01945 Winter 2024

WINTER 2024 VOL. 7 NO.4
WHY A
DUCK?

Design-Build Remodeling & Construction
a WORK of art
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WINTER 2024 | 1

2 | 01945
A publication of Essex Media Group
Publisher
Edward M. Grant
Chief Executive Officer
Michael H. Shanahan
Directors
Edward L. Cahill
John M. Gilberg
Edward M. Grant
Gordon R. Hall
Monica Connell Healey
J. Patrick Norton
Michael H. Shanahan
Controller
Susan Conti
Chief of Staff
and Art Director
Samuel R. Deeb
Creative Director
Spenser Hasak
News Editor
Adam Levine
Contributing Editors
Joey Barrett
Craig Dawe
Writers
Mark Aboyoun
Grace Calandrella
Amrita Kumar
Adam Levine
Benjamin Pierce
Elizabeth Della Piana
Photographers
Spenser Hasak
Sheldon Jacobsohn
Advertising Sales
Ernie Carpenter
Ralph Mitchell
Patricia Whalen
Magazine Design
Matteo Valente
INSIDE
04 What's up
06 Odd jobs
08 Harmony mission
12 Sea serpent
16 Champion runner
21 Paranormal encounter
24 House Money
26 Unbreakable Marby
30 Guiding wealth
33 Wicked Ducks
ESSEX MEDIA GROUP
85 Exchange St.,
Lynn, MA 01901
781-593-7700
Subscriptions:
781-214-8237
01945themagazine.com
FROM THE PUBLISHER
TED GRANT
This will
quack you up
Ducks and sea serpents. And paranormal investigations.
Where do we begin?
I’m into folklore as much as the next guy – actually, I’m not – so let’s start with the sea serpent.
This creature has gotten more press than any Kardashian. The beast had reported sightings in
Lynn, Nahant, and Marblehead dating back to the 19th century. Pam Peterson, the chair of the
Marblehead Historical Committee, featured it in her book, “Marblehead Myths, Legends, and Lore.”
She traced the story back to 1817.
It was supposedly spotted again in 1883 by, among others, historian Samuel Roads Jr., who
provided a sketch that appeared in Ms. Peterson’s book. It was about 130 feet long with bumps on its
back.
Roads was featured in a story in our local newspaper, the Daily Evening Item, which noted the
formation of a Sea Serpents Club that met at Naugus head.
Our own Elizabeth Della Piana joins Ms. Peterson and Mr. Roads on the sea serpent beat. Check
out her story in the legendary edition of 01945.
But let’s not yet turn the page on mythical lore.
The Robert “King” Hooper mansion invited Boston Paranormal Investigators to demonstrate its
technique to Marblehead believers. People of all ages asked questions to a ghost through the use of a
“spirit box.” Our Ben Pierce joined that spooky expedition.
Then there are the ducks.
Have you ever asked yourself where to find a rubber duck shaped like an elephant or a Christmas
tree?
Frankly, who hasn’t?
Our Amrita Kumar has your answer: Wicked Ducks Massachusetts on Atlantic Avenue.
According to Amrita, co-owners/spouses Courtney and Mandy Lobracio and their daughter
Sophia brought their family affinity for rubber ducks to market.
They have ducks shaped like celebrities, sports figures, movie characters. There’s even a Taylor Swift
duck.
Of course there’s a Taylor Swift duck.
Elsewhere in 01945 . . .
Lighthouse Financial founders Rob Deiana and Dan Hawthorne focus on the middle class, as their
goal is to help people retire comfortably. Deiana founded the company three years ago, combining his
professional and social work background to create a unique organization. Adam Levine has the story.
Speaking of good-intentioned businesses, local brothers Adam and Ben Zamansky have been
doing odd jobs for the community for four summers. The duo has performed a wide variety of
outdoor landscaping duties that get them dirtier than anybody wants to be. Our Grace Calandrella
has the dirt on them.
Ute Gfrerer carried over her talent and passion for singing when she
left her native Austria for the region two decades ago. Our Grace had
the privilege of hearing the voices of the Seaside Sirens ahead of their
winter concert.
Mark Aboyoun got high school cross country phenom Marrietta
O’Connell to stop running long enough to sit down with him and
discuss all of her accomplishments.
Finally, the USS Marblehead was known as “the ship that wouldn’t
die.” During World War II, she was bombed three times and left for
dead by the Japanese. Despite immense damage to the ship and
minimal opportunities for repair along the way, she crossed two
oceans to make it back home.
Elizabeth’s story hit home with us. I think you'll agree.
COVER: The answer to our cover question begins on Page 32. Wicked Ducks is a company that designs and sells ducks in
Marblehead. One of their prototypes, the Magician duck, is above. STAFF PHOTO: Spenser Hasak

