Nichols Funeral Home

John B. Couch, Jr., age 48, of Pelham, NH, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on January 2, 2012. John was born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the cherished son of Vilma Park-Conrad of Pelham, NH, and the late John B. Couch, Sr. He was raised in Pittsburgh and later moved to Andover, MA, and was a graduate of Andover High School. John worked for Screen Print in Wilmington for many years and more recently at Macy’s. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed playing golf. In addition to his mother John is survived by his sisters Linda Hancock and her fiance  Allen Smith of Derry, NH, and Rhonda Palumbo of Pelham, NH, his brothers Ronald Park and his wife Jennifer of Dallas, TX, Robert Couch, and Peter Couch both of Pittsburgh, PA, and his step-father David Conrad of Pelham, NH. John was the loving uncle of Tara, Shana, Logan, Kahlen, Gabriella, and Olivia. John was also the step-son of the late Ronald Park. Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, for Visitation from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7th followed by a Funeral Service at1:00 p.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Memorial donations in John’s name may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.

Eva D. (Roberts) Ricci, age 85, of Wilmington, died peacefully on December 23, 2011, at Woodbriar of Wilmington following a brief illness.   Eva was born on January 5, 1926 in Fall River, MA, and she grew up on the family farm in Shrewsbury.   She married Albert Ricci in 1946 and they moved to Watertown where they lived for many years before moving to Wilmington in 1966.    Eva and Albert had a great life together, they raised five children, and made many memories over their 50 years of marriage before his passing in 1996.  Eva’s family was everything to her, she loved to be with everyone and was concerned about what was “going on” in their lives.  Eva loved camping, boating, and vacationing in Florida just to spend time with her family.  When Eva became a “Nana” she was overjoyed and loved taking care of the grandchildren.  Eva was loving, kind, generous, and fun to be with, she was always about “family” and she will be dearly missed.   Eva was the beloved wife of the late Albert Ricci, devoted mother of Janet DeYoung and her husband Charles of Largo, FL, Albert Ricci, Jr., and Theresa Harrison and her husband William all of Wilmington, MA, Marie Galvin and her husband James of Miami, FL, and Shirley Nordblom and her husband Robert Winder of Ayer, MA, loving “Nana” of Joseph Sozanski, Joanne Gulliver, Jason Kapoulis, Jessica Aprile, William Harrison III, James Galvin, David Galvin, Bradley Galvin, Paul Nordblom, Mary Nordblom, Michael Nordblom, and great -grandchildren Tyler, Cody, Dillon, Dereck, Russell, Tayler, Emerson, and William, dear sister of Joseph, Edna, and the late George Roberts.   Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service on Wednesday, December 28^th at 11:00 a.m. in the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington.  Interment will take place in the family lot at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington. Visiting hours Tuesday, December 27^th from 4-8 p.m. Memorial donations in Eva’s name may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 Cummings Park, Suite 3400, Woburn, MA 01801.

Alfred F. Ciampa, Sr., age 73, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at home on December 20, 2011.  Al was born on January 7, 1938 in Boston’s North End, he was the dear son of the late George and Anna Marie (Morrielo) Ciampa, his family lived in Charlestown for several years before moving to Somerville where Al was raised and educated.   Upon his completion of High School, Al enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War.  Al felt strongly about serving his country, he was active in the Army from 1955-1958 when he was honorably discharged and went on to fulfill his Reserve duty until 1963.   When Al returned home, he married his “best friend and the love of his life” Jean Barretto, Al and Jean settled in Malden and Al was appointed to the Malden Police Department in 1965.  Al was a hard worker and very driven, he served the community of Malden well and made Sergeant on the Police Force, being promoted after just three years of dedicated and faithful service.  Al loved his job on the Police Force but was forced to retire in 1975 when his health declined.   It was in 1975 that Al and Jean moved to Wilmington where they raised their four children, Al loved being with his kids, they enjoyed sports together, fishing, and spending time in Maine.  Al’s family was his life, he was a devoted husband and father and he cherished his role as “Papa”.   In his spare time, Al enjoyed following the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics, he was also very knowledgeable about guns and was an avid collector.   Al will be remembered as a wonderful family man, a good friend and neighbor, and a true fighter, he handled his health problems with courage and strength, never giving up.  He will be greatly missed.   Al was the beloved husband of over 45 years to Jean (Barretto) Ciampa, loving father of Gina Elbeery and her husband Stephen of Hampton Falls, NH, Alfred F. Ciampa, Jr. and his wife Jennifer and Christopher Ciampa all of Wilmington and Anthony Ciampa and his wife Diane of Bradford, cherished grandfather of Kelli Farmer, Nicole and Jake Elbeery, Tristan and Victoria Ciampa and Gianna Ciampa, dear brother of Maryanne Dennehy of California, Richard Ciampa and Janet Moynihan both of Wilmington, and the late George Ciampa, Al is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.   Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, December 29^th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m.  Visiting hours Wednesday, December 28^th from 4-8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers donations in Alfred’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA  01701.

