Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 Saugus seniors knit for troops, homeless, and premature babies By Tara Vocino S eniors are putting their free time to good use by knitting items to send to troops, the homeless and premature babies in the neonatal intensive care units. Senior citizens are meeting outside of the Saugus Senior Center, socially distant, from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays (weather-permitting) to knit hundreds of hats, gaiters, booties and Afghans. Knitting Club leader retired Registered Nurse Ruth Cameron, of Wakefield, said there have been 25 regulars who organized the effort after the terrorist attack on 9/11 to go toward veterans at local hospitals, the homeless and troops overseas to Iraq, according to Wilmington Veterans’ Services Director Michael Frotten. “We sent 18 boxes last week to deployed soldiers,” Frotten said Wednesday. The purpose is twofold – the numbers of volunteer hours affects federal money that the senior center receives, and it gives the seniors a higher purpose in life. Knitter Debra Dion Faust, of Saugus, who knits afghans for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, said it gives her something to do while sitting at home. “It’s On Tuesday, Debra Dion Faust, Eleanor Bourque, Janet Pothier, Lorraine Martel, Ruth Cameron, Arlene Decareau, and Judith Maxwell knitted their way through the COVID-19 pandemic. been a blessing,” Faust said. “I like to give back without being conspicuous. —Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@ gmail.com. OBITUARIES John D. O’Brien, Jr. John's idea of a fun night Lorraine Martel, of Saugus, knitted a man’s hat at the Saugus Senior Center on Tuesday afternoon. Arlene Decareau, of Saugus, winds up a ball of yarn to make a red hat with white stripes for the military. Age 59, passed away at home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, October 18, 2020, after a 7-month courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. John was the beloved husband of Jeanmarie (Sweeney) O'Brien, with whom he shared 26 years of marriage and 34 years of friendship. Born July 20, 1961, in EvEleanor Bourque, of Saugus, knits a beige and brown slipper for servicemen and women. Knitting Club leader Ruth Cameron knits an ombre gaiter. Judith Maxwell knits a multicolor prayer shawl for the warmth tree at John’s Episcopal Church, which helps the homeless living at Town Line Inn Motel in Malden. Janet Pothier knits a two-tone blue hat for the homeless in Malden. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) erett and a lifelong resident of Saugus, John was the loyal and cherished son of John D. and Anna (O'Leary) O'Brien of Saugus. He attended Saugus High and played on the Saugus High Varsity Basketball team. John continued his love for basketball by coaching all three of his children on the Our Lady of the Assumption, Varsity teams. John's mild manner coaching style reached so many athletes to work to their full potential, especially his children. There was never a day you didn't see John participating in some way at all his children's sporting activities or his own Sunday morning basketball pick-up games. was playing scrabble, cooking for friends and family with a sporting game, Bruce Springsteen or Southside Johnny as background noise. His family, friends, faith, and business were most important for John. He was a devoted catholic and a proud, successful business owner of O'Brien & McKenney Contracting LLC, with his longtime friend and business partner Scott McKenny. He was the devoted father of Joseph, John "Jack", and Hannah O'Brien all of Saugus; dear brother of Denise O'Brien, Daniel O'Brien and his wife Pamela Casey O’Brien all of Saugus, Kevin O'Brien and his wife Lauren of North Reading. John was also an extraordinary son in law to Jean and the late Joseph Sweeney of South Boston and brother-in-law of Susan Lee and her husband Tony of Ontario, CA, Joseph Sweeney of South Boston, Kelley Hannon and her husband Michael of Hingham. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including; Dan, Owen, Miles, Mathew, Alexandra, Youssef, Philip, James, Michael and Daniel, many aunts, uncles, and many, many most genuine and loyal friends. All will sorely miss him. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation at glioblastomafoundation.org.
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