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4 | 01945
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Christmas Walk & Holiday
Stroll Festivities
What: Celebrate the 53rd Annual
Marblehead Christmas Walk & Holiday
Stroll. Join the Marblehead Chamber
of Commerce from Thursday, Dec. 5
through Sunday, Dec. 8 for a festive
weekend including Thursday Night
Preview Shopping in the business
districts!
When:
Thursday, Dec. 5
Holiday shopping preview night
Friday, Dec. 6
• 5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting and
entertainment at National Grand Bank
parking lot (91 Pleasant St.)
• 7 p.m. Lobster Tree Lighting at Mud
Puddle Toys (1 Pleasant St.)
Saturday, Dec. 7
• 9 a.m. (approximately): Santa arrives
at State Street Landing (81 Front St.)
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Gingerbread Festival
at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion (161
Washington St.)
• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Winter Artisan
and Craft Fair at Marblehead Arts
Association (8 Hooper St.)
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Holiday Artisans
Marketplace at Abbot Hall (188
Washington St.)
• 11:45 a.m. Christmas Walk Parade
• 8 p.m. Old North Festival Holiday
Concert at the Old North Church (35
Washington St.)
Sunday, Dec. 8
• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Holiday Artisans
Marketplace at Abbot Hall (188
Washington St.)
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gingerbread Festival
at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion (161
Washington St.)
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Artisan
and Craft Fair at Marblehead Arts
Association (8 Hooper St.)
• 3 p.m. Follen Angels at Marblehead
Little Theatre (12 School St.)
• 7:30 p.m. Old North Festival Holiday
Concert at the Old North Church (35
Washington St.)

WINTER 2024 | 5
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6 | 01945
BOOMING
BUSINESS FOR TWO BROTHERS
STORY: GRACE CALANDRELLA
Four summers ago, two brothers from
Marblehead began a commonly
sought-after business venture of
doing the dirty work. Adam and Ben
Zamansky have kept themselves busy
throughout previous summers and
winters by helping people move, doing
dump runs, landscaping, shoveling,
power washing, and any other odd job
their clients could think of.
It all began the year of COVID-19,
2020. Adam was a senior in high school
at the time, working as a busboy for a
yacht club that he wasn’t too interested
in staying at. While working at the
yacht club, he was also taking extra
trash to the dump because Swampscott
has a restriction on the amount of trash
they take.
“I was taking his extra trash bags to
the dump for him and he was giving
me a little bit of money for that,” Adam
mentioned, referring to someone he
used to know. After doing it for some
time he thought to himself that there
must be others who are looking to have
their extra trash taken care of as well.
Adam had discovered the market for
jobs similar to trash dumping and was
able to start immersing himself in the
business.
Adam and his brother Ben started
receiving requests after a friend of their
mother posted to Facebook. “But I
felt like we could reach more people,”
Adam said. Soon after he created the
name North Shore Helpers and began
posting in different Facebook groups
about the business. He recalls taking
the first picture which he would post to
Facebook groups, stating “the picture
would tell one hundred words about
what we’re doing.”
That was the moment the boys
started to gain traction, with jobs
happening on a more frequent basis.
Every day the boys were tasked with
new jobs, and they would have to figure
out how to fit in as many jobs as they
could in one day.
“We never didn’t have work to do,”
Ben said in reference to the high
volume of jobs they received. The two
almost never turned down a job, finding
any avenue to complete the tasks at
hand.
From there it was mainly word of
mouth that kept the business going and
maintained the high frequency of jobs.
“The referrals would carry the business
PHOTO | ADAM ZAMANSKY
The Zamansky
brothers get ready for
a landscaping job.
for as long as we wanted to,” Adam said.
Their Facebook posts received many
comments and reposts, which helped
keep the business running.
Adam reflected on the business he
created and expressed that he had
learned many things throughout the
experience. The ability to time manage
and speak with clients efficiently were
just two of the skills he acquired. As a
recent college graduate, he carries those
skills with him to all future endeavors.
The two also expressed their
gratitude towards the communities
they worked in over the last four years,
thanking them for their kind words and
constant referrals that kept business
booming.
When Adam left to attend Penn
State four years ago, he left the business
for Ben to continue. Adam praises his
brother, “he’s done a really good job
of running it in my absence, and I’m
proud of him for the work that he’s
done on it.” Currently Adam resides in
Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ben is a senior at
Marblehead High School. 45

