Posts Tagged ‘Mark Garfinkel’

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Choosing Hospice: The Death & Last Months of Maureen O’Neill

by markadmin Posted: Monday, 5/9/2022

Maureen O’Neill, cancer victim and Hospice of the North Shore patient, died 20 years ago today, May 9, 2003. 

In January 2003, I contacted the Danvers-based hospice now known as Care Dimensions about the possibility of following the life and trials of one of their patients. They introduced me to Danvers resident Maureen O’Neill.

I spent the majority of my time with Maureen, at her house and beyond, from the time she returned home from Salem Hospital to the moment of her death. 

I often think about the first time I met Maureen.

In order for this project to go forward, Maureen insisted on meeting with me first and seeing some of my photography work. I brought my photo portfolio to Salem Hospital, just a few days before she was to be released to the peaceful confines of her home.

Maureen chose to bypass chemotherapy to die at home with her 92- year-old mother at her side.  

One of the first photos in that portfolio was a mother duckling and her babies crossing a busy street in Waltham. Maureen loved the photo as she was a huge bird lover. We hit it off from that moment forward.

The following photos are dedicated to Maureen’s loyal friends and family, Care Dimensions, and most of all, Maureen, who wanted to show the benefits and dignity of dying at home.

Above & below: Cancer victim Maureen O’Neill, wishing to die at home with her mother, returns home from the hospital after realizing Chemotherapy was not going to work against her cancer.

“Don’t worry Mum, we will get thru this” Maureen O’Neill (above) returns from the hospital greeted by her 92 yr old mother Ann

Maureen O’Neill shares a laugh with Hospice Nurse Ann-Marie DePaolo and mom Ann.

After a difficult morning, Maureen O’Neill is instructed on her medicine usage by Hospice Nurse Ann-Marie DePaolo.

Maureen O’Neill sits on her Mom’s bed as she talks about her family.

Maureen O’Neill celebrates what would be her last birthday, her 63rd, with Josh, her friend’s grandson.

A tired Maureen O’Neill is watched over by her mom Ann.

"Choosing Hospice" - Ann O'Neill wipes moisture from the face of her daughter Maureen O'Neill. The next day Maureen would be gone. fragm

As friend Bob Supino places one hand on Maureen’s forehead and one hand on her pulse, Maureen O’Neill dies in her Danver’s living room with best friend Glenda, mother Ann and Hospice Nurse Ann-Marie DePaolo at her side.

Maureen O’Neill is laid to rest in her lifelong home of Danvers, Massachusetts

 

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7 years ago: The Revere tornado. Early moments of my photo coverage.

by markadmin Posted: Wednesday, 7/28/2021

I chase and photograph thunderstorms. Every thunderstorm that I can chase, I chase. July 28, 2014 was a day off from work, which afforded me the opportunity to storm chase. The storm cells that the weather radar showed just after 9am that morning, looked like a good possibility for me. I drove to Bayswater St. in East Boston thinking I could shoot the Boston skyline with any lightning that might be occur. It did not occur. The storm’s energy seemed to shift quickly toward the northeast, over what appeared to be the Revere, Saugus, Everett area. I then drove to Morton St. in Winthrop, which gives a nice view of Revere. Photos of daytime lightning are very difficult to achieve, especially during haze and heavy rain, so this was not turning out too well for me. I did, however, notice the very turbulent sky above Revere. I snapped a few photos. Shortly thereafter I got a tip that Revere had a lot of damage near the lower Broadway area, near city hall. I headed out toward Broadway and Tafts St., arriving in short order. The extent of the damage was shocking. I started taking photos and then moved toward Revere Beach Parkway. There I saw several homes with rooftops blown off. It was then, after seeing the angle of the fallen trees and calling up a high school weather class memory, that I guessed it might have been a tornado that socked this area. If fallen trees are angled in several different angles, then most likely it was a tornado. If the trees are lined up in the same way, then it was straight line winds that tore through the area. Here are some of the cloud formations just prior to, and after the tornado, and also the damage caused by it. 
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11 years ago today, a unique water rescue for Somerville firefighter Mike Marino & Mass State Police.

