Westborough – Kile Matthew Pizza, 35, of Westborough, passed away peacefully at home June 30, 2019, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with ARDS and other health issues.

Born Aug. 2, 1983 in Worcester, Kile was the proud son of the late Carol Ann (Scanlon) Pizza who passed in May 2017. Educated in Westborough, he was a graduate of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury. He received a scholarship to Westworth Institute of Technology. Because of health reasons, completed two years.

He was recognized for his volunteering in the Religious Education Program at St. Mary’s in North Grafton as well as his participation with the 2001 St. John’s High Football Super Bowl Championship.

He will be deeply remembered for his honesty, compassion, wit and love of family and music. His loss leaves an emptiness that will never be filled. His mother Carol has greeted him with open arms. No more pain only peace and happiness.

In addition to his father, Dominic, he is survived by a sister, Kathleen P. Castro and her husband, Tony, of Rehoboth; his brother, Kristopher T. Pizza of Hudson; two nephews, Michael and Paul Castro of Rehoboth; four aunts, Carmela Potenti of Clinton, Mary Lou Haase of Lake Placid, Fla., Madeline Kaskan of Holden, and Suzanne Nicholson of Lafayette, Ind.; and other loved ones.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Sunday, July 7, from 2-5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Habitat For Humanity. His kind heart would love that.

Westborough – Dennis E. Fay, 72, of Westborough, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2019 at the Blair House in Milford. He was the husband of Sheila M. (Minardi) Fay.

Born in Exeter, NH he was the son of the late Robert Fay, Sr. and Ruth (Wheeler) Fay. He was raised and educated in Westborough and was a 1965 graduate of Westborough High School. Following high school he served with the U. S. Marine Corps.

Dennis was employed in sales for Borden Foods for 20 years then as a mail handler for the U.S Postal Service in Shrewsbury for 30 years.

He was a talented carpenter and enjoyed camping, fishing, softball and horseshoes.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters, Denise Marie Wales of Bellingham and Tara Nicole Hamilton-Fay and her spouse, Alison Hamilton-Fay, of Scranton, PA; two brothers, Robert Fay, Jr. of Wales, MA and Charles Fay of Pawtucket, RI and one granddaughter, Eva Hamilton-Fay.

He was the father of the late Dennis Fay, Jr. and brother of the late Kathryn Fay.

His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 10, at 10:00 A.M. in the Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the funeral home are Tuesday, July 9 from 4 to 7 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305 or at www.apdaparkinson.org.

Westborough – Robert C. Mason, 62, of Westborough, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 5, 2019 at the UMass/Memorial Healthcare-University Hospital in Worcester. For the past 35 years, he has been the loving husband and best friend of Linda J. (Cellucci) Mason.

Born in Westmoreland, PA on April 17th 1957, he was the son of the late James and Rose (Marincic) Mason. He was raised and educated in Ruffs Dale, PA, earned his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University, and his masters degree at MIT.

Robert was an electrical engineer with Cutting Edge Home Technology Solutions. He enjoyed all things electronic, collecting rocks at the beach, photography, bike riding and gadgets. Some even referred to him the “Gadget Guru”. He also enjoyed all kinds of music, NPR, and especially listening to his favorite astrophysicist, Neil deGreasse Tyson.

Being a man of few words, many of his close friends sympathetically referred to him as “Poor Bob” in reference to his talkative wife. Bob took this in stride because nothing meant more to him than his family.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters, Alysha A. Mason of Brighton, MA and Briana J. Mason of Denver, Colorado. Bob was happiest when spending time with his daughters.

He was the brother of the late Doris Wilson, her late husband Bill, as well as the late James Mason and his wife Nancy. He is also survived by his nephews Max and Alex Mason, and Billy and Randy Wilson, and several great nieces.

The Mason family would also like to thank the Westborough emergency services for their compassion and dedicated efforts.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 11, at 10:30 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Interment will be private. Calling hours at the Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Wednesday, July 10, from 4 to 7 P.M.

Westborough – Dorothy E. Zwicker, 102, of Westborough, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 4, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Albert L. Zwicker.

Born in Bakers Settlement, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late Reginald and Cora (Faulkenham) Weagle. She was raised and educated in Auburn, MA and was a graduate of Auburn High School.

Dorothy moved into her beloved farmhouse on December 30, 1938- the night of her wedding. During her 80+ years at the farm, she had large vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and beautiful flower beds that she maintained until she was 90 years old. She always shared the bounty of her harvests with family, friends, and neighbors. As an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Westborough, she enjoyed contributing her sewing and cooking skills to the annual church fair by making aprons and baked goods. After retiring from gardening, she enjoyed many laughs playing Rummikub and Skip Bo daily with family, friends, and caregivers.

