Margaret M. Baczek

Margaret Peggy M. (Yanuskiewicz) Baczek, 61, of Bridgewater died peacefully at home after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, Aug. 3, 2014. 

Peggy was the loving daughter of the late John E. and Pauline E. (Robichaud) Yanuskiewicz and spent her life in Bridgewater. In 1971 she graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham where she excelled in gymnastics and tennis. She continued her education at Bridgewater State College and later earned her master's degree from Fitchburg State. She had a 34-year career as a physical education teacher at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School in Taunton where she helped so many of her students. Peggy loved camping, musicals at Providence Performing Arts Center, volunteering with Special Olympics, amusement parks, traveling to Martha's Vineyard, cruises, picnics, "The Wizard of Oz," "The Three Stooges," and just "being a goober." She wanted to be remembered as a good person. Peggy was the loving wife of 29 years of Leonard J. Baczek of Bridgewater. She was the devoted and beloved mom of Victoria L. (Baczek) Best and her husband Raymond of Duxbury; stepmother of Nathan P. Baczek and his fiancee Danielle Hutchins of Braintree; sister of John and Linda Yanuskiewicz of Plymouth, Paul and Patricia Yanuskiewicz of Stoughton, Francis and Peggy Yanus-kiewicz of Franklin, Mark and Diane Yanus-kiewicz of Calif., and Matthew and Kim Yanuskiewicz of Conn.; aunt of Beth, Kristen, Joseph, Brian, Lauren, and Carolyn. Also survived by many dear friends and former students. Funeral was from the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St., Bridgewater, Friday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 103 Center St., Bridgewater, with burial at St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery. Visitation was held Thursday, Aug. 7, from 4-8 p.m. Per Peggys wishes, please help her family celebrate her life by wearing only vibrant colors to both the wake and funeral Mass. Donations may be sent to National Brain Tumor Society, at 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458, with "Margaret Baczek" in the memo line or at www.braintumorcommunity.org/goto/MargaretBaczek. For directions and online guest book, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com. Prophett Chapman Cole & Gleason 508-697-4332

This is a blog her daughter writes: http://youknowitmeantsomething.com/

Americo "Rico" Poliseno

Americo "Rico" Poliseno, builder and owner of The Englewood Resort in West Yarmouth since 1964, passed away at home after a courageous fight with his illness.

He was born in Brockton on March 5, 1923, to Amato and Emilia Poliseno. After graduating from Brockton High School he served with the Army during World War II, from 1941 to 1945, and was with the 1st Battery of Rangers. He served on a front in Africa and in the Invasion of Anzio. Rico's unit received Meritorious Service Unit Citations. Rico had a deep love for his country and proudly wore his World War II cap. Rico was admired for his open and generous heart and amazing ability to work.

He was the beloved husband of Janice (Sis) Poliseno for 37 years. He is survived by his son, Ronald Poliseno and his wife Ann of Brockton. He is predeceased by his son, William Poliseno; their late mother; his brothers, Saverio (Sammy) Amundo; and sister, Gloria. Rico is survived by his sister, Rose Piver; his brothers, Carmen and his wife Theresa, Roland and his wife Jeanne, and Albert and his wife Page; his stepchildren, Dianna Hildredth and her husband Jeffrey, Robert and his wife Mary, Michael and his wife Lynne, and David Silva. He loved and enjoyed all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all the families and friends who came to The Englewood year after year.

Rico could always be found working on the roof of The Englewood or fearlessly hanging from a ladder, repairing whatever had to done. Rico was a man of his word who accepted a strong handshake as commitment to his word. Rico had a quick wit and an infectious smile that impacted everyone he met. Rico was a sensitive and generous man and this inspired his close friends, all dressed in festive Christmas attire, to sing Christmas carols to him outside his room on a cold wintery night.

Rico was a talented baseball player who played shortstop. Rico played for the Old Colony League, St. Coleman's, and later, the Braga Club. He played in the City League for the Blue Eagles Social Club for many years, and was a member of the American Legion and the Blue Eagles Social Club. He owned Drew Tanning of Brockton.

As a builder, Rico built many fine homes in Brockton and on Cape Cod. After the tragic fire of the Grand Old Englewood Hotel in West Yarmouth, Rico built The Englewood Hotel and Motor Inn and always operated it as a "Ma & Pa" operation.

In 1980, Rico and Sis moved ahead into the future by renovating the property into condominiums. Rico served on the oversight committee for the town of Yarmouth for many years, and was a well-known visitor to town hall.

