Whitman-Hanson Express

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Play us a song, piano man

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HANSON — Mark Davis has a new following as he continues his decades-long talent as a piano man.

A Hanson resident of more than 20 years, he plays a concert “brought to you live” on Saturday nights.

Just six months ago if you told Davis he would be “streaming from his basement” you would have been speaking a foreign language.

This week he had more than 12,000 views — a first — since he began his home concerts on his music channel Mark Davis Piano Music on Facebook. The live  music starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday nights, the sounds brightening the evening for so many.

As is the case with many Americans, the coronavirus has affected his work.

“I wanted to help bring a smile to others… what’s going on TV (news) is all doom and gloom,” he says.

Retired from his 9-5 job at age 65, he continued to grow and pursue his music career.  His regular music gigs vanished along with a steady income.

He admits he had very little experience with technology but set out on a mission with a baby grand, a finished basement, transparent tape, and his phone — which he admits fell off the cement pillar a couple times while he tried to create a studio set and learn how to live stream.

He enlisted the aid of his adult son Scott, who also has a musical background and his girlfriend Tatiana Alverez  The pair now run the behind the scenes technology from the kitchen on Saturday night.

The Beatles, Sinatra, and his well-liked repertoire of American Song Book with 1950-1980 music sheets are his most popular requests.

Davis’ musical background began as he grew up in Quincy with a multi- generational home with his family and his grandparents under one roof.

The piano he plays now at his Hanson home was the original piano he learned on in his grandparent’s house. It was restored and refurbished more than in eight months by a local company and later gifted to him by his two brothers Glenn and Richard, who financed the project.

His brother came across the original piano sales receipt, which — Davis has now framed – the Marshall and Wendell instrument was purchased in Sept. 29, 1925 in Boston for $869.99.

The sitting room in the old Quincy dwelling was considered a proper room with oriental rugs and protected furniture, which were for guest visits making the room slightly less accessible for foot traffic on the average day.

Davis admits he loved playing and reviewed his lessons during the week with help from his grandparents making the sentimental black and white keys priceless.

He laughed as he recounted his grandfather’s operatic form of singing and although he knew he came from a strong set of musical genes on each side of his family he just couldn’t stand opera music.

Little did he realize it was not that he disliked the music rather his grandfather’s talent elicited a teary reaction to the beautiful sound. His sensitivities and discovery of his love of music developed from the age of 8, as he learned to play by ear as well as read music.

However reading music especially classical pieces were not his niche’ he wanted to play the tunes that were of the era.  A music teacher who knew he had talent taught him to read chords similar to the guitar and he evolved from there. It also aided in molding his likeability as a teen at the  talent show in junior high school where he admits he did not fit in as an athlete.

He was the last one picked for the team and stuck in the outfield with a fellow music lover.

“They would never see the ball fly right by them as they talked about favorite albums,” he said. “We didn’t care about the sports our music was much cooler.”

His wife Pat, who is a fan, recently pointed out that his talents, and musical gifts had been there all along.

Davis has seen that as a motivation that his life is going in the right direction.  As things progress into a “new normal,” he foresees returning to play live at cocktail parties, weddings and other events reconnecting with local businesses. For now he will watch for a thumbs up and fill music requests on his site. He asks the music requests be available a few days  prior to the concert so he can prepare his music roster. Visit markdavispianomusic.com.

Of birthdays, thanks and hope

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Vanessa Healey, of Whitman,  turned 8 years old this past week.  She had a birthday parade with lots of pizzazz from … across the street — social distanced Covid-19 birthday. Her family, like so many others with younger ones who may be missing their friends and social connections, helps make these celebrations meaningful.  Led by the Whitman Police and Fire, many of Vanessa’s friends and family members drove by, with honking horns, with signs and balloons for the birthday girl as they waved. Sisters from left clockwise Samantha, Mellissa, Vanessa and Tabitha Healey reacted as the cars passed by. A friend dressed like Elsa from the Disney movie Frozen waved from the back seat.See more photos, Page 6.

Hanson woman perishes in fire

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HANSON — A mother of three lost her life in a house fire Monday night May 4.