by markadmin Posted: Saturday, 7/10/2021

              It was 11 years ago today that Christine Desrochers-Broderick, clinging to the roof of her submerged car, was rescued by off-duty Somerville firefighter Michael Marino in the Assembly Square underpass at Mystic Ave. It was not long after that all three of us were contacted by The Weather Channel, to “star” in their (then) new show, Twist of Fate. Here is my blog dispatch from that day.
              I came upon this dramatic scene after completing news coverage of a long, hot, then very rainy immigration rally in Boston. The police scanner was crackling something about a person or persons stuck under the Assembly Square underpass at Mystic Ave. I drove to an area near the courthouse where I saw troopers feverishly trying to enter the water and gain access to the serious situation that was unfolding. I noticed a young couple sitting on the curb and I turned to see that their car’s roof, about an inch of it, was still visible. Within a few minutes the tunnel was almost 80% filled with water maybe 10 feet high. I had to kneel down to see what was unfolding about 70 yards into the tunnel. There I could see a woman atop of what appeared to be her car. I returned to my car to get my 800mm telephoto lens, snapped a few photos there and then ran like hell to the other side of the underpass. That is where I saw troopers Joe Kalil and Stephen Barnes and Somerville firefighters Jack Betkwith, LT Michael Anzalone and off-duty firefighter Michael Marino. I positioned myself on McGrath Highway above the rescue and pointed my 70-200 mm lens through the chain link fence. The troopers and the firefighters worked in unison to perfection. The only problem was, would my lens stay dry enough in the rain to capture the rescue? I borrowed the corner of a passerby’s dry shirt to use to clean my lens since my clothes were drenched. Lucky for me that the man didn’t think I was nuts when I asked him: “may I use your shirt to clean my lens?” Then, out the rescuers popped with one cold and wet Christine Broderick, as they guided her through the water that now contained mostly raw sewage.
              

 

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Photographing the Boston Eclipse. The Challenges.

by markadmin Posted: Thursday, 6/10/2021

This morning’s new moon, called the “Strawberry Moon,” passed between the Earth and sun shortly before sunrise, and moved fully away at 6:32 am. The eclipse began at 4:38 am, 29 minutes before sunrise, as the moon passed in front of the sun, blocking much of the sunlight.

There were many challenges involved in photographing this. The first challenge was to find a decent foreground that would align with the event. I chose Marblehead’s Hammond Park, as I would be able to align the eclipse with Marblehead Lighthouse. The weather was also a significant problem as the sunrise was not viewable, through clouds, until several minutes after the sun fell out of alignment with the lighthouse, hence no real good foreground to tell the viewer where I was. Once the sun and moon’s positions were starting to become visually clear, the difference in exposure from the top (sun & moon) of the photo to the bottom (the full harbor view) made it impossible for me to get both the Marblehead harbor landscape with a defined view of the event. The clouds turned to a thin layer several minutes after sunrise, thus making a decent photo without the usual necessary eye-safe filter one needs for protection during these eclipses. However, once the sun rose a bit more, and then clouds faded more, I needed to use a homemade filter that I created out of a very thick, dark solar filter sheet. I used an unfiltered 100-400mm lens, and a filtered 800mm lens, seen below. Once filtered, the color shift is another challenge, because much of the photo will go semi-dark except for the extremely bright sun.
NBC10Boston photos by Mark Garfinkel


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On this date, 10 years ago, Boston fire Lt. Kevin Kelley killed in the line of duty.

by markadmin Posted: Wednesday, 1/9/2019

On January 9, 2009, a Boston fire crew’s ladder truck, Ladder 26, suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure returning from a call on Mission Hill. Boston fire Lieutenant Kevin Kelley died after the truck slammed into a building on Huntington Ave. It is hard to believe that ten years have passed. Here is a photo of the very solemn moments after Lt. Kelley’s BFD colleagues, Boston EMS, and Boston police officials recovered him from the rubble. Needless to say it was a very difficult photo to snap at the time. There was not a dry eye in the area at that moment. Rest in Peace.

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My Boston year in photos, 2018

by markadmin Posted: Thursday, 1/3/2019

 From airplanes to storms, moons to sunsets, all the way to an exciting new job with my new employer NBC10Boston/NECN/TELEMUNDO. These photos span from January 4, 2018, a Winthrop storm photo, to December 31, a newly married couple posing for a wedding photo at FirstNightBoston. My new career started on November 12. I am proud to say that there are 8 photos taken after November 12. Thank you all for your support. Happy New Year!

March 2018, Boston,MA. An airliner approaches Boston’s Logan airport. 

April 6, 2018. Snow and fog at Logan.

December 4, 2018-Parking lot of NBC10Boston. A departing airliner through my view of the crescent moon.

January 7, 2018. At 40,000′ high, this Lufthansa airplane flies through my view of the sun as they fly to NYC from Germany.Photographed from Winthrop,MA.

January 5, 2018. Wind and blowing snow at Logan.

May 21, 2018.Long lens compression makes this Logan departure look as if it is a hood ornament atop the Pru.

June 30, 2018. Harbor fireworks.

November 7, 2018. Boston Harbor birds

December 5, 2018. A construction crane atop One Dalton, Boston’s newest high-rise, frames the rising crescent moon.

January 31, 2018-Hull,MA. A special lunar trifecta ends with the moon setting over Boston, as seen from Hull, shortly before 7am. The second full moon of this month, called a Blue Moon, and a close pass to earth called a Supermoon, along with a partial lunar eclipse will not happen again until 2037. 