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8 | 01945
STAFF PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK
Ute Gfrerer runs the
Nahant Seaside Sirens.
A harmonious
holiday tradition
STORY: GRACE CALANDRELLA
N
early two decades ago, singer Ute Gfrerer brought
her talents to Nahant hoping to inspire and bring
people together with the sound of music.
Gfrerer grew up in Austria in a home where
singing was the norm. “I have three sisters and we
would sing ‘The Trapp Family,’ three part harmonies, and on car
rides, just all the time,” Gfrerer said. She recalls a time when she
was involved in six different choir ensembles – she would attend
GFRERER, continued on page 10

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10 | 01945
GFRERER, continued from page 8
the practices and leave only wanting
more.
In her late teenage years Gfrerer
remembers the time she fell in love
with an American boy from Los
Angeles whom she visited after high
school. She said during her visit she
soon found herself wanting to stay
and study singing. After spending five
years on the West Coast, she moved to
Germany to expand her career.
After some years of being a solo
It’s freeing and
it’s so much fun,
and that’s what I
want to create for
the community.
Ute Gfrerer
artist, she yearned to be a part of a
group again and to harmonize with
others. She began first with a children’s
choir about three years ago to spread
the joy she had as a child to the
local children. And just last year, she
founded the Nahant Seaside Sirens,
a local women’s choir ensemble, who
are currently preparing for another
Christmas show.
In addition to the pure enjoyment of
singing, Gfrerer said her truest mission
is to make people sing together. “I
realize it has healing powers. That
when people sing together, you
can only be happy,” she said. The
cooperation and listening skills needed
to sing in harmony with other people is
something that truly creates a sense of
togetherness.
Gfrerer further expanded on how
important the Seaside Sirens group
is for some of her singers, “they say
that coming to choir rehearsal is the
STAFF PHOTO | SHELDON JACOBSOHN
Gfrerer uses a piano to make a pitch reference for the Sirens to match.
highlight of their week.” Gfrerer
expressed her true gratitude towards
her singers and the level of care she has
for them is openly great.
The progress of the choir group
has surpassed even Gfrerer’s original
expectations. The women and children
continue to surprise her with their
growing skills throughout each concert
and rehearsal.
This past September the Sirens had
a “Seasons of Love” concert. According
to Gfrerer, “It was amazing! We had
people in the hallway standing and
listening to the concert.” She hopes to
see the same turnout for this upcoming
holiday concert titled “Candles, Bells,
and Mistletoe.”
Similar to her previous concerts this
one will also include showtunes and
singalongs. Tying into her mission to
have people sing together, she hopes
the audience will join in this holiday
season. “It’s freeing and it’s so much
fun,” Gfrerer said, “and that’s what I
want to create for the community.”
There will be two holiday concerts
this year. The first will be on
Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at the
Nahant Village Church, and the second
on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. at the
Nahant Community Center. 45

WINTER 2024 | 11
STAFF PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK
The Nahant Seaside Sirens, from left, Ute Gfrerer, Linda Hall, Nancy Cantelmo, Greta Waag, Rebecca Flacke, Amy Dow, Kathrin Rueda,
Julie Tarmy, Lisa Haley, Katharina Radlberger, and Alice Cort rehearse for a performance.
STAFF PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK
Gfrerer leads the Nahant Seaside Sirens in rehearsal as she surrounded by,
from left Linda Hall, Nancy Cantelmo, Greta Waag, Rebecca Flacke, and others.
STAFF PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK
Gfrerer and Linda Hall harmonize together.
STAFF PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK
From left, Lisa Haley, Katharina Radlberger, and Alice Cort rehearse.

12 | 01945
Marblehead’s own
Loch Ness Monster
STORY: ELIZABETH DELLA PIANA
For centuries, Marblehead’s waters
have been haunted by the lore of the
Marblehead Sea Serpent, which made its
grand appearance in 1817.
The serpent, which was spotted near
Tinker’s Island, was never photographed,
making creatures like Bigfoot and
Mothman look like social media influencers in comparison.
There is no famous Marblehead Sea Serpent photo unlike
Loch Ness’ Nessie. And, even with that famous photo,
it’s still debated whether it truly was a monster or just an
interestingly shaped stick.
Despite the lack of evidence, Samuel Roads Jr., a historian
who claimed to have seen the creature himself, described it
as brown and white and 130 feet long, which was supported
by other accounts as well. He also drew a sketch, which
can be found in Pam Peterson’s book “Marblehead Myths,
Legends, and Lore.” The creature was shown to have bumps
on his back and a “head like Satan’s.”
Roads Jr. and other widely respected men of Marblehead
even formed their own Sea Serpent Club in Naugus Head.
Membership for the club was high, making one wonder what
else there was to do in 19th century Marblehead.
It was such an important subject that the Daily Evening
Item newspaper chose to feature it multiple times, once in
1888, and again in 1939. Both stories came after sightings.
1888’s serpent story read, “Some five years since a few
congenial spirits were induced by Hon. Sam Roads Jr., to
view the sea serpent in the good old town of Marblehead.”
The paper continues on that the group then formed the
official Sea Serpent Club that met in Naugus Head. While
the Sea Serpent Club is no longer in existence, there is a
swim team in Marblehead named after the creature.
SERPENT, continued on page 14