Margaret O’Toole-Driscoll, 58, known as Peggy, perished along with the family’s dog in the fatal blaze. The home located at the end of a cal-du-sac is part of a small neighborhood off West Washington Street.   

Two of her three children are currently students at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School confirmed in a press release by Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak. Driscoll was employed as an instructional support aide for East Bridgewater schools, according to media reports.

The family has resided in the neighborhood for approximately 20 years, according to neighbors.

In a press release through Plymouth County District Attorney’s Timothy J. Cruz’s office, who confirmed the name of the victim, also said the cause of the fire was under investigation by the State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Hanson Fire Chief Jerome Thompson released a written statement early on Tuesday morning and later confirmed by phone that the fire at 165 Pennsylvania Ave. had been fatal.

Thompson called the conditions untenable as heavy fire and heat caused deteriorating circumstances for the four initial firefighters who responded to the call.

He commended the efforts of the firefighters who performed a secondary search of the home along with continued fire suppression before locating Driscoll.

The flames took nearly an hour to get under control.

There were three other occupants living in the single family, cape-style log cabin home at the time of the fire and they were able to safely escape, according to the press release through the D.A’s Office.

Neighbor Alyssa Aghajanian and her family, who live with her parents, share a side yard with trees separating their home from the Driscoll’s. They could see the flames through the trees, she said

Aghajanian, 29, who babysat for many of the families on the street, was consoled by her young daughter and family as she became tearful and saddened talking about times she recalled as a youngster braiding her hair with Peggy. She estimated they have known the family at least 20 years.

They originally heard noise coming from the yard that sounded of people yelling, but they soon realized the home was engulfed.

“We had the window open … we went to look, and saw the fire from the front window,” said Aghajanian.

She said they were screaming “bloody murder, ‘Is everyone out of the house?’” from their front porch.

They had later learned that wasn’t the case.

All three of the Driscoll children were W-H students with two of them current students, according to Szymaniak, who released information on counseling services during the pandemic.

“Counseling services will be made available to all students by email or using Google voice/text,” he stated. “To schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor, please call one of the phone numbers listed on the district’s website:  https://www.whrsd.org/central_administration/district_departments/student_services.

“While we are not currently able to be in school, we will all be there to support the family with whatever they need and encourage other members of the school community to do so as well,” said Szymaniak.

Thompson commended the efforts of the firefighters although the outcome was not a positive one.

He said their thoughts were with the family and that losing a member of the small, Hanson community affects everyone.

Firefighters immediately conducted a primary search on arrival at the scene. After nearly an hour and the bulk of the fire being brought under control, firefighters were able to re-enter the building to complete a secondary search, which is when they discovered the deceased victim.

A neighbor had given the family refuge at the scene and they were there early Tuesday morning, according to Aghajanian.

The family is being assisted currently by the Red Cross, said Thompson. The home is uninhabitable due to the extensive damage. The fire is not considered suspicious and the cause is still undetermined as late Tuesday, said Thompson.

Hanson was assisted at the scene by Hanson police, Hanson water department, and the towns of Whitman, Pembroke, Halifax, and the Whitman CERT team.

Hanover fire also covered the Hanson headquarters.

Winds hit Hanson hard, cause power outages, damage homes

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HANSON — With the wind howling at more than 50 miles per hour, according to reports — and some areas recorded close to 80 MPH — the South Shore was one of the hardest hit areas during Monday’s rain storm.

Hanson homeowner Jen Durant was left shaken and scared, but had luck on her side after a tree fell over her during the peak of the storm. She was unharmed.

She had run outside to check the latch on their chicken coop during the wind and rain on Monday when she heard a terrifying crack and a pine tree fell as she stood just feet from its landing.

Durant who is a nurse at Brockton Hospital is on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. She has had a busy work schedule, and is balancing home life with five teens at their East Washington Street home. The family was outside Tuesday cleaning up after the aftermath of the enormous pine tree, which spared their mother’s life and sheered the metal car port completely off the house.

