Franklin Police Chief Lynch says thanks to the Franklin community for "your patience, understanding and support "

For the past two days the Town of Franklin has hosted the funeral services for Stephen A. LaPorta, an Uxbridge Police Officer who passed away tragically on January 7, 2026 while responding to multiple motor vehicle crashes on Route 146.  Thousands of mourners were expected to attend the services throughout the two days and as you can imagine, the planning for the services for a police officer killed in the line of duty is an extraordinary undertaken. 

Franklin Police Chief Lynch says thanks to the Franklin community for "your patience, understanding and support "

The Franklin Police Department was honored to assist in providing a safe and organized venue so the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community, friends, and law enforcement officers from throughout the country could pay their respects to a public safety hero who gave his life in service to others. 

This extraordinary undertaking would not have been possible without the support, understanding and flexibility of the entire Franklin community.  A long list of organizations, agencies and town departments were requested and graciously agreed to provide direct support or alter their operations and schedules to assist in this endeavor. The members of these various entities had to adjust to changed schedules or cancellations.  The entire community was affected by the road closures, detours and increased traffic.

On behalf of the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community and the Franklin Police Department; I want to thank the Town of Franklin for your patience, understanding and support over these last two days. 

Thank You!

Thomas J. Lynch

Chief of Police

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HYexa5Gxa/

Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common area on Wednesday & Thursday

Be aware:

"Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen A. LaPorta will be laid to rest Thursday after he was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer while assisting a driver at the site of a crash last week, officials said.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary Parish in Franklin followed by a private burial, State Police said in a statement. A wake is scheduled for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. also at St. Mary Parish, according to State Police."

What does this means for Franklin?

• 

  Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common
  area on Wednesday & Thursday

  Franklin Public Schools have early dismissal on Wednesday

• Franklin Senior Center closes at noon on Wednesday, AND all day Thursday.

• Traffic will be stopped from using the Town Common area in front of St Mary's Church

Continue the Globe article -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/11/metro/uxbridge-police-officer-funeral/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Joe Landry schedules presentation on "Funeral Homes in Franklin" - Oct 4 at 1 PM

Via Joe Landry:

"Hi there!!!  

My next presentation is Wednesday, October 4 at 1:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center.  

I hope you can make it!!!!!!"

Joe Landry schedules presentation on "Funeral Homes in Franklin" - Oct 4 at 1 PM

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/506785703069434/permalink/1853448518403139/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Being Good Stewards To The End - Workshop - Aug 12 at 9 AM

You are invited to this free workshop to learn about health, financial, legal, and funeral planning. Speakers will be Daniela Masters of Aging Well Advocates, Jay M. Elias, Esq., General Counsel for DYER-LAKE Funeral Home, and others.

Saturday, August 12th 9 AM - 11 AM. 

RSVP to (508) 695-5471 or Priest@GraceChurchNA.org Grace Episcopal Church

104 N Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA

Grace Episcopal Church (pictured to right in photo)

Andrew M Bissanti, 64

"Andrew Mario Bissanti, 64, of Franklin died peacefully January 7 at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Christina M. (Lombardi) Bissanti.

Arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com)."

Shared from the Franklin Observer -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/59450/andrew-mario-bissanti-64

former Town Councilor Andy Bissanti at an EDC meeting in Feb 2021

In the News: funeral masses suspended by Archdiocese of Boston; some stores close, others remain open

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Funeral Masses and other forms of church funeral services will be suspended starting on Monday, the Archdiocese of Boston announced on its website Thursday.

The archdiocese’s Office of Risk Management recommends that “the bereaved be offered the opportunity for a graveside committal service during this time and a memorial Mass when we are able again to offer the celebration of Mass and religious services at our parishes and churches.”

This is the latest in a series of steps local Roman Catholic officials have taken in an effort to to halt the spread of the coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200320/boston-archdiocese-to-halt-funerals-starting-monday-because-of-coronavirus

"As normal everyday life grinds to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic, some of the nation’s biggest retailers have temporarily closed thousands of stores to help stem the spread of the virus.

Simon Property Group, the largest owner of shopping malls in the nation, closed all of its properties on Wednesday. Westfield and Taubman malls followed with U.S. closures on Thursday.

Not everyone is deserting their posts. Grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies are keeping their doors open to help people stay stocked with essentials, though many are shortening store hours to clean and restock. Walmart, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer, shortened hours beginning Thursday, for the second time in less than a week.

Those stores are joined by office supply and home improvement chains which say they, too, provide essentials. Among the justifications: they provide products people – including first responders – need in a natural disaster. Others say they sell supplies that people need to work and school their children from home."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200320/coronavirus-has-led-many-stores-to-close-why-gamestop-bed-bath-amp-beyond-lowes-cvs-others-are-still-open

Mary Saville Bennett, Franklin's oldest passes at 109

Via Town Councilor Debbie Pellegri, we share the news:

"Mary Saville Bennett was born May 4, 1910 in Upper Greenville, Nova Scotia Canada and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in Milford Massachusetts.

Mary “Saville” (Mitchell) Bennett was the sixth child of twelve, born to Elias Timothy and Annie (Clements) Mitchell in Upper Granville, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 4, 1910. Saville was reared in a Christian centered household and accepted Christ at an early age. She was educated in the school system of Upper Granville. While visiting her sister Beatrice and brother in law Tom Smith of Boston, MA, she met her soulmate, John Augustus Bennett (“Buster”) and they were united in matrimony from December, 1929 until his death in 1986. From that union, 3 children were born, John Jr., Barbara and Francis.

Saville became a citizen of the United States in 1942 and after her children were in high school, Saville went to work as an elevator operator for Filene’s department store. After attending Roxbury Community College and completing her high school education, Saville went to work for the state of Massachusetts and worked as a clerk in the Welfare Department until her retirement. In 1961, Saville and Buster moved to Franklin along with son Francis, his wife Shirley and granddaughter Barbara and became members of Franklin Federated Church.

In her retirement years, Saville enjoyed visiting with family, playing scrabble, word puzzles, crocheting, walking, and traveling the world. The last 6 years, Saville lived at Milford Center and entertained family and friends and kept busy playing bingo and doing her word search puzzles. Saville attributed her longevity to walking daily, giving up smoking over 50 years ago and never getting sick."

Continue reading Mary's obituary
https://www.franklinfuneral.com/#prettyPhoto[iframes]/2/


Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service Friday Dec. 6th, in the Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main St. at 10AM. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Boston.

Calling hours are Thursday Dec. 5th, in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St., from 4-7PM

• In 2013, Mary received recognition as the oldest citizen of Franklin. She was 103 at the time.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/live-reporting-town-council-oct-2-2013.html

• Milford Daily News article on the Boston Post cane recognition in 2013

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868848398/Franklins-Saville-Bennett-103-presented-with-Boston-Post-Cane?rssfeed=true

Saville M. Bennett, Town Council Chair Robert Vallee, Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri (Franklin Matters photo 2013)

Kaitlyn B. Schlegel

A classmate of my daughters, Kaitlyn's funeral will be held Friday, Jan 18 with viewing hours at the Ginley Funeral Home on Thursday.

Arrangement details are still not complete at this time. You can visit the Ginley Funeral Home webpage for updates:  http://www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com/Obituaries.html