Richard Underhill Thornton, 75, of Yarmouth Port, MA died peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital on December 18. Richard was born in Boston on February 4, 1938 to the late Dr. John Thornton and Henrietta Underhill Thornton. He grew up in Milton, MA where he attended Milton High School. He was a 1961 graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he excelled at football. After college Richard was a paper executive for many years with Diamond International, Spencer Press, CFK and he co-owned Pleasant Valley Paper Mills. Richard was an avid golfer who won many club championships at his club, the Milton Hoosic Club, as well as other Boston area country clubs. He was also an avid skier and a fantastic Dad. Richard was the devoted husband of the late Judith Williams Thornton and proud father of Kristin Thornton of Redding, CT and Stephanie Thornton Moore Girling  of Westport, CT and William H. Thornton of Westport, CT. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Stephen Girling, and three grandchildren Elizabeth, Savannah and Spencer Girling as well as his sister and brother in law Gail and Alan Shea of Easton, MA. He was pre-deceased by his brothers John J. Thornton and William H. Thornton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Hills Church, Milton, Mon., Dec. 23, at 10 o’clock.  Visiting Hours in the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave., EAST MILTON SQUARE, Sun, 2- 5 pm. Interment Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. If desired contributions in Richard’s memory may be sent to either Milton Animal League, 181 Governor Stoughton Lane Milton, MA 02186 or the Cape Cod Hospital, CCHC Foundation, P.O. Box 370, Hyannis, MA 02601

Vito Loise of Dorchester, Dec. 16, beloved husband of Barbara ( Dembitzky)  Loise.  Devoted father of Judith Raftery and her husband Michael of Bourne and Bernadette Abreu and her husband Stephen of Norwell. Brother of the late
Phyllis Cesario.  Also survived by 7 grandchildren. Memorial Mass at St. Gregory’s Church , Dorchester,  Sat., Dec. 21, at 10 o’clock.  Visiting Hours in the Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Fri., 4 – 8 pm. Interment Private. Late member K of C, Columbus Council # 116.  If desired contributions in Vito’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Avenue, Suite 6 Waltham, MA 02451-8750

Marion C. Bates died Dec. 17  , at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center- Milton  after a lengthy  illness she was 101 . Born in Trenton, New Jersey she  was a graduate of Crosby High School, in Waterbury, CT Class of 1931, and Mass General Hospital Nursing School Class of 1934. She worked as Nurse at Mass General upon graduation until her retirement in 1978. She was a long time member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan. Marion was the beloved sister of Dorothy A.  Bates of Milton and Ruth P. Scott of N.J. and the late Thelma Kohler.  Aunt of Nancy Tyrell and J. Douglas Scott both of N.J. Funeral Service in the  Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Thursday, Dec. 19 , at 10  o’clock. Internment Milton Cemetery. If desired contributions in Marion’s memory may be made to the Mass. General Hospital Nurses Alumnae Fund, MGHNAA, PO BOX 6234, Boston, MA  02114.

Thomas F. Barry, of Marshfield, formerly of Milton, December 14, 2013.  Beloved husband of the late Patricia C. (McDonough) Barry.  Loving father of Thomas Barry of Hudson, OH, John Barry of Marshfield, Stephen Barry of Milton, Eileen Schreyer of Stoughton, Patricia Lane of Hershey, PA, David Barry of Bridgewater, Bette Anne Connaughton of Charlottesville, VA, Mary Trabulsi of Weymouth, Michael Barry of Woburn, Kathleen Sawyer of Mansfield and the late James R. Barry.  Brother of Rev. Patrick Barry of Cork, Ireland, Rev. John Barry of Freemont, CA, Michael Barry of Quincy and the late James Barry and David Barry.  Tom is also survived by 18 grandchildren and grandfather to the late Thomas E. Barry.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary of The Hills Church, St. Mary’s Rd. Milton, Thursday December 19 at 11:00 AM.  Relatives and friends invited.  Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON, Wednesday 4-8 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.  