Durant’s brother, David Towle, and  their father, also David Towle,  were breaking apart and towing sections of the large pine to release the trapped vehicles that were left inside and  under the twisted metal.  Durant said she could hear and see other pine trees falling in the grove behind her home as she made her way to safety.

Kerry Krup was home with her two teens at around 5:15 p.m. on Bowker Avenue a small side street in Hanson.

“I was downstairs and heard a horrific noise that was very loud and shook the whole house — so sort of in a panic — I ran upstairs where my two boys were,” said Krup.

Luckily the family was unharmed but shaken as the shattered glass and tree limbs entered one of the sons’ rooms who are aged 13 and 14.

It was a scary few minutes and a relief that everyone was OK, she said.

The limbs had gone through the roof but some of the attic was pierced were she accumulates her storage and sentimental keepsakes.

Rain poured in the kitchen where the limbs had pierced the roof like daggers as the fire department and building inspector, as well as her landlord, all came to assess the damages.

Remnants of the pine were left on the front yard Tuesday and just feet away some portions of the tree were like splintered blades vertically standing in the ground proving the force of the storm.

Having to consider social distancing during the pandemic, Krup who was calm and composed, said they are relieved to able to stay at the home (deemed safe by the building inspector) another positive in the frightening circumstances.

She said she was happy that nobody was hurt and considering the craziness during this time of pandemic it was a trigger of some anxiety having to let people in the house, she said.

“We tried to isolate ourselves and having to let people in to help also caused a bit of stress,” she said.

She commended the fire department for their quick response during such a hectic afternoon.

The Hanson Fire Department responded to 30 storm-related calls with two homes being struck by trees. Both were still habitable, according to Deputy Fire Chief Rob O’Brien. On Tuesday afternoon 50 percent of power was still out in the town of Hanson.

In Whitman, the hardest hit areas with tree limbs and wires down was in the area of Indian Trail and Arrow Drive, according to Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno.

They had calls for storm related issues, however no reports of injuries or trees through homes, he added.

COVID-19 changes holidays

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This weekend, families celebrated Passover and Easter in markedly different ways than in past years.

Easter egg hunts were all canceled this year, however spotted this week in the Whitman Park, in the place of eggs, were colored kindness rocks.

Social media postings on several Whitman sites showed the colorful finds and encouraged others to hide their own kindness rocks.

(The idea as a craft can also be helpful for art class during the home school day).

In an eggstra-extraordinary way a local business owner Monica Cole of Jan’s Towing and Recovery Service of Whitman put in more than just a full day of delivering Easter baskets.

Along with family and co-workers the group decorated and stuffed more than 150 Easter baskets to deliver and ready for curbside pickup in Whitman in hopping good fun.

“Easter was getting passed over,” Cole said. “We were brainstorming and came up with the baskets as a way to ease financial stress and anxiety for parents -out of the recent social isolation status and create joy and smiles for all.”

They made 100 baskets and, within three hours of posting it to the Whitman page, 90 baskets were already reserved. They increased the number to 175 baskets to make sure everyone who needed a basket could be included.

“I was excited that families in need were reaching out to us to accept the help for the free baskets,” said Cole. “During such a hard time with uncertainly families can depend on the local businesses to support them as they support us.”

Cole has been in business since 2016 in her Whitman location and in Boston prior to that. She is also a resident and raising a family here so seeing the community come together is rewarding to her and those around her on a personal level. Earlier this week she thanked the community via the Whitman Facebook page for the positive responses and expressed her full heart with the celebration of the Easter holiday.

Also shared via social media were local families who left decorated eggs at the ends of one another’s neighborhood driveways. Special sidewalk chalk messages of encouragement and Happy Easter greetings were left for morning sunrise surprises. Several prizes were left anonymously, but there were rumors that the Easter Bunny had been seen hopping down several Whitman streets.

Shopping for preparations for holiday meals is also more challenging as precautions against coronavirus are imposed.

In keeping with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, local grocery stores, such as Shaw’s on Liberty Street, are allowing a maximum of 60 people in the store at one time. Social distancing is aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus and grocery shopping in smaller groups can ease the minds and hopefully protect others as we all avoid groups in any capacity.