Rico has stayed close to his many friends in the Brockton area and has a legion of friends on Cape Cod. Rico and Sis have been active and devoted members of St. Francis Xavier Parish, serving on many committees. His death has made strong men cry. He will be greatly missed by all.

A funeral will form on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., in the Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St., Hyannis. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Francis Xavier Church, South Street, Hyannis, MA. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Brockton. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the funeral home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Paul High School, 120 High School Road, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Paul Michael FitzSimmons

Paul Michael Fitzsimmons, writer, passed away on Sunday July 11, 2010 at the Bath VA, where he received excellent care in his last year of life.

Paul was born in Boston on Tuesday June 12, 1923. He was the son of Edward and Julia (Coveney) Fitzsimmons and brother of Marie McFadden, Fred (Audrey) Fitzsimmons, Celestine Gookin, Joan Stinson (deceased) and Richard Fitzsimmons (deceased). Paul was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Merchant Marine in the Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean as second mate and navigator on the U.S. Rum River. He was licensed to sail any ship, any tonnage, on any ocean. One of his most stirring memories was meeting up with his brother Freddie in the midst of the war on the island of Guam, where Freddie was serving with the United States Marine Corps. Their mother, Julia, wept with joy to receive word that her sons had such a reunion in the midst of such times. Paul was a passionate defender of the Constitution and a devoted patriot of the principles of democracy. Until his dying day, he maintained an impassioned plea to the nation to peacefully rebel against the corporate takeover of our liberties. His Peoples Manifesto was last published in the Watkins Review in 2008.

Paul is the father of Robert (Mindy) Fitzsimmons, John Fitzsimmons (deceased), Paula Fitzsimmons (Philip Davis), Marie Fitzsimmons (Kirk Peters), and Daniel Fitzsimmons (Dorothy Elizabeth). He is the grandfather of Dr. Coveney Fitzsimmons (Gabriel Gomez), Liam Fitzsimmons, Jores Peters, Jared Peters, Sophie Fitzsimmons Peters, Hilary Davis, Colin Davis, Connor Fitzsimmons, Rowan Elizabeth, and William Fitzsimmons. He is the great grandfather of Zade Ixchel.

Paul began his writing career in New York City, where his early literary successes included Family of Five (1956), End of the Road (1957), By the Light of the Moon (1957) Green Goods and Gold (1959), A Ring is a Precious Thing (1957), The Oracle Machine and Mr. Kessler (1957) and The Way of a Dog (1957). Paul was commissioned by Beacon Press to write the Howard Hughes story and to bring his family to Hollywood to write screenplays. Instead, the family moved to Burdett to an old farmhouse with 100 acres and began their lives in upstate New York.

During that time, Paul authored Confessions of a Year Round Hunter for True Magazine, scripts for plays, eloquent poetry, and impassioned political articles. He acted in local theatre with the Burdett Players, worked to bring about the Citizens Party, demonstrated against the closing of Sampson State Hospital, and wrote prolifically. After the Flood of '72, Paul wrote a sweeping ode of the Chemung River Flood. His Christmas Dream, written for his daughter Paula, was loved by Katharine Hepburn, who was touched by the magic of Pauls writing. Paul resided for many years in Front Royal, Virginia, where he wrote guest editorials for The Washington Post and The Riverton Press. In 1982, at age 59, Paul fulfilled a lifetime dream of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, 2,175 miles from Springer, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. His story was published in the Appalachian Hiker. In 2000, Paul made a trip to Scotland to see his beloved friend and fellow AT hiker, war correspondent Jack Willis. The two writers had a special bond borne from their restless natures and adventurous souls.

Paul recently celebrated his 87th birthday at the music recital of his grandson Colin, enjoyed a beer at the Stone Cat Caf, and ate homemade cake prepared by his son-in-law Kirk. More than anything, Paul was most proud of his children and expressed enormous gratitude to their mother. Paul died having held each of his four children on the last day of his life. As Paul lived by the pen, your remembrances may be sent to C/O Fitzsimmons Family, 5550 Peach Orchard Point, Hector, New York 14841. Perhaps you would like to buy a lottery ticket, make a contribution to the Watkins Glen Library to offset his many late charges, or hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail in his memory. Or simply start a peaceful revolution. As Paul would say: "Good Deal." The family will receive friends at the Stone Cat Caf on Saturday, July 17th from 2-4 p.m.

