The Boston Parks and Recreation Department has announced that its popular summer series of ParkARTS Watercolor Painting Workshops will return during the month of June at five Boston locations.

The series of eight workshops for budding artists ages nine and up is just one of the many offerings of the 18th annual ParkARTS program sponsored by Holly and David Bruce.  These hands-on watercolor painting workshops enable participants to create their own greenspace-inspired masterpieces.

Local art instructors welcome artists of all skill levels to join them and capture Boston’s historic parks in bloom. The free workshops include instruction and materials provided.  All classes are held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. weather permitting.

Dates and locations are as follows:

Boston Public Garden Lagoon (meet near Swan Boats)

Saturdays, June 7 and 14

Geneva Cliffs Urban Wild, 275 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester

Sunday, June 8

Nira Rock Urban Wild, 22 Nira Avenue, Jamaica Plain

Sunday, June 15

Copley Square, Boston

Saturdays, June 21 and 28

Kelleher Rose Garden, 70 Park Drive, Boston

Sundays, June 22 and 29

For further information on the workshops and other ParkARTS programs, please call (617) 635-4505 or visit the Parks Department online at www.cityofboston/parks or www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment.

City Councilor Sal LaMattina has ordered Public Works and the city’s code enforcement officers to begin cracking down heavily on improper trash and recycling disposal in Charlestown and elsewhere in his district.

On Tuesday alone, code enforcement wrote 120 tickets for improper trash put out in other neighborhoods.

“Please be alert in the coming weeks and make sure that everyone is informed and educated on the City’s trash regulations,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina. “Just because enforcement hasn’t been as heavy as it was this week doesn’t mean that regulations weren’t already in place. If your area of the neighborhood wasn’t cited that doesn’t mean it won’t be targeted in the coming weeks.”

Last week five code enforcement officers handed out almost 400 tickets in LaMattina’s district, which includes Charlestown, East Boston and the North End and they will continue to have a presence not only here but citywide as well said LaMattina.

LaMattina said the city will have a zero tolerance policy going forward and trash has to either be put out in barrels or in a heavy two-ply trash bag.

LaMattina has long been working to curb trash and litter in Boston neighborhoods.

LaMattina has worked with local groups across the district to study trash, litter and why it occurs and ways to stop it.

One group found that 73 percent of the litter was thrown litter like cigarette pack, soda cans, scratch tickets.

The group then analyzed where the litter and trash most likely came from and found that 60% of the materials came from corner stores and included items you would find there like cans, candy wrappers, chips bags, lottery tickets phone cards, etc.

They found that a lot of the litter like lottery tickets, cigarette packs and discarded liquor bottles is bought by adults and concluded that the city has a big problem with adults littering here.

While and overwhelming amount of litter is thrown litter the group wanted to start small and target trash put out problems in the city which they found could be anywhere from 30 to 35  percent of the overall problem.

While some neighborhoods in Boston will experience a change in trash pick up as part of new collection, hauling and disposal contract, Charlestown will be unaffected.

Sunrise Scavenger will service Charlestown and the trash collection schedule here is unchanged.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Department of Public Works announced the new collection hauling and disposal contracts this week. The new contract will be effective July 1, 2014 and last until the end of the contract term in fiscal year 2019.  “I’m concerned for the environment and we have to do our part by protecting our City,” said Walsh. “This new contract has been implemented with the goal of encouraging more recycling and trash collection, keeping our current financial climate in mind.”

Should you have any questions, please contact Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Department of Neighborhood Services at 617.635.3485 or your local representative can be found here: https://www.cityofboston.gov/ons.

Whole Foods Market liason’s Nora Daniels reading to students.

On Friday, May 23, Principal Michele Davis welcomed key community businesses and partners to the school and classrooms.  The event has become a much- loved tradition that Mrs. Davis started during her first year as principal back in the fall of 2010.  “It is an event that I look forward to hosting each year because it reinforces the cohesiveness our community and the commitment we have to each other.”

The event begins with coffee and pastries and the opportunity for community members and partners to connect with each other and learn more how they each have a relationship with the Warren-Prescott.  Then, community members are treated to a performance by the WP’s award- winning chorus.  After breakfast, each community member is escorted by a student council representative from the upper school to a classroom, where they talk to the students about what they do, how they support the community and how their education and training helped them in their career.  The students are able to ask questions, and from year to year, their eyes are opened to the wider community around them and the various opportunities that lie ahead.

