Page 8 - BOXFORD

Bob Conroy provided good humor, well-reasoned, well-articulated and thoughtful
leadership to a grateful community. Today, we express our gratitude and
admiration for Bob Conroy and his dedication to the Town of Boxford.

JOAN FINCH TARLETON (1923 - 2016)
Joan married U.S. Army Officer, Morris E. Tarleton in Perryville, MD in 1944. Her
husband settled into a career with the American Sugar Co. (Domino), taking the pair to
New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA, Timonium, Maryland, Chatham, New Jersey, and
finally Boxford, Massachusetts.
A collector, animal lover, and fierce Democrat, Joan's passion for family, antiquing, pets,
wildlife, and politics was unrivaled. An active participant and Board Member of the
Boxford Council of Aging, member and Corresponding Secretary of the Boxford
Democratic Town Committee, and co-founder of the Merrimack Valley Antique Bottle
Club, Joan's commitment to her community attests to her steadfast spirit.

Ensconced in her forest sanctuary in bucolic Boxford, Joan leaves behind her adoring
family, many beloved friends, and a grateful community where her contributions
will be long remembered.

Donald C. Behrens
1927-2015

We dedicate this year’s Annual Report to Mr. Donald C. Behrens, 87, Member of the
Board of Selectmen from 1977 to 1983.

Don’s volunteer efforts included: Boxford Recreation Committee for 3 years, Finance
Committee for 8 years, and Capital Budgeting Committee for 2 years. In addition, Don
was a respected umpire for Boxford Little League Baseball and a faithful member of the
Congregational Church in Boxford since 1967. Don was also recently honored as one of
Boxford’s World War II veterans. Don’s late wife Joan Behrens was also an active in
local government serving for many years as an elected Assessor. There is a bench in
front of Town Hall that celebrates Joan’s and Don’s contributions to the Town – placed
there on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Behrens family generously shared sentiments from his eulogy which spoke to how
much Don Behrens loved Boxford. The small town, the winding roads, the rock walls,
Boxford’s antique First Church, little league baseball games, Jack’s Community Store --
where his girls would tie up their horses to the hitching post and run in to buy penny
candy. He believed life couldn’t get much better than his life here in Boxford. He is
fondly remembered as a family man, loving grandfather, devoted husband and a
gentleman of the old school.

His family was deeply touched when informed that all of the flags in Boxford were flown
at half-staff in remembrance of Don Behrens’ contribution to this town. Today, we

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