Dorothy is survived by three children, Lawrence A. Zwicker and his wife, Joyce, of Westborough, Ruth C. Houlden and her husband, Howard, of North Grafton and Gail Goff and her husband, Fred, of Tavares, FL; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Lawrence Weagle.

Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 A.M. in the First United Methodist Church, 120 West Main St., Westborough. Burial in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 120 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581.

Westborough

Saturday, June 22

1:53 a.m. Arrested, Glen Gove, 50, of 60 Edmonds, Framingham, for operating under the influence of liquor 3^rd offense, negligent operation of motor vehicle, fail to stop/yield.

2:29 a.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

2:46 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious auto.

8:28 a.m. E Main St. Suspicious activity.

2:26 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

4:36 p.m. Chauncy Cir. Disturbance

4:45 p.m. W Main St. Accident property damage.

Sunday, June 23

2:25 a.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

7:49 a.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

9:45 a.m. Indian Pond Rd. Suspicious activity.

12:04 p.m. Parkman St. Suspicious activity.

1:02 p.m. Flanders Rd. B&E in MV.

2:06 p.m. Church St. Well-being church.

4:45 p.m. Oak St. Accident property damage.

5:44 p.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

6:17 p.m. Milk St. Well-being check.
6:47 p.m. Flanders Rd. Disturbance (general).

7:52 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Otis St. Accident property damage.

11:45 p.m. Robin Rd. Suspicious activity.

Monday, June 24

7:39 a.m. Fisher/Arch Sts. Accident property damage.

7:46 a.m. Deacon Shattuck Way. Well-being check.

11:31 a.m. Glen St. Accident property damage.

12:03 p.m. Computer Dr. Suspicious activity.

1:35 p.m. W Main St. Annoying/harassing phone calls.

2:36 p.m. E Main St. Accident property damage.

4:17 p.m. Brickyard Ln. Suspicious auto.

5:12 p.m. E Main St. Suspicious person.

6:12 p.m. Homestead Blvd. Erratic operator.

7:00 p.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

7:47 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Threats made.

8:21 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious person.

9:23 p.m. Lyman St. Suspicious auto.

Tuesday, June 25

1:20 a.m. Otis St. Suspicious activity.

10:12 a.m. Endicott Dr. Well-being check.
12:53 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Otis St. Accident property damage.

1:06 p.m. Lyman St. Suspicious activity.

4:30 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Parking violation/complaint.

6:06 p.m. Friberg Pkwy. Disturbance (general).

6:55 p.m. Otis St. Suspicious person.

Wednesday, June 26

1:59 a.m. Nourse St. Well-being check.

2:21 a.m. W Main St. Suspicious activity.

10:51 a.m. Valente Dr. Suspicious activity.

5:19 p.m. Colonial Dr. Well-being check.

5:55 p.m. W Main St. Accident property damage.

6:14 p.m. Computer Dr. Accident – hit & run.

8:32 p.m. Indian Pond Rd. Disturbance (general).

8:52 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious activity.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Westborough – CWO-4 Ernest “Chuck” V. Bridges Jr., USMC Retired

Dear God, I come before you, June 3, 2019, a weary Marine whose physical body wore out at age 91.

Son, your spirit never diminished. You served to help better mankind while stationed in China 1945 thru 2 tours in Vietnam, retiring after 30 years of service in 1975. You have upheld the creed of the USMC. Your beloved wife, Marjorie Smith-Bridges, your sons Steve and Les, and so many loved ones and friends await you here with open arms.

Thank you, Sir, but I leave behind my precious daughter, Vicci Bridges.

Son, don’t worry, she is my daughter as well. I will care for and nurture her as I will Faye Bridges Stauffer, Donna Smith Kluefer, Cal White, Tisha Bridges Downer, your nieces, nephews, grandsons, great-grandsons and great-granddaughters and your friends.

The Gates of Heaven are open to you.  Enter with eyes forward, regretting no past mistakes, for here we know “In many a strife you’ve fought for life and never lost your nerve.” At ease, Marine. You’ve done well. Rest. Welcome home. Ooh-rah.

A military service will be held July 15, at 1 p.m., at Pine Grove Cemetery, Westborough. All veterans are welcome to attend.

Keep me in your heart for awhile. Semper Fi.

By Matthew Dunn, Contributing Writer

Region – As the sun peaks through the horizon in Limon Provience, Costa Rica, a boat carrying three men slips off its dock and into the current of the Rio Colorado river. The men on this boat have two goals for their day spent drifting through the river; to catch one of the river’s storied Tarpon, and to continue healing from their wounds they received while serving in the military. The trip they are on is sponsored by Fishing with Warriors, a Westborough-based nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans enjoy fun ways to relax and de-stress, at no cost to them.

