Slain MDs mourned at Southie service
Eulogies recall couple’s love, compassion for others
Mourners gathered yesterday morning at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston to remember two slain doctors for their love of friends and family, and “whose compassion for others” likely drew them together.
The private funeral Mass for Dr. Richard Field, 49, and Dr. Lina Bolanos, 38, drew numerous family members and colleagues of the two anesthesiologists.
The Rev. Robert Casey presided over the funeral Mass, which lasted more than 90 minutes inside the towering tan brick church nestled into the quiet Southie neighborhood.
“There are so many in this city, in this nation, and around the world who mourned their death, without having ever met them,” Casey said, according to an excerpt of the homily provided by the archdiocese.
“But even without having met them,” the priest said, “many of us imagine how it was their compassion for others that possibly drew them together.”
Melissa Bavin, 43, a nurse who worked with Field during his time at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said through tears after leaving the church, “He didn’t care if you were a nurse or a nursing assistant, we just became really good friends. Even if you didn’t see him for years, he just made you feel like you were the most important thing in the world.”
Field and Bolanos, who had planned to marry, were found murdered in their 11th floor Dorchester Avenue apartment May 5. Suspect Bampumim Teixeira has been charged with their slayings.
Bavin couldn’t help but smile as she recalled the bond she formed with Field, which included “some crazy parties in the South End,” and being there for each other during rocky personal times.
“He was an incredible physician,” she said. “He loved his patients, he loved the people he worked with, and I think he met his match in his beautiful fiancee.”
Angel Feliz, 44, met Bolanos through his aunt, and said the ceremony was very emotional and included eulogies from Bolanos’ cousin as well as Field’s siblings and nephew, among others.
“She was very dedicated to her career, very loving and family-oriented,” Feliz said. “I never met Richard, but I can tell just by knowing her that they were perfect together. Lina was all about family and every person she met became family.”
Casey encouraged those in attendance to “lift up our hearts, and believe that the sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of immortality.”
After the Mass, Field’s and Bolanos’ ashes were carried out in small, wooden boxes as hundreds followed, many in tears as church bells tolled solemnly.
The mourners included Maggie Shields, who met Bolanos briefly when the pediatric anesthesiologist cared for her 3-year-old grandson, Joel. Bolanos “had the touch” to calm the frightened child before surgery.
“She got him nice and relaxed and I thanked her for staying,” Shields said. “She said, ‘This is what I like.’ ”