Stoughton Obituaries (Week of May 28)

Janet M. (Norris) Benson

Janet M. (Norris) Benson, 66, died Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton after a brief illness. She was the wife of Kevin P. Benson. Born and raised in Brookline, she was a graduate of Brookline Schools.

Benson was a resident of Stoughton for over 40 years. She worked in the town clerk's office at Stoughton Town Hall for over 15 years as a principal clerk.

In her free time, she enjoyed shopping, her cats, day trips to Twin River and spending time with her family and her beloved grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Benson is survived by her three children; Kimberly A. Benson of Taunton, Kelli T. Mitchell and her husband Gary and Kevin C. Benson and his wife Amy all of Bridgewater. She was the sister of Patricia Lanchester of Concord, Alan Norris Sr. of Stoneham, Norman Norris Jr. and Barbara Rapson both of N.H. and Brian Norris of Bedford. She was the grandmother of Dylan and Kian Mitchell and Ella Benson and was awaiting the birth of her fourth grandchild. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be held from the , 358 Park St. (Rt.27) Stoughton on Monday, June 4 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Stoughton at 10:30 a.m.

Visiting Hours are Sunday, from 3-7 p.m. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Stoughton.

Donations in Benson's memory may be made for the protection of animals to the APCSM, 1300 West Elm Ext., Brockton, MA 02301 or www.apcsm.org.

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Russell J. LaFrance Jr.

Russell J. "Rusty" LaFrance Jr., 55, died Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT after a long period of failing health. He was the devoted and longtime companion of Elsie Johnson.

Born and raised in Stoughton, he was a graduate of Stoughton schools. LaFrance was also a graduate of ITT Technical Institute. He was a Veteran of the US Army. LaFrance was a resident of Stoughton for many years before moving to Griswold, CT over five years ago. He worked as an electrician at Foxwoods Casino and Hotel for many years.

In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, camping, bowling and sports. He was a fan of the Red Sox and Patriots and enjoyed his Cadillac and spending time at the beach in the summertime.

He is survived by his son, Corey T. LaFrance of Raynham and his grandchildren, Adrienne L. LaFrance and Joseph T. LaFrance. He was the brother of Lisa Beaucaire of East Bridgewater, Michael LaFrance and Stephen LaFrance both of Stoughton and the late Jody Bauer and Richard "Turtle" LaFrance. He was also predeceased by his parents, Russell J. LaFrance and Elizabeth "Elsie" (Masickis) LaFrance.

Funeral prayers were offered at 358 Park St. (Rt.27) in Stoughton on Friday, June 1.

Donations in LaFrance's memory may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 88 Winchester St., Newton, MA 02461.

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Edward F. Schroth, Sr.

Edward F. Schroth Sr., 74, died Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Epoch of Norton Nursing Home after a period of failing health. He was born in Stoughton to the late Walter and Elizabeth (O'Sullivan) Schroth.

Schroth was educated in Stoughton, was a graduate of Stoughton High School, and was a member of the Stoughton High football team. After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marines, he also played football for the Corps.

He remained in Stoughton for a short while until he moved to Middleboro, Plymouth, Harwich finally settling in East Wareham for the past 12 years. He worked for the Plymouth Power Plant and was member of the Massachusetts Laborers Union retiring in 1992.

In his free time, Schroth enjoyed playing softball. For 42 years he was an avid and accomplished softball player, competing for several teams on the South Shore and on Cape Cod. He pitched his team to winning the 2006 Senior World Series Championship in Cape Coral, Florida. He also enjoyed landscaping, shopping for antiques, going to flea markets and yard sales.

He is survived by his children Donna L. Hutchins of East Taunton and Tamara E. Schroth of Norton. He was predeceased by his son Edward F. Schroth Jr. He was the brother of Paul Schroth of Plymouth, Jane Lemire of Wellesley, and the late Walter "Bud" Schroth Jr. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be held from the , 358 ParkSt. (Rt.27) in Stoughton on Wednesday, June 6, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Stoughton at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours are Tuesday, June 5, from 5-8 p.m. Interment will take place at Immaculate
Conception Cemetery, Easton.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Lupus Foundation, 40 Speen St., Suite 205, Framingham, MA 01701.

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Dorothy J. "Dottie" (Gustafson) Costello-Hickey

Dorothy J. "Dottie" (Gustafson) Costello-Hickey, 67, a longtime resident of Stoughton, died peacefully at Southeast Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Easton on Monday, May 28. She was the wife of the late Thomas W. Hickey.

Daughter of the late Jacob and Dorothy (Palinkas) Gustafson, she was born in Boston, raised in Jamaica Plain and educated in Boston schools. She was a resident of Stoughton for the past 24 years after living in Hyde Park for 15 years. Costello-Hickey was a nurses assistant at Hyde Park Convalescent Home for 20 years before retiring 15 years ago.

Costello-Hockey is survived by her children, Gail F. Costello of Taunton, John E. Costello, Jr. of Easton, James M. Costello of Roslindale, Francis Costello of Hyde Park and Donna Asbury of Middleboro, as well as her grandchildren, Caitlynn and Johnna Costello, Andrew Gelinas, Francis Costello, Jr., Sarah Costello, Alyce Browne, Bobbi and Dylan Asbury.

She was the sister of Donald Gustafson of Plymouth and Dennis Gustafson of Florida and the aunt of Jill Gramer.

