The Memorial Wall

Lawrence M. “Larry” Laughlin of Concord, NH, beloved husband, father, grandfather and highly respected former Associated Press journalist, passed away September 30 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 75.

A native of Taunton, MA, Larry is survived by Cheryl Laughlin (also of Taunton) his wife of 51 years, a pianist, music educator, an downer/director of The Music Workshop of Concord; sons Jason of Arlington, Matthew of Washington, IA, Travis of Concord, NH and Jonathan of Rhode Island; and Matthew’s wife, Wilhelmina Grow, and their two sons Lars (Lawrence L. Laughlin) and Auggie (Augustus), Larry and Cheryl’s grandsons. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Lawrence, and his sister, Luanne.

After graduation from Providence College, Larry began his journalism career as a reporter for the Taunton (MA) Daily Gazette in 1971. He joined the Associated Press in the news services in 1976, transferred to Providence, RI, in 1978, and was the correspondent in charge of the AP office there from 1979-1982. Among the many stories he covered was the trial of Claus von Bülow, which he later described as the most interesting reporting assignment of his career.

In 1982, Larry was named the AP news editor for Virginia, and he and his family moved to Richmond. In late 1988, he was promoted to Chief of Bureau for Northern New England. Based in Concord, NH, Larry supervised AP news operations in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont for more than two decades. He was responsible for the Concord bureau’s coverage of New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primaries in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. Larry was a member of the New England AP News Executives Association and a founding director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, an organization established in partnership with Northeastern University in Boston.

Larry retired in 2009. Looking back on his decades in the news business, he took great pride in having been part of the AP’s long history of excellence, accuracy and objectivity in news coverage, and he nurtured those values in the many young journalists he mentored over the years.

Colleagues from around the AP revered him for his professionalism, unfailing calm under constant deadline pressures, wonderful writing and editing skills, kindness, and lively sense of humor.

The most important part of Larry’s life was his family. Larry also was an avid reader, former youth sports coach, church volunteer and gardener, and a lifelong fan of the Boston sports teams. He enjoyed working with wood, building a fence for the family’s yard in Concord and bookcases

for his home among many other projects. He loved the family dogs, Sisko and Brody. Sisko died in 2007; Larry had to take Sisko to the veterinarian to be put to sleep, and Larry’s son Jason recalls that afterward was one of the few times he ever saw his father cry.

“After Sisko died, Dad read that when you go to Heaven, every dog you've ever loved will be there waiting for you,” Jason recalled. “It'd be nice to think that's true, particularly now.”

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, Larry started taking boxing classes to help manage the symptoms, and enjoyed walking with Cheryl and Brody in their Concord neighborhood.

Barry R. Sheppard died on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 of complications from Parkinson's Disease.

Barry is survived by his wife Patricia, his children Harrison and Alycia, his sister Marlene, and many nieces and nephews.

Barry was born March 20, 1946, and grew up in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia as one of five children of Ruth and Herman Sheppard.

As the 2nd youngest of his siblings, Barry was a mischievous child who liked attention. He grew into an athletic and tough, but fun-loving teen. He used to declare to his children that he never started fights in high school - but he always ended 'em.

Barry played football in school and enjoyed everything but his classwork. He was around 14 when he met Ann Brilliant, introduced by Ann's lifelong friend, Ruth Farber. A year apart in age, they graduated together from Olney High School. He later told his children that the reason he was held back a year in school was so Ann could catch up to him.

After graduation, Barry joined the Army Reserves but also focused on helping with the family business, Sheppard Detective System, Inc. which Herman had founded in 1958.

Barry had started in the business as a teen, working for his father as a security guard. When he would spend nights guarding the Academy of Natural Sciences, Ann would come to visit him and his mischievous side would come out: He delighted in scaring her by popping out from the dark and shining his flashlight on the animal exhibits.

The early 1970s marked a transitional time for Barry. He married Ann in May 1970 and Herman died the next year. Barry was just 25 and suddenly found himself in charge of a small-but-growing enterprise.

Soon Ann and Barry would move to Cherry Hill. Their family would grow with the birth of their children Harrison and then, six years later, Alycia.

