Herbert L. Stevens, Jr., of Walpole, a former Needham resident passed this Christmas Sunday, December 21, 2008 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham after a brief bout with pneumonia. He was 74 years old.
Born on November 10th, 1934, Herbert was the son of Herbert L. Stevens, Sr. and Wilhelmina (Cameron) Stevens (both now deceased; also the stepson of Florence (Cobb) Stevens, also deceased). Born during the Great Depression, Herb was persistently generous to those closest to him. He graduated from Newton High School and then Boston University. He met and married Eleanor-Ruth Foster of Milton, MA, and together they had three children, Laura, Scott, and Todd. For nearly 20 years, the family lived in Needham and were active members within the community. A diligent member of the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church and his most notable and active role was playing an active role in returning commuter rail to Needham, MA after a long hiatus, which culminated with the joy of seeing the neighborhood station named after his friend, Selectman Henry D. Hersey. Baseball and football were constant passions throughout his life, and in his later years he added fine and classical art to his interests. His devotion to Bank of Boston and its legacy companies for 42 years, mostly in the area of reviewing large business loans, is unfound in our present day. He spent his last 19 years living in Walpole, MA.
His three children and the lives around them were the core of his life, and he was happy to see them progress in their own careers: Laura in Architectural Design, Scott in Financial Services, and Todd in Real Estate. His daughter, Laura, has lived in California's Bay Area (both San Francisco & Oakland) for 15 years. His first son, Scott, and his wife Julie (Eisenstadt) are both lifelong Needham residents, and together they have five beautiful daughters. His other son, Todd, has resided in New York for 13 years, working as a realtor in Manhattan. Herb is also survived by his loving aunt, Madelyn C. Prescott, and his many devoted cousins in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and New Hampshire.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home 13521 Highland Ave Needham on Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in Friday from 4-7pm on Friday. Interment in Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Herb’s name and in honor of his mother may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 415012, Boston MA 02241-5012.