Stanley Hesketh, of Tewksbury, formerly of Cambridge, age 89, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2011, at the D’Youville Senior Center in Lowell following a brief illness.

Born in Tewksbury, MA on August 6, 1922, Stanley was the beloved son of the late Wallace and Lillian (Whittle) Hesketh. Stanley was raised in Somerville and joined the Army at the outset of WWII.

 Stanley married Marion E. Kirkland on June 7, 1947. Stanley and Marion raised their three children in Cambridge and it wasn’t until after Stanley’s retirement from Harvard University, that he made the move back to his native Tewksbury in 1987.

 Stanley was a skilled woodworker. He made a number of furniture pieces in his home as well as many unique “one of a kind” pieces for his family and friends.

 Stanley was an avid golfer and very good horseshoe player. Stanley enjoyed family celebrations, holidays, vacations, or any occasion to be with his children and grandchildren. He especially loved being a grandfather; he loved all of his family dearly and was very proud of their accomplishments.

 Stanley was also a man of great faith. He was an active member of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Cambridge for many years before it closed and became a member of the Wilmington Congregational Church where he enjoyed worshiping.

 Stanley will be remembered as a gentle soul, he was kind, caring, always doing for others, he will be greatly missed.

 Stanley was the beloved husband of Marion E. (Kirkland) Hesketh, loving father of Stanley Hesketh, Jr. and his wife Susan of Pennsylvania, David Hesketh and his wife Sandra of Tewksbury, and Carol Davis and her husband Joe of Oklahoma, cherished “Grandpa” of Daniel, Sarah, Matthew, Katie, David, Steven, Philip John, Elizabeth, Kristin, Philip Stanley and great-”Grampy” of Alexa, Brianna, Kayla, Brayden, Madison, Drew, Sam and Avery, dear brother of Lawrence Hesketh of West Roxbury, the late Wallace, William and Eddie Hesketh and Lillian Hazen, also survived by several nieces and nephews.

 Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, December 20th from 4-7 p.m. at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rt.62) Wilmington. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Nichols Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorial donations in Stanley’s name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave., Norwood, MA 02026.

Helen T. (Prescott) Shay, age 88, of Wilmington, passed away on December 18, 2011, while rehabilitating at the Wilmington Health Care Center.

Born on February 28, 1923, Helen was the beloved daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Dix) Prescott. She was raised in Cambridge and after graduating high school, Helen joined the Marines in December of 1943. She served her country as an electrician during World War II and was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps.  in January of 1946.

 After her discharge from the military, Helen met and married Albert W. Shay. The couple eventually moved to Wilmington where they built their home and raised their four children. Helen and Albert shared special memories with their family and friends until his passing in 1979.

 Helen worked as a Supervisor for many years at Compugraphic in Wilmington before her retirement.

 Helen was a devoted family woman. She loved her children and treated them all equally. She had a special place in her heart for the Special Olympics and enjoyed watching her son Stephen participate in the games. Helen was very adamant that Stephen not be treated differently and that he strived to reach his potential. Helen was also very close to her mother and her sisters. She loved making memories with her family by taking trips all over New Hampshire and Maine. She enjoyed the beach, camping and especially Wellington State Park. In her spare time, Helen also enjoyed watching figure skating, Miss America Pageants, playing bingo, and taking trips to Foxwoods.

Helen is the beloved wife of the late Albert W. Shay, loving mother of Stephen Shay and Michael Shay, both of Wilmington, Susan Shay and her husband Paul Coolidge of Hudson, MA, and the late Charles “Charlie” Shay, treasured Great Aunt of Christopher Ostrowski and his wife Mary of New Port Richey FL, as well as dear sister of the late Joseph Prescott, Ann Prescott and Mary Versackas.

 Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, December 21^st, from 4-8 p.m. at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rt.62), Wilmington. Family and friends will gather on Thursday, December 22^nd, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Memorial donations in Helen’s name may be made to Local Heroes Inc., P.O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

Lee, Patrolman Shawn W., age 39, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 10, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Shawn was the beloved husband of Lisa (Martino) Lee, devoted father of Michael and Patrick Lee, cherished son of Donald and Maryann (Rooney) Lee all of Wilmington, dear brother of Stacie Paradis and her husband Stephen, loving uncle of Heather Paradis all of Tewksbury, special nephew of Mickey Rooney and his late wife Dorsey, Joanne and Barry Sanborn, Dennis and Yvette Rooney, the late Billy Rooney, the late James Rooney and his wife Bev, the late Suzanne and Arthur McNeil, godson of George White. Shawn is also survived by many cousins, friends and fellow officers. Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rt. 62), Wilmington, on Wednesday, December 14^th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours Tuesday, December 13^th from 3-9 p.m. Memorial donations in Shawn’s name may be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P. O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Shawn was a United States Air Force Veteran during Desert Storm and a Police Officer for Wilmington Police Department.