Wakefield gymnastics gets second at league meet...

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. BURLINGTON — The Wakefield High gymnastics team saved one of their best performances of the season for the Middlesex League Meet held on Feb. 10 at Burlington High School. The Warriors scored a 141.35 to take second place out eight competing teams in the league. Reading was first with a 145.075. Melrose was third with a 139.425. Following that performance, and with a 7-1 regular season record, Wakefield earned an invitation to the MIAA North Sectional Tournament which will take place this Saturday, Feb. 22 at Algonquin Regional High at 10 a.m. The Warriors are seeded 4th. The other 11 teams competing in the tournament, in order of seeding are: Masconomet, Newton South, Reading, Stoneham, Chelmsford/Billerica/Tyngsborough, Melrose, Haverhill, Central Catholic, North Andover, Winthrop and Danvers. Wakefield’s best event...

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Boys’ hoop edged by Burlington in OT...

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. By DAN PAWLOWSKI BURLINGTON — Talk about a tough environment to win a game. The Wakefield High boys’ basketball team traveled to Burlington on Thursday night to play the Freedom Division-leading Red Devils. With both teams having already qualified for the Div. 2 North tournament, there was some wonder as to what kind of intensity both sides would provide. That question was answered in about 10 seconds when captain Ryan Marcus drove to the bucket on Wakefield’s first possession for two of his 23 points. Burlington took a 17-14 lead after one, Wakefield responded with a 20-point second to take a 34-28 lead into halftime, then led 47-45 after three until Burlington tied it at 64 and sent it into overtime. The Warriors had a chance in OT but...

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Norma M. Donovan, 86

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. DERRY, N.H. — Norma M. Donovan, 86, of Derry, N.H., formerly of Wakefield, died on Wednesday February 12, 2020 at the Aurora Senior Living Center in Derry, N.H. She was born in Wakefield on May 25, 1933 and was the daughter of the late Soccorso and Mary (Santoro) Storti. Norma was a graduate of Wakefield High School and was a lifelong Wakefield resident until 2005. She was a longtime member of St. Florence Church. She enjoyed playing the piano, bingo, and spending time with her family. She was the beloved wife of the late James F. Donovan. She was the loving mother of Elena M. Sheldon and her husband Kenneth of Amherst, N.H.., Lisa C. Parisi and her husband John of Wakefield, Lynne E. England of Manchester,...

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Joseph P. McCallion, 86

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. WAKEFIELD — Joseph P. McCallion, 86, of Wakefield died Saturday February 15, 2020 at the Winchester Hospital. Born in Woburn, August 27, 1933 he was the son of the late John and Theresa (McElhinney) McCallion. Joseph was raised in Woburn and was a Woburn High School graduate with the class of 1950. He went on to receive his associates degree from Newbury College. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was influential in the establishment of the Korean War Veteran’s Association and the monument in Charlestown. He was a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. After 33 years as a Senior Mechanical Designer he retired from Raytheon in 1992. He was the beloved husband of the late Ann...

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John M. Ingersoll, 74

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. NORTH READING — John M. Ingersoll, 74, of North Reading and Norway, Maine formerly of Melrose, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on October 15, 1945, he was the son of the late Norman and Leticia (Walkins) Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll was a graduate of Melrose High School and had attended Pennsylvania State University. He served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam era; he was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the invasion of the Bay of Pigs. Mr. Ingersoll retired from the City of Melrose as the Superintendent of the Water & Sewer Department. He was a past President of the Melrose School and Municipal Employee Federal Credit Union and a member...

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Emergency Management budget OK’d...

Feb 17, 2020 by

Published in the February 17, 2020 edition. By MARK SARDELLA WAKEFIELD — In addition to the Police and Fire Department budgets, the Town Council reviewed and approved another public safety budget last week: the FY 2021 Emergency Management budget. Town Accountant Kevin Gill presented the budget with Emergency Management Director Tom Walsh alongside. Gill said that the total budget of $74,200 was up $1,200 over FY 2020. All of the added amount was in the Personal Services line item for negotiated salary increases. Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio and board members praised Walsh’s work, particularly for securing over $430,000 in grants (including for other town departments) for things like active shooter training, pandemic response training and surveillance cameras and gunshot detection systems for the schools. Town Councilor Ann Santos admitted that when the Emergency Management Director...

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