The Sherlock men

For at least one family gathering, the men sat around the kitchen table. In order left to right are Henry, Paul, Ted,  Paul Brousseau (married to Angela), Vin Campbell (married to Fran), Dad Sherlock, and Jerry.

Maybe later the same day, this time along a couch: Dad Sherlock, Paul B, Paul, and Ted

How is it the same day? Dad Sherlock has the same time, Paul has the same suit/tie combo. Paul B took off his tie, and so has Ted. Both were known to like to relax that way.

Martina and Jerry

While eating with Martina and Jerry they spoke about getting permission to get into the war effort.
Jerry said that his parents refused to give him permission to join. " Ma said NO"
Martina then related the same thing." Oh, Ma refused to give me permission to go as a nurse."
She turned to me with the trademark Sherlock grin. I appealed to her as a mother. "But Ma if all the mothers of nurses told their daughters no, what would happen? Who would take care of all the boys? What would happen to Jack, Ted and Jerry?" Talk about your Irish guilt!

Mrs. Sherlock relented. Martina did add; " Well I didn't need permission as I was old enough. Times were different though I needed my mothers permission."

Jerry then said that he told the recruiter that his mother wouldn't give permission. The recruiter told Jerry that the Government would be drafting in September of 1943 and you never knew what would happen. She relented and Jerry was accepted for the Marines and went to Parris Island Recruit Depot in October of 1943. I suspect it was a little more complicated then that.

I am reminded after taking Jerry to see "Saving Private Ryan" I spoke to Jerry the next day and we spoke of some things that remain personal. However the one thing that stands out is like the fictional Mrs. Ryan, Jerry said Mrs. Sherlock had a banner with stars for Martin, Jack, Ted, Henry and Jerry. He said it must have been pretty hard on his mother. He considers himself very fortunate. Large families separated with members all over the world defending freedom. They all came home.

We tend to forget in our iPhone, Blackberry driven world of instant communications and take a lot for granted. Jerry and Martina spoke of getting mail from home. Times were different.

So the next time you voice or memory dial, take a moment to think of Mrs Sherlock in the dark days of the War with her children in far flung places. Never knowing.

Have a great day! Thanks Martina, Jack, Ted, Henry, Jerry, Fran, and of course Vin Campbell.

Grandma King and Ted

There is pencil writing on the back of this original. Apparently from Jerry's mother Mary. She wrote that "Grandma still thinks Ted is the (cats)"

When discussing this picture at the Sherlock brunch this week: Helene, Angela and Jerry agreed that while all the boys helped Grandma King with chores and errands, Ted always got the best reward. Grandma would give him the apple to "divide in three halves" and a nickel or dime that no one else got.

Grandma King was also fond of saying "the yard is wide" - meaning go out and play. Not far from what I heard when growing up about going to "play in traffic".

Karen Sherlock

SHERLOCK, KAREN, 55 of 1 Dawn Hill Drive, Bristol and formerly of Pawtucket died on Saturday.

She was born in Providence, a daughter of the late Edward P. and Mary J. (McNamara) Sherlock.

She leaves two sisters, Christine Sherlock of Rumford and Mary Frances Sherlock of Pawtucket and a wonderful extended family.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9 AM from the CHEETHAM MORTUARY, INC., 1012 Newport Ave., Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Margaret Church, 1098 Pawtucket Ave., Rumford. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. www.cheethammortuary.com

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This was originally in the Providence Journal online here

Blizzard of 1978 - 2

Jerry talks with Steve about the Blizzard of 1978. Steve shares the story of his weekend trip to NYC. Jerry talks about Ted & Mary walking to a PC game.

Time: 4 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

East Matunick - Vacation tales

Jerry talks with Bob and Steve about vacation time down at East Matunick, RI.

Time: 6 minutes, 6 seconds



MP3 File

Fran Campbell

M. Frances Campbell

CAMPBELL, M. FRANCES 'FRAN', 93, of Walcott Street, died Saturday at Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Vincent J. Campbell, Sr.