In attendance were guests from over 25 businesses and partnerships around Charlestown and the larger Boston area, including Courageous Sailing, Berklee College of Music, Mass General Hospital, Whole Foods Market, and Charlestown Against Drugs, among many more.  Rebecca Inver from Courageous Sailing stated, “I was blown away by the number of Charlestown community leaders who are invested in the Warren- Prescott School and the students respond to their community by working hard to be respectful, engaged members in the neighborhood.  Whether through singing, asking questions, or lending a helping hand, it is clear that Warren-Prescott is a special place and a beacon in Charlestown.”

Teen volunteers for the YMCA Patrick Sicotte, Liam Kennedy, Aidan Kelly, Alek Estrada, C.J. Valdez and Teen Director Michael Lerchfield spell out ‘YMCA’ last week during the Pahty on the Hahbah fundraiser for the Charlestown YMCA. More than 200 people attended the event.

Investigate Property

05/26/14 – Officers responded to Walford Way for a report of shots fired.

At the time of the call, police were in the vicinity, but did not hear any shots or find any ballistic evidence.

Assault and Battery on a Police Officer

05/26/14 – During an investigation in the Bunker Hill housing development, a suspect became extremely agitated while police questioned him and struck the officer several times. The suspect was taken into custody.

Firearm/Weapon – Violation

05/27/14 – Officers responded to Carney Court for a report of five shots fired.

Police were given a brief description of three to four dark-skinned males, possibly Hispanic, and searched the area for them to no avail. The officers located four shell-casings at a cut-through leading to Bunker Hill Street, however, along with a trail of blood. A K-9 and numerous other officers assisted in the search for possible suspects or a victim, but did not locate anyone.

The matter is under investigation by area detectives

Investigate Person

05/29/14 – Officers responded to Bunker Hill Street for a report of shots fired. The area was searched, but no ballistic evidence or injured person(s) was found.

Investigate Person

06/01/14 – Officers responded to an apartment on Medford Street in response to a call stating that shots were fired in the home.

With the permission of the home owner, police entered the and found the report to be unsubstantiated.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon – Knife

06/01/14 – Officers responded to Bartlett and Green streets for a report of a person stabbed.

The victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where police interviewed him. The victim was uncooperative and evasive during the interview, stating only that the incident might have happened on O’Reilly Way. Officers checked the area for possible evidence of a crime scene, but found none.

The victim’s wounds were non-life threatening.

Graduation season is upon us, the time of year in which communities all across America celebrate the accomplishments of our young adults who will be receiving their high school diplomas.

Graduation is a bittersweet time, marking both an ending and a beginning. For the grads, they will realize that the past four years, which they began as adolescents, are now culminating as they reach adulthood and they will be saying goodbye to their friends, teachers, and mentors who guided them through their high school years.

For the parents, who will be filled with pride as they hear their child’s name called and watch them stride across the podium to receive their diplomas, no doubt the sentiments expressed in a song from Fiddler on the Roof will be in their minds:

Where is the little girl I carried?

Where is the little boy at play?

I don’t remember getting older,

When did they?

All of us, even those who have no direct connection to a graduate, will smile as we see the brightly-colored balloons and other festive decorations that will mark graduation parties in our neighborhoods. We will recall our own high school graduations and think about the happiness and expectations that filled us when we were so much younger.

Today’s graduates are tomorrow’s leaders. We will be counting upon them to make a better world. Let’s hope that we have supplied them with the tools they need to ensure that the problems we are facing today will be overcome by them, both for the sake of their own generation and those before and after.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to our graduates and their families.

Charlestown’s current mayor, Shannon Lundin, recently returned from her hard won trip to Ireland. As the tradition goes, whoever sells the most tickets and becomes mayor earns themselves and the guest of their choice a trip to Ireland to experience the Irish culture first hand. Shannon brought her 14 year old daughter Laneigh along for the trip and obviously had a blast.

The first day they arrived, tired from jet lag, they met an older couple who were from Ireland and who had visited Boston. Impressed with the hospitality they experienced in our city, they hoped to return the favor by buying water and chocolate for Shannon and Laneigh to help with their jetlag. “I felt the similarities in the sense of loyalty and strong community bond,” said Shannon.  Later that night they went to the Merry Ploughboy Pub, one of the many busy pubs in Dublin.  The Irish step dancers were impressive, and even pulled Laneigh up on stage to dance with them for the crowd.

