Talk of the Town-April 26, 1962

Norwood and its neighboring towns moved through late April 1962 with a full slate of civic drives, church suppers, school productions, club meetings, and the steady hum of Route 1 commerce. From hospital fundraising to youth sports, from community auctions to the season’s first highway safety warnings, the week carried the familiar rhythm of postwar suburban life.

---

Front Page & Civic Life

The Norwood Hospital Women’s Aid announced its annual spring membership drive, beginning May 1, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Benjamin Bristol of Foxboro. Dues—$1 regular, $5 sustaining, $50 life—support vital hospital equipment. Last year’s funds purchased plastic bassinets and helped finance the new nursery wing. This year’s goal includes meeting the fourth installment of a $50,000 pledge.

Town representatives collecting dues include:

• Mrs. George Bourginon and Mrs. Warren Bishop (Norwood)
• Mrs. Vincent A. Murphy and Mrs. John J. Murphy (Dedham)
• Mrs. David Cowles and Mrs. Donald Weafer (Islington)
• Mrs. Frances J. Perry, Jr. and Mrs. Clifford H. Boyle (Westwood)
  …and others across the hospital district.

The Norfolk County Agricultural School announced graduation exercises for May 4 at 8 p.m., with diplomas presented by Charles W. Kemp of Walpole, Vice‑Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The program includes an original essay by William S. Cleary, Jr. of Canton titled “Fallout on the Farm—Shall We Eat to Live or to Die?”

The Walpole K. of C. prepared to present its First Annual Outstanding Citizen Award on May 5, honoring local adults who “give up weekends and nights” to lead youth programs.

---

Police, Fire & Public Safety

A tragic accident on Route 1A in Walpole claimed the life of Warren E. Pagliari, 59, of 988 East Street, an employee of Bird & Son. His 3‑year‑old grandson, Richard Rignanese, suffered a fractured skull. Police reported the pair were trapped in the front seat; officers Botro, O’Neil, Brennan, and Driscoll freed them before transport to Norwood Hospital. Dr. Edward R. DeRoma suggested Mr. Pagliari may have suffered a coronary attack.

In Foxboro, a devastating Easter morning crash at 1:20 a.m. killed three Mansfield teenagers—Christopher Qualters, 17; Lawrence Pascucci, 18; and Denis Garland, 16—after their car struck a tree on County Street. Three others were seriously injured. The Rev. Richard Butler administered last rites at the scene.

A stolen car report from Thomas K. Kelley of Waltham ended quickly when Walpole Patrolman Joseph Hayward located the vehicle within 30 minutes at a Route 1 bowling alley.

---

Community & Social Life

Civic groups filled the calendar:

• Canton High School Dramatic Club prepared its musicale “Mr. Crane of Sleepy Hollow” for May 4 at Morse Auditorium, featuring Carol Bright, Rick Hagberg, and Bobby Freedman.
• Trinity Episcopal Church, Canton, announced its annual auction for May 5, with a clothing sale at 9 a.m., auction from 10–6, and a Ham & Bean supper at 6 p.m.
• Canton Lions Club scheduled its auction for April 28 at the Junior High School, with Fred Hodes of Sharon as auctioneer.
• Norwood Mothers Club planned its annual dinner at the Lord Fox on May 1, chaired by Mrs. Robert Fitzsimmons.
• Norwood Italian Ladies’ Lodge OSIA set its Spring Dance for May 4 at the V.F.W. Hall, with music by Vin Perry’s band.
• Women’s Community Committee continued its town beautification efforts, including bunting for the Thrift Shop and a May Clean‑Up Campaign.

---

Religious Services & Church News

• St. Mary’s Parish, Foxboro, prepared its annual “Circus Minstrels” show for April 27–28 at Foxboro High School.
• St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, Norwood, announced Golden Jubilee events, including a May 4 dance at the Elks Hall.
• The League of Catholic Women prepared for its 26th Diocesan Congress at the Statler‑Hilton, chaired locally by Mrs. Francis J. Forrest of Norwood.
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church hosted the May Fellowship Day luncheon on May 4.

