Remembering Alumni…
Richard Dana Weiker, Class of 1949
Richard Weiker was buried on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 with full military honors at Medfield’s Vine Lake Cemetery. Richard was born December 4, 1931 in Framingham and lived his life in Medfield until moving to Upton in 1981. Richard attended Medfield Public Schools, graduating from Medfield High School with the Class of 1949. The following year he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a machinist mate during the Korean War. Richard owned and operated Richard Weiker Grader Service in Medfield until his retirement in 2004. He was a familiar sight around town, grading the dirt roads which used to be so common in Medfield. He is survived by his wife, Marion, a son, two daughters, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grand-children.
Linda “Savage” Riley, Class of 1974
Linda Susan Savage was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 3, 1956. She graduated from Medfield High School with the class of 1974, where she was a standout player on the basketball team. Her excellent play was a factor in the 1973’s basketball team undefeated Tri-Valley Championship season. She went on to attend Northeastern University.
Linda was the office manager for East Coast Water Control in Walpole, Massachusetts for 15 years. She enjoyed buying and selling items on eBay, playing softball and basketball, fishing, gardening, wood working, needle point, and completing extensive arts and crafts. Beloved wife of James P. Riley, she was the devoted daughter of Guy B. Savage, Jr. and the late Harriet L. (Smith) Savage. Funeral services were held on January 8, 2009. Interment was private.
Tracy Ann Sproul, Class of 1978
Tracy Sproul died unexpectedly on January 24, 2009, at her home in Danville, CA. Born n 1960 in San Antonio, Texas, she was the daughter of James A. “Doc” and Hope E. Lucy Sproul of Medfield. She grew up in Medfield and was a 1978 graduate of Medfield High School. She continued her education at Boston College where she earned a degree in computer science.
Tracy had specialized in communications throughout her career and had been employed with Data General, Bell south, Pacific Bell and most recently with AT&T. She enjoyed skiing and travel and devoted much of her time to keeping up with friends all around the country. In addition to her parents, Tracy is survived by two sisters.
Mark Nyren, Class of 1975
Mark was born on May 29, 1957 and grew up with his parents and his large family on Johns Avenue. Mark was a member of the Class of 1975 and later graduated cum laude from Suffolk University. He moved to Texas, where he lived for 25 years. He returned to doing what he was good at and really liked to do and that was working with his hands. He was a self-employed landscaper in Plano, Texas. He is survived by his parents, siblings and his daughter. A funeral mass was said at St. Edward’s Church on December 20, 2008. He will be buried at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield.
Dorothy “Dot” Kane, Class of 1931
Medfield’s oldest Alumni has died. Dot Kane was 94. In 1925, Dot was on the very first Medfield High School Yearbook Staff. Dot came up with the yearbook name “The Peak”, which it is still called. The 2005 yearbook was dedicated to her and the yearbook staff presented her with a copy of the book. Dot was very musical and started the Lowell Mason Club, a school music club. She was instrumental in the girl scouts and became the Icon for girl scouts in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Dot was the most knowledgeable person in town on Medfield History. She traced her relatives back to the original settlers of the town. She created the book “Medfield Reflections” for the 325th Anniversary in 1976 and was a leading force on the Anniversary committee that year.
Walter “Wally” Reynolds, Class of 1969
Walter F. “Wally” Reynolds, Class of 1969, died on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at his home in Stuart, Florida after a long battle with cancer. Wally was the son of Helen M. (Flynn) Reynolds and the late Walter F. “Pug” Reynolds, Jr. He was raised in Medfield and in high school was a stand out on the 1967 & 1968 Tri-Valley League championship football teams. Wally joined the U.S. Navy in June 1969 immediately after his graduation from Medfield High School. He served as a machinist’s mate about the USS Nashville until 1973.
Wally’s passion for cooking lead him to many restaurant kitchens, including his own on Nantucket where he later was married. Wally was a builder and developer in the Medfield area for over twenty years. His love for being on the water led him to a second career as a charter boat captain. In 1995, he moved to Stuart, Florida and launched Big Katuna Charters. He was past Commander of the Beckwith Post 110, American Legion, in Medfield. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Edward Church on January 31, 2009. Burial was at Vine Lake Cemetery.
Francis “Frannie” Rossi, Class of 1958
Frannie was born November 7, 1940 and graduated from Medfield High School with the Class of 1958. He played left end on the Warriors varsity football team. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines after high school and he and his family were tied into the success of the legendary Frances Cafe on Frairy Street. Frannie grew up next door to the restaurant on 45 Frairy Street. The Frances was known throughout the area for its homemade Italian food that brought the likes of Ted Williams out to the restaurant for many years. Following in his parents footsteps, Frannie became the owner and manager of the Frances from1961 to 1979. He later worked in the real estate business and with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. A volunteer firefighter in Medfield from 1961 until 1971, Frannie was also an active member of the Medfield Lions’ Club. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Carole(Mills) and their four children. He was buried with military honors at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield on February 3, 2009.
John Wills, Class of 1974
John was born on September 27, 1956. He was an Eagle Scout and was voted Homecoming King at Medfield High School, from which he graduated 1974. He continued his education at the University of Rhode Island and earned his Doctor of Pharmaceuticals at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia. He was employed as the director of pharmaceutical manufacturing at Collegium Pharmaceuticals in Rhode Island. He lived in Norton before moving to Mansfield. He is survived by his mother, two brothers and three children. he was buried at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield on January 22, 2009
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