George L. Consigli, 92, died November 21. He was a Milford native and lifelong resident. He was an accomplished stone mason and part owner of Consigli Construction Company, Inc. He was active in town, a member of Sons of Italy, The VFW and the Masons union. He survived by three sisters, Rita Coffey of Hopedale, Elena Murphy of Milford, Gloria Coffey of Milford, and many nieces and nephews.        His funeral will be held Saturday, November 24, at 9 a.m. at the Consigli-Ruggeiro Funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Visiting Hours will be Friday, 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Countryside Health Care of Milford, 1 Countryside Drive, …

• Photos (1)

Gone But Not Forgotten

Domenic D'Alessandro, Milford Selectman, Dies at 93

Mr. D'Alessandro, who was awarded two Bronze Service Stars for his service in World War II, died Monday. After his elected service, he led Milford efforts to restore Memorial Hall. Visiting Hours are Thursday. The funeral is Friday.

  Editor's Note: the following obituary is from Edwards Memorial Funeral Home: Mr. Domenic E. D’Alessandro, 93, of Milford MA, died early Monday morning (October 1, 2012) at Compass Assisted Living at Golden Pond in Hopkinton MA. He previously had been a resident of Milford for over sixty years. Domenic was born in Hopedale MA on the corner of Freedom and Maple Streets. Domenic was the son of the late Antonio and the late Mary (Pomponio) D’Alessandro, who came to the United States from Italy. He grew up in Hopedale and graduated from Hopedale High School, Class of 1937. Domenic worked in the Herman Shoe Factory in Millis, the Porter Shoe Factory in Milford and Draper Corporation in Hopedale. After attending Worcester Industrial Technical …

• Photos (2)

Tony Eng, Owner of Royal Buddha Restaurant, Dies at 62

Tony Eng, who opened the Royal Buddha Restaurant in Milford 27 years ago, died Sunday of cancer. Funeral services are Wednesday in Boston.

For 27 years, Tony Eng was a constant presence at Royal Buddha Restaurant in Milford. He commuted to his restaurant six days a week from Boston, and the connection to the business was so strong, his son said, it seemed like a fourth child in the family. "His business was just as much a child to him as us," said Benjamin Eng. Tony Eng, the owner and longtime manager of the Chinese restaurant, died Sunday following several months of treatment for cancer. He was 62, his son said, and until recently had been responding well to treatment. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Wing Fook Funeral Home, 13 Gerard St., Roxbury. In a notice posted on the restaurant doors, the family said the public is invited and can call 617-989-8833…

•  32 Comments
• Photos (1)

Obituary: John Bucchino, Founder of American Karate and Fitness

Visitation for John Bucchino, 47, the founder of American Karate Fitness, will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home. Funeral services are Thursday.

John Bucchino was remembered this week by friends and students as a gifted teacher, who used martial arts to provide children with a sense of strength and self-worth. Mr. Bucchino, 47, founder of American Karate and Fitness in Milford, died Friday of cancer. A 1982 graduate of Milford High School, Mr. Bucchino was better known as "Sensei John" to students and colleagues. Funeral services for Mr. Bucchino will be Thursday at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Visiting hours are from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Buma-Sergeant Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Kim Handley-Bucchino, and four children, Vinny, Garrett, Giana and Lauren. In a notice published Saturday on the American Karate and Fitness Facebook page, Roger Allen, a …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Funeral Services Monday for Richard Person, Milford Library Trustee

Richard J. Person, a longtime trustee of Milford Town Library, died Saturday. Visitation will be Sunday at Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Richard J. Person, a six-year trustee of the Milford Town Library and chairman of its former renovation committee, died Saturday at the Blaire House of Milford. Person, who was 81, had a more than 30-year career as an international union representative for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, helping to organize engineers within NASA and at science lab locations in Alabama, Ohio and Maryland, according to an obituary published by Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home. Following his retirement, he remained a strong advocate for labor rights and issues. In Milford, he was a 6-year elected member of the Board of Library Trustees, and was re-elected in April to another three-year term. He also was on the School Building …

• Photos (1)