Marblehead gathers to mourn Tyre Nichols

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Members of the Marblehead community converged Sunday afternoon for a Seaside Park vigil to grieve the police killing of Tyre Nichols last month in Memphis, Tennessee.

On Jan. 7, five Memphis Police Department officers beat Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, following a traffic stop. He died three days later. Nichols’ death is another incident of longstanding police brutality against Black men in the United States. The officers have since been fired and charged with second-degree murder.

“Why is it that we continue to gather again and again in the same fashion? Why do Black and Brown people always seem to be the victims of violence in the society that we live in? Why is it that this persists?” asked the Rev. James Bixby, the Clifton Lutheran Church’s pastor, when he opened the vigil. “There’s no easy answer, but It seems to happen again and again, and we gather again and again.”

He added, “And if something’s changing, I’m not seeing it.”

The vigil included a moment of silence. Organizers handed out candles for people to light at home. Some held signs that read, “Tyre. We cry out. We lament. We demand justice.”

Among the gathered community members were Marblehead Police Cheif Dennis King, Select Board members Jackie Belf-Becker and Jim Nye, Rabbi David Meyer of Temple Emanu-El, the Rev. Jenna Crawford of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead and state Rep. Jenny Armini.

“The idea that some lives matter less is at the root of all that is wrong,” said Armini, quoting the late public health advocate Dr. Paul Farmer. “I want us to just sit with that idea.”

On Jan. 27, Memphis officials released video footage of the traffic stop, showing officers allegedly tasing, pepper spraying, beating and restraining Nichols. Just before the video concludes, Nichols called out to his mother, whose home was 80 yards from where officers pulled her son over.

King urged his Marblehead police officers to watch the video. He said he found police officers perpetrating violence against somebody in the community whom they swore to protect disturbing.

“There’s nothing in my 28 years of law enforcement that I could ever imagine seeing,” he told the crowd, referring to the video. After the video was released, King joined other local law enforcement officials in condemning what transpired on Jan. 7.

“We stand proudly with our community leaders to guarantee MPD officers are trained in the applications of force, the duty to intervene, the duty to render care and the sanctity of human life,” King wrote. “In addition, we promote a department culture based on compassion, understanding individuals’ frailties and treating everyone equally, with respect. This is our approach every day, on every call, and we work tirelessly to provide this level of service.”

Marblehead residents Jessica’ Little Feather’ Penn and Sherry ‘Smiling Otter’ Gagne attend Sunday’s vigil. The couple said the gathering put community members’ character on display.

“I think the vigil shows that the community cares so much,” said Penn. “It sends a message, so it’s really nice that they did this today.”

“We’re done with the empty thoughts and prayers. We’re beyond the what-are-we-goingto-do-about-it stage?” said Bixby as he closed out the 20-minute vigil. “We’re on the we-canmake-a-difference [stage].”

Think about the ways to get involved, he told attendees.

“Are there policies that we can enact? Are there things we can do in Congress? Is there somebody I can vote for?” he said. “We’ve got to be asking ourselves these questions because this is enough. Enough is enough.”

Anne Johnson Davis, 92 Active at St. Michael’s

Anne Johnson Davis, 92, of Swampscott passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Samuel L. Davis, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage.

Anne was the daughter of the late Katharine (Berry) and Howard Martin Johnson. She grew up in Swampscott and graduated from Dana Hall in Wellesley. She attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial school.

Anne and Sam raised their

William ‘Leo’ Kiely III, 75

William “Leo” Kiely III, 75, of Palos Verdes Estates, California, died peacefully at his home on Jan. 6, 2023. He was born in Marblehead on Jan. 16, 1947. He met Susan Burkhardt in Philadelphia, where they were married on May 16, 1970. Together, they shared their deep faith in Jesus Christ and were blessed with two children, four grandchildren and a lifelong, long marriage.

Leo graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1969 and from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA. in 1970.

Leo’s remarkable business three children in Acton, making lifelong friends before moving to Marblehead in the 1970s. Anne had a passion for giving back and helping others which motivated her to earn an associate’s degree in social work from Middlesex Community College.

