Obituaries

OBIT: John Strayhorn, 65, Former Raytheon Employee, WHS Hall of Fame Member

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John Strayhorn

A funeral service for John E. Strayhorn of Watertown will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4:30 PM at the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home, 270 Main Street, Watertown. John passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 2025, at the age of 65. He was the beloved son of the late Milton E. and Lorna M. (Smith) Strayhorn. A lifelong resident of Watertown, John graduated from Watertown High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He was especially proud of his achievements on the football field and was honored as a member of the Watertown Football Hall of Fame.

Obituaries

OBIT: Nicholas Avtges, 93, Lifelong Watertown Resident, Gained Notoriety for Visiting Wife During COVID Using Bucket Truck

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Nick Avtges

Nicholas E. Avtges of Watertown, MA passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. He was 93. Beloved husband of the late Marion (Moskos). Devoted Father of Suzanne M. Avtges and her husband Robert R. Plourde, Nicholas E. Avtges , Jr. and his wife Kathleen, Christopher J. Avtges and his wife Tabetha and the late Michael E. Avtges. Loving Papou of Nicholas E. Avtges, III and fiance Alexa Girard and Sydney E. Avtges, Thomas C. Avtges and Hunter M. Avtges.

Obituaries

OBIT: Joseph Murgo, 85, Banker, Past Watertown Rotary President

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Joseph Murgo

Joseph A. Murgo, 85, of Lexington, formerly of Waltham and his hometown of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Oct. 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Murgo graduated from Watertown High School in 1958. He had a long banking career, including at time at Watertown Savings Bank at the end of his career. He also served in leadership roles for many local organizations, including President of the Watertown Rotary Club, Vice President of the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Watertown Sons of Italy.

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.

Obituaries

OBIT: Sebastian ‘Busty’ Santoro, 87, Founder of Santoro’s Service Center

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Sebastian “Busty” Santoro

Sebastian ‘Busty’ Santoro age 87 of Belmont, Sept 7, 2025. Beloved husband to Elizabeth ‘Betty” (Rosati) Santoro. Loving father of Tina Conlon & her husband Daniel, Lisa Santoro & Walter Santoro & his wife Franca. Cherished “Papa” to David Conlon and “Grandpa” to Adam & Giancarlo Spofford. He is the dear brother to Virginia Mancuso and the late Marie Lojko, Grace Whitezell, Pasquale Santoro, John Santoro, Domenic Santoro, Peter Santoro & Anthony Santoro. 

Busty was best known in the community as the proud founder of Santoro’s Service Center, which he opened in 1967.

Obituaries

OBIT: Patricia Blair Ryan, 92, Psychotherapist & Artist Who Grew Up in Watertown

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Patricia Blair Ryan

Psychotherapist and artist Patricia Ann Blair Ryan, a 42-year resident of Great Barrington, MA, died peacefully at her home on Sept. 5th of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 92 years old. Patricia was born on February 27th, 1933, at Newton Wellesley Hospital at the height of the 1930s depression. Pat grew up in Watertown, MA, where she was the elder of two sisters.  She attended the Hosmer School, the East Junior High and graduated from Watertown High School in 1950.

Obituaries

OBIT: Garrett Barry, Navy Veteran, Longtime Business Owner, Frequented Oakley CC

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Garrett Barry

A Mass of Christian Burial for Garrett James Barry, will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, Waltham. Garrett was born in Dorchester, MA to late Francis G. Barry of Ireland and Ceceila C. (Casby) Barry. He grew up in Brighton and would often share stories of his childhood friendships born out of the neighborhood that endured throughout the years. Garrett attended Presentation Grammar School, Mission Church High school (Roxbury) and journeyed to the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His time in Texas fueled his sense of adventure and enriched his spirit.

Obituaries

OBIT: Robert Kaprielian, 89, Devoted Father, Veteran, Star Athlete at WHS, Cable Show Host

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Robert Kaprielian of Watertown, passed away on July 25th with his loving family at his side. Beloved husband of the late Landyce (Torrance) Kaprielian. Devoted father of Rachel Kaprielian Feloney and her husband Paul and Myra Ovoian and her husband Bill, all of Watertown. Loving Papa to William Robert Gannon and Calvin and Drew Ovoian. Dear brother-in-law to Ilse Kaprielian of Belmont.