Robert Bullard Mitchell, beloved father, grandfather, brother and cherished member of the community, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81 years old. Born on February 11, 1943 in Boston, son of Robert Amos Mitchell and Louise Appleton Bullard. Bob attended Fairhaven High School Class of 1961. After High School, Bob attended Lister Petter Factory School in Dursley, England. After College, he returned to his father’s engine shop RA Mitchell Co. eventually taking over the business, and growing it to be one of the most respected engine and generator companies in the Industry. Bob was fiercely protective of the New Bedford Fishing Fleet.

            Bob lived a life marked by kindness, generosity, and devotion to his family. He married Ann Elizabeth (Martin) Mitchell in 1970, with whom he shared a beautiful home in Fairhaven, MA. Together they raised three daughters and had a special bond and unwavering friendship.

            As a father, Bob was a pillar of strength and wisdom to his three daughters, Heather, Jennifer, and Karen. He imparted invaluable lessons of love, resilience, and integrity, shaping their lives with his unwavering guidance and unconditional love. Bob was also a cherished brother to Charles Gile Mitchell of Fairhaven, with whom he shared a bond forged through a lifetime of shared experiences, laughter, and mutual support. Charlie saw Bob as the best brother ever and over time filled roles as a protector, inspiration, a best friend, and an accomplished person greatly to be admired.

            But perhaps one of Bob’s greatest joys in life was found in his role as a grandfather. He was adored by his seven grandchildren, Reilly, Andrew, Alexa, Hayden, Connor, Peter, and Kaylei. He cherished every moment spent with them, creating memories that will be treasured for generations to come.

            Bob was a dedicated partner to his very special friend Jean Carolyn Pegg of Freetown, MA for the last several years.

            Bob was a respected member of the community and would often be seen having breakfast, lunch and dinner at many local restaurants. He was a member of multiple local organizations and clubs that supported the Community.

            He is also survived by Heather’s Husband Ralph Whitehouse of Plymouth, Jennifer’s former Husband Randy DeMello of Mattapoisett and Karen’s Husband Peter Joseph of Fairhaven. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and treasured cousins.

            Bob would not have had all the success he has had without the amazing, dedicated employees at RA Mitchell Co. He truly thought of all his employees as family. We would also like to thank his very dedicated Care team over the last year that watched over him so lovingly.

            His Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 4-8 PM at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 31st at 11 AM in the Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers donations to the Robert Mitchell Scholarship Fund c/o Fairhaven Rotary Club, P.O. Box 261 Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Pat, Mom, Nana…Patricia E. Ryan, age 87, of Rochester passed away peacefully on Monday May 27, 2024 at home, surrounded by family. She was the loving wife of Vincent Ryan, who passed away three days earlier. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary earlier in May and are now together in God’s house.

            Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY to Frank and Helen (Rytelewski) Esposito. She grew up in Brooklyn spending summers on the family farm in Rochester. She graduated from High School in Brooklyn in 1955 and then enrolled in the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in New Bedford, graduating in 1958. Upon graduating and earning her RN license, she stayed on at St. Luke’s hospital working in the ER and the OR where she loved the fast pace and constant variety of cases. While working at St. Luke’s, she continued her education, earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Boston College, going on to teach medical surgical nursing for St. Luke’s School of Nursing. St. Luke’s is also where she met and fell in love with Vinny.

            Pat and Vinny were married in 1961, and rented a small house in Acushnet, living there until they moved to Rochester in 1965. Like Vinny, Pat was very active in the local community. She served on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee for thirteen years. After leaving the school committee, she was appointed to the Rochester Finance committee where she served for seven years until she was elected to the Board of Selectmen, where she served for five years. Leaving politics behind, she began volunteering for the Rochester Council on Aging. She served as the Chairwoman of the COA Board of Directors for four years and was instrumental in the success of the breakfast program at the senior center. In 2011, she was named Standard Times Woman of the Year for her efforts at the COA. In 2019, the COA dedicated the kitchen as Pat’s Place with a quote from Audrey Hepburn, “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and one for helping others.” This is how Pat lived her life.

            She is survived by her brother Frank Esposito of Tecopa, California, son Michael and his wife Christine of Rochester, Daughter Kimberly and her partner David Hirshlag of Rochester, and two grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Ryan. She was loved dearly and will be missed.

            There will be a celebration of life in the coming weeks. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a generous donation to the Rochester Senior Center.