Fishing with Warriors was founded in 2015 by three former service members, Alfred Lizotte,  Denzil Drewry and Paul George.

Lizotte, who serves as president, is a former member of the U.S. National Guard. He noted the group wanted to give back to service members who fought for our country, by allowing them to participate in something fun, such as a trophy fishing trip or attending a major professional sporting event. Fishing with Warriors handles all costs of these veterans’ trips – transportation, lodging, meals and any entry fees. All donations made to the nonprofit organization are put towards trips for veterans.

“As part of my bucket-list – I believed it was time to give back,” Lizotte said. “It’s always been my intent to give back to veterans and do as much as I can.”

Lizotte is making good on those intentions – and 21-year U.S. Army veteran Dan Darroch has the memories of his excursion to Costa Rica to prove it.

Darroch is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and combat medic, having served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Desert Storm. He also struggles with the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He found his fishing trip through the Fishing with Warriors organization a reflective and productive experience in managing his symptoms.

“The most obvious thing I noticed after being out on the water during the fishing trip to Costa Rica was a calmness that I haven’t felt in a very long time,” Darroch said when describing his trip.

“My mind was clear of the chatter and I was completely immersed in the moment and the ‘hunt’ for the biggest fish I could catch… I was very pleasantly surprised to find that even after we docked for the day and spent the evening at the Lodge, I was still mostly free of the hyper-vigilant tendencies I typically have,” Darroch added.

Whether the trip takes them to Silver King Lodge in Costa Rica to chase trophy Tarpon, or Venice, Louisiana, to find Yellowfin Tuna, the veterans truly enjoy the time spent with one another sharing stories, experiences, and even struggles.

“There is an expedited bonding process that takes place between veterans when put in situations like this and often times it can turn out to be a strong and lasting bond,” Darroch said. He noted that unfamiliar places can often cause those struggling with PTSD to remain on edge and overly alert, but those feelings quickly dissipated at Silver King Lodge, allowing him to enjoy his time there.

“I felt very relaxed, calm, and completely able to enjoy the fishing with the company of my fellow veterans.  It was an amazing feeling that I will fondly remember for the rest of my life,” Darroch said.

It is clear that the well-being of our country’s veterans is something important to Lizotte, and something he wants to have an even larger impact on. Recently, Fishing with Warriors has implemented a new wellness program for sponsored veterans that provides each participant with a one-hour yoga class each day, followed by a group session with a clinical psychologist to help discuss their lives as civilians, life with their families, and any PTSD struggles they may be facing, all done during their sponsored fishing getaway.

In addition to the fishing trips, the organization shares tickets to local sporting events such as the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and even local PGA golf tournaments.

“We pass along tickets to these events so they [veterans] can take their families,” said Lizotte.

When asked how he knows these trips are making a difference in the lives of the veterans his organization sponsors, Lizotte answered, “You can see it in their face – you can hear it in their voice – they are refreshed.”

Lizotte’s efforts, and every member of Fishing with Warriors, work to give back to our country’s veterans and help them overcome their own challenges as they return to civilian life – all while creating life long memories, friendships, and perhaps, even catching a few trophy fish.

For more information on the Fishing with Warriors organization and its partners visit  https://www.fishingwithwarriors.us/.

Westborough – The Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT) has been awarded a $93,000 MassTrails grant from the state of Massachusetts for work to make the Gilmore Pond Trail into a universal-access all-persons loop trail, WCLT president Gillian Beamer announced recently.

The project will modify the existing ⅓-mile Gilmore Pond Trail, which encircles Gilmore Pond, to be accessible to all persons, including those who are mobility- and visually impaired. The work will include grading the trail with stabilized stone dust, installing boardwalks, and adding a post and rope handrail. These renovations will allow underserved members of the community to access one of the most beautiful “charms” of Westborough’s Charm Bracelet network of trails. The trail will be wheelchair-friendly and also stroller-friendly. This project is a first step in WCLT’s goal of making this trail ADA-compliant and universally accessible.

The grant will cover materials and professional labor, but hundreds of volunteer hours will also be needed to complete the construction of this multi-year project. The WCLT Stewardship Committee hopes to begin work this summer.

WCLT’s project is one of 71 funded by $5 million in MassTrails Grants. The Baker-Polito administration announced the grants on June 26.

For a Gilmore Pond trail map visit

westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/upperjackstraw_trail_map.pdf.

By Christine Galeone, Contributing Writer

Westborough – Children who live in stable homes often take birthday celebrations for granted.  But, thankfully, when they become adults, some of them reflect on their childhoods and realize the importance of those events. And they realize that not all children are as fortunate as they once were.

Mike Albert is one of those people. The co-founder of the Putt for Presents annual golf tournament recalled, “While growing up in Westborough…I was privileged to always celebrate my birthday with my family and my friends.”