In the meantime, he continued to work hard to build the business, putting in long hours and continuing to add clients and employees. At its peak in the 1980s, Sheppard Detective employed several hundred security guards and had divisions that provided alarm services, K-9s, limousine services, corporate investigations and even armored truck transportation for cash and valuables.

Ann and Barry divorced in January 1983.

Barry enjoyed playing racquetball at this time and that was what brought him together with Patricia Mackin, who was working near the athletic club.

After being together for several years, they married in June 1991.

Less than a year later, Barry was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

By that time, he was comfortable taking more time away from work to enjoy life. Barry and Patti traveled often and some of their best memories were made on trips to the Jersey Shore, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Mexico.

He kept a boat on the Chesapeake Bay and many fond memories with Patti and his children were created on weekend trips.

He sold the business in 2012. Even as he slowed down due to the effects of Parkinson's, he kept a twinkle in his eye and continued to take pride in his children and enjoy life with Patti, who remained by his side caring for him as the disease progressed.

Howard William Embree 78, of Franklin passed away September 28th surrounded by his family. He passed away from Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Norwood and raised in Bellingham, he graduated from Bellingham High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bryant University. He spent many years working as and managing engineers in various fields, including aerospace and medical technology.

His fondness of his friends, brothers, and parents carried over to a family of his own. Howard was a loving husband who cared for his wife as she battled ALS and Lyme Disease, a selflessly devoted father who worked hard to give his daughters endless love and the most amazing lives, and an adoring grandad, who filled his grandchildren’s days with love, hugs, and fun. He loved his brothers and especially valued how close they were. It was an example his daughters and grandchildren witnessed daily and therefore emulate as they have become each other’s respite. He also cherished his father and mother – a love that his daughters inherited as they love their mom and dad with all their hearts.

Howard often reminisced of his younger days, passing down his stories to future generations. His face lit up the room when he talked about his childhood and teen years, his family, and his passion for music. There was always music when Howard was around, and he always had his own personal connection to most songs. This was how he shared himself with those he loved. Now, when his family hears those songs, they will forever know that he is with them, enjoying all of life’s moments and loving us through its tribulations.

Howard is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Celeste (Introini), his caring mother and father, Edna and John Embree, and his brother, John Embree, all of whom we are sure were there to greet him in heaven. He leaves behind three daughters, Jennifer (husband Aviv) Kaufmann and their three children (Kai, Emma, and Adam), Jaime (husband Brian) Chung and their four children (Mia, Madi, Millie, and Brody), and Jodie (husband Craig) Shiosaki and their three children (Colton, Carter, and Conor). He is also survived by his brother, Murray Embree and his wife, Lynda. Howard also leaves behind in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Martin David Minsker, born in Brooklyn, New York, December 18, 1942, died in Chicago, Illinois, September 28, 2024, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Marty’s greatest life accomplishments included 40 years of happiness with his beloved wife Helen Hill Minsker, and his two children, Ethan Minsker and Natasha Minsker. He is also survived by his granddaughter, siblings, extended family and many dear friends. Marty and his family also greatly appreciated his team of devoted caregivers and extensive medical team who helped him vigorously fight Parkinson’s Disease. 