The first night was already an experience in and of itself, but the next few days were also full of new experiences and excitement. Shannon’s grandmother, Margaret Kerrin (maiden name Sullivan) was from Tralee in County Kerry. After having spent some time there, they took the “Shannon Breeze”, a ferry on the River Shannon, over to County Clare, which was her mother’s name. As both her mother and grandmother have passed, Shannon felt that it was a unique spiritual connection to go from where her grandmother was from, to a place that shared a name with her mother, on a river that she too shared a name with.

Once in County Clare, she and Laneigh climbed the 5 miles along the cliffs of Moher, which are massive rock faces looking out on the Atlantic ocean from 700 feet up. From there they traveled to see the shepherds and their sheep dogs herd the sheep over the Irish countryside. “One of my favorite things was the sheep dogs, I thought I would be bored but I loved it,” Shannon says. Only two dogs can herd up to 300 sheep, as each dog is taught a different training language and cannot understand the commands the shepherd gives to the other herd dog. In this way, the shepherd can direct each dog to different places in order to move the sheep wherever he needs them to be. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Ireland if they also visited Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone for luck!

Ultimately, it was an amazing and once in a lifetime experience that neither Shannon nor her daughter will ever forget. “They thought I was a local until I opened my mouth. Another couple said to me ‘Every Irish love wants a dark haired blue eyed Shannon’, I laughed. I didn’t experience rudeness, everyone was really nice and kind.” It seemed to be a bit of a homecoming, being able to trace her family history from Ireland with that of her present day life in Charlestown, MA and hopefully the next mayor will be able to experience something just as amazing. Don’t forget to get out and support the candidates before June 12th   not only to help the organizations they support, but to aid the next mayor of your choice in making the trip of a lifetime!

The Next Opening of the Charlestown Veterans History Project exhibits at 20 City Square will be Saturday June 14th from 1:00 to 4:00PM. For more information contact Bill Durette at 617-595-7083

The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee is proud to announce that the Chief Marshall of this year’s parade is Joseph Zuffante. Joe is an Army veteran of the Viet Nam War. He serves as president of the Abraham Lincoln Post 11 (Gar).

This year’s parade will commemorate the 239th anniversary of the Battle Of Bunker Hill and will be held on Sunday June 15th starting at 12:30 P.M..

We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the parade in the past and encourage all to make a contribution to this year’s parade. The cost of marching units and other expenses goes up every year. Last year the parade’s cost exceeded revenue.

Contributions should be made payable to: The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee and mailed to:

The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee

P.O. Box 29 0741

Charlestown Ma 02129

Fourteen years and $2 million in the making the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) finally released it long awaited Logan Health Study last Wednesday night.

The study, first ordered by Senator Anthony Petruccelli (D-East Boston) in 2000 through legislation he filed while still in the House of Representatives, has found that as you get closer to Logan International Airport the incidents of childhood asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is higher.

In the days following the release of the study elected officials, community groups and state agencies are weighing in on the findings.

“When I first directed the Department of Public Health to conduct this study, the objective was to get a baseline of the health impacts associated with the operations at Logan Airport so that we could work as a community to create public health and environmental programs that would make a positive impact,” said Petruccelli. “Now that the study is complete, we have an idea of what our targets need to be and I look forward to working with the appropriate state and municipal agencies and community organizations on the creation of the programs that are needed.”

Charlestown State Representative Dan Ryan said the study backs up certain health issue concerns residents here have long feared.

“Thanks to the release of DPH study we now have data to back-up long held beliefs on certain heath issues in the neighborhoods surrounding Logan Airport,” said Ryan. “I’m encouraged by some of the action steps put forward to address heart disease, childhood asthma and other respiratory diseases. Having Massport and the DOT work with our local health centers to address community health issues is great way to complement existing efforts. My hope is that these efforts will not only mitigate the environmental impacts of Logan Airport but the Tobin Bridge and other regional transportation infrastructure that also run through these communities.”

AirInc., a neighborhood watchdog group that oversees mitigation for Logan impacts on the community, reacted to the study’s findings Tuesday.

