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Russell VanMeter Obituary

Of Holbrook, formerly of Naples, FL and Braintree, after a brief illness, August 22, 2008. Beloved husband for 63 years of Mary (DiDio) VanMeter. Loving father of Linda Holston and her husband Hal of Gulf Breeze, FL, Susan McDonnell and her husband Joseph of Holbrook, and Jill Foley and her husband Charles of Brockton. Brother of the late Floyd and Douglas VanMeter. Devoted grandfather of Megan DeMariano, Russell DeMariano, Ryan Foley, and Maribeth Foley. Reposing at the Cartwright Funeral Home, 69 So. Franklin St. (Rte. 37), HOLBROOK. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Monday 4-8PM with a Funeral Service at 7:00PM in the Funeral Home. Burial will be private. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. Russell "Van" VanMeter was born in Shinnston, WV and died after a brief illness at the Caritas Norwood Hospital on Friday at the age of 84. Van grew up in and graduated from high school in Shinnston, WV. After graduating he joined the United States Navy and is a Veteran of WWII. Van owned and operated Vans Body Shop in Dorchester for over 35 years. Upon his retirement, Van and his wife Mary, travelled extensively in their motorcoach throughout the United States, visiting all 50 states as well as Canada and Mexico. Van has been a resident of Holbrook for the past 2 years and had previously lived in Braintree and Naples, FL. For additional information or to send a sympathy message visit cartwrightfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Aug. 24, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

dari cook

August 28, 2008

Dear Linda, You have been in my thoughts and prayers ..I know how hard it is to lose a parent...especially one as wonderful and talented as your father..Please give your Mom and family my deepest sympathy and love, Dari and Guy

Mike Casey

August 24, 2008

Mr. VanMeter,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the USN during WW II and for being a member of the Greatest Generation. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Carol Icard

August 24, 2008

Dear Mary, Linda, Susan and Jill,

I am thinking of all of you with deepest sympathy for your loss. I know you all have favorite memories that will help to sustain you through this difficult time. I feel as though my life has been impacted tremendously by knowing you, throughout my childhood and beyond. I'm so grateful for my own memories, distant as they are, of Van and our neighborhood on Woodside Avenue. He remains in my mind as a raven haired, handsome man who both made me laugh and terrified me! Maybe he will have the same affect on the angels, as he arrives on the other side! I am praying for comfort for all of you as you celebrate his life. All my love, Carol Beth (Munro) Icard

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