Donald F. Ferguson

Donald F. Ferguson, a businessman and newspaper correspondent, died July 20 at his home in Hanson of lung disease. He was 74.

Mr. Ferguson was born and raised in Rockland and graduated from Rockland High School. He served in the Marine Corps and left at the rank of sergeant.

He received a degree from the School of Management at Boston University. At BU, he met the woman who would be his wife of 48 years, Barbara M. (Vradenburgh).

Mr. Ferguson began his career at the Howard Tagg Co. and eventually bought the business, serving as president and CEO. He also was president and CEO of Ray Brothers Inc., Douglas Print Co., and Dexter Print Co. He ended his career at Brandtjen & Kluge Inc., a printing equipment distributor.

He was a correspondent for the Brockton Enterprise newspaper.

Mr. Ferguson served on the Hanson Council of Elder Affairs and was chairman of the Housing Authority. He was also a town constable and a charter member of the Hanson Lions Club.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Ferguson leaves five sons, Donald of South Salem, N.Y., Robert of Newburyport, Michael of Ipswich, Roderick of Hanover, and Thomas of Madison, Wis.; a brother, Angus of Rockland; three sisters, Joan Senecal of Somerset, Esther LaFamme of Rockland, and Lauren Frame of Braintree; and eight grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Delia Bridget (Howe) O'Connor, a native of Ireland, died July 29 at Maristhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waltham at age 103.

Mrs. O'Connor came to the United States when she was 18 and worked in a Lowell mill, as a cook for a Cambridge family, and as a waitress in Harvard Square. She married Martin J. O'Connor in 1931. He died in 1991.

In the 1950s, she went back to high school and received a diploma from Somerville High School. After graduating she worked at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and then for the state Tax Examiners Office until her retirement.

Mrs. O'Connor was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 14 in Watertown and the County Clare Club in Cambridge.

She enjoyed Irish music, "set dancing," and playing the concertina.

Mrs. O'Connor leaves a son, David of Arlington; a daughter, Mary P. Dunn of Watertown; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be said at 9 a.m. today at the Church of St. Patrick in Watertown. Burial will be in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.