Richard V. Aborjaily, 52, of Enfield, a former managing attorney for New Hampshire Legal Assistance, died June 29, 2001, at Dartmouth-Hitchock Medical Center following a brief illness.

Aborjaily was born in Boston on Sept. 13, 1948, to the late Assad N. and Bessma (Hadge) Aborjaily. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Aborjaily was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1985 and practiced law in Boston for a short time. He moved to New Hampshire in 1977 and joined the staff of NHLA in its Lebanon office, which later became part of the Claremont office. He eventually became managing attorney of the Claremont office before leaving for private practice. He was admitted to the NH Bar in 1985 and left NHLA around the same time to open his own law practice in Norwich, Vermont, the Aborjaily Law Office, which served clients in Vermont and NH. He also served as an adjunct professor at Vermont Law School in South Royalton for 10 years.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Farley Loring of Enfield; two daughters, Lauren Aborjaily Griffin of Marlborough, Conn., and Amerin Loring Aborjaily of Enfield; a grandson; two nieces; two nephews; and many cousins.

A memorial service was held at Mary Keane Chapel at Lower Shaker Village in Enfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard V. Aborjaily Memorial Fund for the benefit of his minor daughter, Amerin. Contributions may be sent in care of Mascoma Savings Bank, P.O. Box 112, Enfield, NH 03748.

Portsmouth attorney and former three-time mayor of that city, John J. Wholey, 78, died on Saturday, July 28, 2001, at his home in Portsmouth.

Wholey was born in Portsmouth on Nov. 6, 1922, the son of Catherine and Daniel Wholey. A graduate of Saint Patrick School, Portsmouth High School, Boston College and Boston College Law School, he was also a World War II veteran, serving in the Navy Air Corps.

After graduating from BC Law in 1951, Wholey was admitted to the NH Bar and opened a solo general practice in Portsmouth. He remained an active attorney until just before his death, practicing in his later years with his son-in-law, Bernard W. Pelech, at Portsmouth’s Pelech & Wholey. He was honored this year as a 50-year member of the NH Bar (see the July 27, 2001 issue of Bar News). Eight years ago health problems forced Wholey to begin phasing himself out of the practice and continued heart trouble forced him to complete that phasing-out process. He retired from the practice of law in June.

Wholey’s law career was partnered with a career in local politics. He served as Portsmouth’s city solicitor, on its Board of Education and City Council, and as the assistant mayor from 1960 to 1961 and 1972 to 1975. He served as mayor of Portsmouth from 1962 to 1963 and from 1978 to 1981. He worked to institute the Portsmouth Economic Commission, the Portsmouth Housing Authority and was honored by the NAACP as man of the year.

Wholey was also a member of many local organizations, including the Creek A.C., and took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his brother, James, and sisters Mary Labranche, Kay Thomits, Honora Goulding and Patricia Harris.

Wholey is survived by his wife, Betty, of 52 years; two daughters, Gail and Shawn Pelech, both of Portsmouth; two grandchildren; a sister, Terri Smith of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to the John J. Wholey Scholarship Fund, c/o Wholey and Pelech Law Offices, P.O. Box 395, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

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