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The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

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Wellesley, Mass. obituaries for November, 2025

Recent passings of current or former Wellesley residents:

  • Alan R. Bender (Nov. 2)

 

If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Wellesley obituaries, October 2025

Recent passings of current or former Wellesley residents:

  • Emma Lancheros Riley (Oct. 27)
  • Bruce Alexander Mansfield (Oct. 24)
  • Richard H. Ferraro (Oct. 14)
  • Cynthia C. (Chekas) Harunk (Oct. 9)
  • Susan L. (Humphrey) (Oct. 8)
  • Allen Edward Post (Oct. 5)
  • Parker D. Morris (Oct. 4)

 

If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Obituary: Robert “Bob” P. Cronin Jr.

September 18, 2025 by Bob Brown

Mr. Robert “Bob” Peter Cronin, Jr., age 66, passed away unexpectedly on September 13th, 2025, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Bob was born on October 9, 1958, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Acton before raising his family in Wellesley.

Obituary: Robert "Bob" P. Cronin Jr.
Robert “Bob” P. Cronin Jr.

Bob was the beloved husband of Kathy Cronin for 28 years and a proud father to Sarah (and her husband Jack), Emily (and her husband Tim), Robbie, and Molly. He was an extremely proud grandfather “Bobo” to his grandson, Owen. He was the cherished son of Sheila Cronin and the late Robert P. Cronin and treasured brother of Mary Federico and her late husband Tommy, Danny Cronin and his wife Diana, Kathy Peduto and her husband Dave, Susan Ketcham and her husband Larry, as well as 16 nieces and nephews.

Fiercely dedicated to his family and friends, Bob’s presence was felt deeply by all who knew him. He found joy in every moment spent together with his family and took great pride in their accomplishments. Bob had a keen interest in history and current events, always eager to engage in thoughtful conversation or share an insightful perspective. His love for dogs added another layer of warmth to his home life, where loyalty and companionship were treasured values.

Bob had a deep love for all Boston sports. As a longtime season ticket holder, he raised his children with a love of sports and was a regular at Fenway and the TD Garden. His passion for sports extended beyond simply watching, as evidenced by his years of coaching and running Wellesley Little League. Never missing a game for any of his kids, Bob was always in the stands or streaming it live, showing up for them in every way he could.

His professional career spanned 40 years in the Learning and Development sector, beginning his career at Xerox Learning Systems and most recently as a Senior Business Advisor at Class.

When he wasn’t on the field, at a game, or working, Bob could be found going on his regular walks around the neighborhood with Kathy and their beloved yellow labs, Butter and Curly.

Always quick with a joke and a captivating story, Bob knew how to dazzle people. We will dearly miss hearing his iconic one-liners.

A wake will be held on Friday, September 19th, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM at George F. Doherty and Sons Funeral Home 477 Washington St, Wellesley, MA. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Saint Paul Catholic Church 502 Washington St, Wellesley, MA. A live link to stream the funeral can be found here: https://sjspwellesley.org/sp/live/

Bob’s legacy lives on through his wife, children and grandson, and his enduring love of Boston sports, Labrador retrievers, and the telling of a good story. We will think of him when the sun is warm, on a crisp fall day, and above all else, when his family is all together, as that was his favorite thing in the world.

In keeping with the spirit of his love for dogs, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to Shultz’s Guest House, 13 Burgess Lane, Dedham MA 02026

 


If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Obituaries & remembrances

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Wellesley remembers Sept. 11 in solemn ceremony at Fire Department Headquarters

September 12, 2025 by admin

Wellesley first responders, Town officials, and community members marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a solemn ceremony at Fire Department Headquarters.

Wellesley, Sept. 11. 2025
Photo by Town of Wellesley

This annual observance is an opportunity to honor and remember the victims and the heroes of that tragic day.