“The recently released Massachusetts Department of Public Health study regarding health impacts of Logan Airport’s operations raises serious health concerns for residents living in close proximity to the airport,” AirInc. said in a statement. “The study, which found increases in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in nearby residents and increased rates of asthma in children, calls for a broad reassessment of Logan’s operations. Protecting human health must now be the highest priority of the State DoT, Massport and Mayor Walsh. Residents in impacted communities expect to see change; both in short term day to day operations at Logan as well as in the long term strategic planning now underway.”

AirInc. invited the Harvard School of Public Health, the State Department of Public Health, the City of Boston’s Department of Environment, Energy and Open Space, Massport, the State Department and Transportation and the local air quality scientific community to participate in the technical review process.

“AirInc. is actively inviting residents and community groups in and around East Boston to participate in a Study Review Forum Panel discussion which will include airport and transportation industry experts to be announced upon completion of the technical review,” read the statement. “The panel discussion will be held bilingually to be as inclusive of as many of the neighborhood’s diverse residents as possible.”

The DPH released the findings at a town meeting in Winthrop last Wednesday and is considered the first comprehensive study on the environmental health impacts of Logan among residents of the 17 communities that are within a five-mile radius of the airport.

The study, conducted by DPH’s Bureau of Environmental Health was based on personal interview data for over 6,000 adults and more than 2,000 children in the study area. The health data were linked with state-of-the-art air modeling data to estimate possible exposures to airport-related emissions.

While Logan Airport provides only a small contribution to overall air pollution in the 17 communities, the study revealed some elevation in respiratory health outcomes in the high exposure area near the perimeter of Logan Airport.

The study found that in adults, COPD was statistically significantly higher for residents who have lived three or more years in the high exposure area. The study also found that children in the high exposure area were three-to-four times more likely to report asthma-related symptoms compared with children in the low exposure area.

However, the study did not find a statistically significant increase in other respiratory, cardiovascular, and noise-related effects on health.

At last week’s meeting, the DPH’s Associate Commissioner Susan Condon pointed out that while residents self reported symptoms to the DPH the study was conducted a year before Universal Health Care came to Massachusetts.

Whether many of those interviewed were officially diagnosed by a doctor to have asthma or COPD at a later time remains to be seen.

“These findings should provide a road map for community and agency actions that can be taken to further reduce impacts of air pollution on the health of residents in these communities,” said Condon.

DPH has initiated a series of action steps to address and reduce any potential impacts by the airport on public health.

DPH will work with relevant local municipalities to conduct additional indoor air quality assessments in schools and public buildings to further asses potential impacts. DPH will also continue to support the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s efforts to reduce motor vehicle emissions, including implementation of the Low Emissions Vehicle program and diesel engine retrofit initiatives.

In a statement after the meeting Massport said it will work with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and other health centers and the state Department of Public Health to support respiratory health in neighborhoods.

“While Logan contributes a modest amount of emissions into the neighboring urban environment, we want to be part of the solution, not the problem,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas Glynn. “We appreciate the work done by DPH and we will work with the agency and local health organizations such as the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, and other neighborhood health centers to make sure residents are screened, educated and have tools to reduce respiratory irritants in their homes.’’

In the coming days, Massport, which owns and operates Boston Logan, will work with officials and health groups to formalize the outreach and prevention efforts now that the study findings are public.

Massport said will work with the Health Center to conduct a needs assessment survey to determine cases of adult COPD and cases of pediatric asthma. Based on the needs assessments Massport will develop a targeted strategies that could include health care provision by nurse practitioners, home visits and education by case managers and community health workers, healthy home kit distribution, tracking of care and referrals as needed.

The Massachusetts Legislature directed DPH to conduct an environmental risk assessment of the health impacts within a 5-mile radius of Logan Airport. The 17 communities within the study area were Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Hull, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Nahant, Quincy, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, and Winthrop.

The study was conducted in response to a Legislative mandate and began in 2002. It is the first of its kind in the country. DPH worked closely with Massport and utilized all available airport operations data from 2005 for the study.

Over the course of the past year, members of the Townie Association sponsored various events and campaigns which benefited the Parade. The Townie Association was able to raise $2,000 for the 2014 Bunker Hill Day Parade. Pictured is the 17th Mayor of Charlestown, Shannon Lundin handing the check to Doc Sheehan, Chairman of the Parade Committee.

