Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick mourns passing of Gloria Cullati at age 101

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Natick and beyond are mourning the passing of Gloria Cullati, a longtime resident who passed on Feb. 1 at the age of 101.

Cullati is survived by 3 of her children, as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The Natick Sons & Daughters of Italy recalled Cullati as its longest-serving lodge member, joining at the age of 15, enjoying dances and more along the way.

“Gloria loved the Lodge and brought her charm, wit, encouragement, intellect and servant’s heart to every meeting, committee, event, dinner, dance and pasta night she attended. She worked tirelessly on behalf of the Lodge, with joy and enthusiasm, and loved welcoming new members and student volunteers,” wrote Cathy Washburn in a note to the organization’s members and followers.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street in Natick  on Tuesday, February 7, at 9 a.m. Followed by Funeral Mass at St. Linus Church, 119 Hartford St., Natick at 10 a.m. Interment at St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick. Visiting hours are Sunday February 5 from 5-8 p.m. and Monday February 6 from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gloria Cullati’s memory may be made to Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411, 37 Washington Ave., Natick, Mass, 01760, Attn: Scholarship Committee

Read the full obituary for Gloria Cullati.

Let the Natick community know of your remembrances at natickreport@gmail.com

Obituary: Mary Laurette Murdock Thompson, active in the Natick Historical Society, Eliot Church

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Mary Laurette Murdock Thompson of Natick and Wellesley died on November 10, at Mary Ann Morse (rehabilitation center) in Natick.

Her hundredth year was passed comfortably at Heritage (assisted living facility) of Framingham.

Mary Thompson grew up at Harvard University, where her father, Kenneth Murdock, was a dean and house master. After college at Vassar she married Cameron Thompson and they moved to two boarding schools, the second of which was Phillips Exeter Academy, in New Hampshire. Her husband then became a teacher at Pine Manor, first in Wellesley (a junior college on the campus of Dana Hall until 1964), and then at Pine Manor’s new campus in Chestnut Hill, Newton. The Thompsons remained until 1977 in Wellesley, where they raised three children.

Mary obtained an M.A. degree during this time and started teaching in the Special Education department at Wellesley High School. This was her career until 1982, and she was beloved by students and colleagues for her patience, insight and good humor.

Her lifelong gift was humor and the elegant craft of words.

This period encompassed her important contributions to the book Philosophy and Literature; her husband’s retirement; and their move to South Natick. There she was active in the Natick Historical Society, the Shakespeare Club, and the Eliot Church. At the latter she was a deacon and diligent committee member. She continued on in South Natick after her husband’s death in 1989, finally moving back to Wellesley in 2001, where she participated in that town’s German Club, along with a book club.

Mary’s heart was always drawn to the members of her family, no matter how distant, to language and its riches, to many charities, and to New Hampshire where the old Murdock place was her summer home. She also felt the pull of her birthplace, Boston, where her mother, Laurette Potts Murdock, lived until 1994.

She leaves her children, Gordon, Peter and Sarah, and her grandchild Cawley. Her passing was peaceful, surrounded by family.

Services will be private; gifts in memoriam may be sent to Habitat for Humanity.

Let the Natick community know of your remembrances at natickreport@gmail.com

In remembrance: Joseph Indresano of Natick

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Joseph Indresano, a familiar name in the area from his well-known landscaping business and involvement in community activities, passed away at the age of 80 on July 17.

Services for the Natick resident will be held in his hometown of Mirabella Eclano, Avellino, Italy.

Read the complete obituary. 

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Natick celebrates Brett Conaway’s life

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Natick on Monday celebrated the life of Brett Conaway inside a crowded Natick High School auditorium, where family and friends addressed community members in the wake of the Army National Guard Colonel and retired Natick Police sergeant’s unexpected death (see video of ceremony embedded below). Conaway died on June 29 at the age of 52.

Conaway, who grew up in town and graduated from the high school, went on to become a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps and served as a Citizen-Soldier in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. He earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Providence College.

Brett Conaway Celebration of Life

Conaway’s family and friends spoke at the event, talking about his personality and love for service. (See photo gallery from MetroWest Daily News.)

Rodney Dailey described his friend as “a good man, good husband, and with a heart for service.” He said that “Brett loved people, he loved serving people,” and that “we must carry his love for service.”

Pat Conaway described his son as “always willing to build a bridge. He listened, he cared.” The elder Conaway recalled “his strength, his patience, his commitment to the great American experiment, as he called it.”