Dr. Soram Singh Khalsa, a pioneer in integrative medicine, passed away surrounded by love and grace on September 28, 2024. Known by so many as "Dr. Soram," over his nearly 50-year medical career, he treated and healed tens of thousands of people from his Khalsa Medical Clinic in Beverly Hills. He was 76 years old and had contracted pneumonia, following several years of a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Dr Soram began his practice in Los Angeles in 1977 and was one of the first medical practitioners in southern California to weave together Western clinical approaches with holistic and natural interventions like acupuncture, herbal remedies and homeopathy. Over time, the Khalsa Medical Clinic grew to become Beverly Hills' preeminent destination for integrative care, both because of the effectiveness of his treatments as well as his personal attention as a doctor. He was dedicated to his patient's well-being and had a way of making each patient feel important, cared for and heard. He was always most happy when he had a full day of patients, energetically racing around his office, sometimes seeing more than 25 people per day. He was cheerfully seeing patients in his office just days before his passing, doing the thing that he loved best. As an intelligent, curious and driven child, Soram knew from the time he was five years old he wanted to be a doctor. He graduated from Yale University in 1970 and then went on to medical school at Case Western Reserve University in his native Ohio. Dr Soram married Caroline (Kulwant) in 1971 they shared a life of dedication and service to their community. He was a devout yogi and a man of great faith, adopting the Sikh religion in his early 20s. His daily meditation practice was the cornerstone of his work as a healer. Dr. Soram's commitment to leadership and service shone through in his work with the American Holistic Medical Association and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. In 2007, he was chosen by his peers as one of the "Best Doctors in America" and in 2009 he authored the book, "The Vitamin D Revolution.
 Dr. Soram accepted an honorary Doctor of Naturopathic Sciences degree from Sonoran University of Health Science in Arizona where he and Caroline endowed a new medical library. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Soram shared the heart of his work with new graduates: "Really caring about your patients makes all the difference in the quality of the work we do. Being genuinely concerned for their well-being, their humanity, their lives, their hopes and dreams… this is a rarity in today's fast-paced world of medicine." For many years as an Assistant Professor at UCLA Medical School he taught a course called "Doctoring" to train future doctors how to establish rapport with their patients and how to interact one on one in the most effective and caring way. Dr Soram's love and dedication to his patients was unwavering and so many credit him with comforting them through illness and life-changing healing. Dr. Soram loved his work – and his patients – dearly, many of whom remained in his earnest care for decades. His unique blend of keen intellect, curiosity, confidence and openness also made him a favorite with his many professional colleagues. We are so grateful that he was able to shine his light of service until the very end of his earthly days. May his life and legacy be an example of what one person can do in the service of others. Dr Soram is survived by his wife of 53 years, Caroline (Kulwant) Khalsa and their daughter Siri Trang Khalsa, as well as all those who were touched by his light. 

Clive Everton, the legendary commentator who was widely regarded as the ‘voice of snooker’, has died at the age of 87.

Having first commentated for the BBC at the 1978 World Championship, on just 20 minutes notice, he was a mainstay on their snooker coverage for more than 30 years and – following the retirement of lead commentators Jack Karnehm and Ted Lowe in the mid 1990s – Everton became the voice of the sport.

His commentary soundtracked Stephen Hendry’s dominance of the decade and the rise of all-time greats such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams as the 90s turned into the 2000s.

Although the BBC moved on to a combination of younger broadcasters and well-known former players in the commentary box at the start of the 2010s, much to Everton’s dismay, he continued to commentate on snooker for Sky Sports and later ITV, until the Covid pandemic hit in 2020 and his Parkinson’s disease meant he was unable to travel to tournaments.

He was also editor of snooker magazine Snooker Scene for more than 50 years, a journalist for newspapers such as The Guardian and The Independent on Sunday and a contributor on BBC Radio Five Live as he became synonymous with the sport.

He was inducted into snooker’s Hall of Fame in 2017 and was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport two years later. In 2022, the trophy for the British Open – which is being played in Cheltenham this week – was named in his honour.

Current ITV and Eurosport commentator David Hendon announced Everton’s death on social media, writing: “I have some very sad news. Clive Everton has passed away at the age of 87. A giant of broadcasting and journalism. A much valued colleague and friend. We all owe him so much. The Voice of Snooker is silent now but will forever be remembered by the sport he loved.”

Snooker’s governing body WST tweeted: “Clive Everton, one of snooker’s greatest ever commentators and voice of the sport, has died at the age of 87. Everton devoted his life to snooker and covered the some of the sport’s most historic moments as a broadcaster and journalist.”

Everton’s snooker commentary style was generally understated as he effectively used silence and put a premium on the words he chose but he still came up with a number of memorable lines during his decades-long career in the sport.

When Hendry claimed his record seventh world title in 1999, Everton remarked: “Ray Reardon six times world champion in the 70s, Steve Davis six times in the 80s, but it’s a magnificent seven times for Stephen Hendry in the 90s.”