The  program included prayers from Reverend Jim Laughlin (St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative) and Rabbi Moshe Bleich (Wellesley Weston Chabad),  prayers from the Wellesley Fire and Police Departments, and reflections from local leaders.

“As we stand together this morning, may we commit ourselves anew to honoring those we lost, not only with our memories, but in the way we live,” said Select Board chair Marjorie Freiman, who encouraged all in attendance to choose compassion over division and to remember the resilience that carried our community and our nation through the tragedy.

Four Wellesley residents were killed in the attacks—John Cahill, Neilie Casey, Edmund Glazier, and Patrick Quigley.

The ceremony ended with bells ringing in remembrance of those individuals and everyone who perished on September 11.

Filed Under: Obituaries & remembrances

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Obituary: Robert Francis Sorrentino

September 4, 2025 by admin

Robert Francis Sorrentino, AKA “The Caz”, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, after a hard-fought two-year battle with cancer.

Caz was born on February 3, 1950, to Frank and Christine (Sarro) Sorrentino in Inwood, LI, New York. (“The fumes of Kennedy Airport” he used to joke.) In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his older brother Richard “Richie” Sorrentino and Richie’s wife, Andrea.

Robert Francis Sorrentino
Robert Francis Sorrentino

Caz attended Babson College earning a degree in Finance and his MBA from Suffolk University. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career with Merrill Lynch. He is survived by his daughters Alexandra Sorrentino (Todd Marsh), Catherine Sorrentino (Matt Riopelle), grandchildren Caroline, Julia, Robbie and Reis and yet to be born baby Riopelle. He is also survived by his ex-wife Christine Templeton, mother of Alexandra and Catherine.

He was a loving father to Alexandra and Catherine, always around for a conversation, a hug, or a good Sunday dinner. His greatest joy in life was watching them grow into beautiful women and start families of their own, blessing him with 4, soon to be 5, grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to meet the girls and then grandkids at Woodland, their home away from home. A cold drink, Tommy Bahama shirt and blue
tinted Persol sunglasses were his outfit of choice. We’ll forever remember his Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, his famous meatballs, chicken parm and pesto, his endless singing and dancing (whether in public or not!) and his great sense of humor.

He is also survived by his younger brother, Frank Sorrentino (Louise), nephew Frankie, Jr., (Bella), great nephews Baby Frankie and Luca; and niece Lauren (Danny); Richie’s sons, nephews David (Heather) and Nicholas (Karla), great nephews Anthony and Andrew, and great nieces Brooklyn and Jagger, as well as many cousins and life-long friends.

Last, but not least, he is survived by his partner, best friend, caregiver, the Love of His Life and wife, Vicki, and her daughter, Franki.

He leaves behind a lifetime of buddies from Woodland Golf Club, Naples, FL and beyond. His love of golf was second to none. His motto was “Golf is Life – it’s up, it’s down and sometimes it’s just all around the hole.”

He could be a playful child at heart. He loved to tell stories. He was a proud Italian and an excellent cook! He loved all sports but held a special place in his heart for golf. He loved sitting in the sun, good wine, good fellowship and the occasional good cigar. Vicki and Caz were inseparable, got married and split their time between Naples, FL and Wellesley. He also cherished his little mini Bernedoodle, Enzo, who he gave to Vicki to
be her companion knowing their own “forever and always” was going to be cruelly cut short. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. If you were fortunate enough to be loved by him, you now have an indelible hole in your heart.

Vicki and the family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Care Dimensions Hospice House for the love and care they showed to both she and Caz during the final phase of his journey, and to the many family members and friends for the support to both she and Caz.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Woodland Golf Club (1897 Washington Street, Auburndale, MA 02466) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 4pm -7pm. Family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.