The Stop & Shop at Bedford Street in Whitman has also begun limiting their shoppers.

Responding to an inquiry through social media, Stop & Shop stated “that all of their stores are limiting shoppers however each state varies in capacity.”

In their online Covid19 statement they also posted general update to shoppers.

“We know that Stop & Shop plays a critical role in our communities during situations like this, and we remain committed to doing our very best to support customers and associates.”

There are also guidelines posted in how each store is handling and creating an environment conducive to the CDC guidelines.

Personal milestones are different, too, during a pandemic.

Among recent birthday celebrations Jackson Manoli of Whitman turned 2 years old. His parents held a drive-by-and-honk birthday in which family and friends could say hi. The doorway was decorated with balloons and signs and even a Whitman police officer stopped momentarily to whirl his siren a high point for Jackson. Parents Matthew and Devon Manoli said the birthday was “unique” in the sense of guests standing separated on the lawn or staying in their cars. It was not what you would expect for a child’s birthday celebration however they were all smiles over seeing family and friends showing love for  Jackson who was thrilled to have “big boy chips” as he took his photo from a distance. The year they celebrated his Coronavirus birthday will be in their memories and photo albums. He had plenty of colorful balloons lining the fence to show all who drove by that he was indeed now a two year old.

With the stay at home orders and social distancing requirements to slow the spread of Covid-19  in a more noticeable form homeowners and families are spending  additional time in their yards, both playing  in and cleaning them up.

Dan Delprete of Dandel’s Construction in Hanson has seen an uptick of landscape projects as they began their season nearly six weeks earlier than their typical spring routine.

Samantha Murphy of Landscape Supply Yard which is also located at 1 Liberty St., Hanson said that they have seen a boost mostly on mulch and loam sales early lawn prep products.

The company supplies to landscapers so the increase in sales of these items and the movement is reassuring that yards are being spruced up daily by local landscaper businesses.

The physical activity of yard work in the fresh air and sun can be rewarding and a great project for people. They may be currently homebound but they are clearing out their yards and enjoying the exterior of those “four walls” as they practice social distancing.

“Finding the good in all the bad,” said Delprete has kept him in a positive perspective.

The weather and the days the sun is shining they are seeing more people looking at patios and taking brochures, he added.

Wyman’s Nursery in Hanson was open Easter weekend with several families buying flowers and looking for grave flower baskets.

Deb Seele of Whitman and her husband Michael who is Whitman’s town moderator were planning to clean up and decorate her dad’s grave. This year is unlike years past as she couldn’t be together with her elderly mother who is in quarantine at American Living of Hanson, she said.

Having her in the residential setting has been unsettling for now as they create a new normal like so many other families only talking through the phone. She planned to update her mom on the Easter flowers and their visit to her beloved late husband.

Heather Weydt and her daughter Jessica, 13, of Hanson purchased flowers to top off baskets they planned to construct and drop off at doorsteps for their loved ones. They planned to add a sweet Easter surprise of candies since they could not physically be with one another, she said.

Phil Wyman of Wyman’s garden center expressed his thanks and gratitude as a small business to be open in these difficult times.  He had simple gardening tips for families who aspired to create a garden or plant project. The least complicated, beginner gardener could plant Pansies which he called a more “durable” flower that quickly adds color and tolerates spring temperatures.

Preparing a garden indoors with peas, lettuce, and cabbage is an easy way to get kids involved in the planting kits and seeding process.

Reaping the rewards as the blossoms flourish the project can easily get everyone involved in most age groups.

“With a little bit of love and fertilizer you will get it all back and more,” Wyman said.

Stepping up to help others

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From residents brightening people’s day with clouds of bubbles or an offer to walk the neighbors’ dogs, to Hanson firefighters helping seniors with grocery or pharmacy errands — and a trade school putting its 3D printer to work making protective masks for area hospitals — people in the region continued to step up during the coronavirus emergency last week.

Adhering to the rules of social distancing this reporter sought fresh air and sunshine and grabbed a quick walk outside in Whitman Park this weekend.