When qualifier Shaun Murphy completed his stunning run to the 2005 World Championship title, Everton simply said: “Amazing, astonishing, astounding.”

He had initially found relative success as an amateur snooker and billiards player, winning junior national billiards title and then turning professional in snooker in 1981 – achieving a highest ranking of 47th in the world before fully focusing on journalism and commentary from 1991.

Everton also wrote more than 20 books about cue sports and played county-level tennis for Worcestershire.

Thomas Rhodes Rockwell, 91, a resident of LaGrangeville, NY since 1955, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side at Regional Hospice in Danbury, CT on September 27, 2024.

Thomas Rhodes Rockwell was the beloved children's book author of "How To Eat Fried Worms" and many other children's books. He was born in New Rochelle, NY on March 13, 1933 to school teacher, Mary Barstow Rockwell, and illustrator, Norman Rockwell. The family moved to West Arlington, VT in 1939, this ushered in the golden period in the family's life; a childhood of swimming in the famed Battenkill River under the covered bridge, playing ball on the village green and helping out at the dairy farm next door. Tom excelled at school, first at Oakwood School in New York and then at Arlington Memorial High School in Vermont, where he graduated as Valedictorian. He moved on briefly to Princeton, finally settling at Bard College where he met radiant artist, Gail Sudler, whom he married in 1955. The couple made their home in LaGrange, NY.

Gail illustrated a number of her husband's first children's books. Tom's "How to Eat Fried Worms" met with great success; he was awarded the Mark Twain Award in the 1970's. Many years later, a film of the book was made. For almost 40 years Tom was the manager of the Norman Rockwell Family Agency. He was also the co-writer of his father's autobiography, "My Adventures as an Illustrator".

Tom was a dogged advocate for his father and with his daughter, Abigail, fought determinedly against a fraudulent 2013 biography of Norman Rockwell. He was a great lover of Shakespeare, Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, a dedicated poet, and the kind of man who always returned wrong change. He worked at his typewriter every day of his life.

He leaves behind his son, Barnaby and daughter, Abigail; daughter-in-law, Melanie and granddaughter, Emily; his older brother, Jarvis, as well as one devoted cat, Pippa, who very much loved "The Grandfather". In addition to his parents, Thomas was predeceased by his wife in 2010; and his younger brother, Peter.

Martin Joseph Foy, 81, loving husband, father, brother and grandfather died peacefully on September 25th, 2024, at Georgian Bay Seniors Lodge in Penetanguishene, Ontario.  He took his last breath in the presence of his son, Darryl Foy, and daughter, Melissa Ambrose.  Martin Foy died after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda Kelvin Foy, and his parents, Joseph and Catherine.  Marty is survived by his younger brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Anne Foy; his son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and Andrea Foy; his daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Jason Ambrose; and his two grandchildren, Russell and Arlynn Ambrose. 

Marty was born on June 3rd, 1943, in Toronto, Ontario.  Marty, forever known as a ‘troublemaker’ in the best sense, had boundless amounts of energy that he channelled into a lifelong passion of playing competitive sports, especially football and golf. Marty prided himself on a successful career in sales and eventually ownership of a battery redistribution company.  

Marty’s life forever changed, in the early 1960s, when he met the love of his life, Linda, at the Etobicoke Collegiate Institute.  Marty and Linda’s love spanned decades wherein their relationship was defined by friendship, laughter, companionship and trust.  Marty and Linda raised a small family in Lorne Park, Ontario, and resided in Collingwood, Ontario, during their retirement years.  It is easy to say that there was no Marty without a Linda in his life. Marty received the most joy out of the simple things in life like playing a round of golf, going for walks, reading the newspaper, laughing with friends and spending time with family.   

We love and miss you, Dad.  Your sense of humour, vibrancy, generosity and love for family will be forever etched in our memory and hearts.  

