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Gately Community Connections
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| For Our Community of Caregivers |
June 2013
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Fund Raiser Dedicated to
Sean A. Collier
Last month John Gately joined Melrose Police Chief Mike Lyle and members of the Northeastern Mass Law Enforcement Council in a Golf Tournament dedicated to Sean A. Collier, MIT officer killed in the Boston Marathon bombing.
Sean's brothers were there as well as many local-area police chiefs. SWAT team members and members of the bomb squad and other officers that were instrumental in the apprehension of the bombing suspects were also there.
John and Mike's team came in second place!
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Rape Aggression Defense Program Planned
for Melrose
Still in the early planning stages, the R.A.D. Program is being organized by the Melrose Police Department which received $5,000 in funding from the Melrose Running Club earlier this year. In May another fund raiser-Comedy Night was held at Prince Pizza where many local businesses, including Gately Funeral Home "purchased" tables from the Chief of Police, raising $1,750 to kick-start this new program.
The R.A.D. Program is a comprehensive self-defense course that promotes awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing onto the basics of self-defense.
R.A.D. is not a martial arts program but a Rape Aggression Defense system that is dedicated to teaching defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assaults by utilizing easy, effective and proven self-defense tactics. The R.A.D. program empowers individuals to make their own decisions regarding self-preservation and self-defense options.
Lt. Mike DeCroteau of the Melrose Police Department reported that "We hope to schedule the start of our R.A.D. Program this fall. There has been a lot of interest on the part of members of the police department to become certified in R.A.D. training. Right now we are in the process of recruiting an instructor who will, in turn, train our officers who will be participating in the program."
Lt. DeCroteau said that the Middle School gymnasium will be the likely location for the R.A.D. Program. Instructors will wear a red padded suit that protects both the instructor and the participant.
He added, "This is a program where participants are encouraged to physically protect themselves - and not to hold back. If they are to learn self defense measures they need to learn how to strike properly and how to target those strikes."
The R.A.D. Program will be open to women high school age and older. This program is designed for the average person with no previous experience or background in physical skills training.
To date, over 900,000 women across the country have attended R.A.D. Basic Physical Defense Program. For more information on R.A.D. visit their website or call the Melrose Police Department at 781-665-1212.
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 | | Celebrating Pentecost Sunday, Fr. Steve is joined by members of the Parish and Buddy, Fr. Steve's dog! |
Parish of the Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -
55 Years Old and Still Growing
The Parish of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was founded on December 10, 1958 by Richard Cardinal Cushing, carved out of territory from St. Mary of the Annunciation in Melrose, and parishes in Saugus. Just one year later, a dairy farm was purchased from the Kiley family and a church building modeled on the New England congregational style of the colonial era was occupied by the growing congregation. For a year many of them had worshipped under the glare of a stuffed moose head at the Mount Hood Lodge.
From the start, the parish had a lively and engaged community and leaders who challenged the parish to excellence in liturgy and education. Today, 1,250 households are on the roster -- nearly 3,600 individuals.
"My parents John H. and Elinor T. Gately were founding members of the church," said John Gately. "They held many fundraisers back in the day, including many spaghetti suppers! There is also a window in the church in memory of my grandfather John W. Gately. So... I have a special place in my heart for Incarnation."
Sunday liturgy is the center of church life," commented Father Steve Boyle, Pastor of the Incarnation. "Everything else flows from this center. Nearly 1,000 people gather each Sunday for worship, and it is our desire to be a hospitable and welcoming place for people wherever they may be on life's journey. Religious Education here is community-based and life-long. We often say that the Incarnation is 'God's love made visible,' and we strive to make that love known in prayer, in learning, and in service."
Father Steve has now been Pastor at the Parish of the Incarnation for 2 ½ years, having been selected by Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley to lead the congregation following the death of former Pastor Fr. Jim Field.
Before coming to Melrose, for eight years Fr. Steve was the Chaplain at Emanuel College on the Fenway in Boston. Prior to that, he was with St. Francis Xavier in South Weymouth and Immaculate Conception Church in Malden/Medford. A native of south Boston, Fr. Steve has never served far away from home in his more than 18 years as a priest. His dad is in South Boston, three older brothers are scattered about in Massachusetts and his sister still lives in South Boston as well.
