James Laurence Burns, Jr., of Boston and Quechee, VT, passed away on Saturday, December 24^th, 2011, at his home in Quechee.  He was born on March 19, 1938 in Boston. He is the son of the late James Laurence Burns and Lillian (McColgan).  He grew up in Dorchester and Braintree, MA.  He is a Double Eagle, graduating from Boston College High School in 1955 and magna cum laude from Boston College in 1959 (Golden Eagle).  Jim also received a degree from Williams College School of Banking.  He served for 17 years in the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves completing his service with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Jim worked in the Banking and Financial Industry, beginning his career at State Street Bank in Boston as Assistant Treasurer in the Investment Division.  He then served for 40 years as the Executive Vice President of the Cooperative Central Bank of Massachusetts.  He was the CEO, President and Founder of the Bank Investment Fund, a Boston based mutual fund.  He was Chairman of the Board of the National Cooperative Bank based in Washington, D.C., New York City and Anchorage, Alaska.  He served on the National Conference Board in New York City, London and Brussels.  He also served for a time as an advisor to the Australian Government and the Australian Financial Services Industry.  He retired in 2002. He served on the Board of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Boston and as Chairman of the Board of The Boston Conservatory. He leaves his beloved wife of 48 years Carol M. (Neely).  They married in 1963 at St. Brendan’s in Dorchester and lived in Braintree and Pembroke before settling in Beacon Hill in 1986. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his loving family, daughters Corinne Kelly and her husband Jeffrey of Summit, NJ, Nancy Cunningham and her husband Jeffrey of Greensboro, NC,  and Kathy Whitacre and her husband Michael of Oceanport, NJ, and his son Andrew J. Burns  and his girlfriend, Stephanie Dabruzzi of Belmont, MA.  He also leaves his cherished grandchildren Anthony Cunningham, Jillian Cunningham, Brendan Kelly, Brian Kelly and Jackson Whitacre and Chase Whitacre. He is also survived by his sister Anne Marie Hayes of Dennisport, MA and her family and his cousin and great friend Robert Hirtle of Harwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Thursday December 29 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friemds invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Wednesday 4-8 PM.  In lieu of flowers donations in Jim’s memory may be made to a wounded veterans charity of one’s choice.

Gerald P. Joyce, of Quincy, formerly of Neponset, died Wednesday December 21, 2011. Beloved husband of the late Margaret “Peggy” G. Joyce (Arbing) and the son of the late Patrick J. and Ann (Higgins) Joyce. Devoted brother of Paul Joyce and his wife Jean of North Andover, Kevin Joyce and his late wife Joanne of West Roxbury, Edward Joyce and Marjorie Lievi of Milton, Walter Joyce and his wife Helen of Manchester, NH, and Robert  Joyce and his late wife Janet of Neponset. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. Gerald worked for 30+ years with City of Boston Water & Sewer Commission before retirement. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Ann Church, Neponset, Tuesday, December 27 at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Monday, 3:00-7:00 pm. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.

Stagne M. Osirus died at Boston Medical Center, Thursday December 15, 2011. He was 45 years old. Beloved son of Gabriel Osirus Sr. and Altagrace Osirus. Brother of Gabriel Osirus Jr. and Peter Osirus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Matthew’s Church, Stanton Street, Dorchester, Saturday December 24 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Friday 7-9 PM.

Margaret (Fahy) Smalley, December 16, 2011, beloved wife of the late William Smalley. Loving mother of Stephen and Andrew Smalley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Gregory Church, Wednesday, December 21 at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hour from the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave. MILTON 10:15 – 11:15 AM. Interment Old Calvary Cemetery.

John D. Ely, age 52, of Dorchester, formerly of North Reading and Topsfield, December 8, 2011. Husband of Jean L. Swaray-Ely of Dorchester. Father of Nicole Ely. Son of John W. Ely III of NJ and the late Marilyn L. (Leisk) Ely. Brother of Sharon M. Privitera of Westford and Lisa Ely of Bradford. Funeral service in Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Wednesday December 21 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford. Licensed builder and owner of ABC Construction, Dorchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Mass Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln 01773 or Animal Rescue League of Boston, 10 Chandler St, Boston MA 02116.

