Patricia M. Wagner-Montminy

Counselor at Law, and former reporter for the Lowell Sun;

Attorney Patricia M. Wagner-Montminy, 71, originally from Dracut, Massachusetts, and a member of a widely known Greater Lowell family, died suddenly on Saturday May 30, 2020 at her home in Sterling, Massachusetts after a long battle with Pompe Disease and other medical issues.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, August 20, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Walter and the late Alice (Mullen) Wagner. Pat was a graduate of Dracut High School, Class of 1966 and went on to attend Northeastern University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1971. Following college, Pat began an over 20-year career in journalism as a reporter for the Lowell Sun until the early 1990’s.
She received her Juris Doctorate in Law from the Massachusetts School of Law in 1993, and upon graduation opened a private firm and practiced in Middlesex and Worcester Counties. Within her practice she specialized in criminal defense and family law, and often worked with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services, where she was passionate in defending the rights of the underprivileged, children, and marginalized individuals.
A woman of many interests, Pat loved traveling, westerns, and history; she was considered the family historian. In addition, she was an accomplished artist, painting many watercolor paintings.
She is survived by her pride and joy, her daughter Sara W. (Montminy) Paquette and a loving grandson Richard Walter Paquette, both of Northborough; and many beloved cousins.
Due to the COVID-19 state and federal restrictions, a private Graveside Service was held on Friday June 5th at St. Mary Cemetery in North Tewksbury. A memorial Mass for Pat will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the American Cancer Society. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.

Nicholas J. Ziakas

Lifelong Lowell Resident and Korean War Veteran;

Nick Ziakas, a lifelong resident of Lowell, joined his beloved wife Catherine (Tzanetakos)Ziakas in eternal rest on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

The son of the late John and Frances (Daros)Ziakas, Nick was preceded in death by his two sisters, Esther Ziakas and Aphrodite Sokorelis both of Lowell and his brother Timothy of Dracut.

Born in Lowell, February 2, 1930, Nick resided his entire life in the Acre section of Lowell. After graduating from Lowell High School, he served honorably as a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

Following his stint in the service, Nick worked for many years as a contractor for the old Lowell Gas Company. He then worked over twenty years with the Demoulas family as a manager in the Market Basket food distribution facilities in Tewksbury, retiring from there in 1994.

In his youth he was an active member of the Lowell Boys Club and as a member of their basketball team played in two tournaments at the old Boston Garden. He was a great fan of all the New England professional sports teams as well as college football and basketball.

Nick is survived by Judy Farrell, whom he loved as a daughter, and her extended family, with whom he celebrated many Holidays and family gatherings.

He is also survived by his nephews Charles Ziakas and his wife Sue Ann of North Hampton NH, John Ziakas and his wife Lou Ann of San Antonio TX and Eli Sokorelis of Seabrook NH. In addition, he is also survived by his nieces Lois McCabe and her husband Bill, Frances Whalen and her husband Bob, both of Lowell and Esther Vavra of Dracut.

Nick treasured his lifelong friendship with George and Anne Patterson of Florida and his Goddaughter Nancy Breault of Billerica.

Due to the Covid 19 state and federal restrictions, private committal services were held for the family on Tuesday at the Westlawn Cemetery. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.   

Mary E. (Lynch) O’Neil

Loving mother, grandmother, in law, aunt and friend;

Mary E. (Lynch) O’Neil, 87, formerly of Lowell, passed away Thursday May 7, 2020 at the Coleman House in Northborough, Massachusetts.

She was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. O’Neil who died in 2004.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 12, 1932, a daughter of the late Joseph L. and the late Mary (Brick) Lynch, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School, Class of 1950. She went on to attend Emmanuel College.

Among her many interests Mary enjoyed reading books, as well as the daily Lowell Sun newspaper. She loved going out to eat and especially enjoyed eating at Good Thymes in Lowell even after moving to Northborough.

She is survived by two daughters Maura O’Neil of Clinton, MA and Ellen Landry of Wakefield; a granddaughter Emily Landry; a sister-in-law Claire (Belanger) Lynch of North Chelmsford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary was predeceased by her brother Joseph F. Lynch and her sister Anne (Lynch) Shaute and her brother-in-law Ret. Colonel Joseph Shaute.

Mary remained close to her childhood friends who both predeceased her, Dorothy Lynch McQuade and Rosemary Liston Janas, with whom she enjoyed almost 80 years of friendship.

In light of the Covid 19 health crisis and state and federal restrictions private committal services were held for the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Tewksbury on Monday May 18, 2020. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Assn., 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.

Kirk C. Byam

Beloved son, grand-son, brother, father, uncle, nephew, friend, and companion;

Kirk C. Byam, 47, of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, formerly of Dracut, died unexpectedly Friday May 8, 2020 at his home.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, August 9, 1972, a loving son of his proud parents Steven A. and Gail R. (Totton) Byam, he attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School Class of 1990 where he was an all-star and all-conference basketball player. He went on to attend Norwich University in Burlington, VT.

An award-winning Pest Control Specialist for JP Pest Services in Milford, NH, Kirk spent most of his career in this field working with Ecolab of Wilmington, MA. More recently he was a sales associate with Aubuchon Hardware in Great Barrington.

Kirk was a man of many talents and interests who loved coaching and was a former Lowell Girls Softball Coach, as well as coaching and being involved with his two daughters’ recreational, school, and travel softball teams. His two daughters were his continual pride and joy and he cherished spending time with them doing anything at all.

He was outgoing, friendly and fun. He enjoyed fishing, all team sports, talking to virtually anyone, and spending time with his very close friends Victor Sousa and his cousin Eric Chouinard. One of his favorite pastimes was winning and talking trash in fantasy football leagues, especially with his cousin Brent and all the losers who’s butts he kicked.

Kirk is survived by his parents, and beloved companion Shannon Maneely-Ranson of Great Barrington, MA and her son Joshua. His two daughters Sarah and Lauren Byam of Lowell; his brother Sgt. Gregg Byam and his wife Kelley (Johnston) Byam of Dracut; his paternal grandmother Ruth Byam of Chelmsford; his loving partner of 23 years and his daughter’s Mom, Oy Baythavong of Lowell; his nephews Zachary Byam and Michael Carroll, and his niece Charis Carroll of Dracut.

He was the grandson of the late Arthur W. Byam of Chelmsford, and the late Rita Totton and James Donnelly of Lowell.

In light of the Covid 19 medical crisis and state and federal restrictions a private graveside service will be held for the family at St. Patrick Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service for Kirk will be held at a later date to be announced. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. For those wishing to make a contribution in his memory; https://www.gofundme.com/f/kirk-byam-final-expenses. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.