Obituaries

OBIT: Richard Tashjian, 99, Former Long-Time Watertown Resident, Owned an Art Gallery

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Richard Tashjian

Richard Hratch Tashjian, a well-known artist, passed away peacefully on Oct. 21, 2025, at the age of 99 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born on June 27, 1926, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Richard lived a life rich in creativity, love of nature and devotion to the fine arts. Richard served honorably in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II from 1944 to 1946, where he was an aerial photographer. Following his military service, Richard pursued his education with fervor, graduating from the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston in 1950 and further enhanced his skills in design under the tutelage of Professor Gyorgy Kepes at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Visual Design Architectural Center in Cambridge.

Around Town

Watertown Police Offering Free Kits for Drivers With Autism or Who are Neurodivergent

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The Watertown Police recently added a new resource for neurodivergent people and their families that could help prevent misunderstandings and even tragedies. The WPD has joined the Blue Envelope program. The program was started a few years ago by the Massachusetts State Police, and the kits are now available at the Watertown Police Station, said Watertown Police Officer Devon Shatkin. “It’s essentially fostering safer relationships between individuals with autism who are drivers on the road and police officers,” Shatkin said. ” So, we’ve seen a much increased frequency of those type of interactions, and they can be difficult, dangerous, stressful.

Around Town

Vendors Wanted for Watertown Senior Services’ Annual Health Fair

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

We’re calling all local health, wellness, nutrition, home care, fitness, and social service organizations to participate as vendors in this exciting event. This year’s Senior Health & Wellness Fair will focus on Brain Health and Wellness — an engaging and educational afternoon dedicated to understanding, preventing, and supporting brain health across all stages of aging. Vendor Highlights:

• Tables are absolutely free! • You’re requested to bring an engaging activity to delight and educate our seniors and a gift bag to be raffled off at the event — think interactive demos, short games, or 5-minute presentations. • Share your marketing materials, free resources, or product samples to showcase your services.

Transportation

Watertown Shuttle to Open New Route to Public, Watertown TMA Looking for Transportation Improvements

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A WATConnector shuttle bus. These shuttles run down Pleasant Street, and similar ones serve Arsenal Street.(Courtesy of Watertown TMA)

For several years, the City of Watertown has been looking for ways to supplement the MBTA’s bus service in town and provide more options for people to get around town and commute. The most visible ones are the two shuttle routes that connect to Harvard Square. One runs along Pleasant Street and is open to the public, and another along Arsenal Street, which is only open to offices and residential buildings that are supporters of the shuttle — but that will change in the near future. The City of Watertown is part of the Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA).

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Presentation on Promoting Inclusion, Resisting Censorship

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment:

The public is invited to a presentation sponsored by the Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave. Featured speakers will be representatives of Together for an Inclusive Massachusetts (TIM).Sana Fadel from TIM and Jill Charney from SAWA:Newton-Area Alliance for Peace and Justice will present and discuss TIM’s guiding principles and areas of focus,and how its work seeks to counter efforts statewide and nationally to stifle free speech including criticism of the State of Israel. They will also offer ways people can get involved.

Around Town

Second Meeting on Future of Walker Pond Coming Soon

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The City of Watertown wants to hear from residents about how they want the newest open space parcel to be used. A meeting about the future of Walker Pond was held in August to gather input and the City will host the second meeting on Nov. 6. See information provided by the City, below. Please join the City of Watertown at the second meeting for the future Walker Pond Park on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Day School, located at 57 Stanley Avenue in Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Podcast Hosting “Little Local Holiday Giveaway!”

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The Little Local Conversations podcast is hosted by Watertown’s Matt Hanna. In the series, Hanna discovers and connects the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Through Nov. 26, people who become “little local friends” are eligible to win prizes from Watertown businesses and venues. See details below.