Anne volunteered with the Catholic Family Service in Lynn. She served on the state board for foster children for several years.

In addition to her charitable activities, she and Sam traveled all over the world.

At home, Anne’s love for her garden could be seen by anyone who passed by their home on Orne Street. Anne was a member of the Swampscott Beach Club and the Corinthian Yacht Club.

Anne was devoted to her faith and in Acton was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, where she was co-chair of The Fish Program, career started at Procter and Gamble. He worked at Wilson Sporting Goods, Ventura Coastal Corp. and at Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo.

In 1993, he became president of the Coors Brewing Company. He led the acquisition of Carling in the U.K. in 2001 and the merger of Molson (Canada) and Coors in 2005. He also led the merger of the second and third largest beer companies in the U.S., forming MillerCoors in 2008 and was CEO until 2011. Leo served on several corporate and philanthropic boards, including the Altria Group Inc. and the Denver Center of Performing Arts.

In retirement, Leo and Susan enjoyed time with their children’s families in Denver, Colorado, and Hermosa Beach, which provided services for people in need.

When she moved back to Marblehead, Anne joined St. Michael’s where she became the first female senior warden in 1984. Anne was a lay eucharistic minister, member of Parish Aid, St. Catherine’s Guild, volunteered at the Thrift Shop and founded the Wisdom and

Friendship group.

She was the delegate to the Episcopal Church Women triennial conventions in New Orleans and Indianapolis. Anne was an active member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross since 1977. She served as AC-in-C of the Boston Chapter as well as supervising the Adelynrood gardens for many years. She loved her weekly Bible study.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Davis Russell of Danvers and Jennifer Newhall Davis Oliveira, and her husband Jose Carlos Oliveira of Swampscott; three granddaughters, Kate Russell of New York City, Emily Russell of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Livvy Oliveira of Swampscott; her sister, Elizabeth Mentuck of Marblehead; and many nieces and nephews. She projects via Windowseat Pictures with his son Bill. was predeceased by her son, Lawrence E. Davis, and her sister, Katharine Cruger.

He sailed the BVIs and the Pacific Coast with family and friends, rode a Harley with his buddies in the Colorado Rockies, and shared his passion for sports and music with many, including Whitney and his cherished grandchildren, Leo V, Tegan, Margot and Marshall.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 26 Pleasant St., Marblehead. The service will be live streamed via St. Michael’s YouTube channel. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Michael’s Flower Fund, 26 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA 01945; or The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, Adelynrood, 46A Elm St., Byfield, MA 01922-2812; or adelynrood. org/donate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Anne’s family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com.

The Marblehead

California, and eventually settled in Palos Verdes. Leo adored his wife, Susan, an ordained minister, and eagerly supported her charitable activities, including a foundation centered on women’s empowerment. He partnered with both of his children in many ventures, including numerous film

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The family is grateful for all prayers and sympathy as they celebrate Leo, a man who lived life to the fullest. His powerful intellect, great heart and uplifting spirit will live on in the memory of his loved ones, his faithful friends and all those who were fortunate to know him.

William “Leo” Kiely Ill is survived by Susan Burkhardt Kiely, his loving wife of 52 years; his children, William Leo Kiely phone number for a person to contact, in case we have any questions about the obituary.

Photos, preferably in JPEG format, are welcome. Photos should be of high enough quality to reproduce well in print. Generally, an image file created by a digital camera or smartphone will be fine; images copied from websites will not.

IV and wife Gail Chalmers Kiely; Whitney Kiely Moehle and husband Doug Moehle; his grandchildren, William “Leo” Kiely V, Tegan Kiely, Margot Moehle, and Marshall Moehle; his brothers, Graves M. Kiely and Frank N. Kiely; and sister, Katherine E. Kiely. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph H. Kiely Sr.; and parents, William Leo Kiely II and Judith Graves Kiely. Family and friends will be invited to gather in Denver and Marblehead at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family would so appreciate your consideration in donating to the Kiely Moehle Family Foundation Fund: denverfoundation.org/fund/ kiely-moehle-family-foundationfund.