Born in Pawtucket, she was a daughter of the late John F. Sr. and Mary Agnes (King) Sherlock and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was educated at Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools in Pawtucket and graduated from Rhode Island College of Education in 1935. She began her 40 year teaching career at Oakland Beach School in Warwick followed by periods at Samuel Slater Jr. High School, Pawtucket, John W. Horton School, and later at Parkview Jr. High School both in Cranston. She was a critic teacher for many years guiding numerous student teachers toward academic excellence. She was a Past President of the RI Retired Teachers and the Blackstone Valley Teachers, Past Secretary & Treasurer of the RI Social Studies Association, a member of the Central Retired Teachers, A.F. of T. Retired Teachers, American Association of Teacher Educators, Delegate to the Annual Teacher Educators Convention for RI, a member of the Legislative Committee of the RI Teachers Association and the AARP Community Participation Person of the RI Teachers Association.

She was a Lecturer and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph Church, Pawtucket as well as Past President of its Senior Citizens Club and Past Vice President of its Woman's Club. She was Past President of Mercy Mount Mothers Club, Past President of Sacred Heart High School Alumni. She was Treasurer of Catholic Woman's Club of RI and former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Raphael Academy and Recording Secretary and Treasurer.

Mrs. Campbell was a Charter member of Providence College Veridames, and member of the RI College Alumni Association. She was a Regent of the Pawtucket Circle of the Daughters of Isabella and Recording Secretary of the State Circle.

On the Community level, she began her service with the American Red Cross Motor Service from 1941-1945 as a driver. She was a member of the Memorial Hospital Guild, the Pawtucket Women's Club, the Pawtucket Public Library, Deborah Cook-Sayles since 1983 and served as a Chairperson and later a Vice Chairperson there, and was a member of the Visiting Nurses of Blackstone Valley. She was a 2003 inductee of the Pawtucket Hall of Fame.

She was great advocate for Elderly issues and rights and testified at the RI State House Hearing and Committees. She was appointed a Delegate to the US Representative Fernand St. Germain White House Conference in 1981. She was Past President of Pawtucket Senior Citizen's Council, a Board Member of the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, and an Advisory Board Member of the Home and Community Care Board of the Department of Elderly Affairs. She was Elected State Democratic Woman for District 62.

She is survived by two sons, Vincent J. Jr. and his wife Patricia Campbell of Rehoboth, MA, Kevin P. Campbell of Pawtucket; three sisters, Martina Higgins of Bristol, Angela Brousseau of South Kingstown, Helene A. Mainor of North Kingstown; three brothers, John F. Sherlock, Sr. of Pawtucket, Gerald F. Sherlock of Smithfield, Henry J. Sherlock of Providence; four grandchildren, Shawn C. and his wife Holly Campbell of Rumford, Todd R. Campbell of Pawtucket, Honey H. Campbell of Pawtucket, Roseanna C. and her husband Brian Cavanaugh of Franklin, MA, and one great-grandson, Connor J. Campbell of Rumford. She was the sister of the late Rep. Paul Sherlock and Edward 'Ted' Sherlock. She was the former mother-in-law of Jann Campbell of Arlington, VA.

A funeral will be held on Friday at 8:30 a.m. from the CHEETHAM MORTUARY INC., 1012 Newport Ave., Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 193 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Donations may be made to RI College Foundation, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Prov., RI 02980, in 'Fran's' memory.

Published in The Providence Journal on 10/30/2007.

Selling Christmas trees from the front yard

Jerry talks of Ted selling Christmas trees from the front yard; corner of Coyle Ave and Broadway in Pawtucket. Ragman, iceman, and peddlers. Jerry also wants to check with his older siblings on some of these details.

Time: 4 minutes, 5 seconds



MP3 File

Washtub lights, Ted

Jerry talks about games under the lights at the high school field (Tolman, St Raphael's), the washtubs used as reflectors, and his brother Ted, a great softball pitcher.

Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds



MP3 File