Mary Lorraine (Gillis) Prairrie, of Braintree, formerly of Dorchester, December 13, 2011.  Beloved wife of the late Vernaul E. Prairrie, Jr.. Loving mother of Joanne Cobb and Donna Percy both of  Weymouth, Karen Irvine of Billerica, Michael Prairrie  of Dorchester, Suzanne McNelley, David Prairrie and Michelle Prairrie  all of Quincy.  Sister of Donald Gillis, of Hull, Allan Gillis of Brockton, Leo Gillis of Roslindale, Jeanette McNamara of Milton and Charles Gillis of Abington.  Also survived by 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Ambrose Church, Adams St. Dorchester, Friday, December 16 at 10:00 AM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery.  Relatives and friends invited.  Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St. DORCHESTER, Thursday, 4-8 PM.

Maud Hilaire, of Boston, died on December 8, 2011. Beloved wife of Willy Blanchard. Mother of Darling Bernadeau of Randolph, Nedje Mondesir of Avon, Rose Stephanie Marcelin of Dorchester, Medine Marcelin of Dorchester, Reginald Morin of West Roxbury and Ricardo Blanchard of Dorchester. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St. DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Friday, December 16, 6:30-9:30PM. Funeral Service on Saturday, December 17, at 9:30AM at Pentecostal Church of the Last Hour, 37 Everett St. Hyde Park. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.

Robert C. Devin, of Revere, formerly of Boston,  a 53 year employee and longtime voice of the T (MBTA) died on December 13, 2011. Mr. Devin was also a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth (Heger) Devin. Father of Robert L. Devin of Weymouth, James E. Devin of Norwell, Paul F. Devin of Plymouth, Betty Ann Ghilardi of Norwell, Nancy Angeloni of Norwell, and Charles R. Devin of Scituate. Brother of Francis Devin of Framingham, Claire Clay of West Roxbury and the late Marjorie, Richard, Edward, John and Mary. Robert is survived by 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held at the National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.

Walterine E. R. (Ballard) Ragsdale, age 82, of Mattapan, formerly of Memphis, TN, passed peacefully December 7, 2011. Loving mother of Percy N. Ragsdale Jr. of Mattapan, Ralph G. Ragsdale of Randolph and Myron D. Ragsdale Sr. of San Diego, CA. Dear grandmother of Myron D. Ragsdale Jr. of Dorchester and great-grandmother of Makya Ragsdale.  Visiting at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Wednesday December 14 at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her name may be made to the charity of your choice.

Alice Morris (Ployer) Egan, of Quincy, formerly of Milton, December 10, 2011. Wife of the late Dr. William J. Egan and the late Dr. George E. Morris. Loving mother of Kathleen Shortt of England, Helen Hickey of Hanover, George Morris of VA, Rosemary Morris of FL, Marilyn Morris of Quincy, Janine Hassett of Melrose, Dianne Morris and Denise Sullivan, both of Cambridge and the late Paul Morris and step-mother of William Egan of FL, Thomas Egan of Worcester, Paul Egan of Kingston, John Egan of Carver, Mary-Jo O’Brien of Swansea, Edmund Egan of Pittsfield, Daniel Egan of Plymouth, Jane Mahoney of NH, Virginia Egan of DE, Reverend Phillip Egan of MO and Louise Egan of AZ. Alice is also survived by 17 loving grandchildren. Sister of Dorothy Desmond of Centerville and the late Paul Ployer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church, Reedsdale Road at Randolph Avenue, Milton, Thursday December 15 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Wednesday 4-8 PM. Donations in Alice’s memory may be made to Charity Guild, 501 Main Street, P.O. Box 2372, Brockton, MA 02305. Late member of the Neighborhood Club, Quincy and the Boston Medical Charity Fund Committee.