obits

Marion Meenan

Marion Morey Meenan, 80, a Lincoln resident since 1968, passed away at Care Dimensions Hospice House on October 9, 2023. She was the wife of the late Robert L. Sutherland.

She was born in Washington, D.C., on January 25, 1943 as the daughter of the late Joseph H. Morey, Jr. and Marion (Leeson) Morey. After growing up in Buffalo, N.Y. and graduating from Brown University in 1964, Marion held several jobs in publishing in New York and Boston.

As she raised her two daughters, Marion became a devoted volunteer for several local organizations and activities while working on a part-time basis for Brandeis University. She later returned to school, earning an MBA at Babson College in Wellesley. Subsequently, she held several management positions at XRE Corp. in Littleton before becoming Vice President of Engineering. 

Her retirement years were joyfully spent sharing life’s adventures with those she loved most. Special bonds were formed with each arriving grandchild over the years. She was an extremely loyal and devoted fan, attending every hockey game, horse show and extracurricular event involving any grandchild. She enjoyed attending theater and ballet performances, visiting museums, traveling, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, and walking. Marion became a proud resident of the vibrant and loving community at The Commons in the final years of her life. Among the many qualities that endeared Marion to many, she will be profoundly missed for her positive influence, supportive nature, love for learning and zest for life. 

She is survived by two daughters, Susan Barron and her husband Dev, and Loraine Cook and her husband Steve, all of Concord; and five grandchildren: Thomas Barron, Annie Barron, Charlie Cook, Peter Cook, and Ben Cook. She was the sister of Susan Morey Harries and the late Loraine Morey Rust. 

A private burial service will be held at the Lincoln Cemetery on November 24, 2023, which marks the 31st wedding anniversary of Marion and Bob. A private reception will follow.  

Marion valued education, “expeditions,” and equal rights. In lieu of flowers, please honor Marion’s spirit by enjoying an adventure or fun activity, signing up for that class you’ve always wanted to take, and of course, making sure to register to vote.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a memory or to offer a condolence in Marion’s online guestbook, click here.

Mitch Eckel

George Mitchell Eckel III, widely known to friends and family as Mitch, died in Lincoln on July 23 of complications caused by lymphoma. He was 83.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, and graduate of Harvard Law School, Mitch was a devoted longtime resident of Concord. He and his wife Susan lived for four decades in Concord, where he served on town boards and was an active volunteer for the Trinitarian Congregational Church, Boy Scout Troop 132, and other civic organizations.

Mitch was born on July 14, 1940 in Hot Springs, Ark., to George Mitchell Eckel, Jr., and Margaret Grace Anna Everhart. He lived his earliest years in Hot Springs along with his parents and his younger sister, Charlotte Ann. He and his family later moved to North Little Rock, Ark., where he attended North Little Rock High School and played football and other sports. In 1953, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 29, becoming one of the youngest Eagle Scouts in Arkansas history. 

After graduation from high school in 1958, Mitch enrolled in the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. His class was the first full Air Force Academy class to spend its entire four years at the Colorado Springs campus, and they were later immortalized as the “Red Tag Bastards,” a designation its alumni carried with pride. He received a copy of his diploma from then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

Mitch underwent pilot training, learning to fly C-130 cargo planes and B-47 bombers in Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C., and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan. He was married to Susan Heywood Hall of Riverside, Conn. on August 28, 1965. Mitch flew C-130s in South and North Vietnam, and he was honorably discharged in July 1969. 

In September 1970, he enrolled at Harvard Law School the first Air Force Academy graduate to enroll there. He graduated in 1973 with a J.D. degree and earned a master’s degree in taxation law from Boston University in 1974. He worked for law firms in Manchester, N.H. and Boston, including as a partner at Grabill & Ley, before setting out to establish an independent practice that later became Eckel, Hoag & O’Connor in Acton.

For many years, Mitch and Susan and their three sons, George Mitchell Eckel IV (Mike), Richard Hall and Peter Heywood, lived in Concord, where Mitch was an active member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church, serving many years as church treasurer. He was also a dedicated Troop Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 132, where his sons were Boy Scouts. Mitch retired from his law practice in 2018, and he and Susan moved to Lincoln.

Mitch is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susan; three sons, Mike (Jenn), of Prague, Czech Republic; Richard (Marcy), of Stow, Mass.; and Peter (Isabelle) of West Roxbury, Mass.; and their families, including eight grandchildren: Lily, Sydney, Scarlett, Daphne, Henry, Louise, Charles, and Grace; along with his sister Charlotte Ann (Eckel) Edwards of Nashville, Tenn., and her family.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Mitch for his memorial service on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. in the Trinitarian Congregational Church at 54 Walden St. in Concord. Concord’s town flag will fly at half-staff to honor Mitch’s faithful service in the U.S. Air Force.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Trinitarian Congregational Church or the Air Force Academy Foundation of the Association of Graduates,
3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840 or www.USAFA.org/give.

Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, which provided this obituary. To share a memory or offer a condolence, click here.

Elaine Algeo

Elaine Therese (Costello) Algeo, 93, formerly of Lincoln and Stow, passed away in peace and comfort on  July 22, 2023, at her home in West Concord.

Elaine was born on September 10, 1929 at her grandmother’s house in Jamaica Plain to William Henry Costello and Ellen E. (Gill) Costello of Lincoln. She enjoyed growing up near the top of the Town Hill, where the library or Sandy Pond were a short walk away. Elaine attended Lincoln Public Schools and graduated from Concord High School in 1947. She married Leo J. Algeo in 1952, raising her family of five in Lincoln before retiring to Stow in 1989. Elaine lived her last few years at Concord Park in West Concord.

As a teenager, Elaine waited tables at the Hartwell Farm. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Co. at their office in Lincoln Center (1947-1958) and for MIT Lincoln Laboratory (~1976-1990). Elaine was an active member of St. Joseph Church in Lincoln, where she was married and her five children were christened. Elaine was also a member of a local women’s group, “The Agitators,” whose charitable works were many. During her time in Stow, she was a regular presence at the Council on Aging, attending weekly art classes and making many friends.

Elaine loved to read and cook for her family (or anyone else who came through the door.) She enjoyed knitting and quilting and was an avid painter who left behind many works that will be treasured by her family and friends into the future. More important to her, she inspired several grandchildren in these crafts.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents; her brothers Edward and John; her husband of 57 years, Leo J. Algeo; and her daughter Mary E. Algeo. Elaine leaves behind her daughter Elizabeth A. Lucas of Seattle; sons Leo J. Algeo, Jr., of Raymond, Maine, Timothy P. Algeo and his wife Vicky of Rindge, N.H., and Kevin P. Algeo of Strafford, Mo.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 4–7 p.m. at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord. Those who wish may gather again at Dee Funeral Home on Thursday, Aug. 3 at noon, followed by a procession to St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln, where Elaine’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making tax-deductible contributions in Elaine’s memory to the Stow Council on Aging (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization), payable to: SFCOA, P.O. Box 97, Stow, MA 01775. Please note “In memory of Elaine Algeo” in memo on checks.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Elaine’s online guestbook, please click here.

Dan Boynton

Daniel Chase Boynton, 89, a visionary leader, compassionate advocate, and founder of Bay Cove Human Services, passed away on July 17 due to complications from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Dan’s entrepreneurial spirit, impact on the community, and pioneering work in the field of mental health services for underserved populations will long be remembered.

Born on July 2, 1934 in Providence, R.I., Dan’s path was not predetermined; rather, it found him along the way. While his passion for audio technology led him to establish Audio Lab and become a pioneer in the home stereo business, it was his empathy, compassion, and deep-rooted belief that “there are no throwaway people” that ultimately guided him toward a greater purpose.

After selling Audio Lab in 1973, Dan spent two years as owner and publisher of the Provincetown Advocate, where he transformed the newspaper’s mission by giving voice to the LGBTQ community and the emerging feminist movement. He recognized Provincetown as a haven for the LGBTQ community during a crucial time when gay rights uprisings were sweeping across the nation.

In 1975, Dan’s life took a defining turn. Having survived his own childhood trauma and recognizing the unmet needs of individuals facing post-traumatic, mental health and substance abuse, Dan founded Bay Cove Human Services, a nonprofit organization committed to providing comprehensive support and resources to those most in need. Dan’s tireless efforts to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and promote inclusivity propelled the organization from a single program in Dorchester to dozens of programs serving thousands across the greater Boston area.

Dan and his wife Janet have been members of the Lincoln community since 1976. He was an active and committed member of the First Parish in Lincoln, where he served as chair of the Parish Committee and co-chair of the Social Concerns Committee. He was also a founding member of FPL’s community garden, providing fresh produce for local food programs.

Dan’s work at Bay Cove inspired Tucker Smith, a fellow parishioner at FPL, to establish “Fifty Families,” a heartwarming initiative that gathers hundreds of Christmas gifts each year for underserved children in Bay Cove’s Early Intervention program.

Dan is survived by his loving wife Janet and their children Carol, Wendy, Peter, and David; his twin brother Dick, and older brother Hal. He was also the proud grandfather of Rowan, Greg, Will, John, Lindsey, and Sage. His family was a constant source of love and support throughout his life and shares his passion for making a positive impact on the world.

A memorial service to honor Dan Boynton’s life and achievements will be held at First Parish in September. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CurePSP (psp.org) or Bay Cove Human Services (www.baycovehumanservices.org). Dan donated his brain tissue to Mayo Clinic’s CurePSP research, ensuring that his legacy of helping others would extend beyond his lifetime.

John A. Pike

John A. Pike of Lincoln passed away on July 19, 2023 at the age of 92. The cause of death was complications from Parkinson’s disease.