It appears that families are starting to feel the strain of self isolation  in attempts to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Ernesto Hernandez of Whitman has tried to generate a smile for others as he and his daughter Thalia Hernandes, 5, spent their lunch time at the Whitman Park blowing bubbles this week.

During this time he hopes to make things a bit more bearable despite the CDC guidelines for the six-foot distance we are supposed to be from one another. Every day last week they walked around the town and Whitman Park at lunch time with bubbles to brighten other people’s day. Hernandez is homeschooling Thalia while his wife works remotely from home, he said. He kept her away from others as they enjoyed the fresh air.

“Having some bubbles pop on your cheek can break up the monotony,” he said. “It is great that everyone is doing what is needed, he added, “but you can’t seclude humanity.”

As the bubbles blew across the park they shared a dance in the sunlight. They were distributing a little bit of cheerful optimism in Hernandez’ day as well.

“Who doesn’t love bubbles?” laughed Hernandez.

Making masks

Alerted to the need for personal protective masks issues by Massachusetts General Hospital to all entities that own 3D printers, South Shore Tech Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey, said his school is helping produce PPE. The formula for the masks had been posted online, according to Boston media outlets.

“I immediately gave it to the people smarter than me,” Hickey said. “Our engineering instructor is now networked about nine 3D printers and we’re making 30 to 50 face shields a day. I’ve got a couple of staff volunteers and we’re bringing them to South Shore Hospital [and] Brockton Hospital.”

Hickey said he is also talking with a Whitman woman who used to work at Children’s Hospital as well as Beth Israel-Plymouth, Hanover fire and EMS for whom SST is also making face shields.

“This one individual is just stepping up in a big way and, to his credit, it’s not about him and he really doesn’t want any attention,” Hickey said. “Even though the building’s closed and most people are working remotely all the time, he’s going in to keep the 3D printers firing.”

Hickey said the mask design posted online was fine, but not at a quality that was needed and the teacher suggested the face shield would be a better option.

“Everyone we’re talking to is saying thank you, thank you,” he said. “Now we’re getting requests for replacement masks.”

Running errands

In Hanson, Firefighter Tim Royer developed a program, along with Deputy Fire Chief Robert O’Brien Jr., offering to pick up prescriptions or other needs — within reason — for any Hanson seniors that are home-bound. They met with Senior Center Director Mary Collins to arrange for the project.

“They first need to go through Mary Collins, [who] will get the contact information for us,” O’Brien said. “They’ll reach out to us, let us know what they need and we’ll try to go and get it.”

Only a couple of hours after launching the program, Royer was out picking up a prescription for a senior citizen. He has already discussed the project with CVS, Shaw’s and Osco Drug as well as other surrounding pharmacies. The firefighters’ union fronts the money when they pick up an item and seniors reimburse the union account by check. For more information, call Mary Collins at 781-293-2683.

“This is just for senior citizens,” O’Brien stressed. “It can’t be for the average homeowner. … It’s a free thing and the chief’s 100-percent supportive of it. This is our way of helping out the most vulnerable.”

Paw patrol

Amanda McKee, a Whitman middle schooler said she and her brother Zach, a WHRHS student, are both out of school do to the closings in the state. A position as a dog walker can be added to their résumés now that these siblings undertook a crash course in dog-walkery.

Last week they strolled with Shadow, Vera, and Murray at the Whitman Park. The canines belong to their neighbor and they got their recent employment with help from their mom, they said.

The McKee’s are helping out another family as everyone begins to adjust to new norms of balancing working, and home life.

The dogs did not quite understand social distancing with one another but made for a laugh as the instant dog sitters got a quick lesson in doggy duty.

With smiles from afar the respite of fresh air was much needed. An adult and child could be seen on the top of the sledding hill with a blanket and basket overlooking the park.

In the recent updates from Whitman town officials the strict guidelines of social distancing and staying home for extended periods will be in place to continue to slow the progression of the coronavirus.

(Express Editor Tracy F. Seelye contributed to this report.)