He was inspired – along with his wife, Melissa, and his childhood friend, Matt Travis, a physical education teacher at the Annie B. Fales School – to establish the tournament in 2011. On Friday, July 26, from 12 to 7 p.m. at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, the ninth annual Putt for Presents Golf Tournament will be held. The proceeds will help Birthday Wishes, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that helps plan birthday parties for homeless children in the northeast.

The registration cost is $200 per player and $700 per foursome. In addition to supporting the Putt for Presents and Birthday Wishes shared mission to bring more self-esteem, dignity and joy to homeless children through birthday parties and presents, the fee includes other benefits. They include sponsor-provided gifts, a buffet, an additional round of golf on a different day and chances to win various prizes. Albert said that the goal of the tournament is “for all of our attendees to have a great time raising as much money as possible to support the wonderful cause of Birthday Wishes.”

After spending seven years throwing birthday parties at the Transitions Shelter in Devens, Albert saw firsthand the affect that the parties had on the kids and their families. However, he wanted to help more children, so he joined the board at Birthday Wishes and directed all of the tournament proceeds to the nonprofit. Since then, the funds raised by the tournament have provided birthday celebrations for more than 300 children each year. Birthday Wishes serves more than 200 shelters and transitional facilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and New York.

Lisa Vasiloff, executive director and co-founder of Birthday Wishes, is grateful for the support Putt for Presents provides. And she appreciates that it raises awareness of the nonprofit and its work.

“For many years, Birthday Wishes had only one signature event, the CakeWalk, which is focused on families and kids helping kids; our board member, Mike Albert, incorporated the Putt for Presents tournament into our event schedule as a way to ensure that more people have an opportunity to support our important work, while doing something they love to do,” Vasiloff said. “It is a beautiful course and a really fun day. The summer is traditionally a slow time for donations as well as volunteers, but children have birthdays all year round, so this is an important event.”

For more information about Putt for Presents, visit www.puttforpresents.org. For more information about Birthday Wishes, visit www.birthdaywishes.org.

Westborough – Kyle Vaccaro of Westborough graduated this spring from the University of Hartford summa cum laude with degrees in biology and chemistry. While at the university, Vaccaro was a Regent, RA and tutor. He won a merit scholarship from NASA and was published in the Journal, Cell Biology in December 2018, for his work on a review paper on mesenchymal stem cells. He also received Honorable Mention in the Barry Goldwater Award competition for two consecutive years.

Boston 25 News celebrates town’s people, businesses – and a wedding! – in live broadcast

By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor

Westborough – When it was announced earlier this summer that Boston 25 News was coming to Westborough July 12 to broadcast live as part of their summer Zip Trip feature, residents, businesses and town officials relished the opportunity to participate, eager to show off their community.

And although heavy rains that periodically fell that morning as the show was broadcast from the Bay State Commons, causing the show’s anchor Gene Lavanchy to quip that they were in “Wet-borough” the hundred or so people who came out to watch the show enjoyed the chance to view the popular show in person.

During the broadcast, Lavanchy, as well as co-anchor Elizabeth Hopkins and Sports Director Tom Leyden, spoke with number of residents and officials, highlighting different aspects of the town.  Pre-filmed clips from businesses around town were shown.

The Westborough Fire Department was honored as part of the show’s First Responder Friday segment. Leyden interviewed Fire Chief Patrick Purcell who spoke on the importance of signing up for an emergency notification system in your community and learning CPR. Also featured in the spot was Donald Bouffard, whose life was saved last year, Purcell explained, after a bystander gave him CPR after he had a heart attack while playing golf at the Westborough Country Club.

The students and administrators who participate in the popular Boros Sugar Shack were also honored by the show with the Hometown Hero Award, sponsored by Boston 25 News partner DCU.  The Shack, located in the downtown area at 15 East Main St., employs adult students ages 18-22, with special abilities, to actualize their potential through community-based academic, social, and vocational experiences.  Monies raised from sales of candy and Westborough paraphernalia at the store help  to support the program.

Westborough High School Basketball Coach, Brian Willar, along with members of the team, were lauded by Leyden for their successful year that saw them win several prestigious titles, including the Clark Tournament.

Before Hopkins spoke to Karen Chapman, the president of the Corridor Nine/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, who appeared with Ed Turner, the owner of the Art & Frame Emporium, Hopkins noted that Turner had just performed a heroic deed by coming to the aid of a man who had fallen in a nearby parking lot.

“You do it all!” she said, noting that Turner was also a talented caricaturist and in fact, had done one of the Boston 25 team.  (Turner also does a weekly cartoon for the Community Advocate.)

The Art & Frame Emporium was just one of Westborough’s many success stories, Chapman said.