---

Sports

Norwood High Baseball opened the season with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Dedham at the Civic Field.

• Denny Mattson pitched a complete game, striking out eight.
• Captain Jim McDermott delivered the game‑winning single in the ninth.
• John D’Espinosa contributed key hits and defensive plays.

The Norwood Junior Varsity defeated Dedham 15–3, with Bob Obuchon pitching a five‑hitter.

In bowling, the Trade League saw Tex Tomasso roll a 391, while Turnpike Lumber maintained its lead.
In the Girls’ League, Gloria Rafuse finished the season with the top average at 99.65.

The Norwood Arena prepared for its April 28 season opening of stock car racing, noting last year’s $100,000 in purses.

---

Business & Commerce

Route 1 and downtown Norwood bustled with mid‑century retail energy:

• Norwood Beef Outlet advertised heavy Western steer cuts at $1.09/lb.
• Empire Paint promoted aluminum ladders for $17.77 and DuPont Turf Food at 2 bags for $4.95.
• Ronnie’s Garden Center offered peat moss, outside white paint, and trash barrels.
• Norwood Appliance Center featured Zenith radios and patio furniture.
• Turnpike Lumber ran a “Sav‑O‑Rama” sale on paneling, gutters, and folding doors.
• Sparks Discount Store promoted ice cream at 59¢ per half‑gallon.
• Norwood Tire Co. advertised Firestone Champion tires at $10.88.

A new Jeep dealership opened under Vincent Auto Body, Inc., offering the full line of Willys vehicles, including the new Jeep Fleetvan.

---

Transportation

The Norwood Finance Co. advertised car loans at 4¼%, with payments such as $45.89/month for $1,000 over 24 months.

A reminder from Town Manager Walter A. Blasenak urged residents to fly the flag on Loyalty Day, May 1, citing the 1958 Congressional designation.

---

Schools & Education

• Norwood High School held a Book Fair with over 2,000 titles, selling 1,500 paperbacks.
• Norwood Senior High Guidance Department hosted military recruiters and business career speakers.
• Canton Informal Players prepared “Night Must Fall” for May 12.
• Norwood Junior High hosted a Book Fair with faculty participation.
• Norfolk County Agricultural School listed its full graduating class, including students from Norwood, Canton, Walpole, Westwood, and surrounding towns.

---

Weather

No formal weather report appeared, but numerous outdoor events—auctions, parades, and sports—suggested mild late‑April conditions, with spring planting underway and garden centers advertising peat moss, turf food, and seedlings.

---

Obituaries

Warren E. Pagliari, 59

Of 988 East Street, Walpole, died following an automobile accident. Employed by Bird & Son. Survived by his wife Mary, daughter Mrs. Dominic Rignanese, and sons Peter and Warren.

Anthony O’Malley, 89

Of 246 Nahatan Street, Norwood, died at Audubon Hospital. Born in County Mayo, Ireland; longtime hotel clerk in New York; musician with the Norwood Musicians Union Band. Survived by brother Thomas F. O’Malley of Waltham.

John W. Hunter

Of 23 Ames Street, Wrentham, formerly of Norwood, died suddenly while visiting Bird & Son. Survived by wife Inez and daughter Mrs. Daniel C. Horton of Walpole.

---

Norwood Heritage Notes

• The Norwood Musicians Union Band, mentioned in the obituary of Anthony O’Malley, connects to the town’s long tradition of civic music dating back to the early 20th century.
• The Norwood Arena continues the town’s postwar fascination with motorsports, a cultural shift from the horse‑racing era of Willett Park.
• The hospital fundraising drives echo the community‑built spirit that once raised funds for the original Norwood Hospital in the early 1900s.

---

---

---

Text and images may have been edited, colorized, or digitally restored with the assistance of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society