Fun is a hot dog and a game of baseball for Cole McKenney, age 4, who is a member of the Charlestown Little League Indians, and was on hand last Saturday for the Family Fun Day. Hundreds of kids and parents packed Ryan Playground on what was a beautiful spring day for the annual BBQ picnic.

Joseph ‘Lee’ Doyle

Lifelong Charlestown Resident

Joseph L. “Lee” Doyle, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life suddenly on Thursday, June 5 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 56 years old.

Lee was born in Boston on May 23, 1958, a son of the late Norman Doyle and Margaret (Dozier) Doyle. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1976. Lee enlisted into the United States Army on October 2, 1975 and served his country faithfully. He was discharged on January 23, 1976. Lee worked as a carpenter for several years.

He is the beloved former husband of Shirley M. (Hamilton); the devoted father of Zara Doyle and Cory Doyle; the beloved brother of Norman Doyle and his wife, Donna, Philip Doyle and Paul Doyle and his, partner Ron.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lee’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Burial is private. There are no funeral home visiting hours. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.CarrFuneral.com

Warrant Arrest

06/04/14 – Officers in the area of Corey Street placed an individual under arrest for an outstanding Chelsea Court warrant charging operation of a motor vehicle without a license

Drugs

06/04/14 – As a result of a drug investigation in the area of Lexington Street, three individuals were placed under arrest for possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute.

Operating Under the Influence

06/07/14 – Officers responded to Alford Street for a motor vehicle accident, and as a result of the subsequent investigation, an individual was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Disturbing the Peace

06/07/14 – Officers responded to a radio call for a person with a gun behind the Schrafft Center on Main Street, where they observed a white male on the ground firing what appeared to be a black sniper rifle.

Police took the suspect into custody without incident, and further investigation revealed the rifle to be a BB gun. The weapon was seized, and the suspect will be summonsed to court for being a disorderly person and discharging a BB gun on a public way.

On Monday night (June 16), Charlestown High School is opening up to the community, hosting a grand Student Show Art. Featuring artwork by students from the high school, the Edwards Middle School, the Warren Prescott, the Kennedy Center Child Focus, the Harvard Kent, and the Charlestown Nursery School, this Student Art Show displays the talents of many Charlestown youths. All community members are invited to attend this Student Art Show, which will be held at Charlestown High School (240 Medford St.) from 4 to 7 PM on June 16.

Charlestown High School will also be participating in the Road Race, Bunker Hill Day Parade, and Street Fair. In the past, Charlestown High School has not been particularly involved with these Charlestown Pride Week events. However, over the course of this past school year, Headmaster William Thomas began working with Charlestown residents and community members to form an organization called “The Friends of Charlestown High School.” Everyone involved in this organization saw a clear need for there to be more engagement between the high school and the surrounding community. And what better way than through Charlestown Pride Week?

So be sure to be on the look-out for Charlestown High School students and staff. And if you’re free, swing by the Student Art Show on Monday afternoon.

City Councilor Sal LaMattina celebrates the launch of UberBOAT with Uber’s General Manager Meghan Joyce.

Uber, the widely popular mobile application taxi service, is launching a new ferry service in Charlestown and the Boston Harbor and City Councilor Sal LaMattina is elated.

LaMattina welcomed Uber General Manager Meghan Joyce to Boston last week for the launch of UberBOAT and discussed the new ferry service coming to the neighborhood.

On June 4, Joyce and Uber began a soft launch of UberBOAT. LaMattina said the service will run through June 15 and Uber will measure the success and demand and go from there.

Stops in Charlestown will include the Navy Yard.

“I’m a huge fan of Uber and this is part of my plan to really activate the Boston Harbor and connect all the Harbor neighborhoods through water usage like ferries,” said LaMattina. “Once you see more waterfront development come on line with dedicated landing slips for water taxis and ferry service you will see a more active harbor. UberBOAT will help bring people over to our neighborhood to enjoy or events, restaurants and other amenities.”

How it works;

If you are new to Uber you must first download the Uber app on your mobile device. When you’re within a ¼ mile of the Boston Harbor, you’ll see the “UberBOAT” option in your app. You can then place the pin at the dock location nearest to you and tap “REQUEST UberBOAT”. Once your request has been accepted, the captain will give you a call to confirm your location and provide additional details on reaching the dock.

