The Dead Were Once Someone Too

Sunday, 27 March 2022

(Sunday's Obituary): Linda Brazil, 75

Brockton Daily Enterprise

Monday, January 16, 1978

Linda Brazil, 75

Long-time city resident

Mrs. Linda (Balboni) Brazil, 75, a resident of Brockton for 65 years, died unexpectedly on Sunday. Mrs. Brazil had made her home in Middleboro for the past eight months, and formerly lived on Hemlock Street in Brockton. She was the widow of Joseph Brazil and had worked at Randolph Manufacturing Company for 22 years. She was also a former member of the Hilltop Bowling League.

Survivors include six daughters, Mrs. Michael (Dorothy) Colombo of Brockton, Mrs. Franklin (Thelma) Reams of Bridgewater, Mrs. Chester (Evelyn) Hall of Middleboro, and Madeline Cliff, Mrs. Frederick (June) DeCosta, and Mrs. Nicholas (Josephine) Bertocci, all of West Bridgewater; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Carl (Mary) Anthony of East Bridgewater and Mrs. Louise Nelson of Brockton; and a brother, John Balboni of Rockland.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Joseph J. Pica and Son Funeral Home, 419 Main St., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Margaret's Church. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, West Bridgewater.

BRAZIL — In Stoughton, of Middleboro, formerly of Brockton, Jan. 15, Linda (Balboni) Brazil, beloved wife of the late Joseph Brazil and mother of Mrs. Michael (Dorothy) Colombo of Brockton, Mrs. Franklin (Thelma) Reams of Bridgewater, Mrs. Chester (Evelyn) Hall of Middleboro, Madeline Cliff, Mrs. Nicholas (Josephine) Bertocci, all of West Bridgewater; sister of Mrs. Carl (Mary) Anthony of East Bridgewater, Mrs. Louise Nelson of Brockton and John Balboni of Rockland.

Funeral from the Joseph J. Pica and Son Funeral Home, 419 Main St., Brockton, Tuesday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Margaret's Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to visit the funeral home today from 2-4 and 7-9.

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Saturday, 26 March 2022

(Society Saturday): About the City

The Brockton Times

Friday, January 2, 1920

Page 3

About the City

—A tuberculosis clinic was held this afternoon in the office of the board of health, City hall.

—There was a large attendance at the Ward street movie dance Thursday night, the special picture being a thriller.

—About 300 couples were present at the New Year's eve dance of the Lauretto club in Canton hall Wednesday night, and the New Year was greeted.

—The pivoting contest at the movie dance Thursday afternoon in Pythian hall was won by Hugh McCaffrey and Miss Mabel Burns. There was a large attendance at the dance in the evening.

—Mrs. Rose French of Prince street entertained at a New Year's eve party Wednesday evening. The guests included Alfred Mackin, Miss Doris Julian, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Julian of Spencer, Alfred Tetreault and Mr. and Mrs. James Twomey.

—City hall officials and clerks today expressed their grief over the loss of the son of Mayor and Mrs. William L. Gleason by contributing to a collection for floral pieces to be sent to the home this afternoon. Two pieces were sent, one by the clerks and another by the officials.

—The Massachusetts Catholic guild will hold a business meeting this evening in K. of C. hall at 8 o'clock.

—Plans were made at the meeting of King David lodge, K. of P., Thursday night for the working of the rank of page on 25 candidates at the first meeting in February. Deputy Isaac McArthur of Boston will install the officers Jan. 15.

—Miss Lila Storey of the Y. W. C. A. was hostess Wednesday night at a New Year's party. Several young women connected with the North Baptist church were present. Games were played and ices and cake were served. Gifts from a grab box were also enjoyed. Those present included Misses Edith Illsley, Ruth Mitchell, Helen Matthews, Euna Baine, Nita Urquhart, Ruth Mitchell and Bernice Conway. Miss Illsley was at the piano during chorus singing.

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Thursday, 24 March 2022

(Thriller Thursday): SHOT AFTER WEDDING

The Brockton Times

Monday, August 16, 1915

Page One

SHOT AFTER WEDDING

Joseph Bartos Arrested for Killing of Stanislaus Soja.

ADAMS, Aug. 16.—Stanislaus Soja was shot and killed today and Joseph Bartos, a friend of the dead man, was arrested, charged with murder.

The shooting is said to have been the aftermath of a wedding celebration during which Bartos discharged a revolver several times, one of the bullets striking Soja.

Police authorities said the charge against Bartos probably would be changed to manslaughter.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2022

(Wednesday's Child): LITTLE BILLY GLEASON DIES

The Brockton Times

Friday, January 2, 1920

Page 3

LITTLE BILLY GLEASON DIES

Mayor and Wife Bereft of Son on New Year's

YOUNGSTER HAD BEEN ILL BUT FIVE DAYS

Prayers and Medical Skill Prove of No Avail.