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14 | 01945
SERPENT, continued from page 12
1939's paper also mentioned Roads
reading, “The Marblehead sea serpent
was a creature even stranger. Sam
Roads told of him. So did members of
the Sea Serpent club of Marblehead
which was a lively social organization
in its day.”
It seemed that every time a Captain
came back from sea with the news
of seeing the elusive creature a rush
of additional sightings followed.
Peterson’s book emphasized that
testimonials came from respectable
citizens, government officials,
and professional men. Of course,
government officials are the most
trustworthy source of information.
“Fishermen searched for it in hopes
of capturing and displaying it for
profit. The Eastern Stage Coach from
Boston brought many weekend tourists
to Marblehead hoping for a glimpse of
the sea serpent,” according to Peterson.
It seemed like the sea serpent was
most elusive when actively being
sought out, and would only appear for
unsuspecting sailors who conveniently
left their cameras on shore.
The latest sighting of the serpent
was in 1997, though the excitement
had since died down, reaching its peak
during the early 1900s.
Maybe the Marblehead sea serpent
is real and it's hanging out under the
sea with a megalodon, The Kraken,
and a few sirens, celebrating Cthulhu’s
birthday. However, despite dropping
multiple lines, the serpent wasn’t
available for comment.
45

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16 | 01945
STAFF PHOTOS | SPENSER HASAK
Marblehead High junior Marrietta O'Connell
specializes in the 1 and 2-mile event for track.
RUNNING
AWAY WITH IT

WINTER 2024 | 17
STORY: MARK ABOYOUN
Let’s make it easy. If
you’ve ever been to
a cross country meet
in which Marblehead
High was competing,
there’s a good chance
Marrietta O'Connell
crossed the finish line first.
In her three years sporting the red
and black, the junior has consistently
been one of the fastest runners in the
Northeastern Conference.
Scratch that – the state.
“Freshman year, I had to decide
between soccer and cross country,”
O’Connell said. “I had been playing
soccer for a long time, but I wasn't
exactly good at it. My mom and dad
were always good runners, so I thought
I would try cross country. I did spring
track in 8th grade, but didn’t take it too
seriously.”
O’Connell said she had run the mile
on a track, but the thought of having to
run a 5K in cross country was originally
daunting.
“I was really nervous because a 5K
seemed really long,” said O’Connell,
whose favorite song is “Mr. Brightside”
by The Killers. “Everyone else on the
team had been doing it for a while, so it
was scary because, to me, it was a new
sport.”
What helped was the camaraderie of
teammates, which is what made her fall
in love with running.
“At first, I didn’t like running, but the
team environment was really welcoming
and great. After the season, I realized
running was pretty fun and I was
enjoying it and wanted to run more,”
O’Connell said. “I liked the fact that it
was basically: You’re racing yourself and
you’re trying to improve your time each
race. I was looking forward to seeing
what I could do with running and how
much I could improve throughout my
high school career.”
Improve, she did. Ahead of
competition, however, even a runner
like O’Connell admits to having
race-day jitters.
“Every time I wake up the day
of a race, I say, ‘Today is going to
be a great day,’ because the boys’
coach (Brian) Heehan once said
to the boys when they wake up that
You’re racing
yourself and
you’re trying to
improve your
time each race.
Marrietta O'Connell
O'CONNELL, continued on page 20