Charges filed in Florida crash

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The driver in a fatal crash that killed four members of a Whitman family last month  will be charged with careless driving.

Dos Reis Laurindo is currently being held on a visa violation at the Glades County Jail, according to a prepared statement through Lieutenant Kim Montes Public Affairs Officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.

“Under Florida law, the strongest charge that could be made against him is a ticket issued for careless driving,”

The crash, which occurred on Florida SR-429, on February 18 of this year, killed Julie Smith, her daughter Scarlett Smith, 5, and her mother Josephine Fay, who were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.  Smith’s son Jaxon Smith, 11, died at the hospital on the following day.

The family of eight was on vacation in Orlando, Fla. when they were involved in the fatal crash.

Dos Reis Laurindo, was behind the wheel of a  2016  Dodge Ram 3500 truck when he failed to slow down hitting the van the Smith’s were in causing it to flip on its side.

“The investigation included the actions of Dos Reis Laurindo at the time of the crash as well as his driver’s license status. The result of the crash investigation has determined that Dos Reis Laurindo was at fault for the collision,” said Montes in the prepared statement.

Dos Reis Laurindo was issued the ticket last week. Under Florida law there is a mandatory court appearance for the violation. He was taken into custody by federal law enforcement for a visa violation, on February 28.

The Florida Highway Patrol has been in contact with the families involved in this horrific crash and continues to send our condolences, as they recover, the statement read.

There she is, Miss Whitman

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WHITMAN — In its first year, the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization hosted and crowned the new Miss Whitman Sunday evening.

Renee Banks, 22, of West Bridgewater was crowned and titled Miss Whitman along with Chelsea Vuong who took first place and titled as Miss Tri-Town. Vuong, 22, is a Harvard University student.

Christine Morse of Whitman is the Executive Director of Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization, Inc. With her preliminary   pageant skills to lean on, she decided to assist other girls in raising scholarship money through the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization.

“I used to participate in the local preliminary pageants when I was 17 and 18 when I lived in California,” said Morse who has resided in Whitman for almost 15 years. “I was involved in the Miss Boston Scholarship Organization for 11 years with a short break in between,” she said.

“I believe in this organization and being able to give the opportunity for young women to learn wonderful life skills, from interviewing to public speaking, and stage presence.  This is the reason I wanted to start my own local,” she said.

Our program is considered a local preliminary to Miss Massachusetts, which is state preliminary to Miss America. All of the candidates raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to participate at each level. To participate in the local, the amount to raise for each contestant is $100, with all judges, board members, and volunteers for the day of the competition as unpaid volunteers. We provide scholarships to the candidates for their education. All money raised goes towards scholarships and small operating costs with accordance to the Miss America guidelines, according to Morse.

Considering her first year she had slightly higher operating costs than usual, but normally they would be fairly limited, she added.

The amount of scholarships given out is based on what monies can be raised and from locals willing to provide scholarships.

Each scholarship is paid directly to the school with proper invoice and documentation.

The candidates participating can live, work or go to school in the state of Massachusetts.

Being that this is our first year, the competition was open, meaning that anyone in the state can participate she said. As we get more established, I will close the competition, which will mean that I can choose where the pools of candidates live, work or go to school.

“I plan on including Whitman and the surrounding towns,” said Morse

In accordance with the programs guidelines the competition consisted of personal interview, on stage questions, and evening gown/social impact statement. Miss Whitman is a non-profit organization at this time and Morse is currently working on the paperwork to make it a 501(c) 3.

“I thought the competition went very well,” Morse said. “We had 10 wonderful candidates and they did a great job!”

I was able to give away $1400 in scholarships this year, which I think is awesome for our first year.  The venue was beautiful and accommodated us fabulously.  Overall I thought it was great and our two new titleholders are fabulous and can’t wait to compete at Miss Massachusetts at the end of June, she said. “Both ladies will be a wonderful representative of Whitman and can volunteer at any local events.”

During the event as contestants prepared for their next round dancers from Boss Academy of Hanson performed several routines.Information from the organizations can be found at: Miss America; Miss Massachusetts  and Miss Whitman.