William L. Gleason, Jr., young son of Mayor and Mrs. William L. Gleason, died at 8 the morning of New Year's day at the Massachusetts Children's hospital, Boston.

The sympathy of the entire city is extended Mayor and Mrs. Gleason in the loss of their son, especially from the many to whom "Billy" had endeared himself.

For the five days of his illness "Billy," two and one-half years old, occupied a prominent share in the thoughts of Brockton people, and prayers were added to medical skill in an effort to save the little life.

"Billy" was an unusually bright child, with a smile always ready, and a natural boyish instinct to investigate. On a recent visit to his daddy's office in City hall, Billy sat in the executive chair of the city and tried to feel the dignity of the position.

On the three occasions of his election to office Mayor Gleason always gave little "Billy" first choice to congratulate him.

Naturally robust and healthy, "Billy" took an active part in the National Better Babies' campaign, conducted in Brockton in May, 1918, by the board of health. At that time he was weighed and measured with a score of other babies at the campaign headquarters, and had his picture taken in the scales with his parents standing on either side of him.

He was ill but five days, and was almost immediately taken to the Massachusetts Children's hospital in Boston, where it was announced he was suffering from a form of cerebro-spinal meningitis. Every effort was put forth to save the child, but to no avail.

He leaves, besides his parents, a sister, Esther Gleason.

The funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 at the home, 29 Florence street. Rev. Fr. Alexander J. Hamilton, pastor of St. Margaret's church, will officiate.

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Tuesday, 22 March 2022

(Tombstone Tuesday): Govoni (Calvary Cemetery, Brockton)

GOVONI

1872 GAETANO 1967

1878 ANGELA 1966

1912 ALBERT 1922

OUR LOVING SON

FRANK N. GOVONI

1907 — 1919

Photo taken January 13th, 2014 in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.

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Sunday, 20 March 2022

(Sunday's Obituary): ISAM MITCHELL DIES IN HIS 88TH YEAR

The Brockton Times

Friday, September 5, 1924

Page 8

ISAM MITCHELL DIES IN HIS 88TH YEAR

Well Known Business Man Was Born in Bridgewater.

Isam Mitchell, for more than half a century a successful lumber dealer in this city, and also heavily interested in real restate, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Moore hospital, where he had been under treatment for the past two weeks. He was in his 88th year.

Mr. Mitchell was born in Bridgewater Dec. 26, 1836, the son of Simeon W. and Keziah (Leonard) Mitchell, and was a descendant from the Colonial stock of Experience Mitchell, who came over in the "Ann" in the year 1623. He was educated in the public schools of Bridgewater, and left at the age of 17 to become an apprentice in the carpenter's trade with Charles Worth in Old North Bridgewater, now Brockton, remaining with him for a year, after which he spent a year with Horace Wilbur of Middleboro.

At the age of 19 he went into the carpenter and contracting business on his own account in his own city and other nearby towns, going into partnership with George Hayward, under the name of Hayward & Mitchell. He later conducted the business alone. He formerly owned large orange plantations in Redlands, Cal., where for several years he spent his winters.

Mr. Mitchell was an active business man up to the time of his illness. He was the owner of the Redlands, at the corner of Warren avenue and West Elm street, an apartment block named after the town in California where he passed his winters.

Mr. Mitchell's first wife, Clarinda E. Beals, daughter of Solomon and Susan Beals of Middleboro, died in this city Nov. 14, 1908. Mr. Mitchell later married Miss Marion E. Besse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan R. Besse of Brookville.

Mr. Mitchell was affiliated with the Massasoit lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Commercial club.

Beside his wife, he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Grace E. Baker of Chelsea, by the first marriage, and a son, Willard Mitchell, by second marriage. A daughter, Nellie, who married George M. Hart, died some years ago, and a son, Herbert I., Mitchell, died in 1900.

He also leaves two granddaughters, Mrs. Mildred Baker Gray of Winchester and Mrs. Ruth (Mitchell) Dalton, wife of L. Holmes Dalton, of this city; also a grandson, Earle T. Mitchell, son of Mrs. Ardelia S. and the late Herbert I. Mitchell. There are also two great grandchildren, Herbert and Gwendolyn Mitchell of Whitman.

The family home was on Belmont street at the corner of Moraine. The summer home of the family was at Wareham.

Services, which will be private, will be held Saturday ay 1.30 from the home, 390 Belmont street. Rev. Mr. Motes of Wareham will officiate. Interment will be in Melrose cemetery.