Obituaries: Rita Trautwein, Edith Prece, Rose Foti, Antoinette Tafani, Donald Gaffney

Rita M. (Hayes) Trautwein, 92, of Milford died May 21. She was the widow of George P. Trautwein who died in 1964. 

She was born in Worcester, MA., the daughter of the late Daniel and the late Ellen (Kelly) Hayes and resided in Milford for the past (56) years. 

Mrs. Trautwein was employed as a telephone operator at the former New England Telephone Company in Milford for (17) years retiring in 1983

Mrs. Edith C. Prece, 88, of Milford died May 16, 2013 in Upton MA at the home of her daughter after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a graduate of Milford High School, Class of 1942. 

Mrs. Prece was employed as a young woman at the former Derman Shoe Company and then later at the former Kartiganer Hat Shop. She resided in Milford for most of her life, but had resided in South Yarmouth MA from 1983 to 2009. She had been a member of the Sons of Italy in Mashpee MA from 1985 to 2006. 

Mrs. Prece enjoyed cooking and playing cards, especially “poker” and “Uno”. She also loved to play bingo. As a younger woman she loved to sing & dance. 

Rose (DiAntonio) Foti, 87, of Milford died May 15 in Marlborough Hills Healthcare Center, Marlborough, MA. She was the wife of the late Frank L. Foti. She was born in Milford, MA daughter of the late Canio and Emma (Gubana) DiAntonio. She worked in the accounting department at the former Telecron and then at Timex in Ashland, Ma until her retirement.

Antoinette (Coscia) Tanfani, 89, of Milford and Delray Beach FL, died May 18 at the Blaire House of Milford surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Livio Tanfani who died in 1997. Born in Milford July 1, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Lucia (DeMoura) Coscia and was a lifelong Milford resident. Ann was employed during war time at the Archer Rubber Factory in Milford, supplying soldiers with rain protective clothing.  Once their family was under way, she delighted in her work as manager at the former Alpen’s in Milford, a fashionable women’s clothing store on Main St., for over 25 years where she dressed and fussed over the local ladies. Mrs. Tanfani was past president of the Italian American Veterans Women’s Auxiliary. Ann and Lee were active members of the Milford community and traveled frequently, especially enjoying their time in Delray Beach FL. She was an avid bocce and card player, a fabulous cook and baker, and enjoyed hosting many family functions.

Donald R. Gaffney Jr. 59, of Framingham and formerly of Milford died May 9 at his residence. 

He was born in West Roxbury, MA., the son of the late Donald R. Gaffney Sr. and Marilyn (Hebert) Gaffney of Milford, MA. 

He was an avid musician, drummer, and music fan.