Obituaries

James J. Forster Sr., 82

Former Advertising Executive with The Boston Globe and TV Producer

James J. “Jim” Forster Sr. of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston and former senior divisional retail advertising manager and Boston Globe employee of 44 years, died peacefully after a long illness on March 14. He was 82 years old.

A World War II veteran, in retirement Mr. Forster became a TV producer and the creative force behind several documentaries dealing with the history of U.S. Warfare, Always modest, he was widely regarded as one of the Globe’s most popular and influential employees. Always impeccably tailored, with his genteel manner and soothing administrative style, he sometimes seemed a throwback to a bygone era.

In a career that spanned more than four decades, Mr. Forster worked his way up from copy boy to senior divisional retail advertising manager upon his retirement in 1987. While at the Globe, Mr. Forster served as vice president of the Boston Globe Employees Association, where he was deeply involved in the myriad, complex issues that employee-management relations in a company as large as the Globe present.

When the Globe relocated from Washington Street to its current location on Morrissey Boulevard, he was chosen as chairman of the Farewell to Newspaper Row Banquet at the Beacon Street Hotel in Brookline that was attended by over 500 Globe employees, including publisher William O. Taylor III. He also served as chairman of the Boston Globe Red Cross Blood Donor Program and was an officer of the Quarter Century Club.

As New Hampshire’s presidential primary began to take on added political significance in the 1950s, he was assigned to work as a pollster for the Globe in a weathervane county. It was during this assignment that he met with the legendary, raccoon cap wearing, United States Senator C. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee at the Eagle Hotel in Concord, N.H., a meeting of which Mr. Forster was especially fond.

In the Advertising Division of the Globe, in addition to his many administrative duties, Mr. Forster helped spearhead the Globe’s now established “Early Spring Promotions” to Cape Cod and New Hampshire vacation spots. Mr. Forster’s last assignment was to assist in the preparation of the newly formed “North Weekly” Regional section, which launched successfully before his retirement.

To help fill his days in retirement, he became a TV producer at the Winthrop Public Access Television station. He produced several popular documentaries including “Civil War Artifacts,” “Korea, The Forgotten War,” and a stirring 90-minute documentary entitled “We Were There, World War II”. Exhaustingly researched, “We Were There” includes over 200 period photos of World War II veterans with close ties to Winthrop. In the piece, he artfully interspersed early photos of these local heroes listing their many commendations, over a period soundtrack and the voices of FDR, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, General Dwight Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

Thousands in town and beyond watched the video. Months later, NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw, who had recently written his best seller “The Greatest Generation,” sent Mr. Forster a letter, thanking him for sending a copy to his office. Still airing today, the video is the most watched local TV documentary in Winthrop. In the year 2000, he received the top award in the special events category of the Northeast Video Conference for the piece.

Mr. Forster also dabbled in politics, serving as a member of the Winthrop Advisory Board and as campaign manager and adviser for several townspeople running for local office.

He was a member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club and American Legion and also taught CCD at St. John the Evangelist Church. Mr. Forster’s fascination with US history was ubiquitous but his interest in modern US warfare was born of personal experience. Upon graduation from East Boston High School in 1944, he joined the US Army and served in the 16th Armored Division and later the 4th Armored Division. He saw action in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia during the conflict.

Mr. Forster’s commendations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service to his country. Several days before the war’s end, he participated in the liberation of the Czech city of Pilsen. After the war, Mr. Forster joined the Air National Guard and served with the 101st Fighter Squadron on the fire rescue team stationed at what is now Logan International Airport.

Mr. Forster is survived by his wife of 54 years, Miriam K. (Kilduff); his daughter, Maureen, and her husband, Patrick O’Donnell, of Ipswich; daughter Paula and her husband, Frederick Bagley, of Melrose, daughter Christine and her husband, Christopher Berg, of Winthrop and his son James Jr., and his wife, Diane, of Winthrop. He was the loving grandfather of Kristen Macchiavelli of Georgetown, Justine Romanos of Melrose, Kathryn Schadinger of Saugus, Matthew Bagley of Cambridge and James Forster III and Julie Forster, both of Winthrop; and great-grandfather to Chloe Macchiavelli, Nicholas Romanos and Dillon Schadinger. He is also survived by his brothers, William of New Hampshire, formerly of East Boston, Edward of Winthrop, Raymond of Andover, formerly of Revere, and Joseph Forster of Lynn, and by his sisters, Rita Kamholz of Florida, formerly of East Boston, Ruth Hannigan of Milton, Mary Forster of Revere, and Eugenia Nicholson of Lynn.

