Nelson Smith, 101, was Ford mechanic
AVON -- Nelson ''Smitty" Smith, said to have been the oldest man in Avon, died Aug. 8 at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Stoughton. He was 101.
''He liked the idea that he was older than anyone," said a son-in-law, Tony Vecchione of Avon, adding that Mr. Smith was a little dismayed when he discovered that he actually was second in line for the honor. ''There was a woman in town who was a couple of weeks older," Vecchione said.
Mr. Smith was born in Gorham, Maine, and lived in Avon the past 72 years. He was a Ford mechanic for several garages, including the former Roby Ford in Cambridge, the former Stilphen Motor Co. in Dorchester, and the former Fore River Motors in Quincy. He retired at age 67.
He enjoyed cooking, especially making his signature fudge, and gardening, both of which he continued to do until the past few months.
Mr. Smith remembered the days of Model T cars and the Red Sox victory in the 1918 World Series, said his son-in-law. When he was younger, Mr. Smith would recall, he delivered milk in a horse-drawn carriage, and was paid with a quart of milk and breakfast.
He leaves a son, Nelson Jr. of Avon; four daughters, Marjorie Williams of Georgia, Frances Vaughn and Phyllis Vecchione, both of Avon, and Carol Nimmo of Rhode Island; a sister, Ruth Webster of Maryland; 20 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
Beatrice Mansbach, sold advertising, 85
BROCKTON -- Beatrice (Smith) Mansbach, who sold advertising for The Enterprise in Brockton, died Aug. 7 at Brockton Hospital. She was 85.
Mrs. Mansbach was a lifelong resident of Brockton and spent summers in Brant Rock, Marshfield. She graduated from Brockton High School, and became the first woman to sell advertising for The Enterprise, said her son, Kurt, of Marshfield. She was later hired by C.A. Fuller, a now-closed advertising firm.
She was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brockton and the Marshfield Senior Center, and formerly of the Brockton Country Club.
In her younger years, she was an avid horseback rider. She always loved the beach, and enjoyed swimming and golfing.
In addition to her son, she leaves a daughter, Pamela of Brockton; a brother, David Smith of California; a sister, Edith Colby of West Bridgewater; and a grandchild.
Doris Girvan, 81, mother of 10
WALPOLE -- Doris (Walker) Girvan, a homemaker, died Aug. 8 at the Caritas Norwood Hospital. She was 81.
Mrs. Girvan was born and raised in Illinois. She met her husband, George, a retired Boston firefighter, when he was in the military and stationed in Illinois. They moved to Roslindale, his hometown, 63 years ago to raise their family, then moved to Walpole 39 years ago.
A homemaker, Mrs. Girvan also helped her mother, who lived to be 100, by frequently flying back to Illinois to assist with her care. She loved gardening and cooking, and also made quilts -- a four- to five-month process she learned as a young girl -- as gifts to her children.
In addition to her husband, she leaves five sons, Michael of Walpole, Paul of Norwood, Dennis of Whitman, Thomas of North Attleborough, and George III of Attleboro; five daughters, Doris Meagher and Dianne Collins, both of Norwood, Donna LeClerc of Plainville, Dorothy Morin of Hingham, and Deborah Backoff of Danbury, N.H.; two brothers, Warren Walker and Russell Walker, both of Illinois; a sister, Martha Pryor of Michigan; 21 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Compiled by Megan McKee 
