Gleason Funeral Home

Barrett, 90 of Wareham passed away on March 20 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Boston, the eldest son of George T. Barrett and Mary V (Payne) Barrett-McCarthy.Mr. Barrett is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marguerite E. (Klocker) Barrett and their daughter Judith Sullivan and husband Donald Sullivan, daughter Kathy Murphy and husband Roland Murphy and son George Barrett and wife Kerry Barrett. He adored his five grandchildren Elena Murphy, Elisabeth (Murphy) Langelier, Ryan Sullivan, Joel Sullivan and Greg Barrett. And he was constantly amazed by his seven great-grandchildren Faye, Grant, Pierce, Henry and Theodore Sullivan, Mae Langelier and Bentley Barrett. Mr. Barrett was predeceased by his beloved brothers John (Jack) and Vincent.Born in South Boston, Mr. Barrett grew up in tough times that led him to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1943 at the age of 17. After training on Parris Island he became part of the 1st Marine Division and was one of 240 Marines in his company launched onto the deadly beaches of Peleliu. On the fifth morning of the battle he and four others were all that remained of his beloved B/1/1. Mr. Barrett also served and was wounded in the Battle of Okinawa and mustered out of the Marines from North China in 1946.Mr. Barrett moved to Wareham after the war and worked for Buzzards Bay Gas Company before forming Gas Installation Company and, later, Barrett’s Heating & Appliance Center on Main Street, Wareham. He was a member of the Wareham Fire Department rising to the rank of lieutenant before his retirement. He was a loyal member of the Wareham Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As an avid traveler, the Barrett’s toured the country in his treasured RVs and became fluent with the locations and specialties of diners seemingly everywhere.His funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 27 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick...

James Lavin and Owen Higgins were both 17 years old.The crash happened at about 6:45 p.m. on Thomas Landers Road near Geggatt Road. Lavin was driving a dark-color sedan with Higgins in the passenger seat when he veered off the side of the road and slammed through a row of trees. Lavin was pronounced dead at the scene. Higgins was airlifted to a local hospital. On Friday night, police announced Higgins succumbed to his injuries."It was a very tragic incident," Falmouth police Chief Edward Dunne said Friday during a news conference. "It's affected the whole community."Dunne said investigators are still trying to determine why the vehicle left the road. Photos from the scene showed Lavin's car wrapped around a tree.Dozens of high schools from Cape Cod and beyond offered condolences upon learning of the boys' passing. Lavin and Higgins played football and in December they led Falmouth High School to a state title. Lavin played offensive guard and defense end; Higgins played defensive tackle and tight end."He was a very fun-loving, smart, caring, and funny young man," Lavin's obituary reads. "His aspirations were to continue playing football and have a career in business."Falmouth High School was scheduled to be closed Friday for winter recess but school officials opened it and had grief counselors available for students."We know that this unfortunate event affects the entire community," Superintendent Nancy Taylor said in a statement Friday. "The most important thing we can do for our children is be supportive."Visiting hours for Lavin will be held Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Falmouth. The funeral is Tuesday at St. Patrick Church in Falmouth and the burial will be held at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.A community fundraiser has been set up to pay for Lavin's funeral expenses. Leftover money will go to a scholarship in his name. The fundraiser total was up to $30,000 in 18 hours.A fundraiser was also established for Higgins, who played basebal...

It is a bond that has been tested in the days following the deaths of two of its members.Seniors James P. Lavin and Owen O. Higgins, best friends and both 17, were leaving hockey practice at the Falmouth Ice Arena last Thursday when the car they were in went off Thomas B. Landers Road and hit a tree. James was pronounced dead at the scene, while Owen died the following night after being treated for injuries at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. The accident is still under investigation by the Falmouth Police Department and Massachusetts State Police.Nicholas Couhig, 18, said he and his friends in the Fellowship have leaned on each other in the days since the accident.“Sleeping is all off; eating is all off,” he said of his reaction to James’s and Owen’s deaths. “Being around these boys has made it easier.”“We’ve been our own best counselors, to be honest,” said Matthew Doyle, 18, another Fellowship member who was close friends with James and Owen.Members of the Falmouth community have stressed the need for togetherness in the days since the accident, and various groups and organizations have done their part to help students, parents, and members of the community deal with the tragedy.Despite it being the first day of holiday vacation, staff at Falmouth High School opened its doors to students at 8 AM on last Friday. There, coaches, administrators, church officials, and school counselors met with students in the school’s gymnasium and auditorium, providing them the opportunity to talk and ask questions following the accident. Students also organized a vigil outside the school in memory of James and Owen on December 23.School officials also opened up the high school to students and parents before wakes for both students. James’s wake was held Monday at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home on Main Street, while Owen’s wake was held yesterday at the same funeral home.Falmouth Public Schools Superintendent Nancy R. Taylor said the high school offers a natural setting for ...