His funeral will be held at the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop, on Thursday, March 19, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Red Cross of Mass Bay, Financial Development 139 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142 or the Development Office at Hallmark Health-Melrose Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon St., Melrose, MA 02176. For his guest book and directions, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.

Mary Lawton, 86

Retired NE Telephone employee

Mary E. Lawton of Malden, formerly of Brighton, died on March 13 at the Mass. General Hospital. She was 86 years old.

She was a retired employee of New England Telephone for over 40 years and a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Born in Boston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Patrick and Catherine (Gearen) Lawton; loving aunt of Thomas F. Lawton of North Carolina, Richard Lawton of Winthrop, Elaine Sullivan of Winthrop, Patricia Law Dutch of Lynn, and the late John Law Jr. and also, Kevin, Nancy, Darlene, Francis, Kathleen, the late George, and many grandnieces, grandnephews, great- grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was the loving sister of the late Elizabeth Law, Patrick Lawton, John Lawton, Katherine O’Hare, and James Lawton.

Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 375 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02215. For her guest book, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.

Charlotte Fox, 83

Part Owner of Cliff House Nursing Home, Winthrop

Charlotte (Kamich) Fox of Lynn, formerly of Chelsea, died on March 13. She was 83 years old.

The beloved wife of the late Sheppard Fox, she was born in Chelsea and attended Chelsea schools and high school. She was a homemaker and part owner of Cliff House Nursing Home in Winthrop, a member of the Everett Hadassah and a member of Temple Emmanuel as well as the temple’s Sisterhood. She was also involved with various charitable and religious organizations.

She was the devoted mother of Dr. Arthur Fox and his wife, Pamela, and Ilene Krivelow and her husband, Eric; dear sister of the late Barney Kamich and Joseph Kamich; and the loving grandmother of Shayna, Aleah, Jason, and Brad.

Funeral arrangements were by Torf Funeral Service, Chelsea. Burial was in Everett.

Kristina Green, 35

BC graduate

Kristina A. Green, a lifelong resident of Revere, died unexpectedly at the Boston Medical Center on March 13. She was 35 years old.

She attended St. John the Evangelist Grammar School in Winthrop and then continued her education by being home-schooled by her mother. She was a graduate of Boston College, majoring in classical music and art.

She was the wife of Kenneth W. Green for the past five years; mother of Andrew D. Scholwin of Boston and Chloe E. Green of Revere. She also leaves her beloved parents, Arnim A.R. Scholwin and Dorothy J. (Gomez) Scholwin of Revere. She was the sister of Dorothy M. “Donna” Love and her husband, Steven, of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Erika Osterling and her fiancé, Oysterin Kaarsen of Sweden; beloved sister-in-law of Cheryl Vargus, David Green and Charles Green, all of Revere. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, March 20, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, following the visitation at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Josephine Simili, 72

Seamstress in Garment Industry

Josephine (Cardello) Simili of Revere died at the Chelsea Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on March 16, after a long illness. She was 72 years old.

Mrs. Simili was born in the town of Mineo, Siciliy, Italy. She came to this country in 1966, settling in Revere and, until her health began to fail, she worked for more than 20 years as a seamstress in Boston’s Garment Industry. She was homemaker and a member of the International Ladies Garment Union of America.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Salvatore Simili, and her children, Anna B. Kulakowski and her husband, Kerry C., of Revere and Maria G. (Simili) Croteau and her husband, John E., of Danvers. She was the grandmother of Sandra L. and Caitlyn A. Kulakowsi, both of Revere; sister of Lena Sarnacchiaro and Gino Cardello, both of Winthrop and Joseph Cardello of Revere. She is also survived by her aunt, Marianna Bucchieri, and her husband, Salvatore, of Revere and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Her funeral will be conducted from the Funeral Home on Saturday, March 21, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, P.O. Box 1208, Fort Son, GA 31808 or to “America Needs Fatima” P.O. Box 341, Hanover, PA 17331.

