People - Page 4

A bald smiling man wearing a police uniform.

Police Chief James Cogan to retire after 42 years

February 28, 2026
Police Chief James Cogan announced his intention to retire from a more than 42-year career with the Acton Police Department on March 27, leaving a department that has grown by leaps and bounds since he first pinned on a badge. Chief Cogan took an oath and joined the Acton Police Department in 1984, when officers still carried billy clubs and used pen and paper to write reports. Billy clubs gave way to pepper spray and tasers over the decades. Chief Cogan never used any of them and never fired his firearm in the course of his duties. Instead, he relied…
A woman with black hair, big pink glasses, and wearing a purple dress holds an award (the Black Excellence on the Hill Award).

Julie Pierce promotes a vibrant Acton

April 30, 2024
Julie Pierce, Acton’s Economic and Community Development Director, was completely surprised and honored when she recently won a “Black Excellence on the Hill” award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Unbeknownst to her, State Representative Simon Cataldo, who represents parts of Acton, had nominated her for…
Woman with blond hair and glasses.

Interview with Acton’s new Health Director

April 30, 2024
Penelope (Penny) Funaiole has been appointed as Acton’s new Health and Family Services Director, replacing the recently retired Sheryl Ball. Her most recent experience was as the Prevention and Outreach Manager for the City of Medford for eight plus years. Prior to that position, she held the position…
An alcove inside Danny's Place with a rose window and low grey cushions with backs in a circle on the floor.

Danny’s Place: A Haven in Our Midst

April 30, 2024
When Cristina Morales was about to give birth to her second child in Mexico, her husband’s work brought the family to Boston. That was in 2012. They settled in Acton and Morales’s daily running route brought her up Pope Road and down Strawberry Hill Rd. Her children would…

Brilliant Pitching under a Brilliant Blue Sky

April 30, 2024
Softball fans Monday April 29 were treated to a brilliant blue sky, and even more brilliant pitching, when the Wayland Warriors visited the Acton-Boxborough Revolution (or Colonials, according to the scoreboard) in a Dual County League contest. Hits were in short supply, as A-B’s Tia Gillespie mowed down…
Badge icon representing Elections and Town Meeting

Q&A with Candidates for School Committee

April 19, 2024
This material was republished from a communication prepared for members of the Acton Boxborough Education Association (ABEA). Ben Bloomenthal (incumbent) Q1. Why are you running for School Committee? Are there any particular issues that inspired you to run? I’m running for School Committee because I believe in the…
Photo of Frolic and Detour Restaurant Venue from across the pond

Business Briefs

April 19, 2024
Frolic and Detour Closes Eva Zelnick, owner of the Nagog Park restaurant, Frolic and Detour, confirms that it has closed permanently. Zelnick is a lawyer and has returned to that field. McGovern Automotive Group recently bought the property as well as the rest of Nagog Mall. Chrysler cars…
Program from the Modern Women in Acton’s History Month event

Acton Women Honored for Women’s History Month

April 12, 2024
On Wednesday, March 20th, a Women’s History Month Celebration took place at the Acton Memorial Library to honor women who have played significant roles in shaping Acton’s contemporary history. Host Ann Chang greeted a packed audience, both in-person and online, to recognize the remarkable contributions of women who…
Meeting at Acton Paper Store, from left, Operations Manager Rachel Jacobs, Cataldo Aide Kyle Stapleton, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Vice President of Stores Sara Carbonier, CEO Tom Anderson, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, and Acton DIrector of Economic Development Julie Pierce

Paper Store Asks for State’s Help After Thefts

April 12, 2024
After a rash of brazen thefts at Paper Stores around Massachusetts and New England, the CEO of the one hundred-store Paper Store chain, Tom Anderson, invited the Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, Yvonne Hao, to visit the Paper Store at Acton Plaza on Massachusetts Ave. He also asked…
John T. “Doc” McNiff

Obituary: John T. “Doc” McNiff

April 12, 2024
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John T. “Doc” McNiff, of Hampton, NH formerly of Maynard and a retired Lieutenant of the Acton Police Department, passed away Wednesday April 3, 2024 at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was 77 years old. He was the beloved husband of Christine (D’Errico) McNiff. Doc was…
Portrait of Sharon Cole

Obituary: Sharon FitzSimons Cole

March 24, 2024
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Sharon FitzSimons Cole, of Acton, passed away at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, March 15, 2024 at the age of 86. Born in Warren, PA to the late Sarah Helen (Gaston) and Ogden FitzSimons. Sharon was the beloved wife of the late Michael Bennett Cole, with…
Marie Beam, new CEO of Acton Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum: Advancing Learning Experiences

March 14, 2024
When Neil Gordon, the long-time CEO of Acton’s Discovery Museum, announced he intended to retire at the end of 2023, the Board of Directors of the children’s museum launched a six-month, intensive search for his replacement. But like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” they found their “heart’s…
Photograph of man with Chinese features, formally dressed.

Obituary: Hongxiang (Harry) Chen 陈鸿祥

March 10, 2024
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Following a more than 15-years battle with frontotemporal dementia, Hongxiang (Harry) Chen 陈鸿祥 of Acton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at the age of 67. He was born on September 14, 1956 in Fuzhou, China to 陈振亚 Chen…
Fire Chief Anita Arnum

Acton’s Fire Department to the Rescue

February 24, 2024
Fire Chief Anita Arnum and recently appointed Deputy Chief Chris Sammet have amassed 60 years of experience serving the Acton Fire Department. Through those years, they have not only fought fires but have helped people facing a variety of crises, ranging from injuries from a car accident to…
Photo of D K Halley

An Interview with Acton’s New Assistant Town Manager

February 15, 2024
On November 20, 2023, Thomas (Thom) Begin started his new job as Acton’s Assistant Town Manager. He had previously worked in the Framingham School system as Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds. He achieved a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government in 2006 and a master’s degree…

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