Vilnis Ruicis, of Jamaica Plain, formerly of Milton on December 13, 2013.  Beloved husband of the late Susanne (Minehan) Ruicis.  Loving father of Mara S. Lynch and her husband Michael of Milton. Son of the late Janis and Zenta (Kupcs) Ruicis.   Brother of the late Ansis Ruicis.    Memorial Visitation  at Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home , 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Wednesday, December 18, 6-8 PM.  Relatives and friends invited.  Burial will be private.

Elaine M. Lynch  of Dorchester on December 9, 2013, after a brief illness. Dear daughter of Andrea Lynch of Dorchester and the late Thomas Lynch. Loving mother of Alexandria H. Linehan.  Sister of Christine E. Orsie and her husband John L. Orsie  of Braintree, Caroline M. Lynch of Chelmsford, Thomas J. Lynch of Arlington and Brian C. Lynch of Dorchester.   Aunt of Cara and Matthew Orsie. Also survived by many cousins.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams St. at  Brook Rd., Milton on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:30 AM.  Relatives and friends invited.  Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave., EAST MILTON , Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.  Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Elaine’s memory may be made to Elaine M. Lynch Memorial Fund, Enterprise Bank, 185 Littleton Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Tel# 978-656-5582.

Kathleen “Kathy” Carney passed away peacefully on Sunday surrounded by loved ones.  Devoted wife of Richard Carney for 41 years – Kathy and Richard were high school sweethearts.  Kathy was the loving mother of Richard and his wife Jennifer of Sharon, Christopher of Quincy, and Veronica of Dorchester.  Kathy’s joys were her four young grandchildren, Logan, 4 months, Declan, 2, Addy, 4 and Kylie, 10.  She is also survived by Danny and Larry, her younger brothers, who always held a special place in Kathy’s heart.  Kathy loved spending many special occasions with her in-laws, Philip, Donna, Frances and Eddie.  Kathy also leaves many wonderful nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.  An excellent cook, her family will miss her homemade meatballs, macaroni and cheese and lasagna.  She loved sleepovers with her grandchildren and spoiled them rotten, succeeding in her job as grandparent. Kathy loved to dance, and would not be shy about being the first on the dance floor.  She’s undoubtedly up in Heaven singing “I Can’t Get Next to You” by the Temptations with her sister Maryellen, her brothers John and Joe, her sister-in-law Patty and her mother Mary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory’s Church, 2223 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester on Friday, December 13 at 9:30 A.M.  Relatives and friends invited.  Visiting hours will be held in the Dolan-Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Avenue, MILTON VILLAGE, on Thursday from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation in Kathleen’s name be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington D.C., 20004. 

John R. Launie, of West Yarmouth, formerly of Dorchester, December 8, 2013. Husband of Helen A. (Yovino) Launie and the late Julia G. (DeJoseph) Launie. Father of John R. Launie Jr. of South Boston, Robert N. Launie and his wife Cathy of Westwood, Joseph F. Launie and his wife Frances of Milton and Julie A. Henehan and her husband Joseph of Beverly. Grandfather of Carolyn Nolan, Paul Launie, Anne Marie Launie, Lauren Henehan, Ariana Launie, Jenna Launie and Patrice Henehan. Great-grandfather of Winnie Irene Nolan. Brother of Francis H. Launie of Quincy. John was a retired Treasurer of the MBTA and former Chairman, MBTA Retirement Board.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Friday December 13 at 9:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON, Thursday 4-8 PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Windsor Resident Sunshine Fund, 265 N. Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.

Arthur J. Craig, 86, of Quincy, passed away peacefully, December 4, 2013 after a long illness at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton surrounded by his loving family.  Born and raised in Dorchester, he lived in Quincy for the past 57 years.

He was a disabled veteran of WWII, serving with the US Coast Guard.  After returning home from active duty, he trained to become an automotive mechanic and worked at South Shore Automotive in Quincy for 48 years.  Arthur was a life member of The Marshfield Rod and Gun Club since 1975, where he enjoyed many weekends fishing and shooting skeet with family and friends.  His hobbies also included woodworking, gardening and watching Patriots football games.