Donald (Philip Neri) Bramble, OP, a Dominican friar of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, died on September 23, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA from complications of Parkinson's Disease, from which he suffered for 18 years.
Fr. Donald was born February 4, 1950 in Quebec, Canada, and placed in an orphanage. His adoption by Francis Glenn Bramble and Marian Frances Grimes was finalized on March 23, 1954, and the family soon moved to Los Angeles. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1961. Fr. Donald graduated from Transfiguration Elementary School in 1964 and in 1968, graduated from Daniel Murphy High School in Los Angeles where he became acquainted with the Dominic Order. After studying at California State College 1968-1970, Fr. Donald entered the Dominican Order in October of 1970. He earned a BA in philosophy and a Master of Divinity in 1973 from the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. Fr. Donald was ordained June 4, 1976, by Most Rev. Floyd Begin in Oakland. He then completed his MA in Moral Theology in 1978.
Fr. Bramble showed great zeal for study, completing a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), and was hoping to study for a Ph.D. However, he was needed to assist in parish ministry, so Donald obediently followed the wish of the province leadership and humbly put his own desires aside to meet the needs of the province and local church.
Fr. Bramble then began many years of campus ministry at All Saints Catholic Newman Center in Tempe, AZ, St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center in Salt Lake City, UT, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and St. Thomas More Newman Center in Tucson, AZ. He also served in parochial ministry at Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, CA, but was most proud of his ministry at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, AK. He served there in 1978, and then returned in 2002 as Rector and later became Vicar General of the archdiocese. He was instrumental in planning the historic visit of St. Pope John Paul II to Anchorage which included a Mass in the Cathedral and an outdoor Papal Mass which was the largest single gathering ever of people in the state.
He was preceded in death by his parents and twin sisters, Sr. Joanna Bramble and Jeanne Pieper. He is survived by his nieces, Joanna Vose and Cathy McCutcheon, and nephews, Jeff Pieper and Chris Pieper.

Jazz great Benny Golson, a tenor saxophonist and composer of standards such as “Killer Joe” and “Along Came Betty,” has died. He was 95.

Golson died Saturday at his home in Manhattan after a short illness, said Golson’s longtime agent, Jason Franklin.

Over his seven-decade musical career, Golson worked with some of the biggest luminaries in jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and John Coltrane. He built much of his reputation not as a performer but from his compositions, which also included “I Remember Clifford,” written in 1956 after trumpeter Clifford Brown, a friend, died in a car crash at age 25.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Golson began learning the piano at age 9 and switched to the saxophone at age 14. He was still in high school when he started performing with other local musicians, including Coltrane, a childhood friend.

Golson began writing and arranging music while attending Howard University.

After stints in Gillespie’s big band and in drummer Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Golson co-founded The Jazztet in 1959 with flugelhorn master Art Farmer.

The Jazztet disbanded in 1962, and Golson moved on to writing music for movies and for television shows such as “Mannix,” “M-A-S-H” and “Mission: Impossible.” He also arranged music for performers including Peggy Lee, Lou Rawls and Dusty Springfield.

After a hiatus of more than a dozen years, Golson resumed playing the saxophone in the mid-1970s and launched a new version of the Jazztet with Farmer in 1982. He continued performing and writing music into his 90s.

He published “Whisper Not: The Autobiography of Benny Golson” in 2016.

Franklin, who worked with Golson for 25 years, said Golson stopped performing when COVID-19 shut down music venues in 2020 but continued working on projects, such as giving interviews for a forthcoming documentary, “Benny Golson: Looking Beyond The Horizon.”

Franklin said Golson saw a rough cut of the film a few weeks ago and loved it. “He was so happy he got to see it,” he said.

Golson released dozens of albums as a solo artist and as a member of various ensembles.

He appeared as himself in the 2004 Steven Spielberg movie “The Terminal,” in which the main character, played by Tom Hanks, travels to New York from a fictional Eastern European country to obtain Golson’s autograph, which he needs to complete a collection of signatures of all of the 58 jazz musicians who assembled for the famous 1958 group photo “A Great Day in Harlem.”

Actor and musician Steve Martin recalled the film scene in a post on X on Sunday and said, “Thanks for all of the great music.”

With Golson’s death, Sonny Rollins is the last living subject of the photo who was an adult when it was taken.

Golson’s survivors include his wife, Bobbie Golson, daughter Brielle Golson and several grandchildren. Three sons preceded him in death.