"Our church has just marked the 55th anniversary of its beginning and our life and ministry are renewed as this young and growing parish forges ahead into being the best community we can be. We are committed to vibrant worship, life-long learning, and direct service to the poor here and abroad," said Fr. Boyle. We are looking at disaffected or angry parishioners, middle school youngsters, single and divorced Catholics and gay and lesbian Catholics.
The welcome here is explicit and universally felt, yet the Parish Pastoral Council believes that there is work to be done in each area of concern. We welcome all to come and join the conversation!" he added.
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Farewell to Steve Bartholomew
John Gately reports that Steve Bartholomew left Gately Funeral Home after more than seven years there as a funeral director. John said, "Steve was more than a trusted co-worker. He was a friend. We enjoyed many experiences together and he was highly regarded by families he assisted during his tenure here as well as by his colleagues." Steve moved on to work at John Everett & Sons Funeral Home in Natick MA. John added, "We wish him much success in his work there. He will surely be missed... Back to Top |
Medical Examiner Celebrates 30 Years with the City of Boston
Dr. Stephen Wolanske delivered babies until he retired from his Obstetrics practice and became a medical examiner for the City of Boston. Since 1984 he has served as a district medical examiner, a part-time position with responsibilities that included preparing death certificates and completing medical evaluations for deaths that did not require an autopsy or toxicology testing. Dr. Wolanske has known John Gately since 2003 working with the funeral home to approve cremations. "John and I have a great relationship. As I do with all my funeral homes, I try to understand their issues and help things run smoothly. If they need an approval early in the day, I come in early - if necessary, I can let myself in if the staff is attending a funeral. We have that kind of trust. Even Tucker, the Gately golden retriever, trusts me enough to let me in the door! " Steve said. Steve and his wife Sherry have been married for 30 years and have four children and three grandchildren. Back to Top |
Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm thinking of taking the career path to becoming
a medical examiner. What is involved?"
Medical examiners are licensed physicians who possess specialized training in forensic pathology. They perform autopsies and inspect organs, tissue and bodily fluids to determine the cause of death in violent or suspicious cases. Becoming a medical examiner requires education, training, licensure and certification.
A medical degree is required, as is a license from the state. Medical examiners must be certified by the American board of Pathology in forensic pathology. After graduating from medical school, about five years of training is necessary.
The key skills required to become a medical examiner include dexterity with autopsy tools, decision making abilities, critical thinking, and social perceptiveness. Computer skills are necessary as well, especially in applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, graphics and photo imaging software, toxicology databases, and more.
Step 1: Earn an Undergraduate Degree - complete a bachelor's degree program focusing on coursework that fulfills medical school prerequisites. Academic achievement is a necessity as admission to medical school is highly competitive. Prepare yourself for the Medical College Admissions Test.
Step 2: Attain a Medical Degree - Earn either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree. Medical programs typically take four years to complete - the first two years in classrooms and the final two years in hands-on work and rotations exploring various specialties under the supervision of experienced physicians.
Step 3: Enroll in a Residency Program in anatomic and forensic pathology.
Residency programs provide paid training and typically last four years. Forensic pathology residents gain practical experience by participating in autopsies and investigations.
Step 4: Complete a Fellowship working on a forensic team at a medical examiner's or coroner's office after completing a residency. During this one-year fellowship, resident trainees work with a certified forensic pathologist in crime scene investigations, preparing courtroom testimonies, testing body fluids, and assisting with autopsies.
Step 5: Get Licensure and Certification Licensing requirements for medical examiners vary between states, but common requirements include graduating from an accredited medical school, passing the exams and completing a residency or training program. The American Board of Pathology offers the national certification exam which consists of questions regarding the practices and procedures used in forensic pathology.
Click here for more information on how to become a medical examiner or to research schools that offer the appropriate curriculum.
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Since 1889 the firm of Gately Funeral Home has been dedicated to providing the people of Melrose and surrounding communities funeral services unsurpassed in quality and caring. We thank you for your continuing support. It is our honor to assist your families in times of need.
Let the healing begin with us.
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Contact Info
For more information about the articles in this issue of Gately Community Connections or to contribute to a future issue, contact John Gately at info@gatelyfh.com. Gately Funeral Home is located at 79 West Foster Street, Melrose MA 02176. |
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