Beloved husband of 64 years to Ruth (Moore) Craig.  Devoted father of Kathleen Soter and her husband Joseph of Dorchester, Arthur J. Craig, Jr. of Kingston, Patricia Craig, Scott Craig, Sandra Craig, and Andrew Craig all of Quincy.  Also survived by his loving grandchildren, Joseph, James, Natalie, Alison, Emily and Colleen.

Funeral and burial services are private.  Memorial contributions in Arthur’s memory may be made to Disabled American Veteran Chapter of your choice.  For information and online guestbook visit www.dolanfuneral.com.

Lela L Cumberbatch (Ma) was born on April 27, 1933 in Weston, St. James Barbados, West Indies. She was the second of 5 children born to Elton Hendy and Ivy Cumberbatch.

In 1969 she immigrated to the United States and resided in Roxbury MA. Her first job was at the Waldorf Restaurant in Downtown Boston as a waitress. After a short period she obtained employment at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston, where she remained employed for 5yrs in Housekeeping. While working days, she sought higher education at John Hancock, where she took night classes and achieved her High School Diploma in 1972.

In 1974 she started a second job at Woman’s Lying In (Brigham’s & Woman’s Hosp.) in the Labor and Delivery Dept. as a Nurse’s Aid. After successfully completing her certification as a Surgical Technician she went on to serve on the staff at Brigham’s and Woman’s Hospital until her retirement in 1995.

Lela was an independent, hard-working and giving person. For years she gave to many Charities and Organizations. Even after her retirement she began working Part time at the Boston Home in Dorchester. Her children and grandchildren would often laugh when she insisted on teaching them the benefits and value of saving money. Her signature quotes was” I never paid a late charge since I’ve been in America” and “I don’t owe nobody a farthing”.

In her spare time she enjoyed sewing. As a child her passion was to be a seamstress, While never having the opportunity to pursue this goal in Barbados she took advantage of taking Sewing classes at the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Boston. Although she never did sew as an occupation she was proud of the outfits and crafts that she was able to create for herself and her grandchildren. Lela loved to stay close to home and rarely socialized outside. She was very happy when guest visited and she was delighted in entertaining at home. Once you had a friend in Lela, you could say you have a friend for life. She was a straight to the point person who spoke her mind and the truth; she believed honesty was the best policy.

As a single mother Lela was fiercely dedicated to her children. Her greatest goal was to give her children and grandchildren all the things she didn’t have while growing up. About 18 months ago, she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Like the fighter Lela was she never gave up, especially for her special needs son Paul whom she loved more than life itself. She was his voice and his champion, if you offended him she would not hesitate to make her voice or presence known.

Due to her love for her family she fought longer than projected. Her dying wish was for the family to remain close and to love one another for the well-being of Paul.

We have vowed to carry on her legacy for Love of Family. We were all blessed to have her in our lives, and her love and memory will sustain us throughout the years.

In passing Lela was survived by her 3 children Paul Cumberbatch, Michelle McLean and Natalie Cumberbatch.

8 Grandchildren: Dave Cumberbatch (Washington DC), Krishante Arocho, Anjuli Arocho, Kevin McLean, Akira McLean, Jamoni Fraser, Jachai Fraser and Brittany McLean.

5 Great-grandchildren: Kailen Larkin, Ava Cumberbatch (Washington DC), Maci Cumberbatch (Washington DC), Laila and London Larkin.

2 Sisters and 1 Brother: Gloria Cumberbatch (London, England), Audrie Philips (Brooklyn NY), Neville Cumberbatch (Macon GA). (and a host of nieces and nephews).

Extended Family and Friends: Lavelle Larkin, Norman Knight, Eudora and Shirley Worrell, Robert Cyprien, McLean Family, Icilda Chambers, Estelle Merritt, Pearl Maxwell, VNA Hospice, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and all neighbors who showed support and words of encouragement during her time of need.