December 8, 2018. The setting Boston crescent moon.

03/01/2018-Boston,MA. This morning’s moon is framed by the Chelsea Street Bridge, and the new (under-construction) casino, in middle, as it sets over Constitution Beach in East Boston.

December 12, 2018. Mourning Dove with Crescent moon.

September 4, 2018. The crescent moon, a bird, and Boston’s North End.

February 17, 2018-Revere,MA. Revere and area firefighters battle a 5 alarm fire at 61 Squire rd, Sozio Appliances. 

February 17, 2018-Revere,MA. Revere and area firefighters battle a 5 alarm fire at 61 Squire Rd, Sozio Appliances. 

January 16, 2018-Dorchester,MA. Boston firefighters work the scene of a 4 alarm fire at Codman Square Market and Mod Liquors, at the 500 block of Washington St. Firefighters needed foam to squash the fire. The foam accumulated on Washington St.

January 16, 2018-Dorchester,MA. Boston firefighters work the scene of a 4 alarm fire at Codman Square Market and Mod Liquors, at the 500 block of Washington St. Firefighters needed foam to squash the fire. The foam accumulated on Washington St.

BOSTON, MA. – August 8: Lightning strikes over a foggy Deer Island as a series of vivid lightning storms visited Boston, on August 8, 2018.

BOSTON, MA. – August 8: Lightning strikes over South Boston as a series of vivid lightning storms visited Boston, on August 8, 2018.

August 4, 2018. A thunderstorm of Cape Cod is seen from Winthrop,MA.

03/02/2018-Winthrop,MA. A driver abandons her car on Moore St., at Shirley St., after driving through during the height of today’s high tide.

BOSTON,MA. – August 3: Lightning strikes over and to the rear of Logan airport early afternoon, on August 3, 2018. 

03/02/2018-Winthrop,MA. A car sits stuck in the water as the high tide pushes up and over the seawall at Short Beach, on the Revere/Winthrop line. 

03/02/2018-Winthrop,MA. The high tide pushes up and over the seawall at Short Beach, on the Revere/Winthrop line.

01/04/2018-Winthrop,MA. Joey Constantino peers out the window of his Shirley St. residence as heavy seas inundated his neighborhood. 

03/02/2018-Winthrop,MA. A fire truck pushes through Shirley St., during the height of today’s high tide. 

01/04/2018-Winthrop,MA. A Town of Winthrop fire truck sits stuck in water from heavy seas that inundated the Shirley St. neighborhood.

September 5, 2018. Our son Leo takes flight.

03/17/2018-Revere,MA. Participants, of all kinds, are seen at the annual, and frigid, Revere Polar Plunge this afternoon at Revere Beach. The annual plunge benefits Special Olympics Massachusetts, and is helped along by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympic Massachusetts. 

February 20, 2018. A father teaches his aviation-loving boys how to photograph passing jetliners near Logan airport.

April 7, 2018. Belle Isle Marsh Revere.

July 4, 2018. The Queen Mary pulls into Boston Harbor.

September 18, 2018. Boston sunset.

December 10, 2018. Newton firefighters salute as the body of fallen FF Christopher Roy passes below them on the Mass pike.

December 31, 2018. Newly weds pose for their wedding photographer in Copley Square.

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23 Years ago today, the Oklahoma City Bombing: My experiences and photographs.

by markadmin Posted: Thursday, 4/19/2018

In 1997 I was sent with Boston Herald columnist Peter Gelzinis to cover the 2nd anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building. In 2001 we returned to the bombing site to provide coverage of the moment that Oklahoma City bomber/murderer Timothy McVeigh was executed (in Indiana). While we were there, on both trips, Peter introduced the Denny family to our readers and to me. Peter had met the Dennys only hours after the actual bombing when he and Herald photographer Matthew West were dispatched to the horrific scene. In 1995 Rebecca Denny, then age 2 years, and her 3 year old brother Brandon Denny, were severely injured in the explosion while they were attending the building’s day care center. On June 11, 2001, the day that Timothy McVeigh was executed in Terre Haute Indiana, many victims and relatives, including the Dennys, marked this moment by returning to the now beautiful grounds and memorial of the Murrah federal building’s footprint. Here, beginning with a 1997 black & white photo of The Survivor Tree, are some of my photos from my two memorable trips. On a personal note, it is heartening to see that from senseless tragedy, good and decent people rise from the ashes and quickly turn the narrative positive. Also, I feel blessed to have met the Denny family.

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1997 photo of Rebecca Denny, then age 4 years, and me, as Peter Gelzinis, off camera, interviews Rebecca's brother Brandon, at their Oklahoma home.

1997 photo of Rebecca Denny, then age 4 years, and me, as Peter Gelzinis, off camera, interviews Rebecca’s brother Brandon, at their Oklahoma home.