Conaway’s sister, Miriam Morrison, fondly remembered how “instead of doing his homework, [Brett] would gaze adoringly into the mirror and flex his biceps,” while bemoaning how difficult it was to grow up with a brother who was aware of his own good looks.

The sudden loss of this Natick has been indescribably hard for those close to him, but Morrison and others tried to focus on what made Conaway so special to them and the community.

Brett Conaway celebration

Brett Conaway celebration
Attendees are greeted by military personnel

 

Brett Conaway celebration

More: Natick Veterans Oral History Project (Brett Conaway)

Flags at half-staff for Natick’s Brett Conaway, Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel

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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset at all state buildings on Monday, July 11, the day of interment, in honor of Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel Brett Patrick Conaway, of Natick, who passed away on June 29.

Colonel Conaway, Massachusetts Army National Guard, HHD Joint Forces Headquarters, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with military honors at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

A Celebration of Conaway’s Life will take place on Monday, July 11 at 4pm in the Natick High School Auditorium, 15 West Street, Natick. The family asks that attendees wear red, white, or blue or a hint of these colors.

Obituary

brett conawayOur beloved Colonel Brett Patrick Garvin Conaway passed away unexpectedly on June 29, 2022, at 52.

He was born in Boston, MA, to Pat and Jane Conaway on January 21, 1970, and raised in Natick, MA. Growing up, Brett was a scout, played baseball, basketball, and football, and spent much time with his beloved Carney family aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. His childhood included multiple adventures, including many trips across the country to see his extended and inspiring Conaway clan. His family was everything to him. A proud graduate of Natick High School in 1988, Brett was captain of the football team, a member of the track team, vice president of his class, and leader and friend for all. He began his college experience at Roger Williams College, then continued to Stonehill College, where he got his BA in political science. Brett developed a love for student affairs through his work in residence life and began his professional career as a Residence Director. At that time, he received a MA in guidance and counseling at Providence College. Early in his career, he carried out his commitment to service in his work at Woodtrail Camp, Job Corps, and Street Peace. Brett was commissioned in 1992 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps and served as a Citizen-Soldier in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. His key assignments included command of the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Yankee), 211th Military Police Battalion (First Corps of Cadets), and 772nd Military Police Company. Brett mobilized for overseas combat service twice, deploying to Iraq in 2002 and 2009. His military awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

After his first deployment, Brett joined the Natick Police Department. Deeply committed to the tenets of law enforcement and public safety, Brett proudly retired as a sergeant for the town he loved so dearly. When he wasn’t working, Brett adored being with his family and friends– coaching and volunteering in many organizations. He especially loved his work with the Veteran Association of the First Corps of Cadets and The Rotary Club of Natick. Brett poured his heart and soul into everything he pursued. He approached his professional and personal life with a fierce passion and vision. Whether championing those he loved, offering a helping hand, or savoring good drinks and food, Brett lived his life robustly with deep love. He believed in the best of humanity, with the ever-present inspiration of the great American experiment. Known for his unwavering enthusiasm and uncompromising tenacity, he will be remembered for his beautiful smile, kind spirit, and booming voice echoing, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Rhonda Garvin Conaway. He also leaves behind the lights of his life, his sons, to which he was truly the best and most loving father: Richard Conaway and Patrick Conaway. He is also survived by his adoring parents, Pat and Jane (Carney) Conaway, sister Miriam Morrison, brother Carlton Conaway, father in law Richard Garvin, and Mother in law Gerry (Healy) Garvin, brother in law Mark Garvin, his wife April (Tighe) Garvin, his son-in-law Graeme Reid, and his nieces & nephews Haley Garvin, Genevieve Morrison, Matthew Morrison, and Bowen Morrison, as well as a large extended family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, he touched during his short life.

Visiting Hours will be on Sunday, July 10th from 4pm to 8pm at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick Common. A Celebration of Brett’s Life will take place on Monday, July 11th at 4pm in the Natick High School Auditorium, 15 West Street, Natick. The family asks that attendees wear red, white, or blue or a hint of. A private burial with military honors is planned at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Natick. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Brett’s memory to Home Base: Veteran and Family Care (www.homebase.org) or the Veteran Association of the First Corps of Cadets (www.vafcc.org).

More: Natick Veterans Oral History Project (Brett Conaway)