18 | 01945
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WINTER 2024 | 19
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20 | 01945
O'CONNELL, continued from page 17
they need to decide if it’s going to be a
good day or a great day – and that really
stuck with me,” she said. “Then, it’s
all just nerves and anticipation for the
race. But to help with the nerves, I just
keep saying to myself that I’m excited.
With all the stress and anticipation, I
normally can only eat a banana before
the race. On the starting line, my coach
and I came up with this mantra where
I say, ‘I’m excited, I’m ready, and I can
do this.’ My heart is going crazy waiting
for the gun to go off. Once it goes off,
I’m in my own world and all the nerves
go away.”
Now, a more-than-accomplished
O’Connell can call herself a backto-back
Northeastern Conference
Individual Champion.
After placing second her freshman
year, she has been crowned conference
champion two years in a row. Not only
did she retain her championship honors
this fall, but beat last year’s time by 20
seconds with a time of 18:05 in the 5K
race.
O’Connell, in rather humble fashion,
credited a Swampscott runner for
pushing her until the very end.
“This year, the new freshman
runner over at Swampscott, Annabelle
(Averett), was with me for the majority
of the race and I think she really pushed
me to cut off those 20 seconds from
last year's time,” O’Connell said. “I also
believe I was in better fitness shape, so
her being there and pushing me really
helped me improve my time.”
O’Connell praised her coach, Will
Herlihy, as well as teammates for
turning her into the athlete she is today.
“He really helped me get to the place
where I am now. [It was] through his
hard workouts and how he helped
me see the big picture,” she said. “My
teammates helped encourage me, both
on the boys’ and girls’ side. Having
amazing athletes like Nate Assa, Issac
Gross, and Will Cerrutti helped me
become a better runner.”
Herlihy returned the favor to his top
runner.
“There’s no question that Marri is
an outstanding talent, but what people
don’t see is her amazing leadership.
The way she approaches her training
with intent and dedication sets a tone
for others to follow, but she’s also
incredibly vocal and supportive of all
her teammates,” he said. “Whether it’s
finishing a race and then going back to
the course to support her teammates
still running, shouting words of
encouragement during hard workouts,
or running and engaging with all of her
teammates on easy training days, Marri
does everything she can to make every
athlete on the team feel welcome.”
Captain for a second consecutive
season, O’Connell has embraced her
leadership role in more ways than one.
“Being a captain this year was
a good experience because of my
fellow captains, Maren Potter and
Abbie Goodwin. Because they’re one
year older, they helped me with the
captainship. Last year, I was also a
captain, but played more of a backseat
role and this year, I fully embraced
being a captain,” O’Connell said. “Being
a captain really helped me grow as a
person.”
Despite being the fastest runner in
the conference, O’Connell still has goals
ahead of her 2026 graduation.
“In cross country, I hope that I can
get a personal best of 17:30. Last year,
I got second in states, but I hope to get
first or win at all-states and compete
in nationals,” she said. “My current
personal best is a 17:48 at Twilight (Bob
45
Glennon Twilight Invitational).”
Last year, I was also a captain, but
played more of a backseat role . . .
Being a captain really helped me
grow as a person.”
Marrietta O'Connell

WINTER 2024 | 21
STAFF PHOTOS | SHELDON JACOBSOHN
Milly Hynds and Barry Corbett showing off their ghost hunting equipment.
Spine - chilling night
with Boston Paranormal Investigators
STORY: BENJAMIN PIERCE
The Robert “King” Hooper
Mansion, headquarters
of the Marblehead
Arts Association, was
filled with those with
a passion for the paranormal for
a night, as Boston Paranormal
Investigators (BPI) visited for
a public site investigation
fundraiser, which included
demonstrations of all the
methods the group uses to
communicate with spirits.
The 12-person group of
volunteers was first founded in
2006. Long-time member Laura
Anno eventually took the reins
as the leader. Her interest in
the field began when she was a
student at Emerson College,
where she claims she was pushed by a
supernatural force down the stairs of
the Boston Public Library.
“That kind of started my mind to
think, ‘is there something out there?’”
Anno said.
Anno, along with her peers,
emphasized the commitment to
conducting studies, no matter how
long it takes. “Once in a while
when something happens, it is
the most thrilling, interesting,
intriguing experience you can
have,” Anno said.
After an opening presentation
that recapped some of BPI’s most
fruitful investigations, attendees
were separated into groups that
cycled through different rooms in
the house where each member led a
CHILLING, continued on page 22

