George J. Kostoulakos
93, lifelong Dracut resident, retired school teacher
George J. Kostoulakos, 93, a member of a well known Greater Lowell family, died Friday evening in Billerica surrounded by his loving family.
He was the husband of the late Amalia (Dristiliaris) Kostoulakos who died December 17, 2006.
Born in Dracut, Massachusetts, March 28, 1920, the son of the late Demetrios (James) and the late Marigo (Strobolakos) Kostoulakos, he attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School in 1937, where he was the Class Valedictorian.
A proud veteran of World War II, George served in the U. S. Army Air Corp, 8th Air Force (Bloody Hundredth) as a Technical Sergeant First Class; flight engineer and top gurret gunner. After being shot down over Germany, he was captured and imprisoned as a P.O.W. from May of 1944 to April of 1945 when he was liberated at Mooseburg by General Patton’s Third Army. For his service to his country George was awarded The Purple Heart, The Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal, The Unit Presidential Citation, The Marksman Medal, Good Conduct Medals for the American Theater and the European Theater, and a POW Medal.
After the war, George continued his education at Fitchburg State College where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and attained a Master’s in Education as well.
Prior to his retirement, “Mr. K”, as he was known to his students, was a teacher at the Moody Junior High School in Lowell where he taught for over 20 years.
Previously, he was the owner and operator of Kostoulakos Homebuilding for many years.
A loyal and proud member of his church, the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, George was a past President and longtime member of The Order of AHEPA, a member of the Transfiguration Men’s Guild and the Hellenic Cultural Society.
George is survived by three daughters Margo Mansur and her husband Richard of Avon, Cathy “Kippi” Fleischer and her husband Richard of Merrimac and Daphne Easton of Chelmsford; two sons Mitchell Kostoulakos and his wife Judith of Merrimac and Dean Kostoulakos and his wife Marie of Methuen; several grandchildren Gabe Mansur, Christopher Mansur, Nathan Kostoulakos, Megan Kostoulakos, Evan Fleischer, Emma Easton and Caroline Easton; four great grandchildren Alasdair Kostoulakos, Noah Kostoulakos, Rowan Ferrari and Ezra Mansur; a sister Antonia “Cookie” Sintros of Franklin; three brothers Stephen Kostoulakos and his wife Irene of Nashua, Thomas Kostoulakos and his wife Shirley of Nashua and Arthur Kostoulakos of Dracut; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also father-in-law of the late Gary Easton and brother of the late Esther Stamas, the late Clara Kouchalakos, the late Fotoula Konstantinakos, the late Frances Kendall, the late Charles Kostoulakos and the late William Kostoulakos.
Kostoulakos – April 5, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, George J. Kostoulakos. 93, lifelong Dracut resident, husband of the late Amalia (Dristiliaris) Kostoulakos. Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service Wednesday morning at the TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH at 11 o’clock. Burial in the Westlawn Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at odonnellfuneralhome. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Fr. Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F. O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.
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John J. Shugrue
Retired Labor Relations Manager, Raytheon Corporation
John J. ("Jack") Shugrue, 89, of Wells, Maine, but born in the Acre and raised in the Highlands section of the City, died Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was the husband of Anne (Dyer) Shugrue who died April 28, 2000.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 26, 1924, the son of the late John J. and the late Helen (Gillick) Shugrue, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1942.
A veteran of World War II, Jack served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific as a 2nd Class Aviation Radioman.
Following the war, he went on to graduate from U/Mass Amherst with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1950.
He began his career in farming as the owner and operator of Shugrue Poultry Farm in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
In 1961, Jack was hired by Raytheon Corporation where he worked for over 29 years mostly as a Labor Relations Manager.
He was a member of the VFW Walker Rogers Post in Lowell and the American Legion.
An avid Boston sports fan, Jack also enjoyed playing golf, fishing and bowling with family and friends.
He is survived by two daughters Kathleen M. Owens and her husband Gerald of Lowell and Maura A. Sorensen and her husband Daniel of Tyngsboro, a son John J. Shugrue, Jr., of Lowell, a granddaughter Meghan A. Sorensen; three grandsons Kevin M. Owens, Timothy P. Owens and Patrick D. Sorensen; his longtime friend Patricia Strombos of Lowell; a sister-in-law Claire Shugrue of Lowell, and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late James B. Shugrue and the late Robert F. Shugrue.
