Long-time Shrewsbury Residents Die

Frederick L. Breed, of Shrewsbury, died at home on Friday, April 13. He was 94.

Born on January 10, 1918 in Swampscott he was a son of the late James Arthur and Marion L. (Tarr) Breed. A graduate of Swampscott High School, class of 1935, he then graduated from Burdett College in 1937. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. On September 30, 1945 in the First Congregational Church of Swampscott he married the former Evelyn F. Pike and 66 years later she was by his side in their home when he died.

Admired for his gift to gab and a good conversationalist he worked in sales for the Sun Oil Company for over 26 years. In 1952, he and his wife moved to Shrewsbury where he later founded Worcester Radio Distributors, currently WoRad Inc., a radio communications company located in Worcester. In his earlier days of Worcester Radio he was lovingly referred to as "Uncle Fred." In 1998 at the age of 80 he turned the operations of the company over to his son, Stephen.

Fred was an active member of the in Shrewsbury and was a 65 year member of the Masons. February 6, 1947 marked his induction to the Wayfarers Lodge in Swampscott and recently he transferred his membership to Philanthropic Lodge of Marblehead as well as membership in the Matthew John Whittall Lodge of Shrewsbury.

Having grown up on the North Shore he was an avid boatman, both in sailing and power boats. Active in mind and body Fred enjoyed a good crossword puzzle or a book to read. Remembered as a man of the greatest generation he instilled a hard work ethic in others while maintaining a terrific sense of humor. Having lived almost a century he kept up with technology and enjoyed computers and researching genealogy. Yet in the end what made Fred happiest was the company of his family as recent as the week before Easter where he held his newest great-grandson, Jaxson.

He is predeceased by his brother, James A. Breed Jr. In addition to his wife, Evelyn, he leaves his children, Stephen A. Breed and his wife, Darlene, of Holden, Janice E. Karelius and her husband, The Rev. Canon Bradford Karelius, of Laguna Niguel, CA; his grandsons, Erik Karelius of Laguna Nigel, Michael J. Breed of Oxford, Jonathan F. Breed and his wife, Corinne, of Ashland; his granddaughter Kathryn Karelius of Laguna Nigel; his great grandchildren, Julia M. and Jaxson G. Breed. He is also survived by his nieces, Connie Breed, Rosemary Moore and Audrey Breed.

He will be greatly missed by his family. The family would like to thank the UMass Memorial Hospice nurses and staff for their kindness and care during his brief illness.

His family will gather to honor and remember Fred at a private graveside service in the family lot at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn. There are no calling hours.   Honor Fred's memory with a contribution to The First Congregational Church, Building Fund, 19 Church Rd., Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Arrangements by , 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center.

To view Fred's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.healdchiampa.com.

Susan (Petrone) Giannetti, of Shrewsbury, died at home with her family gathered by her side on Saturday, April 14. She was 63.

Born on August 31, 1948 in Worcester she was a daughter of the late Fedeli Antonio and Catherine (Costanzo) Petrone. She graduated from Venerini Academy Class of 1965.

Susan worked in the Registry of Deeds Office in the Worcester County Courthouse for over 25 years where she was head clerk. After marrying her husband, Paul V. Giannetti in 1985, she then worked at his Hudson law practice, Giannetti and Hastings, as a legal secretary. They moved to Shrewsbury in 1986.

True to her rich Italian heritage (Calabrese and Sparinise) Sue was a phenomenal cook and had an additional extra talent for baking. She enjoyed summers in Cape Neddick, ME with her family and friends.

Sue rejoins her parents, Fred and Catherine and her nephew, David Petrone.