22 | 01945
Laura Julie Anno explains how her spirit detectors work.
Jeff Ciarcia welcoming guests to
witness a paranormal investigation.
CHILLING, continued from page 21
demonstration of the group’s methods.
Barry Corbett attempted to
communicate with the past residents
of the mansion using a burst recording
device, as well as dowsing rods that
supposedly move in correspondence to
spirit’s answers. “Greenfield Hooper got
here first,” Corbett explained. “Richard
Hooper was called ‘King’ Hooper because
he was so popular.” BPI’s Jeff Ciarcia is
a commercial pilot by day, but by night
he investigates the paranormal. He led a
demonstration using an electromagnetic
field tripwire. In the mansion’s basement,
Michelle Ross used a radio she calls
the “spirit portal” to communicate with
any potential ghosts. Ross went into
detail about what she says is a common
misconception about haunted locations,
being that spirits are not always from the
same era that the structure was first built.
Ross later was the conduit for the
night’s final investigation, in which she
used the Estes Method. The method
involves using sensory deprivation and
a “spirit box” to receive responses from
any spirits and respond to questions from
the crowd on behalf of the supposed
supernatural presence.
According to Ross, the spirit identified
as a child. The crowd sat in the ballroom
of the home in anxious silence for more
than 45 minutes as questions periodically
poured in from the crowd. Audible
“gasps” could be heard as Ross shouted
the phrases “come back” and “you can’t
leave” when attendees made their way to
45
the exit at the event’s conclusion.
Bree Hantzis shows off her ghost hunting equipment.
Michelle Ross greets guests before the investigation.

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WINTER 2024 | 25
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Source: MLS Property Information Network.

26 | 01945
A HERO’S JOURNEY
THE SHIP THAT WOULDN’T SINK
STORY: ELIZABETH DELLA PIANA
The USS Marblehead
(CL-12), referred to by
her crew as Marby, was
an Omaha class light
cruiser commissioned in
Philadelphia in 1924. It was the third
U.S. Navy vessel given this name.
Marby joined the U.S. Asiatic Fleet
in 1938, spending summers in China
and winters in the Philippines until
1940, when she left China for good
as Japan became more hostile. Japan’s
ships were superior to the Marby and
other Asiatic Fleet vessels. Marby’s
skipper, Captain A.G. Robinson, and
his crew spent the rest of the year
and most of 1941 at sea training for
battle. Late November 1941, two
weeks before Japan attacked Pearl
Harbor, Asiatic Fleet Commander
Admiral Thomas Hart ordered his
fleet to disperse from the Philippines
and into the neighboring Dutch East
Indies (Indonesia).
The day after Pearl Harbor, the
Japanese struck the Philippines
and other colonial possessions
across Southeast Asia. The Asiatic
Fleet, along with British, Dutch,
and Australian vessels, would
spend the rest of 1941 and some of
1942 fighting to slow the Japanese
advance. Most of those ships
wouldn’t survive, and many crews
wouldn’t live to see March 1, 1942.
Marby was an exception. Her

WINTER 2024 | 27
defining moments came Feb. 4, 1942, in the Battle of Makassar
Strait and in the trying months that followed. That morning, a
fleet of Japanese bombers attacked Marby and other ships south of
the Strait. At the time, 724 officers and enlisted men were aboard.
Marby dodged the bombs dropped in the first two runs, but on
the third, one bomb hit her stern and jammed her rudder, causing
her to steam in uncontrollable but predictable circles, which left
her vulnerable. A second bomb struck her center, disabling her
internal and external communications and her gyroscope and
electrical circuits, causing fires onboard. A third bomb exploded
off her bow, opening a hole in her side, flooding multiple
compartments.
The damage and fires were so extensive that the Japanese
assumed the ocean would finish Marby off. They left her and
pursued the USS Houston (CA-30). What the Japanese couldn’t
know was the incredible level of training, skill and discipline
instilled in Marby’s officers and enlisted crew. They refused to
give up their beloved ship. Most of the pumps were damaged or
had no electricity, and bucket brigades bailed water for around
72 hours while others devised workarounds to restore power and
communications and keep the ship afloat.
Captain Robinson and crew, with the help of surviving
destroyers, relied on Marby’s engines and propellers to navigate
through rainstorms and the treacherous Lombok Strait to reach
temporary safety on the south coast of Java. There, in Tjilatjap
port, they buried 15 shipmates and
had their wounded treated at Dutch
hospitals. Since Tjilatjap port
offered only minor repairs, Marby,
still in bad condition, left Java on
Feb. 13, starting the next leg of a
perilous 90 day, 20,589-mile trip
across the Indian and Atlantic
Oceans.
On Feb. 21, she reached
Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka),
but the port was full of ships fleeing
the Japanese. So, March 2, Marby
departed for South Africa across
the other half of the Indian Ocean.
They stopped briefly at Durban
and Port Elizabeth, burying two
shipmates in the latter, before
heading to the British Royal Navy
Base at Simonstown on March 24.
There, they had enough repairs to
brave the Atlantic Ocean. This also
enabled Captain Robinson to grant
the crew badly overdue shore leave,
their first in several months.
On April 15, they went to
Recife, Brazil, which held another
Allied naval base, but there was an
unexpected challenge. Recife port
authorities wouldn’t let them in.
The Japanese reported that Marby
had sunk, and her trip home was kept secret. Authorities feared
the ship was a Nazi ruse to enter and destroy the port. Though
Marby’s crew correctly answered every question authorities asked,
giving answers only Americans would likely know, they weren’t
USS, continued on page 28
"Dawn at Marblehead" is a photograph
captured by Satahara Akusoto that shows the
USS Marblehead and HMS Capetown.
A framed picture of the USS Marblehead documents the ship's journey
back to Marblehead from the Makassar Straight on display in Abbot Hall.