Shugrue – In Lowell, MA, March 27, 2013, at Lowell General, John J. Shugrue, 89, formerly of Lowell, now Wells, ME. Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 Pawtucket St. at Fletcher from 2 to 6 P.M. Sunday. His Funeral will take place from the Funeral Home Monday morning at 9 o’clock followed by a Funeral Mass at ST. MICHAEL CHURCH at 10 o’clock. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F. O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.
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Joseph H. McNiff
Well known local business man
Joseph H. McNiff, of Chelmsford, formerly of the Highland Section of Lowell, died peacefully on March 25th at his home, surrounded by his family. He fought cancer bravely and courageously for seven years.
He was the beloved husband of Maureen (Shanahan) McNiff for forty-six years.
Born in Lowell, September 21, 1941, the son of the late Thomas and the late Elizabeth (Scully) McNiff, he attended St. Margaret’s Grammar School, Keith Academy, and Bentley College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, Suffolk University with a Master of Business Administration Licensed to practice before the I.R.S. as an Enrolled Revenue Agent and a licensed Realtor.
Joe started his career as a teacher at the Bartlett School and later moved to Lowell High School. While at the High School, Joe was an assistant Varsity Basketball Coach and Junior Varsity Basketball Coach. During these years, the high school basketball team reached State Tournament Competition level and his Junior Varsity team maintained a winning record for four years, and was undefeated in the Essex County League for a year. While coaching, he developed a life lasting friendship with his players.
Also, Joe coached teams on various YMCA’s and Boys Club Tournaments. He also served on the coaching staff at KC Jones Basketball Camp. Joe was a co-founder of the first intramural basketball team at Bentley College.
Eventually Joe resigned his teaching position to accept a job as a Probation Officer. He enjoyed speaking to juveniles’ parents in public at schools in order to counsel and motivate them to live a more disciplined and productive life.
Finally, Joe started his own company, Joseph H. McNiff Computer Payroll, Bookkeeping, and Tax Services. He also was a property manager of condominiums associations.
Joe was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Golf Club where he was the Treasurer for 11 years. Joe’s favorite pastime was playing golf. He was a social member of Long Meadow Golf Club where he enjoyed playing cards with his friends.
Joe also represented Mt. Pleasant in the Lowell City Golf Tournament. Joe was an avid runner; he completed the Boston and other Marathons.
In addition to his wife Maureen, Joe is survived by a son Joseph L. McNiff and his wife Kathleen (Schraven) McNiff; a step-granddaughter Carly; sisters-in-law Shelagh McEvoy and her husband Richard, Eileen Haley and her husband Jim, Nancy Shanahan and Sheila Lasley and her husband John ; brothers-in-law Thomas Shanahan and his wife Marybeth, John Shanahan and Patrick Shanahan and his wife Marybeth; many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much; many grandnieces and grandnephews; and his special Godchild, Elizabeth Nicholas.
He was also the brother of the late Thomas McNiff.
McNIFF – In Chelmsford, March 25, 2013, at home, Joseph H. McNiff, husband of Maureen (Shanahan) McNiff. Friends may call the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 4 to 8 P.M. on Monday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Tuesday morning at ST. PATRICK CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to St. Patrick Church Building Fund, 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F, O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.
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Donald F. Gill, DDS
Donald F. Gill, DDS., 78, of Lowell, formerly of Cheshire, Connecticut, died Sunday evening, March 24th at the Woburn Nursing Center in Woburn, Massachusetts. He was the beloved husband of Deborah A. (Weimar) Gill with whom he would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on June 15th of this year.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 18, 1934, the son of the late Henry and the late Marie (Stanford) Gill, he was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut in the Class of 1952. He then went on to graduate from Georgetown University in 1956 and Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1960.
Don proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during both the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts.
Before retiring, Don operated a practice of General Dentistry in Cheshire, Connecticut for 43 years from 1963 to 2006.
Active in his community, Don was a member of the VFW in Cheshire, the Knights of Columbus in New Haven and the Cheshire Academy Parents Association.
Among his professional affiliations, he was a member of the Meriden-Wallingford-Cheshire Dental Association, the Connecticut Dental Association and the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Board.
Besides his wife Deborah, Don is survived by two daughters Caroline G. Kennedy and her husband John of Lowell, MA and Kathleen G. O’Leary and her husband Michael of Reading, MA; a son James P. Gill and his wife Jacqueline of Brooklyn, NY; five grandchildren Paul A. Kennedy, James M. Kennedy, Jessica M. Kennedy, Jack R. Gill and Ryan J. O’Leary; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 10 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. Wednesday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Wednesday afternoon at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH (Lower Church) at 12:30 P.M. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Second Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F, O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.
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Obituaries Notices