Russell Clark,

Russell Clark, age 57, of Brockton, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Tufts Medical Center surrounded by family after a period of failing health. Born Nov. 27, 1956 in Brockton, Russ was the oldest son of Caroline (Davis) and Joseph Clark of Brockton. A 1975 graduate of Brockton High School, Russ was the first person in a wheelchair to complete all twelve years of public school in Brockton. This was quite an accomplishment for Russ and his family. He also attended Massasoit Community College. Russ worked for Dial-A-Bat for many years as a dispatcher, and later at AAA as an Emergency Road Service Dispatcher. In addition to his parents, he leaves his siblings Donald and his partner Robin Murray of Brockton; Debbie Blosz and her husband Richard of Whitman and Nancy Clark and her partner Kathy Gray of Bloomington, N.Y. Russ is also survived by his many nieces and nephews, Sherri, John, Haley, Katelyn and Jessica Lincoln of Brockton, Joe Clark of Rockland, Jacqui Clark of Pembroke, Tina and Jared Williams of Jersey City, N.J. and Nick Blosz of Whitman. He also leaves his longtime PCA and friend, Diane Gogan. Russ was confined to a wheelchair his entire life, but Russ was always a fiercely independent spirit and never used his disability to get special privileges. Russ was an Easter Seals poster child when he was a boy. He was a member of the Pentecost United Methodist Church. He loved fishing and the Brockton Rox. He had a special affection for the Brockton Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, and the Armed Services. When Russ saw a need in the City of Brockton, he and a friend painted many of the fire hydrants in the city. Russ was a patch collector and had patches from all over the world including Fire, Police and Ambulance Services. He was especially proud of attending the Citizen's Police Academy, being a certified first responder, as well as a member of the Brockton Emergency Management Agency's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Everyone knew Russ. He couldn't go anywhere without being recognized especially at the Westgate Mall. Even out of state someone always recognized Russ. We told him he should run for office. He would have won for notoriety alone. We loved the time spent with you and the many memories of our Russ will forever linger. Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, (Rte 123) Brockton on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral home service will be held Wednesday, at 11 a.m, officiated by Pastor Richard Rego. Burial to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, West Bridgewater. Memorial contributions in Russs name may be made to the Brockton Historical Society Fire Museum, 216 North Pearl Street, Brockton, MA 02301, or the Brockton Fire Department Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 868, Brockton, MA 02303. For condolences and directions please visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Conley Funeral & Cremation Service.

Life is like a journey on a train

Life is like a journey on a train...with its stations...with changes of routes...and with accidents!

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize that they vacated their seats!

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers...requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty -- we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey for the coming year on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love.

More importantly, thank God for the journey!

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!


B A Rose

Naydia B

Sweet sweet Naydia

To My Family 

It seems like only yesterday,

When you brought me home,

The years that I’ve been living here,

Have absolutely flown.

There were times I was a stinker,

I’d run and bark and dig.

Sometimes I’d roll in—you know,

And act just like a pig.

I loved my toys and playing ball,

And running in the yard.

The most important job I had,

Was barking while on guard.

For in my home are those I loved,

I’d die to keep them safe.

I’ve grown old, my health is bad,

It’s hard to walk and stand.

It’s time to go—you understand,

My life’s no longer grand.

Please think of me with loving thoughts,

And wipe away your tears.

For God in all His wisdom,

Has counted out my years.

Be assured you’ve done the right thing,

You’ve ended all my pain.

Your heart will hurt for just a while,

Then learn to love again.

For more poems visit:

http://leerburg.com/bridge.htm

Thomas Croce

Thomas Croce Obituary

Thomas Croce, formerly of Brockton, died peacefully with his loving family around him on April 18, age 77, after a long illness. He was the devoted husband of Beverly (Mongeau) Croce for 58 years. Tom was the son of the late Alphonse and Lillian (Deloia) Croce and a brother to Nick Croce, his wife Jackie of Canton, the late Al and sisters Angie Mara and Lillian Anderson. Tom was a well known musician in the Brockton area for many years, being an accomplished singer and guitar player. He was the front man to The Country Ramblers and was elected to the Massachusetts Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2006. Tom was also a talented carpenter, barber, hand sewer of men's fine shoes and worked for many years as a Brockton Animal Control officer. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, furniture craftsman and served in the Navy reserves for eight years. He leaves behind a son, Chaplain Danny Croce of Hanson, his wife Kim and their children, Melissa, Daniel, Thomas, Elizabeth and Dara. He leaves another son, Dave Croce of Braintree and his children, Taylor, Alisa and Vienna. He also leaves a daughter Pamela Croce Holt Smith of Halifax and her children, Eric, Kaitlyn, Brittainy and the late Samantha Smith, as well as his great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church on 429 Monponsett Street in Hanson, MA at 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, April 26th.