If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Obituaries & remembrances

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Wellesley obituaries, September 2025

Recent passings of current or former Wellesley residents:

  • Mary Margaret (O’Brien) “Peggy” O’Connor (Sept. 25)
  • Bruce Richard Balter (Sept. 23)
  • Jeanne Ruth (Adelman) Goodman (Sept. 19)
  • Dr. Narayanan “Mani” Subramanian (Sept. 16)
  • Robert “Bob” Peter Cronin (Sept. 13)
  • Davida Fox-Melanson (Sept. 8)
  • M. Suzanne “Sue” (Kennedy) Carvalho (Sept. 8)
  • Andrew M. Neher (Sept. 7)
  • Carol A. (Bowman) Amicangioli (Sept. 3)
  • Lois A. (Giovanella) Treacy (Sept. 1)

If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Obituary: Sergeant Gifford Russell Metz, 1998-2025

September 3, 2025 by admin

Gifford Metz, 26, died on August 25, 2025.

Obituary, Sergeant Gifford Russell Metz
Sergeant Gifford Russell Metz, (1998-2025)

Since the age of 18, Gifford carried the weight of depression while pursuing his dream of serving as a frontline soldier. After discovering at Dartmouth that the ROTC military training program was the only place he felt truly alive, he left school in 2018 to dedicate himself fully to soldiering. He excelled in many aspects of Army life, always striving to prove himself and to serve a greater purpose. He successfully completed Airborne School, along with Air Assault and Pathfinder schools in the US Army. He was a parachute rigger and had completed tens of jumps himself. Yet even with his many achievements, after eight years of challenges and triumphs, his illness overtook him. On August 25, 2025, in the barracks at Salt Lake City, Gifford tragically took his own life.

But Gifford’s story is not defined solely by his struggles. He was an accomplished skier, fearless on the slopes, and always encouraging his fellow skiers or the young athletes that he coached. He was somebody frequently remembered as “such a character.” He could be seen in his Russian fur hat and perhaps a bathrobe, or in mismatched plaid. On the slopes, he loved his olive green military onesie with fur hood. His quick wit and generous heart also left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. At his core, he had a passion for correcting the wrongs of this world. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gifford, then 23, gave his entire savings account to the Ukrainian cause, leaving him with nothing, but he said that they needed it more than he did. His commitment to being a soldier was motivated by an underlying desire for the world to be free.

Gifford deeply loved his family. He shared a close bond with his older brother Connor, whose engagement to Hope Jimenez brought him great joy. Yet perhaps his greatest and purest love was for his younger brother, Harrison, eight years his junior. Their playful, affectionate bond was a constant source of roughhousing, noise, and laughter. After learning of the terrible news, Harrison—at just 18—demanded that we remember the “OG Gifford,” the (Original) version of him that was quirky, adventurous, and free, before the illness clouded his spirit. Thus, in Harrison’s wisdom, we find comfort and permission to honor Gifford for who he truly was at his core.

We have chosen a final resting place for Gifford at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley, where space will be reserved for our whole family. In time, we will all be together again. Until then, may he rest in peace, remembered for his courage, his sincerity, his humor, and his unfettered OG core.

If anyone feels moved to honor Gifford’s memory, we share links to two charitable organizations below that were close to his heart, including one supporting Ukraine.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 8th, at 11 a.m. at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, then a reception at our home at 25 Whiting Road. We welcome all at the service, burial and reception.

Rest in peace Gifford (1998-2025),

Harrison, Connor, Jen and Travis

https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate-en/#donate-army-card-once
https://www.uso.org/donate/memorial-donation

Filed Under: Obituaries & remembrances

Wellesley obituaries, August 2025

Recent passings of current or former Wellesley residents:
  • Maria Grazia (Sanna Randaccio) Pernis (Aug. 26)
  • Sergeant Gifford Russell Metz (Aug. 25)
  • Augusto “Gus” Marchetti (Aug. 26)
  • Robert “Sean” Marshall (Aug. 23)
  • Rebecca Amy Speiser Elswit (Aug. 22)
  • Anne Elcock “Grammar” Sullivan (Aug. 15)
  • Carol Ann Carlson (Aug. 2)

If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Nov 9
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