“Westborough celebrates and supports local businesses,” she added.  “We have a  lot going on and we’re growing.”

Several businesses were featured in their own segments including Release Well-being, VA New England Health Care and Yummy Mummy. Restaurants were also represented with segments on the Central House, South Street Diner and Civic Kitchen & Drink. Lavanchy spoke with Board of Selectman Chair Ian Johnson and Vice Chair Shelby Marshall who touted the many facets of why the town is a great place to live.

For the morning anchors, there was one new segment that they had never featured before on a Zip Trip, they said – a wedding ceremony.

As Town Clerk Wendy Mickel explained prior to the segment, Westborough residents Bryan Feagans and Mily Palmer had recently come in to her office to apply for a wedding license. One thing led to another with the couple agreeing to get married on TV during the Zip Trip.

The Feagans’ do have an upcoming ceremony in Vermont for their family and friends, they said. And in fact, they had only notified their families of the impromptu Zip Trip wedding that morning.

“It’s just us, this morning,” Bryan laughed, although nearly 100 new friends were happy to witness the ceremony, cheering as the couple completed their vows.

To see clips of the segments, visit www.boston25news.com/fox25cares/ziptrips.

Westborough – Gail Sprague Zickler Hnatiow passed peacefully into Heaven July 4, 2019.

Born and raised in West Hartford, Conn., she graduated from The Northfield School for Girls (’53), Oberlin College (’57), and earned her Master’s in Science degree at the University of Pittsburg. As a research assistant at Pitt, she co-authored a study in audiology published in 1968. It has had several printings and is held by several college and university libraries.

Gail had a passion for travel both within the United States and abroad. She spent part of her junior year abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, and then cycled and thumbed her way thru France, Switzerland, and Germany. She visited her brother and his family many times while her brother was in the Air Force so she got to visit Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Florida’s snowy white beaches, and England’s picturesque countryside.

After spending time in the Midwest, in 1974 Gail made her home in Westborough where she became an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Her passion was outreach to the sometimes-forgotten members of the community. At St. Stephen’s she sponsored an annual Christmas party for incarcerated boys making sure they not only received gifts but also helping them know that others cared about their welfare.

She worked at Glavin Regional Center and Westborough State Hospital in the field of speech therapy and audiology helping profoundly disabled children and adults. After retirement, she continued to work part-time for several years.

In 2015 she regretfully left her Westborough home where she had lived for over 35 years and which she had renovated just a few years before. She moved to the caring community of Cornerstone at Milford where she lived until she passed away.

At Cornerstone she continued to make friends and bring smiles to people’s faces with her “Hi, Friend” greetings as she met others at meals, at gatherings, or in her apartment.  Her “See you later, Alligator” was her cheerful goodbye. And so, Gailbird, your family and friends thank you for the memories, your love and friendship. See you later, Alligator… May God hold you in the palm of his hand forever.

Gail leaves her brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm and Linda Zickler of Niceville, Fla., and her nephews, Andrew Zickler (Gayle) of Richmond, Va. and Ian Zickler (Gretchen and Alden) to cherish her memory.

Our deepest thanks for their kind and gentle care to the staffs at Cornerstone at Milford, Right at Home, and Old Colony Hospice, and especially to her special caregiver, Susan, a great friend who has become family.

Gail’s memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 17, at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 John St., Westborough. All are welcome.

Feel free to contribute to your favorite charity in Gail’s name. No flowers, please, but feel free to buy yourself a bouquet in her honor to bring you smiles.

Westborough

Thursday, June 27

1:16 a.m. Fisher/Milk Sts. Suspicious person.

10:32 a.m. Technology Dr. Vandalism.

1:03 p.m. Milk St. Accident property damage.

4:58 p.m. Edmund Brigham Way. Well-being check.

6:04 p.m. Arrested, Henry E. Idiagbonya, 32, of 11B Gibbs St., Apt. 22, Worcester, for fugitive from justice on court warrant.

Friday, June 28

1:15 a.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general)

9:45 a.m. Corning Fairbanks Way. Accident – personal injury.

12:57 p.m. Milk St. Annoying/harassing phone calls.

12:58 p.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

2:59 p.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

7:06 p.m. E Main St. Accident property damage.

Saturday, June 29

1:12 a.m. Lyman St. Suspicious auto.

2:17 a.m. Computer Dr. Disturbance (general).

3:28 p.m. W Main St. Suspicious person.

5:39 p.m. Lyman St. Suspicious activity.

11:37 p.m. Connector Rd. Accident property damage.

11:45 p.m. Cross St. Suspicious activity.

Sunday, June 30

11:01 a.m. Chauncy St. Disturbance (general).

2:54 p.m. Heath/Church Sts. Accident property damage.