Vinny, Dad, Grampy……Vincent Ryan, age 91, of Rochester passed away on Friday May 24, 2024 at Boston Medical Center after a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Patricia E. Ryan and celebrated their 63rd anniversary earlier in May.

            Vinny was born in New Bedford to Vincent C. and Grace (Neville) Ryan. He was an only child, growing up in New Bedford and graduating from Holy Family High School in 1950. He attended Georgetown University from 1950 to 1953 and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. After his service, he worked as a phlebotomist at St. Luke’s Hospital where he met and fell in love with Patricia. After several years in the lab at St. Luke’s, he followed his father and took a job at New England Telephone where he worked for the next 32 years, retiring in 1990.

            He was married to Patricia in 1961, living in Acushnet until they moved to Rochester in 1965. Vinny was very active in the local community, serving in the Lion’s club for several years. He was one of the official starters at the annual Memorial Day boat race for many years. During the early 1970’s, he became involved in the site search for what was to become Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. Once the site in Rochester was selected, he served on the building committee and when construction was complete, he served on the regional school committee continuously from its inception until he retired in his early 80’s. He retired from the committee as its longest serving member and was honored by the school with a ceremony dedicating the school gymnasium as the Vincent Ryan Gymnasium. He touched countless lives during his tenure on the Old Colony school committee, handing diplomas to hundreds of graduates over the years.

            He is survived by his wife Patricia, son Michael and his wife Christine of Rochester, Daughter Kimberly and her partner David Hirshlag of Rochester, and two grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Ryan. He was loved dearly and will be missed.

            There will be a celebration of life in the coming weeks. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a generous donation to the Rochester Senior Center.

William F. Hubbard, Sr., 86, of Mattapoisett, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 24, 2024. He was the husband of Jeannette L. (Washburn) Hubbard.

Born in Mattapoisett, son of the late James E. Hubbard, Sr., and Jessie (Linhares) Hubbard, he lived in Mattapoisett all of his life.

            Bill was the plant supervisor for 25 years at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, and previously worked as a supervisor at various construction companies. Bill was on the board of selectmen in Mattapoisett for 12 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time.

            Survivors include his wife; his children, William Hubbard, Jr., and his wife LeeAnn Bartow of Lexington, Christine Hiller and her husband Jay of Marion, David Hubbard and his wife Lisa of Mattapoisett, and Ann Pasquill and her husband Richard of Mattapoisett; his brothers, Jimmy Hubbard, Carl Hubbard, and David Vieira; his sisters, Sharon Hubbard, and Caroline Hubbard; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and his dog Sadie. Bill would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Christina Lopes, Deb Allaire, and Nick Decas for the support they provided him.

            Bill is predeceased by his sister Donna Hubbard.

            Bill’s Funeral will be held Saturday, June 15th at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 am in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett and burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Friday, June 14th from 4:30-8:00 pm. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Carol Pearce Grime, age 74 of Glade Valley, NC; passed away Monday, April 1st, 2024 at her residence.

            Carol was born December 15th, 1949 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late William and Marjorie Briggs Pearce. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, David Fuller; her father-in-law, Donald Grime.

            Carol was an adventurous person who loved to travel. She would light up a room when she walked in and had met and retained friends all over the world. She was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts and in her teenage years, moved to the southern coast of Massachusetts and eventually retired to the Blue Ridge mountains. Through her adventurous spirit, she learned and enjoyed many things like reading, exercising, baking, her canine companions, becoming an accomplished axe thrower, Harley Davidson motorcycles and taking motorcycle trips with friends and family.

            Survivors include her husband, David Grime of the home; two children: Rebecca Guaraldo and husband Fred of Rochester, MA, Jared Fuller and wife Danielle of Hampton, NH; four grandchildren: Megan Guaraldo, Ethan, Lucas and Cole Fuller; two sisters: Ann Brown-Lockwood of Arizona and Betsy Jackson of Massachusetts; sisters-in-law: Donna Chace and Cheryl Rowden; her canine companions: Rudy, Zena, and Foxy; nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends also survive.

            A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at the Ponderosa Sportsman’s Club, 242 Robinson Road, Acushnet, Massachusetts 02743.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Medi-Home Health and Hospice of Alleghany, PO Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675.

            The family would like to extend thanks to the entire staff of Medi-Home Health and Hospice of Alleghany and also to the Oncology staff at Atrium Health Wilkes Medical Center.

            Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Grime family. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com