John J. Lennon, WWII Vet and Waltham Resident Died

Lennon was 88.

Waltham High Grad, Radio Personality David S. MacNeil Dead At 80

Over his career, the Waltham native and Framingham resident interviewed legends of music & entertainment including, Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones, Lauren Bacall, Maya Angelou and photographer Ansel Adams.

Waltham High School graduate and founding member of the Danforth Museum of Art, Dave S. MacNeill, died peacefully surrounded by his family Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. He was 80 years old. MacNeill, most recently a Framingham resident, was a well-known broadcaster in Boston, working at classical radio station WCRB 102.5 FM for 57 years.  In the late 1950's he spent two years at KCBH-FM (98.7), Los Angeles but returned back to Boston where he forged a long radio career. He was best known for being the voice of the Boston Pops on WCRB Radio for countless years including broadcasts from Tanglewood. He is believed to be one of the longest running radio personalities in Boston history, according to his obituary.  Over his career he interviewed many …

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America Loses A 'Reluctant Hero' — Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012 [POLL]

Vote in our Patch Poll on the legacy of Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the moon.

His family called him "a reluctant American hero,' who was just doing his job. But Neil A. Armstrong, who died Saturday of complications from heart bypass surgery, certainly was a hero. He was just shy of his 39th birthday when he lumbered down the ladder from the Apollo 11 spacecraft and stepped onto the stark lunar landscape on July 20, 1969. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," he said, as Americans around the country watched in awe at the live footage from dark space, so far away. That step fulfilled a challenge President John F. Kennedy issued in the early 1960s —to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Armstrong began his career as a Navy fighter pilot and test pilot before being tapped for a highly …

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Ed Ellis

1:39 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I'm sure Commander Armstrong would agree, sir.   more ›

Family, Friends and BC Community Say Goodbye to Franco Garcia

The 21-year-old West Newton resident and Boston College student tragically drowned in the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. His funeral was held earlier today in Chestnut Hill.

NEWTON -- "He was my teddy bear." As Boston College student Katherine Corteselli shared memories of her best friend Franco Garcia, young college students sat alongside professors, priests, police officers and family members, dabbing tear-filled eyes with each recollection.  "He gave the absolute best hugs...what I'm going to miss the most are those hugs," Corteselli said during today's funeral Mass for Garcia. Hundreds of people -- whether they knew Garcia or not -- flooded a St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill this morning to say one last goodbye to the Boston College student whose life was tragically cut short when he drowned in the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.  Garcia, 21, was a West Newton resident, a chemistry major and member of the …

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Waltham Student Died Earlier This Week

School counselors are assisting students and staff in coping with the tragedy.

A Waltham elementary school student died earlier this week. Michael Papikian died on Wednesday, Feb. 15, according to a notice the school sent to parents, which Waltham Schools Superintendent Susan Nichols forwarded to Waltham Patch. Nicholson declined to name the school, citing student privacy concerns. “He was a terrific boy with a kind heart whose presence will be truly missed. His sister is a student in our school. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” the notice reads. A copy of the full notice is in the photo box to the right. School adjustment counselors were at the school today assisting students and staff in coping with the tragedy, Nicholson said. Waltham Mayor Jeanette …

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Creative Visionary Steve Jobs, Gone

The ex-Apple CEO affected the lives of millions of people. Did he touch yours?

Steve Jobs, whom CNN refers to as "the visionary in the black turtleneck,"  has died, says Apple, the company he co-founded and led. His creative drive is responsible for bringing the sleek elegance of iPhones, iPads and iPods to millions. MSNBC reports that Apple announced his death without giving a specific cause. He had been battling pancreatic cancer. Cupertino Patch says mourning has begun at Apple headquarters. Likewise, in the Twitterverse. The Boston Globe says he died only weeks after resigning his post as CEO of the company he co-founded as a 21-year old. Jobs was 56T ell us: did he affect your life? The comments section below awaits.

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