ABOUT TOWN: Stoughton Community Pays Respects to Father of Former FinCom Chair

TOWN PAYS RESPECT TO FATHER OF FORMER FINCOM CHAIR: About Town sends sincerest condolences to former Finance Committee Chair Holly Boykin on the sudden loss of her beloved father, Joseph Isbitsky, 71 of Stoughton.

Services were held at the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Canton on Sunday, Oct, 7. The chapel was jam packed, and much of it was from her friends and associates from the Stoughton community.

Faces in the chapel crowd included selectmen Cynthia Walsh, Bob O'Regan, John Stagnone and John Anzivino; current finance committee chair Rick Hill and his wife Anita; school committee vice chairman Joyce Husseini; Stoughton Public Schools Food Service Director Ed Gilbert; and fincom member Barbara Anzivino.

Holly's sister, Julie, had advice for the crowd regarding the sudden passing of her dad: "Always make time for those you love. You never know how much time they will have with you."

Holly said she would have enjoyed coming back to Stoughton, from her new home in Ohio, to see her friends, "were it not for the circumstances of the visit." She will be returning in a couple of weeks for a birthday party.

All of Joe's children spoke, and the common theme was: he had an amazing sense of humor, enjoyed playing games, worked hard, and loved his family. Rabbi Jonathan Hausman of Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton officiated at the ceremony.  

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130 or to The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037.

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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: On Sunday, Oct. 7, Reverend Laurie Rofinot of Trinity Espiscopal Parish in Stoughton led a "A Celebration for the Blessing of the Animals" in honor of the Feast of St. Francis. Among the prayers celebrated was The Gospel - Matthew 26:25-34, which includes, "God created us and placed us on this earth to be stewards of all living things..." 

About Town was there for a service at the Sumner Street church, which drew a few dozen humans, and about a dozen pets.There were a number of dogs (including Harry the Rescue Dog) in attendance.

Folk singer Bill Staines (a guest on PMPNetwork.com) sung a great tune called "A Place in the Choir," which includes the words, "All God's critters got a place in the choir; some sing low and some sing higher;some sing out loud on the telephone wire. Or some just clap their hands or paws - or anything you've got now...The dogs and cats, they take up the middle; where the honeybee hums, and the cricket fiddles."  

Each animal, or photo of animal (and even some stuffed animals) were brought to the altar railing for a blessing.

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EAT, DRINK, AND FEED THE HUNGRY: South Shore CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) will hold a fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 4-10 p.m.  You can help support both the South Shore CROP Hunger Walk and MainSpring House in Brockton just by coming out and enjoying a great meal. You may not be able to walk – but everyone can eat!

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, bring the attached fundraiser ticket (posted in the media gallery) and enjoy dinner or order take-out from the Texas Roadhouse. When paying your check, give the wait person your ticket.

Texas Roadhouse will contribute 10-percent of your total food bill to the South Shore CROP Hunger Walk. It's that simple. You get great food and you help out a great cause. There will be a raffle to generate additional funds to fight hunger, with prizes like a Kindle!

Stoughton's own Marcia Olson is the South Shore Crop Walk Coordinator The 5th Annual Walk is Oct. 14 at 1 p.m., starting at Christ Congregational Church, 1350 Pleasant St. in Brockton. For more information on CROP Hunger Walk, visit the CWS website or www.southshorecropwalk.org.  To reach Olson, email baglole.olson@verizon.net.

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