28 | 01945
The USS Marblehead (CL-12), referred to by
her crew as Marby, was an Omaha class light cruiser.
STAFF PHOTOS | SPENSER HASAK
A flag from the USS Marblehead flown in the Battle of the
Java Sea.
A model of the USS Marblehead can be seen at Abbot Hall.
The scrapping of the USS Marblehead from
the Marblehead Historical Commission archive.
The bell from the USS Marblehead
proudly displayed in Abbot Hall.

USS, continued from page 27
allowed in. One of Marby’s radiomen,
Raymond Kester, became aware that the
USS Milwaukee was in Recife. He had
served with Milwaukee’s Chief Radioman
Newell Phelps, who was soon called into the
conversation. Phelps verified that the man
on the radio was his former shipmate. For
two days, Marby prepared for her final leg
home, departing on April 25.
On May 4, Marby arrived in New York
City. Special phone lines were installed for
the crew to call home. Multiple Japanese
reports of Marby having been sunk, plus
the fact that Marby’s voyage had been kept
secret, had led loved ones to believe their
sons were either dead or in POW camps.
Soon, tears of joy flowed as phone calls
came in across the nation, bringing word
that most of their men were safe and would
soon be home on leave.
The American press wasted no time in
giving Marby the title “The Ship That
Wouldn’t Sink.” President Franklin
Roosevelt mentioned the crew’s heroics
in one of his Fireside Chats, citing their
feat as having an important impact on
Allied morale. In 1944, the book “Where
Away, A Modern Odyssey” retold the story,
and a movie, “The Story of Dr. Wassell,”
portrayed escapes from Java by survivors of
the USS Marblehead and the USS Houston.
After a six-month overhaul in Brooklyn
Navy Yard in October 1942, Marby
reentered the fight, patrolling the mid-
Atlantic in search of Nazi blockade runners
and submarines. In 1944, she supported
the successful invasion of Southern France.
Marby was decommissioned in late 1945
and scrapped in 1946, but she has never
been forgotten.
This story was written in collaboration
with the Webmaster and the Biographer of
www.USSMarblehead.com, whose fathers
were aboard Marby for the entire voyage
home. The website is dedicated to the
memory of Marby’s crew and the families
that supported them. 45
Serving the North Shore since 1972
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781-599-3411
WINTER 2024 | 29
Mon - Th 9-5, Fri 9-3 781-581-7200
TRANSFORMATIVE DESIGN
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EXPERT BUILDERS

30 | 01945
STAFF PHOTOS | SPENSER HASAK
Lighthouse Financial LLC partner Dan Hawthorne, left, and Principal Rob Deiana.
A GUIDING
LIGHT TO
FINANCES
STORY: ADAM LEVINE
Rob Deiana, a financial advisor, and his wife packed up
their bags for a “temporary” move from Grafton to
Marblehead for her job as a teacher. That was 28 years
ago.
Despite both of them receiving a Master of Business
Administration from Babson College, Deiana didn’t meet lifelong
Marblehead resident Dan Hawthorne, another financial advisor, until
their work with the Rotary Club.
Fast forward to 2021, Deiana founded Lighthouse Financial LLC.
Hawthorne then joined as a partner two years later.
Hawthorne had been looking to grow his clientele and Deiana
offered him the opportunity to work together at Lighthouse. After
years of knowing each other and collaborating at a professional level,
they now work in Deiana’s at-home office to better their community.
From the outside, the goal of Lighthouse Financial seems
straightforward - earn money for the clients.
But to Deiana and Hawthorne, it’s not that simple.
Deiana and Hawthorne, now self-employed, said they left the
corporate world of financial advising to create a more personable,
hands-on approach to the job.
“One of the big differences is that I was making money for rich
people and for corporations, and it wasn't satisfying,” Hawthorne said.
Deiana had spent 18 years working a multitude of roles within the