In addition to her husband, Paul, she leaves her step-children, Michael P. Giannetti and his wife, Donna, of Amherst, NH, Matthew P. Giannetti and his wife, Katie, of Worcester and Michelle M. Garabedian and her husband, Mark, of Colorado; her siblings, Madeline C. Martin, of Worcester, Fred A. Petrone Jr. and his friend Diane Pozzi, of Worcester, and Vito A. Petrone and his friend, Lynne Parker, of Oxford; her step-grandchildren, Vincent and Anthony, of Worcester, and Grace and Abby, of Amherst; her nephews and niece, Joseph and Nickolas Petrone and Amy Johnson; close family friends, Henry Martin and Gary Olson of Worcester; her cousin Judy Warner, and long-time friend Rose Varteresian.

Family and friends will honor and remember Susan's life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel—St. Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

In honor of Susan a contribution can be made to Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6TH Floor, Brookline, MA 02445, Attn. Lung Cancer Research.

Janice B. (Burchard) McNamara, 85, of Shrewsbury, died Tuesday, April 10, in the Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence surrounded by her loving family.

Janice was born in Waterbury, CT, only child of Arthur J. and Helen (Carey) Burchard and was raised in North Attleborough.

She graduated in 1943 from North Attleborough High School as the Class Salutatorian and recipient of a four-year college scholarship. As a senior, she had been a delegate to the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution annual meeting in Boston. Janice was a violinist in high school, college and later in the North Attleborough Community Orchestra. She also was a drum major for the North Attleborough High School Band.

Janice graduated from Bridgewater State Teachers College in 1947 with highest honors. While in College, she was a delegate member and President of Kappa Delta Pi, a National Honor Society in education. She was a teacher in the Newton, Attleboro, and North Attleborough school districts.

On July 23, 1949 she married James P. McNamara of Taunton and moved to Shrewsbury in 1957. Since moving to Shrewsbury, Janice has been active in the community as a substitute teacher for 16 years. She was a part-time test examiner for the Federal Civil Service, a faithful member of where she was an officer in the former Women’s League. She was a volunteer driver for the Council on Aging, a proofreader for the monthly “senior newsletter”, and assistant treasurer of the “Friends of the Senior Center”. She enjoyed volunteering many hours as a senior greeter at the .

Janice’s family wishes to thank the Staff at both the Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence and the UMass Memorial Hospice for their compassionate care of Janice during her illness.

Janice leaves a son, Brian J. McNamara of Marlborough, two daughters, Beth Wahlstrom and her husband, John and Judi Scott and her husband, Steve all of Shrewsbury; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, James, a son, James P. McNamara Jr., and her companion of 12 years, Fred Pandiani.

Memorial donations can be made to the Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence, 1183 Main St., Worcester, MA 01603.

Dr. Sarla Patel, 78, of Shrewsbury, died Wednesday, April 11 at home, following an extended struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.

She leaves her beloved husband, Choudhary Balwan Singh Patel; her two loving daughters, Sangeeta Doshi and her husband Nilesh, and Noopur Kapadia and her husband Anand; her four sisters, Santosh Arora, Neena Sawe, Veena Khanna and Rita Joshi; her brother, Sanjay Khanna; her grandchildren, Shailen, Vishal, Kabir, Shaan, Rana, Aashna , Jai, Palbha , Sureena, Rohin, and Riddhima; her nephews and nieces, Neha, Sameer, Shraddha, Shruti, Aastha, and Aakansha. She was born in Quetta, India in 1934, daughter of the late Prakash N. and Raj Khanna.

Dr. Patel worked for 27 years with the Department of Mental Health at the Worcester State Hospital, and the UMass Medical School, Worcester, where she retired as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry until her retirement in 2001. Prior to coming to the United States in 1968, Dr. Patel specialized in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in India. She enjoyed gardening, reading in disciplines of philosophy and spirituality, travelling, the ocean, and nature. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.

She was a long-time member of the India Society of Worcester, where she served as a member and chairperson of its crisis intervention committee. She also served for several years as co-chair of the “Humrahee” sub-committee, the senior citizens group, and worked in the area of domestic violence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials remembrances may be sent to the Perkins School for the Blind (www.perkins.org), 175 North Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org), 811 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642. For directions or to leave a message of condolence for the Patel family, please visit www.brittonfuneralhomes.com.

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