Nicholas Giraldo, 45

Revere resident

Nicholas Giraldo of Revere died on March 12. He was 45 years old.

Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero-Mazzarella Memorial Home, East Boston.

Lillian Landsman-Hoffenberg, 93

Of Winthrop, formerly of Chelsea

Lillian (Green) Landsman-Hoffenberg of Winthrop, formerly of Chelsea, died on March 12. She was 93 years old.

The beloved wife of the late William Landsman and Harold Hoffenberg, she was born in Chelsea and attended Chelsea schools and high school. She was a retired business broker at the Buyers and Sellers Business Exchange in Boston.

She was the devoted mother of Jane Beader and her husband, Donald, and the late Rhonda Pomerantz; dear sister of Selma Shauffer, Florence Scotch, Eugene Green, Barbara Goodman and the late Alice Krisel, Robert Green and James Green; loving grandmother of Wayne, Gary, and Glen Pomerantz and Sherri, Carne, Howard, and Greg Beader. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Burial was in Lynn. Memorial observance was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Foundation, 17 Lafayette Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150 or to the American Cancer Society, Mass. Division, 9 Riverside Road, Weston, MA 02493. For her online guest book, please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.

Nathan Weiss, 96

Chelsea resident

Nathan Weiss of Chelsea, formerly of North Bellmore, NY, died on March 11. He was 96 years old.

He was the beloved husband of Diana (Deutsch) for 60 years; devoted father of Phil Weiss and his wife, Nomi Davidson, Seth Weiss and his wife, June Goldstein, all of Somerville, and the late Ann Sara Weiss and her surviving husband, Len Freedman, of Rochester, NY; loving grandfather of Alan, Peter and Michael Freedman, Ari, Dara, Mollie, and Mikki Freedman-Weiss, Isaiah and Sam Davidson-Weiss, Basha and Sara Goldstein-Weiss; great grandfather of Jake and Leah; dear brother of Morris Weiss and the late Rose Rosenthal.

Funeral arrangements were by The Levine Chapels, Brookline. Burial was at B’nai B’rith Cemetery, Peabody. Remembrances would be appreciated to Project Aliyah (an accessibility campaign) of Congregation B’nai B’rith, 201 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02145.

Joseph Ford, 49

Of Woburn, formerly of Winthrop

Joseph E. Ford of Woburn, formerly of Winthrop, died suddenly on March 16. He was 49 years old.

He was the beloved husband of Lorrie E. (Cameron) Ford; devoted father of William, Mary Ann, Michael, and Joseph, all of Woburn; loving son of Maureen M. Ford of Winthrop and the late Donald F. Ford; dear brother of Kathleen Doherty, Daniel and Christopher Ford, and Elizabeth Donovan, all of Winthrop, Maureen Thomsen of Swampscott, and Mary Ellen Cipolle of Beverly; son-in-law of Lorraine Cameron of Arlington and the late Frederick Cameron; and he is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn on Friday, March 20, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10 a.m. Calling hours are today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.

Donations may be made in his memory to St. Charles School, 8 Myrtle St., Woburn, MA 01801. His online obituary, directions and guest book are at www.lynch-cantillon.com.

Jennifer Trainor, 45

Member of Screen Actors Guild

Jennifer E. (Hogg) Trainor of Winthrop, formerly of Dover, died on January 24. She was 45 years old.

She was the beloved wife of Kerry J. Trainor; daughter of David S. and Lorraine (Robertson) Hogg of Dover, formerly of Jamaica Plain; sister of Donald D. Hogg and his wife, Sue, of Nashville, Tenn. and Stewart R. Hogg of California. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was the daughter-in-law of Loretta M. Trainor of East Wakefield, NH and the late Richard J. Trainor; sister-in-law of Donna Marie Evans and her husband, Michael, of Alvin, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at the Dover Church Springdale Ave., Dover Center, Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston 02130. For her guest book, please visit gfdoherty.com. Arrangements were by George F. Doherty & Sons of Wellesley.