Stephen A. Rendell

Stephen A. Rendell, a lifelong resident of Framingham who ran his family business Avery Mattress and Upholstery in downtown, died on Oct. 26, 2017 at the age of 73 at home after a long battle with leukemia. Rendell had a quiet, understated nature that belied a keen intelligence and wide range of interests and talents. He had a passion for antiqu-es, and was a collector known for his encyclopedic knowledge of early American furniture and artifacts, and he designed a line of fabrics based on Early American patterns. Rendell had a gift for carpentry, and was a highly regarded finish carpenter whose work was known for its precision and beauty. He was an avid boatsman, and moored his boat for years in Woods Hole. He also had a love of music, rhythm and blues, and jazz in particular, and his favorite musicians included Ray Charles, James Brown, Cannonball Adderley and Josh White. He and his father attended countless big band concerts throughout the area. But it was Rendells family and community that were the driving forces of his life. He was the son of the late Bertrum Rendell and Dr. Jean Avery, a beloved local pediatrician and obstetrician. He was particularly close to his grandfather, Raymond C. Avery, whose father Frank Avery founded the family business which Stephen eventually took over. The family was known for its summer clam bakes in the backyard of their Prospect Street home every summer. Stephen loved to grill by the familys pool, but his specialty was homemade clam chowder. Rendell loved sports and played football, hockey, and soccer in high school and at the New Hampton School. He went on to play amateur hockey for the Framingham Bears and was a longtime coach for the Framingham Youth Hockey program. He coached his son, Bertrum Rendell II, and was a proud hockey dad in the stands at Brown University hockey games cheering on is daughter Kirsten Rendell who was a star goalie for the team. Among the many players he coached was Peter Taglianetti who went on to play in the NCAA final for Providence College, and then won Stanley Cups playing defense for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As an adult, Rendell was also an avid tennis player. Rendell lived with his son until his death, and spent many summer afternoons taking his granddaughter Sydney Rendell, and their beloved dogs Avery or Jagger on swimming adventures at Hopkinton State Park and other local watering holes. The days were never complete without an ice cream, one of his favorite treats. Rendell was a longtime member of the Framingham Eagles, and was a past-president of the Framingham Kiwanis Club. In addition to his son Bertrum Rendell and his companion Marci Lynn Black, and Kirsten Rendell and granddaughter Sydney Rendell. He is also survived by his daughters family, granddaughter Claire A. Muldowney, grandson James Ean Muldowney and son-in-law Thomas Muldowney all of Hong Kong; his former wife Bonnie L. Trudell of Blairsville, Georgia; sister Elisabeth Ingram and her husband Douglas Ingram of Wellfleet; his brother Rick Rendell and his wife Ellen Ishkanian of Wellesley; his longtime companion Phyllis M. Williams of Spencer, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Priscilla (Cindy) Cleveland. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Stephens life on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, from 5 to 8 at the Eagles Club, Park Street, Framingham. A memorial service will be held sometime next year.