2:59 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Milk St. Accident – personal injury.

7:43 p.m. Turnpike Rd./E Main St. Accident property damage.

8:29 p.m. W Main St. Disturbance (general).

9:06 p.m. W Main St. Suspicious person.

Monday, July 1

12:39 p.m. Milk St. Suspicious activity.

1:02 p.m. Milk St. Suspicious auto.

5:34 p.m. Arrested, Kenold Etienne, 28, of 57 Arlington St., Apt. 1, Worcester, on warrant.

8:59 p.m. Lyman St. Suspicious activity.

11:27 p.m. Carroll Dr. Suspicious auto.

Tuesday, July 2

6:44 a.m. Upton Rd. Trespassing.

8:11 a.m. Old Flanders Rd./Fruit St. Accident property damage.

8:45 a.m. Connector Rd. Disturbance (general).

12:09 p.m. Fisher/Arch Sts. Accident property damage.

3:28 p.m. Hundreds/Turnpike Rds. Suspicious auto.

7:58 p.m. Nourse St. Erratic operator.

11:29 p.m. Grove St. Disturbance (general).

Wednesday, July 3

6:56 a.m. E Main St. Disturbance (general).

6:05 p.m. Fisher St./Mill Rd. Suspicious activity.

9:38 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Disturbance (general).

11;59 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Lyman St. Erratic operator.

Thursday, July 4

3:18 a.m. Computer Dr. Disturbance (general).

11:37 a.m. Arrested, Kazakiyah Hardy, 28, of 51 Franklin St., Apt. 210, Worcester, operating after revocation for drunk driving, unregistered motor vehicle, license not in possession.

8:27 p.m. Ruggles/Baxter Sts. Disturbance (general).

8:41 p.m. Grove St. Assault.

9:23 p.m. Haskell St. Disturbance (general).

9:55 p.m. Milk St. Assault.

11:02 p.m. Church St. Disturbance (general).

Friday, July 5

8:55 a.m. Milk St. Suspicious activity.

11:15 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious person.

4:44 p.m. E Main St. Suspicious person.

4:51 p.m. Cook St. Suspicious activity.

5:44 p.m. McTaggart St. Suspicious person.

7:11 p.m. Windsor Ridge Dr. Disturbance (general).

7:43 p.m. Lyman St. Suspicious activity.

8:07 p.m. Computer Dr. Suspicious auto.

10:43 p.m. Computer Dr. Larceny.

Saturday, July 6

3:00 a.m. Computer Dr. Larceny.

4:27 a.m. Computer Dr. Disturbance (general).

7:31 a.m. Mathieu Dr. Suspicious auto.

10:53 a.m. E Main St. Accident property damage.

11:43 a.m. Computer Dr. Larceny.

6:16 p.m. Cross St. Accident property damage.

9:26 p.m. Fisher/Otis Sts. Erratic operator.

Sunday, July 7

1:19 p.m. Windsor Ridge Dr. Accident – hit & run.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer

Westborough – Earlier this summer, Ashley Meleski, a Level 5 All Star Cheerleader, along with her team, won the biggest cheer competition in the world. And for this athlete, who will be a sophomore at Westborough High School this fall that makes all of the hard work she has put into her training worth it.

The cheer competition, call Worlds, was held in Florida last month. According to her mother, Jessica, it is the “most prestigious, selective international cheerleading competition in the world.”

Ashley is a “flyer” for the East Celebrity Elite (ECE) in Tewksbury which is just as it sounds – she is one of the girls who “flies” during the routines. She just finished the season on M5 Bombshells and is now a Level 6 All Star Cheerleader.

All Star Cheerleading routines open with elite stunts, standing and running tumbling, jumps and dance. It is broken up by level and division. Levels are determined by age and the size of your team. When the teams travel to competitions, the girls are competing as a team against other teams around the nation. At times, they are performing in an arena of thousands of people. The team has to win a bid in order to compete in Worlds.

This past season Ashley’s team traveled to Louisville, Indianapolis, Providence, Atlantic City, Dallas, Nashville, and Orlando. The M5 Bombshells were undefeated, winning every competition until their sixth competition held in Nashville where they placed second.

Ashley started at the age of seven with AYF Cheer in Westborough and has never looked back.  She now travels to Tewksbury several days each week for practices at ECE and often has additional dates to learn choreography. During the competition season, she is traveling five to six months out of the year.

“It felt amazing to win,” she said of winning Worlds.

Even though she admits that the sport is very time-consuming, she noted that she loves it and is very committed to her team, coaches and keeping herself conditioned.  She has made many close friends along her journey and continues to relish in the bonds that she and her teammates have formed.  She is also looking forward to winning more titles.

