Obituaries

Watertown’s Bob Hall, First Boston Marathon Wheelchair Champ & Advocate for Access, Has Died

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Bob Hall won the Boston Marathon’s first wheelchair division race in 1975. Bob Hall, a Watertown resident and trailblazing wheelchair athlete and advocate for access, died at the age of 74. A private funeral service will be held at a later date, and visiting hours were held at Nardone Funeral Home on April 16. Hall’s passing was made headlines in the Boston Globe, New York Times, Washington Post, WGBH and many other places. The Boston Athletic Association had a remembrance on its website.

Around Town

OBIT: Richard “Richie” O’Reilly, 63, Graduate of Watertown High, Brandeis & New England School of Law

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Richard “Richie” O’Reilly

A Funeral Mass for Richard “Richie” O’Reilly will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10 AM in the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St. Watertown. Mr. O’Reilly was born in Boston to Catherine A. (McCarthy) O’Reilly and the late Joseph O’Reilly. Richie passed away after a 15-month battle with cancer on Jan.

Around Town

OBIT: Lillian O’Bannon, 95, Raised in Watertown, Worked as Bank Switchboard Operator

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Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon

Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon, unexpectedly passed away on October 19, 2023 at the age 95 after a sudden illness. She was born January 3, 1928 and was raised in Watertown. In the early 70’s she moved to Malden to be closer to her daughter and went to work for Century Bank in Medford as their Switchboard Operator.  

Over her 20+ year career at the bank she became highly regarded and received awards for her exemplary service. She was always very independent and carried herself with grace, leaving a special impression on many people she came in contact with over the years.

Obituaries

OBIT: Freda Stephen, 96, Devoted Boston Sports Fan, Music Lover, Proud Democrat

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Freda Stephen

Freda (Bedig) Stephen, 96 of Watertown, passed away at CareOne Lexington on December 27, after a recent illness. Freda grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Belmont High School. She worked at Farmer’s Insurance in Los Angeles until meeting her husband Dan Stephen. She married and relocated to Watertown and quickly became a proud Watertown resident. She always felt a closeness to her husband’s family and stayed in touch with them long after his death.

Around Town

OBIT: Robert McElroy, 71, Retired Watertown Police Lieutenant, Air Force Veteran

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Robert “Bob” McElroy

Robert J. “Bob” McElroy of Millis, formerly of Watertown died on January 26, 2019 at the age of 71. McElroy retired as a lieutenant in the Watertown Police Department. He served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. Beloved husband of Virginia “Ginger” (Burgess) McElroy. Loving & devoted father of Ashley M. Bailey & her husband Brent H. of San Diego, Madeline “Maddie” A. McElroy of Millis, and the late Brendan J. McElroy.

Obituaries

OBIT: Ethlyn Bleiler, 96, of Watertown, Mother of 3, Grand Mother & Great Grand Mother

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Ethlyn Bleiler

Ethlyn Irene Bleiler of Watertown died on January 26, 2019 at the age of 96. Beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Bleiler. Devoted mother of Joseph J. Bleiler, Jr. & his wife Yvonne of Hudson, Stephen J. Bleiler & his wife Diane of Watertown, and the late Gayle Marie Bleiler. Loving grandmother of Joseph S. & James J. Bleiler and Meghan E. Lutz. Dear sister of Alice Richard of Duxbury, Dorothy L. Leslie of Stoughton, Nancy Lund of Billerica and the late Mildred MacLeod, George R., and Frederick Lund.