James Adams “Cowboy” Fowlie Sr.

A retired lieutenant from the Melrose Police Department, James Adams Fowlie Sr. died suddenly on Sept. 16, 2017, age 71. A lifelong resident of Melrose, Jim was a graduate of MHS class of 1963, Salem State College class of 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Education, Anna Maria College class of ’83 with a master’s degree criminal justice, and Columbia Pacific University Class of ’89 with a PhD in Philosophy.

Jim was ranked Quartermaster Third Class in the United States Coast Guard serving from 1971-1975 and was a Vietnam War Veteran. After his discharge from the service he became a teacher at Melrose Junior High School from 1978 to 1981 as well as the athletic trainer at the Melrose High School. Jim was teaching criminal justice at the college level before his passing.

As a Melrose Police Officer, he began as a walking beat officer in 1981. In 1986, he was promoted to sergeant as a shift supervisor and later court prosecutor. He was the stress officer and elder service officer until he was promoted to lieutenant in 1998, where he served as the night shift commander and was the N.I.B.R.S. supervisor. Jim retired on September 15, 2002. He also wrote the history of the Melrose Police Department for the 100th anniversary of the city.

Jim was on the Fraternal Order of Police State Executive Board, and for the last three years he was the State Sergeant at Arms. He was the founding member of the FOP Lodge #25 and represented them for the last 10 years as trustee. Jim was also a longtime member of the Melrose Elks and the American Legion Post 115 of Stoneham.

He was well known for driving around in his antique 1950 Jeep Willy, which he name “Shahadaroba”

David L. Dwyer

David Dwyer, of Lynn, formerly of Melrose, died July 24, 2017 at the age of 62. David was born in Winthrop to William and Marion (Lord) Dwyer. He was raised in Melrose and graduated from

Melrose High School. David spent over 30 years serving as a Police Officer for the City of Melrose. Those who knew him will remember his wild sense of humor and natural affinity for helping those in need.

Visiting Hours will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 from 8:30-10 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church, 9 Herbert St., Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in David’s name to the Salvation Army, 213-219 Main St., Malden, MA 02148 or at salvationarmyusa.org.

George E. “Butch” Barrett

George E. “Butch” Barrett, a longtime resident of Melrose and retired Melrose Police Sergeant, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, July 10, 2017, at age 78.

Raised in Melrose, Butch cherished childhood memories of playing baseball at St. Mary’s School, and Melrose High School. At the age of 17, he began working for the City of Melrose as a greens keeper at Mt. Hood Golf Course. After four years learning about course maintenance, Butch joined the Melrose Police Department where he worked for 37 years, retiring as a sergeant. He was a well-known and well respected presence around Melrose with strong values, a balanced approach and fair practices.

In his free time, Butch loved the Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox and the original Boston Braves. A longtime coin collector, he was a member of the Stoneham Coin Club for many years. He cherished anytime with family, vacations to New Hampshire, and especially enjoyed watching his grandsons play hockey, or granddaughter’s gymnastics. At home Butch was happy puttering around the house, doing yard work, mowing the grass and offering help to his neighbors. Butch leaves a legacy of well-earned respect and his impact will live on with his family and beyond.

Virginia Ehlers

Virginia A. “Ginny” Ehlers, of Melrose, died at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston on Oct. 13, 2016 at the age of 70. Ginny was born in East Boston and raised in Belmont. She was a graduate of Belmont High School, Class of 1956, and went on to graduate Secretarial School. Ginny resided in Melrose for 48 years and loved to spend her time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, going to antique stores and making quilts for family members. Ginny collected stamps, coins and anything Victorian. She was the beloved wife of Thomas E. Ehlers for 50 years. Loving mother of Thomas J. Ehlers of Salem, Daniel E. Ehlers and his wife Toni of Saugus, and Melissa L. Ehlers of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of Alexzandria, Christopher, Laura, Alyssa, Emily and Samantha. Caring sister of Earl McBride of Boston, Kenneth McBride and his wife Jeanne of Framingham, Patricia Galvin and her husband Brian of Belmont and Marybeth McBride of Beverly. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

William R. “Bill” Martin

William R. “Bill” Martin passed away at Lahey Hospital in Burlington on October 26, 2015. He was 69 years of age. Bill was born and raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1964. Mr. Martin was a longtime resident of Melrose and has lived in Wakefield the past 32 years. He later decided to continue his education and graduated from Springfield College in 1989.