The team consists of 28 girls that range in age from 13-19 years old.  Ashley noted that she thinks very highly of her coaches who include; Colleen O’Shea, Steve Belanger, Matt Smith and Casey Ballou, who is her tumbling coach.

“One thing that I don’t think people realize is that the commitment to this sport is year round. She has learned to multi-task by doing homework in the car and there have been many late nights spent studying for exams and writing papers,” said Jessica.

“I am so proud of Ashley and her teammates. When they are competing, I hold my breath but l live to see her fly and enjoy what she enjoys the most. It makes her dad, Scott, and I proud,” said Jessica Meleski.

“Cheerleading has taught me countless life lessons and skills throughout the years. I’ve learned how to persevere and push through even when you feel like giving up. I’ve also learned self-discipline, time-management, good sportsmanship, to always believe in yourself even when others don’t and it doesn’t matter who you are or how talented you are if you don’t work together as a team,” said Ashley.

Photos/submitted

Westborough – Frederick A. Haas Jr. 96, of Westborough, late of South Hadley and Holyoke, passed away July 18, 2019 with the “Love of his life” Sonja at his side.

Fred was born in Holyoke, a son of Fred A. Haas Sr. and Pauline (Durant) Haas. He graduated from High School in Holyoke, joined the U.S. Army, in 1942, serving his country proudly and bravely during World War II in Europe, being awarded three battle Stars, the purple heart for wounds suffered in battle and the presidential unit citation for his part in the liberation of Dachau Concentration camp. Fred then spent four months in a French hospital recovering from his battle injuries.

Always very interested in electrical engineering, Fred, upon discharge from the Service, earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and founded Haas Electrical in Western Massachusetts. He then continued his education by earning during night school his juris doctorate Law degree and passed the Massachusetts Bar.

Fred is survived by his devoted love, Norma Sonja (Zonia) Jensen Bilde Haas; a son, James Haas; two grandchildren, Sarah and Alex, all in California; and nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A prayer service will be held Thursday, July 25, at 12 p.m., in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Burial will be private.

Westborough – The Westborough Public Library will celebrate the publication of “Westborough State Hospital” with a lecture by the author, Katherine Anderson, on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

The public is invited to hear award-winning author and asylum historian Katherine Anderson discuss her newest Images of America book on the history of the Westborough State Hospital. Anderson has been photographing and researching the hospital for nearly a decade and will present a collection of images, artifacts, and little known facts about the hospital. As a bonus, also present will be Mimi Baird, author of He Wanted the Moon which is about her father’s story of his time as a patient at Westborough.

The Westborough State Hospital, formerly known as the Westborough Insane Hospital, was the second homeopathic hospital for the insane in the United States. Its unique treatment methods were at the forefront of mental health care until it closed its doors as one of the last Massachusetts state hospitals in 2010. Solomon Carter Fuller, a pioneering African American pathologist, studied physical changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s at the hospital, which was also the only New England state hospital with a dedicated unit for deaf and hard of hearing patients.

The Westborough Public Library is located at 55 West Main St.

By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor

Westborough – Showing tremendous poise, grace and talent, Zlatomir Fung recently did what no American has done in 30 years – winning the first prize in the prestigious 2019 Tchaikovsky International Cello Competition held in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.

The 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition is a classical-music competition held every four years in Russia, for pianists, violinists, and cellists between 16 and 32 years of age, and singers between 19 and 32 years of age. It consists of three rounds, ranging from three to 60 minutes, with the musician performing with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

Named after the famed Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, it is considered one of the international music community’s most elite competitions, launching many young performers into stellar careers.

Zlatomir, whose family lives in Westborough, is only 20 years old but has already performed in venues all over the world.

Winning the Tchaikovsky competition was “both exciting and humbling,” he said.

He noted that was not “very nervous” about competing in such a prestigious competition, although the pieces he performed were relatively new to him.

“The cameras did add an extra dimension [of anxiety],” he confessed, although to watch his clips, one would never sense that. Rather they would see a young musician in his element, feeling the passion and the beauty of the music he is playing.

As he competes now, he is able, he said, to draw on his vast experience to help him with his nerves.

“I remember in one of my first competitions when I was 13 I made a big mistake 10 seconds in,” he recalled. “But I was able to gather myself together and ended up finishing second.”

Since that time, he has achieved stunning success, winning many prestigious competitions, including first prizes at the Schoenfeld International String Competition in China, George Enescu International Cello Competition in Romania, Johansen International Competition for Young String Players, Stulberg International String Competition and Irving Klein International Competition.

He has appeared as a soloist in the U.S. with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Boston Pops, Santa Cruz, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids symphonies, among others, as well as many international orchestras.

Zlatomir is the son of Maria, an associate professor of mathematics at Worcester State University and Francis Fung, a software engineer with Google. He has two sisters, Desi and Kaya, and a brother, Plamen.

