Leah Murdoch
Of Winthrop
Leah D. Murdoch of Winthrop passed away at home on November 12. She was 54 years old. Born in Boston, the beloved daughter of Maureen Davis (Bray) and a life-long resident of Winthrop, she worked as a cashier at Shaw’s for several years.
She was the loving mother of Nicole Murphy of Marblehead, Tanya Murdoch of North Andover, Briana Murdoch of Boston and Derek Murdoch of Winthrop; dear sister of Lorraine Glufling of Winthrop and cherished grandmother of Danica, Stephen, Jackson and Anthony.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop.
Richard Perrier
Passed After an Eight-Week COVID Battle
Richard “Rick†Perrier of Winthrop passed away Tuesday, November 2
at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the age of 73 after an eight week battle with the dreaded Covid Pneumonia Viral Fungal Infection. Two vaccinations and a booster and all it took was a minute and Covid won.
Rick was brought up in East Boston and attended East Boston Schools. After graduation, he answered the call of the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam era. Following his discharge, he was employed by General Electric until he retired after 42 years. The last years were spent as a Tig Welder out of Building 700 in Lynn.
While in retirement, Rick developed a serious cardiac issue and became one of the first 500 Heart Transplant recipients at Mass General Hospital. Rick was granted a second chance at life, his heart celebrated its seventh year on June 26, 2021.
His retirement was enhanced by boating on “FuzzyMiller I&II,†road
trips to Cape and Ohio, cruises to Bermuda and Alaska, fine dining, music and dancing and enjoying treasured friendships, long lasting and current.
He belonged to the Winthrop Yacht Club, Lynn Yacht Club, Mystic Valley Gun Club and various organizations associated with the military. He filed away the past and looked forward to the future just being Rick.
Rick was predeceased by his parents, Edna and Ralph Perrier. He is survived by his beloved partner of 28 years, Lind Butler McGeorge.
He will also be remembered as the much loved “Daddy-O†to Dana McGeorge Luparello and her husband, Geoff of Ohio and Susan Kossa Tang and her husband, Howard of Las Vegas.
If you wish, make donations in Rick’s name to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Mass where he chose his housemates, Daisy and Stewie. He did have a soft spot!
A “Celebration of Ricks Life†will be held in 2022. For additional information, visit: www.vazzafunerals.com
Larry Frank Kaye
Devoted Husband and Father
Larry Frank Kaye, 73, a lifelong resident of Winthrop and a devoted husband and father, died peacefully surrounded by love on November 17 after a yearlong battle with Leukemia.
He is survived by his adoring wife and best friend, Rosemary (Bessette) Kaye, his daughters: April (Kaye) Gallagher and her husband, James Gallagher III of Winthrop, Nichole (Kaye) Vatcher and her husband, Mattthew Vatcher of Reading; his devoted grandchildren, Alexander and Holland and his brother, Ronald Kaye of New York. Larry was predeceased by his loving grandson, Joshua and his parents, Ida and Albert Kaye of Winthrop.
Larry was a lifelong Winthrop resident who enjoyed spending time by the ocean, relaxing with family, reading on his porch and painting. He met his wife, Rose while working as a buyer at Filene’s Basement in Boston and they have been side by side ever since. Together they enjoyed travel, including cruises, family trips to the mountains and many dinners out around town. Larry loved spending time with his family and watching his children and grandchildren grow. He taught them lessons in comfort and kindness. While his quiet presence will be missed, his strong spirit will remain in our hearts.
A graveside service was held in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery on Monday, November 22.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s honor can be made to Survivors by the Sea at 180 Lincoln Street, Winthrop MA 02152 or https://survivorsbythesea.org/donations/
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuenralhome.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop.
Donald Smith
Retired Chemical Engineer With A Passion for Sailing
Donald “Don†E. Smith, 91, of Durham, NH, formerly of Winthrop, passed away on November 14 at Exeter Hospital from leukemia and other complications.
He was born May 11, 1930 in Everett, the son of the late J. Edward and Alice G. (Walters) Smith of Winthrop.
A resident for the last two years of Durham, NH, he grew up in Winthrop and pursued his passion for sailing on Boston Harbor in two boats built by his father, one a Hustler class sailboat that he raced successfully throughout high school and into his college years. He later raced in a Thistle class sailboat during his early professional years at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club in New Jersey.
Prior to living in Durham, he lived eighteen years in Epping, NH and traveled the country in an RV for six years with his late wife, Joanna, visiting all states but Hawaii and pursuing their interest in hiking and bird watching. He raised his family in Wayland, MA where he lived for nearly twenty years.
A graduate of Winthrop High School, he also earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tufts College (now University) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), respectively.
His pursuit of a chemical engineering career was put on hold for honorable service in the US Army which included assignments as an aide to a General and work on military rockets as part of a group led by the German scientist Wernher von Braun.
His professional career as a chemical engineer spanned decades and included work for companies including Air Reduction Company, M.W. Kellogg, Atlantic Refining, The Badger Company (later acquired and renamed Raytheon Engineers & Constructors) and Stone & Webster.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Joanna P. (Pinnick) Smith. Married on July 7, 1964, they were inseparable in life, bonded by their devotion to family and Iove of the outdoors.
He is lovingly remembered by his two sons, Gordon E. Smith of Dover, NH and Craig D. Smith and his wife, Kelly of Winnetka, IL; two granddaughters Anabel M. Smith and Emilia M. Smith; brother, Kenneth A. Smith and his wife, Ambia of Beverly; four nieces and nephews: Kirsten (Smith) Page, Edward Smith, Andrew Smith and Thurston Smith and brother-in-law, Ronald D. Pinnick of Henderson, NV.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Epping, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army.