Rebecca Denny, age 11 years, is seen at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, moments before the execution, in Indiana, of Timothy McVeigh.

Rebecca Denny, age 8 years, is seen at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, moments before the execution, in Indiana, of Timothy McVeigh.

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Brandon Denny, age 9 years, also known a "Miracle Boy" due to his improbable survival living against all odds after having a hole the size of a fist punched thru his brain in the Murrah Federal Bldg bombing, prays at a chair that symbolizes his dead friend Chase Smith who was in the same day care in the bldg but did not survive.

Brandon Denny, age 9 years, also known a “Miracle Boy” due to his improbable survival living against all odds after having a hole the size of a fist punched thru his brain in the Murrah Federal Bldg bombing, prays at a chair that symbolizes his dead friend Chase Smith who was in the same day care in the bldg but did not survive.

The Denny family, moments before the McVeigh execution.

The Denny family, moments before the McVeigh execution.

 

Seconds before the execution of Timothy McVeigh, Deb Ferrell-Lynn, who lost her cousin Susan ferrell, hugs Constance Favorite, who lost her daughter LaKesha Levy.

Seconds before the execution of Timothy McVeigh, Deb Ferrell-Lynn, who lost her cousin Susan ferrell, hugs Constance Favorite, who lost her daughter LaKesha Levy.

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More from Saturday’s big Revere fire. Per reader requests.

by markadmin Posted: Tuesday, 2/20/2018

My Boston Herald photo coverage of Saturday’s 5-alarm fire in Revere caught the attention of several readers of my blog, and of the Herald. Here is most of my photo shoot from Saturday evening’s fire at Sozio Appliance, a fixture on Squire road for many decades. Here is the Herald story from Kathleen McKiernan, and, as always, reader feedback is very much appreciated..



 

 

 

 

 

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Bernard Cardinal Law is dead. My photo coverage of him during clergy abuse crisis.

by markadmin Posted: Wednesday, 12/20/2017

The Boston Herald Extra edition published Friday the 13th of December, 2002, showing my photo of Bernard Cardinal Law just hours before he announced his resignation from the Archdiocese of Boston. My photo & this Extra, was then replaced with the moment he resigned, which was then captured by the Herald’s Matt Stone. Below are some of my Boston Herald photos of Bernard Cardinal Law.

Above. (06/14/02-Dallas,TX) “I am glad my mother is not alive during this (abuse scandal). I am glad she has the perspective of heavan.” A somber looking Bernard Cadinal Law speaks to Herald reporter Eric Convey during a brief interview at the Fairmont Hotel-Dallas, during the US Catholic Bishop’s Conference. Boston Herald staff photo by Mark Garfinkel

Above 06/15/2002-Dallas,TX. Bernard Cadinal Law pauses during morning prayer prior to discussions that would eventually yield to a “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas. Boston Herald staff photo by Mark Garfinkel.

Above. Toronto, Canada. July 2002.  After the Mass officiated by Pope John Paul 2, Bernard Cardinal Law returned to his hotel and gave “one on one” interviews with Boston area media outlets. HERE, Boston World Youth Day Pilgrims listen intently to the Q and A session. Boston Herald staff photo by Mark Garfinkel

Above. July 2002. “Papal Trip” . Boston’s Cardinal Bernard Law has some words of encouragement to a busload of Pilgrims headed to see the Pope in Toronto. The entorage is scheduled to arrive at World Youth Day this evening. Staff photo by Mark Garfinkel

Above. September 25, 1999-Foxborough,MA. A young boy breaks from the audience with other children and hugs Bernard Cardinal Law at Foxboro Stadium tonite. Boston Herald staff photo by Mark Garfinkel

At Easter services, Cardinal Law reiterated his stance on standing firm. He s

A man who claims to have been abused by the Rev Thomas Birmingham writes a note on a sign of protest against Cardinal Law and support of victims while protesting outside of Holy Cross Cathedral.

A group of approximately 400 people descended upon the Church of The Holy Cross in the South End today calling for Bernard Cardinal Law’s resignation.

“Shadowed Cross” Protestors hold hands in a ring around Cathedral of the Holy Cross during Good Friday services. They were protesting Cardinal Law’s handling of the Clergy Sex Abuse crisis.

A group of approximately 400 people descended upon the Church of The Holy Cross in Boston calling for Bernard Cardinal Law’s resignation.

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One of the world’s largest airplanes departs Boston’s Logan Airport today.

by markadmin Posted: Thursday, 10/5/2017

The Antonov Design Bureau AN124, a Ukrainian cargo plane with a tail # UR-82008, is seen departing Boston’s Logan International Airport after a surprise and brief refueling stop prior to a flight to the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility (Titusville). My photos from early this morning.

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