Funeral was held at the , 358 Park St. (Rt.27) Stoughton on Friday, June 1, followed by a Funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Churchin Stoughton.

Donations in her memory may be sent to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

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Daniel F. McKinnon, Jr.

Daniel F. McKinnon, Jr., 81, a longtime resident of Stoughton, died Tuesday, May 29, at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton. He was the husband of Anita F. (Penning) McKinnon. Born in Roxbury, he was raised in South Boston and was a graduate of Boston Schools.

McKinnon was a Veteran of the US Army. He was a resident of Stoughton for over 50 years. McKinnon worked as a machinist for Bird & Son in Walpole for over 50 years, retiring in 1996. He was active at the Faith Baptist Church in Stoughton. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling and swimming.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Janet M. McKinnon of Bridgewater and Daniel F. McKinnon III of CA. He was the brother of Larry McKinnon of CA, Eddie McKinnon and Terry McKinnon both of FL and the late Teresa Hall.

Funeral Services will be held in the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) in Stoughton on Monday, June 4 at 11 a.m.. Visiting hours are Sunday from 3-6 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to the, 18 Stoughton St., Stoughton, MA 02072.

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Manuel A. Costa

Manuel A. Costa, 89, a longtime resident of Stoughton, died at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Saturday, May 26, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the beloved husband of 66 years of the late Adeline F. (LaCivita) Costa. Son of the late Antonio and Herminia (Neves) Costa, he was born in Ludlow and raised and educated in Clinton before moving to Stoughton in 1940.

When Costa was a young man, he worked at Corcoran Shoe as a Good Year Stitcher on shoes and boots for our service men. Costa was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Spearhead 83rd Armored Reconnaissance Division and fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

After serving in the Army he held various construction jobs and worked for Savinis Sand and Gravel and AA Will Sand and Gravel. He then opened a business and was the proprietor of A&M Atlantic in Stoughton for 21 years until his retirement in 1981. After retirement he worked part-time at Datel Maintenance and Child World until 1992.

He was a member of the AARP and the American Legion Post 89 in Stoughton.

Costa was the loving father of Lorraine F. Theriault and her husband Jim of Avon, Donna M. Costa of Stoughton and Valarie L. Brandt and her husband Steve of Raynham. He was the devoted grandfather of Kelly Ann ONeil of Easton and the late William Joseph ONeil and the proud great-grandfather of Rachel Marie and great-great grandfather of Mia Adeline. He was the loving brother of the late Cecil A. Costa and Leo A. Costa. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St., (Rte.27), in Stoughton on Thursday, followed by a funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Stoughton.

Donations in Costa's  memory may be made to New England Sinai Adult Day Health, 445 Central St., Stoughton, MA 02072.

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Elizabeth E. “Betty” ( Kenny ) Melanson

Elizabeth E. “Betty” ( Kenny ) Melanson, a 48-year resident of Stoughton, passed away after a brief illness, Tuesday May 29, 2012 at Norwood Hospital. She was 72 years old and the beloved wife of over 50 years to Edgar J. Melanson.

She was also the loving mother to Thomas E. Melanson and his wife Deborah of Stoughton, Linda M. Olden and her husband Lewis of Middleboro and Teresa Ann Melanson also of Stoughton.

Other survivors include her five granddaughters, Chrystina Melanson and Cassandra Melanson both of Stoughton, Kristen Olden, Kimberly Olden and Kaitlyn Olden all of Middleboro, her brother Leonard M. Kenny of Maine, her sister, Pam Bollman, and her husband, Jack, of Florida and many nieces and nephews. She was also a sister to the late Magdalen (Kenny) Daigle.

Born Dec. 23, 1939 in Orono, Maine she was a daughter to the late Leonard M. and Ruth M. (Coakley ) Kenny. Melanson was employed by the Raytheon Corporation for 10 years and later retired from the Stop & Shop Company after several years of employment. She attended and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton.

Melanson was a longtime member of the Good Samaritan BIG BLUE and had recently held the position of Treasurer. She was also a very active parent with the Stoughton Association of Exceptional Citizens. She also enjoyed travelling cross country in her motorhome and camping with her family.

Her funeral service will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 6 p.m.. from the Sheehan Funeral Home, 115 Monk Street, Stoughton. The Pastor Rev. Joseph P. McDermott, officiating. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 3-6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations to S.A.E.C. (Stoughton Association of Exceptional Citizens), PO Box 153, Stoughton,MA 02072 in Melanson’s memory would be appreciated.

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Janet Tracy

Janet L. Tracy, a resident of Phoenix, AZ, formerly of Stoughton, died May 24, 2012, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. She was 64 years old and the beloved daughter of the late Allen W. and Gertrude L. (Laird) Tracy.

Tracy attended Stoughton Public Schools and was a 1966 graduate of Stoughton High School. Jan loved helping people and animals. She was employed as a Laboratory Technician at The Joslin Clinic in Boston and was also a "Live-In" Caregiver for many years in Phoenix, AZ.

She was also an artist, musician and singer-songwriter, who in her earlier years performed at many area coffee houses.

Tracy is survived by her brother, Harris A. Tracy and his wife, Carol of Stoughton, her two nephews, Michael A. Tracy and family of Braintree, MA, Harris A. Tracy Jr. of Stoughton, and her niece, Jill M. Tracy, also of Stoughton. Other survivors include her dear aunt Doris Schofield of Hopkinton and several cousins.

At her request, all funeral services will be private. Arrangements were handled by Sheehan Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

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