Bill followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the police force. He started out in Wakefield and then as a police officer in Melrose for 28 years, retiring in 2001. Mr. Martin loved and was most proud of being the D.A.R.E Officer for many years in Melrose, helping numerous children in the Melrose Community. Bill loved all aspects of baseball; watching, playing, managing, coaching, and umpiring for many years. He coached many years for Melrose Babe Ruth, as well as managed the Senior Babe Ruth 16-18 year old travel team. Mr. Martin played fast pitch softball for the Hobo’s of Stoneham, the Nelson Bakery, and the CDI Melrose Mets. He also played slow pitch softball with the Melrose Elks, Melrose Police Softball Team, the Stoneham Police Softball Team and the Chelsea Police Softball Team. Bill was also an avid golfer and a 6 handicap player, he was a member of the Thompson Country Club in North Reading, Perry Hollow in NH; where he was senior club champion and also enjoyed playing at MT. Hood Golf Course in Melrose. He was a member of the Melrose Elks, the Wakefield Elks and the Knights of Columbus in Melrose.

Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife Norma to Canada, Oregon, Mexico and especially like taking trips to Florida to golf. Mr. Martin was the Beloved husband of Norma J. (Callis) Martin. Caring father of Bethany L. Martin of SC. Devoted brother of Martha J. Fantasia & her husband John of Farmington, NH and the late Warren F. Martin. Loving son of the late Joseph “Pesty” & Mary “Kishie” (Daniels) Martin. Cherished uncle of Daniel J. “DJ” Fantasia and Maryann Anderson. Cherished great uncle of Sandra, Samantha & Zachary Fantasia and Jonathan “JD” and Nathan Anderson. Loving Godfather of Derek Bowers. He will also be missed by the extended family he married into.

Kenneth S. Rivers

Rivers, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of Melrose, died at the Tidewell Hospice on Port Charlotte, Fla. on Sept. 17 at the age of 88.

Ken was born and raised in Everett and a graduate of Northeastern University. He resided in Melrose for over 30 years and served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was a Melrose Police Officer for 35 years, an Emergency Medical Technian and was involved with the State Police Training School & Criminal Justice Training Program. Ken was also member of V.F.W. Norman Prince Post, American Legion and the Moose Lodge for many years.

He was the beloved husband of 64 years to the late Elizabeth Burns-Rivers. Fiancée of Elizabeth Sheilder of Punta Gorda, Fla. Caring brother of Arthur Rivers of Malden. Dea
r friend of Pauline and Edward Davin of Fla. Gloria Ward (like a daughter to Ken) of Saugus. Uncle of David Rivers of Ariz., Chris Rivers & his wife Jane Rivers of Ala., Ruthann Rivers of Fla. and Charles Rivers, Jr., and his wife Dorothy. Brother-in-law of Nancy Weymouth of Malden, Phyllis Amato of Melrose, Earl and Claire Strange of Everett.

Joseph A. Leary

Retired Melrose Police Patrolman, Leary entered into eternal life on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose following a brief illness. He was 92 years old.

Joe was born in Somerville on April 12, 1923 a son of the late Michael J. Leary and Agnes (Vogel) Leary. He grew up in Malden where he was educated at the Cheverus School and graduated from Malden High School in 1942. He enlisted into the United States Army on June 14, 1943 and served his country faithfully and with courage during World War II. He was honorably discharged on February 14, 1946 with the rank of Tec 5. Joe was sworn in as a Melrose Police Officer on October 1, 1951 and retired on January 26, 1988 after 36 years of dedicated service in law enforcement to the City of Melrose. He enjoyed bowling, attending Saturday night dances with his beloved wife and most of all he cherished the love and quality time he was able to spend with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe was an avid Boston sports fan and loved watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Joe was the beloved husband of 69 years to the late Jewell A. (Booth) Leary who passed away on December 6, 2014. He is the devoted father of Janis Mastrorillo and her husband Roger of Melrose, Stephen Leary of Wakefield and the late Michael Leary. He is the loving Grampy to 9 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Mary Kwitkowski of Chelsea and the late Winifred Nugent, Sr. Louise Leary and Barbara Goldsmith. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.