The cost of UberBOAT is $10 per person for a one-way ride plus a $1 Uber booking fee. Twenty percent gratuity is automatically added for the captain by default.

The service will be available June 4 – June 15, Monday-Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. and on Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

New users can sign up with the promo code UberBOAT14 and get the first two rides free.

During the launch Joyce commented, “You can use the Uber app to request a water taxi, powered by Boston Harbor Cruises. Make waves as you ride to your favorite Seaport restaurant. Sail over to the ICA for First Friday. Add a splash of fun to your morning commute – or even a quick cruise to or from Logan. Catching a flight has never been so easy.”

Parade Marshall Joe Zuffante

It’s the 239th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and all week long  Charlestown residents have been showing off their Townie Pride.

From comedy fundraisers to dinners to special events Bunker Hill Pride Week will culminate in the annual Battle of Bunker Hill Day Parade on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. with Joe Zuffante as Parade Marshall and the Patriotic Exercises at the Bunker Hill Monument on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

“For me it is the celebration of our nation’s history and the history of Boston,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina. “I love to celebrate Bunker Hill week and I commend the many groups and residents in Charlestown that keep this important, proud tradition alive in the neighborhood.”

Bunker Hill Day marks the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, also known as the Battle of Breed’s Hill, on June 17 each year. This battle, which occurred in 1775, was part of the Siege of Boston during the American Revolution.

Over the years to commemorate the battle, a range of events are organized, usually at historic sites and museums and throughout the community.

On the Sunday before or on June 17, a large parade is held in to celebrate Bunker Hill Day and to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. Various groups take part in the parade including; local marching bands and other musical groups; current and past military personnel; re-enactment groups, especially those connected to the Siege of Boston; sports groups; fire trucks; police motorcycles; and floats sponsored by local businesses.

Officer Rene Sanchez, K-9 Unit, and his dog, Rico, were an exciting part of the District A-15 Open House on Saturday morning that was part of the kick-off for Charlestown Pride Week. The exciting week of activities will conclude with the Bunker Hill Day Parade on Sunday.

Sidney ‘Sid’ McComiskey

Electrician

Sidney J. “Sid” McComiskey, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, June 16 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.

Sid was born in Boston on December 10, 1953, a son of the late Sidney McComiskey and Helen (Ward) McComiskey. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1971. Sid worked as an electrician for many years.

Sid was the devoted father of Sidney “Sid” McComiskey II and his wife, Jennifer and William Allen and the loving grandfather to Liam; the beloved brother of Rita Boyden, Clare Senna, Margaret Gallo, Mary Giannino and her husband, John and the late John McComiskey;  the brother-in-law of Ellen McComiskey. He was the former husband of the late Laurie (Cahill); the nephew of John Hicks and good friend to John Toomey. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Sid’s Funeral on Friday, June 20,  at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be today, Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Sid’s name to Caring For A Cure, c/o Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 55 Fruit St. Boston, Mass. 02114. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.CarrFuneral.com

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Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Gorsuch

Homemaker

Elizabeth M. “Betty” (Fitzpatrick) Gorsuch, a 33 year resident of Malden and former longtime resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, June 16 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a long illness. She was 81 years old.

Betty was born in Boston on October 27, 1932, a daughter of the late Edward J. Fitzpatrick and Helen (Manning) Fitzpatrick. She grew up in Charlestown where she was educated in the Boston Public School system. Betty was a homemaker most of her adult life and took pride in caring for her husband and daughter.

Betty was the beloved wife of 64 years to Thomas O. Gorsuch; the devoted mother of Sheila Gorsuch Sillari of Malden; the loving Nana to Charles Sillari Jr. and his wife, Laurie of Wakefield and Lindsay Blumsack and her husband, Brian of Stoneham and her great-grandchildren: Charlie, Sofia, Matthew Sillari and Robby Blumsack. She was the beloved sister of Marion Hughes, Ann Fitzpatrick, Robert Fitzpatrick, Joseph Fitzpatrick and the late Helen Geno, Dorothy Pratt, Edward, William, John, Warren, Paul, Gerald and Francis Fitzpatrick. She was the loving Godmother to Charles Pratt of Charlestown and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Betty’s Funeral on Saturday, June 21 at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Visiting hours are Friday, June 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Betty’s name to ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 315 Norwood Park South, First Floor, Norwood, Mass. 02062. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.CarrFuneral.com