Remembering lost friends

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WHITMAN — A vigil was held on the soccer fields at Whitman Middle School on Friday, Feb. 21 in honor of four members of the Smith family who perished in a car crash while on vacation in Orlando, Fla., last week.

Organizers included Whitman Youth Soccer President Helen Iannone, Vice President Stephanie Blackman, Boys’ Director Jamie Sousa as well as several other community sports leaders and volunteers. The memorial included impactful statements and memories from Jamie Sousa who coached Jaxon. She was connected to the family and shared love of the sport with him.  She offered heartfelt memories of her time cut short with the young athlete.

Jaxon Smith was only 11, a middle school student in Hanson. He was killed in the crash as well as his younger sister, preschooler Scarlett, 5, his mom Julie, and grandmother Josephine Fay of Weymouth.

Will Litchfield, a soccer teammate of Jaxon’s was given a new pair of footwear by the family. The package had arrived for him when they arrived home from Disney after the tragedy.

He clutched the package that was given to him by Erin Condon, Jaxon’s cousin.

“I feel proud,” said Litchfield as he walked off with his friends, candles in hand.

A statement was released by the family, thanking the town as well as numerous others in their support after the fatal accident.

‘’The Fay/Smith families greatly appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers as we process the events of this horrific tragedy,” it read. “We are truly heartbroken. Among the many individuals, groups and organizations that have assisted during this difficult time we wanted to highlight the efforts of the first responders in Orlando, the medical staff at the Orlando Regional Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital Disney, Jetblue, TSA and The Massachusetts State Police. We also want to thank the Hartman family who assisted in Orlando. We continue to grieve for the loss of our loved ones.  Thank you for your outpouring of kindness.”

On Friday night, the soccer field was packed with sports teams, including several boys soccer teams in which he played over the years along with fellow students, teachers, neighbors and friends of the family; as well as those offering support to the grieving community at the Whitman Middle School soccer field.

Eric Frank a resident of Whitman for 40 years, a father of three, and a soccer league volunteer and coach for 10 years said it was devastating to learn of the tragedy. His son played with Jaxon on fall of 2018.

Parents were seen embracing and consoling their children and their friends who held lights in memory of the Smiths.

Corinna Mac Donald a 3rd grader and her little sister Layla  a first-grader were visibly saddened at the event. They knew the family and her friend through cheerleading and she wanted to tell her friend Shalie that she hopes “she isn’t sad.”  She tried to write a message of hope on the memorial boards that the family would receive from the organizers in the days following the event. They were pinned to the soccer board so everyone could sign them.

The Smiths were remembered by other moms as a small town family who were hands-on, raising polite, respectful kids.

In statements earlier in the week released by the Whitman Hanson Regional School District Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak  schools would have counseling services for students and staff in the weeks to come.

3 killed in Florida highway crash

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WHITMAN — The town of Whitman awakened with heavy hearts Wednesday as they learned that a local family has been involved in a fatal crash in Florida, claiming the lives of three family members.

Julie Smith, 41, and her mother — grandmother Josephine Fay of South Weymouth were both killed along with daughter Scarlett Smith, 5, of Whitman. All three were pronounced dead at the crash scene, according to reports.

The family was on February vacation in Orlando.

The fatal crash occurred Tuesday around 5:30 p.m. in Osceola County, Fla. The crash is actively under investigation, according to Florida Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer Lt. Kim Montes, in a prepared statement.

The multiple vehicle collision occurred on the southbound side of Route 429. The van the family was in rolled over after it was struck from behind.

Shane Smith, 43, of Whitman along with the children’s maternal grandfather William Fay, 76, of South Weymouth were released from the hospital on Tuesday night.

Two other daughters, Shalie, 10,  and Scarlett’s twin sister Skylar, 5, were also released from the hospital.

Jaxon Smith, who is 11, remained in critical condition on life support Wednesday morning as of press time.

Additional support of state troopers and a victim advocate were assigned to the family, according to Montes.

More information, including comments from the Whitman Hanson School District and services for the community, were expected to be announced Wednesday afternoon.