WINTER 2024 | 31
Lighthouse Financial LLC Principal Rob Deiana shows off the mountain chart,
which he'll use as an example for clients to emphasize investing smartly.
financial industry, ranging from asset
management to client services, but
before that, he was a teacher and a social
worker. In his current role at Lighthouse,
he uses a holistic financial approach to
help his clients succeed in life. He sees
this as a culmination of all of his past
experiences.
One of his mentors in life referred to
the job as, “social work for people with
means.”
“I didn't realize how important
we were to people and how much we
helped them,” Deiana said. “It’s my love
of helping people and working with
businesses and money.”
He said he enjoys meeting clients who
come to him with a financial problem
so he can help them come up with a
solution. The two of them prioritize a
collaborative approach with their clients,
working with them throughout the entire
financial process.
“Who do I like to see come through
these doors? Absolutely, unequivocally,
a couple or an individual who doesn't
think they have enough to get by and
we're able to show them they do,” Deiana
said.
45
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32 | 01945
STAFF PHOTOS | SPENSER HASAK
Courtney and Mandy Lobracio own Wicked Ducks on Atlantic Avenue with their daughter, Sophia.

FALL 2024 | 33
WICKED DUCKS DELIGHT
STORY: AMRITA KUMAR
Marblehead’s Wicked Ducks
on
27 Atlantic Ave. has
become a
must-see destination.
Recently opened in September, the store
sells unique and custom rubber ducks, all of
which are hand-painted and some that are
authentically made from the sap of Spanish
rubber trees.
Co-owners and spouses Courtney
and Mandy Lobracio, and their daughter
Sophia have brought their family tradition
of collecting rubber ducks from overseas to
Marblehead, sharing the joy it brings with
the community.
“We’ve never even felt like so much a part
of the community until we actually opened
the store,” said Lobracio. “Everybody comes
in and they have a story about every duck and
it’s hilarious.”
One duck takes six months to make, with
luxury brands spread throughout the UK,
Germany and Spain.
“We come up with a design and then
we put it into a 3D format and then one
duck has a clay model that’s made after
the design,” Lobracio said. “Once that’s
approved, it goes to a wax mold and once
that’s approved, it’s hand-painted. When
that’s approved, it becomes spray-painted
and ready for production.”
Prices for the ducks are an average of
$25.99, but range from $8.99 all the way up
to $100 for limited luxury ducks.
“We have some that are large ducks, like
one is a Ghostbuster marshmallow,” Lobracio
said. “It smells like a marshmallow.”
The ducks have links to celebrities, sports
players, movie characters and more. Lobracio
said some of the bestsellers include a pug
DUCKS, continued on page 35

34 | 01945

WINTER 2024 | 35
DUCKS, continued from page 33
duck, a Taylor Swift duck, a Minion duck
and animal ducks.
The store also features a collection of
holiday-themed ducks, including Christmas
ducks. To be more inclusive within the
community, it even offers a rabbi duck, which
Lobracio said is rare among most other
stores.
“We’re trying to search for some to kind
of meet everybody, but they don’t make a
whole lot of Jewish themed ducks and things
like that,” Lobracio said. “So that was why
we wanted to fill in the blanks of what other
companies haven’t made.”
The family’s mission goes beyond their
store; they have also launched the Wicked
Ducks Derby Foundation. Inspired by
Chicago’s annual duck derby, which released
70,000 rubber ducks into the Chicago River
last August, raising $400,000 for the Special
Olympics, they hope to host a similar event
on the Charles River.
“We’re trying to involve the community
DUCK OF THE MONTH
DUCKS, continued on page 36
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36 | 01945
DUCKS, continued from page 35
by asking, ‘What kind of foundation would you like to support?’”
Lobracio explained.
The family’s passion for spreading joy extends into everyday
moments, like when her daughter eagerly “ducks” someone as part
of the playful trend.
“It’s just fun,” Lobracio said. “It’s about spreading joy.”
Wicked Ducks is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The store is closed on Tuesdays.
“Our tagline is to spread joy and laughter, and I think that’s
so important for our community and our country right now,”
Lobracio said.
All are welcome into Wicked Ducks on 27 Atlantic Ave. in
45
Marblehead.
Rows upons rows of rubber ducks sit upon shelves.
Rubber ducks ready for the holiday season.
The Pond Bombshell,
a Marilyn Monroe-alike
duck by CelebriDucks.
Coming soon, Wicked Ducks' first custom duck, the MHD Magician.

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