Easton Obituaries for the Week of May 14

The following are the obituaries for Easton for the week of May 14.

William Mathison Wainwright

Attorney William Mathison Wainwright, 70, of Brockton, South Easton, Pocasset and Cape Coral, Florida, youngest child of the late Attorney George Llewellyn Wainwright and Louise Ellington (Turner) Wainwright died peacefully from Congestive Heart Failure  May 16, 2012 with his family in attendance.

Attorney Wainwright is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Linda Marie (Thornell) Wainwright and their son, Joshua Clark Wainwright, both of South Easton; his daughter, Attorney Jessica Wainwright Doucette and her husband, Mark Doucette of Bridgewater; and his son and frequent travelling companion to baseball venues, Samuel Mathison Wainwright and his wife Misty Lee (Gorski) Wainwright and their children, Hannah Claire Wainwright and Olivia Louise Wainwright of Brockton.

He was also survived by his siblings, his former wife and many nieces and nephews and was predeceased by his best friend, Ralph Armstead of North Easton.

Attorney Wainwright was born July 25, 1941 in Wareham, attended Brockton Schools and St. George's School in Newport, graduating with the Brockton High School Class of 1959.

He graduated from Syracuse University Class of 1965 with a degree in mathematics and the New England School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1969.

He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve, past president of the Commercial Club of Brockton, past president of the Brockton Day Nursery, past president of the Brockton Historical Society, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockton, past chairman of the Brockton Historic District Commission and served for many years on the Southeastern Regional Committee of the Judicial Nominating Commission under Governors Weld, Cellucci and Swift.

Attorney Wainwright was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Avon Cooperative Bank and served as its General Counsel for many years. He was also General Counsel to Mutual Federal Savings Bank of Plymouth County for several years and Frank's of Brockton, Inc. and its owner, Frank Caswell, for more than 40 years.

He was a member of the 100 Club of Massachusetts for over 20 years. He was an avid baseball fan as well as a member of the BoSox Club who annually vacationed in Florida for Spring Training adventures and often could be found at Fenway Park, attending numerous games each season. As well as being an attorney, he has owned the Mufflerman, a long-standing local business in the Campello section of Brockton, for the last 13 years.

Services were privately held. In memory of Attorney Wainwright, contributions may be made to the Brockton Day Nursery, 243 Crescent Street, Brockton, MA 02302.

Arrangements are by Kane Funeral Home & Cremation Services 605 Washington Street (Rte.138) Easton. For condolences visit www.kanefuneralhome.com

James M. McDonough

James M. McDonough, Retired Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney, of Easton, formerly of West Roxbury, died on Monday, April 23, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 83.

A native of Portland, ME, the son of Irish immigrants, the late James and Nora Lee McDonough, he was the youngest of five. He graduated from Cheverus High School in 1946. He received a full scholarship to Boston College, class of 1950, cum laude and Boston College Law School, class of 1953.

In college he earned the Harrigan Oratorical Award, 1947 and was one of seven admitted to the Jesuit National Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu.

He was the tree orator for the class of 1950 at Boston College, planting a tree on the campus grounds the day before graduation. He was Vice President and Secretary of the Fulton Debating Society and a member of the Cross and Crown Honor Society.

He married his high school sweetheart, Regina T. Foley, on January 27, 1951. When he graduated No. 3 from his law school class, he had three children under the age of three. He was admitted to the bar in 1953.

From 1954 – 1959 he was employed in the office of Isadore H.Y. Muchnick, Esq., Boston, engaged in the general practice of law. In 1959 he entered private practice in Boston.

In 1964 he became a legal assistant in the office of the District Attorney of Suffolk County, specializing in appellate work and later assisting in major criminal trials. In 1979 he became a full-time Assistant District Attorney.

Upon his retirement he was in charge of presentations to the Grand Jury. He received the Thomas J. Mundy Award, bestowed by former prosecutors for his distinguished service to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. 

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Regina T. (Foley), his children, Kathryn M. Hinderhofer of Wellesley, James M. McDonough, Jr., Esq., of West Roxbury, Anne E. Black of Hingham, William P. McDonough of Chicago, IL., Regina M. Vaughan of Wethersfield, CT., Margaret M. Webster and Patricia F. Marsan, both of Easton. Brother of Mary R. Young of Melrose and Anne B. Rowe of Falmouth, Me. He was predeceased by two brothers, Edward J. McDonough, Esq. and William S. McDonough. He was also survived by thirteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were handled by Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, www.lawlerfuneralhome.com. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Theresa of Avila Church and interment was in Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.

Donations in memory of Mr. McDonough may be made to Boston College, Fulton Debating Society, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA. 02467.