His musical education started in Oregon where he started playing the viola and cello using the Suzuki method.

“My parents felt that playing an instrument was a good way to foster discipline,” he said.  “Now classical music is my passion.”

After his family moved to Westborough, he attended the Mill Pond School in Westborough before being homeschooled.

As a student at the Mill Pond School, he participated for two years in an elementary string program co-directed by Judy Gerratt and Valerie Clemans.

“We knew at a young age that he had extraordinary talent,” Gerratt recalled. “It has been so exciting to see his career progress.”

He is now a rising junior at Julliard, studying with Richard Aaron and Timothy Eddy, and where he is a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship.

Maria, son Plamen (who plays the French horn) and her mother, Zoya Gargova, were all able to attend the competition in Russia to watch Zlatomir perform.

“We were a bit nervous but knew he had prepared a lot,” Maria said. “So we were just really excited for him.”

It was extremely moving for her mother, Maria said, as Zoya had visited St. Petersburg years ago herself.

“She was super thrilled; it was a dream come true for her to see her grandson play there,” Maria said.

This summer Zlatomir will be busy performing throughout the United States and France. On a recent vacation to Taiwan to visit his girlfriend, I-Jung Huang, he also taught a master class in cello.

After graduating from Julliard he hopes to continue to be able to have a career in chamber music, performing recitals around the world. When he is not performing, he enjoys playing chess and filmmaking.

“But cello is really my place of peace,” he said. “It’s my heart and soul.”

To watch clips of his performances visit www.zlatomirfung.com and

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/competitors/zlatomir-fung.

Westborough

Monday, July 8

3:35 a.m. Computer Dr. Suspicious activity.

8:24 a.m. South/Beach Sts. Accident property damage.

11:11 a.m. Arrested, Steven P. Toomey, 66, of 91 Fisher St., Westborough, for violate abuse prevention order.

1:52 p.m. Technology Dr. Larceny.

4:15 p.m. High St. Suspicious person.

8:21 p.m. Bowman St./Sandra Pond Rd. Suspicious auto.

6:53 p.m. E Main St. Threats made.

7:29 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Disturbance (general).

Tuesday, July 9

11:35 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

8:37 p.m. Mt Pleasant St. Disturbance (general).

10:37 p.m. Arrested, Rogerio Goncalves, 43, of 25 Main St., Framingham, for OUI-liquor 2^nd offense, operating MV negligently so as to endanger, unlicensed operation of MV, warrants, arrestee furnishing false ID information to law enforcement,

10:52 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious person.

Wednesday, July 10

4:48 p.m. E Main St. Suspicious activity.

7:10 p.m. Oak St. Disturbance (general).

10:16 p.m. Flanders Rd. Suspicious auto.

10:36 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Milk St. Erratic operator.

11:15 p.m. Linda St. Disturbance (general).

11:19 p.m. South St. Accident property damage.

11:52 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious activity.

Thursday, July 11

1:07 a.m. Lyman St. Suspicious auto.

1:36 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Suspicious activity.

5:57 a.m. South St./Upton Rd. Erratic operator.

10:12 a.m. Piccadilly Way. Suspicious activity.

10:17 a.m. Lyman St. Motor vehicle theft.

12:22 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

12:36 p.m. Flanders Rd. Suspicious auto.

5:14 p.m. Maynard St. Disturbance (general).

11:16 p.m. Grove St. Disturbance (general).

Friday, July 12

6:43 a.m. W Main/Nourse Sts. Accident property damage.

12:31 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

1:50 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

2:59 p.m. Bowman St. Disturbance (general).

9:02 p.m. School St. Suspicious person.

9:22 p.m. Ruggles/Eli Whitney Sts. Suspicious activity.

9:39 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.

The information from the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. It contains arrests and samplings of police activity. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court-issued documentation.

Westborough – A memorial service for Theresa Marie Romeo Rizzo will be held Thursday, July 25, at 11 a.m., in the Jonas A. Stone Chapel at Pine Grove Cemetery, 106 South St., Westborough. All are welcome.

Westborough – Social media is a great way to communicate urgent information in an emergency – as long as you are a fan of the particular pages. But sometimes, municipal officials need to contact as many people as soon as possible.

In Westborough, residents and businesses can sign up for CodeRED®, the town-wide emergency communication system. All they have to do is text WESTBOROUGHFIRE to 99411 and follow the instructions.

The system will distribute emergency messages to targeted areas or the entire town at using a mapping capability for geographic targeting of calls coupled with a high speed telephone calling system.

To sign up, text WESTBOROUGHFIRE to 99411 and follow the instructions or visit https://www.town.westborough.ma.us/fire-department/pages/codered-emergency-alert-system.