A graduate of Williams College and Harvard Law School, John chose to devote many years of service to Belmont Hill School, which held a special place in his heart from the days when he attended with Dixon, his younger brother, great friend, and hockey teammate.

Following his retirement from Ropes & Gray after 36 years as a corporate and real estate lawyer, he worked with the Conservation Law Foundation on issues of the environment and public interest until his health prevented him from continuing with his work.

An avid hockey fan, particularly of the Boston Bruins, and a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, he exemplified dignity, integrity, and fortitude, and, while gracious and respectful, he was a man who did not shrink from whatever responsibilities and challenges life presented. John was comfortable in the corporate world but happiest when he was splitting wood and driving his tractor on some project around his family property in Randolph, Vt., or enjoying fun and games with his family, particularly his grandchildren.

He reluctantly leaves behind his beloved wife and constant companion of 65 years, Polly, his five children, his 10 grandchildren, and many friends and admirers, all of whom will cherish memories of his calm demeanor, sage advice, dry sense of humor, possibly his mischievous side, and definitely his hands, which were warm and strong to the end.

A private service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in John’s online guestbook, please click here.

Evelyn Harris

Evelyn Harris

Evelyn B. Harris of Old Sudbury Road passed away on July 10, 2023 at the age of 94. Evelyn had resided in Lincoln since 1963 and was known to many Lincoln residents as a pianist, piano teacher, bee-keeper, and nature lover. Interment will be private, with a memorial celebration to be announced later this year. Evelyn is survived by her son David Harris and his wife Amy, both Lincoln residents; her son Glenn Harris and his wife Vicky of Vienna, Va.; and four grandchildren.

Milton Davis

There will be a celebration of the life of Milton Davis, who died on June 11, 2023 at age 86, on Sunday, July 16 from 3–5 p.m. at The Commons in Lincoln. Click here to read his obituary on legacy.com.

E. Laurie Tolman

Dr. E. Laurie Tolman passed away on June 24 at the age of 88. Click here to read his obituary on legacy.com.

The Lincoln Squirrel publishes complete obituaries and photos that are provided by funeral homes for a fee. Others are located on legacy.com or provided directly by families.

Homer Eckhardt

Homer David Eckhardt, 98, of Lincoln died peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2023. He was the loving husband for 54 years of Beverly Hillmann Eckhardt, with whom he had recently moved to the Residence at Paine Estate in Wayland.

Homer was born in Rochester, N.Y., and attended public schools. A lifelong engineer by profession as well as by temperament, he entered the Class of 1945 at the MIT but interrupted his studies to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He completed his Bachelor of Science at MIT, where he was also awarded a Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics in 1948. He continued his work for two years at the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory.

After work opportunities took him to Minneapolis, Minn., and Binghamton, N.Y., Homer returned to Massachusetts, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was a founding member of Brown’s Wood in Lincoln, where he moved with his late first wife, Mary Grinnell, and their first two daughters into a beautiful modern house surrounded by trees. He maintained an active interest in his neighborhood association, town affairs, and the public school system.

During his long career, Homer applied his expertise to a range of engineering challenges. For nearly three decades he worked in aeronautical systems controls at RCA Aerospace Systems Division in Burlington. Then, at Rockwell Industries in Hopedale, he designed improvements to increase the speed and reduce the noise of textile manufacturing equipment. At this time he became active in the Acoustical Society of America. His final full-time job at Polaroid was followed by a period of consulting.

Homer was a lifelong learner who enthusiastically shared his knowledge and constructive ways of thinking with colleagues, family and friends alike. During his years as a consultant, he was delighted to also serve as adjunct professor in mechanical engineering at Tufts University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His textbook Kinematic Design of Machines and Mechanisms was published in 1998 to lead his students and other engineers into a deeper understanding of the design of mechanical systems.

Homer supported the arts and loved to design and build things in his basement shop. Furniture and clocks he made could be found throughout his home. He also enjoyed constructing models to demonstrate mathematical and mechanical concepts he was exploring and teaching.

Beginning with hiking and skiing adventures in college, outdoor sports were an activity Homer enjoyed, introducing to his children and sharing with friends and family throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed long-distance bicycling, including riding with the Northeast Bicycle Club in the 1980s. Well into his nineties, he was fondly known by his neighbors for his daily walks up and down the hilly roads of his neighborhood.

Homer was brother to the late Joan E. Cody. He is survived by his wife, Beverly H. Eckhardt; his daughters Margaretha M. Eckhardt of Waltham, Juliana E. Huljack of Stockton, N.J., and Anneliese M.E. Pugh of Alna, Maine; his sons Jason C. Eckhardt of New Bedford, Mass., and Kris G. Eckhardt of Westbrook, Maine; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held for the immediate family at Lincoln Cemetery. At a later date, the family will announce a memorial service to which all are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations in Homer Eckhardt’s memory may be made to one of the following:

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a memory or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, please click here.