Canton family braces for long rebuild after fire

By Jay Turner

As one of Canton’s longest-married couples at 68 years and counting, Nick and Mary Bartone have seen their share of life’s challenges and then some. Yet nothing could have possibly prepared them for the shock and devastation they experienced last Wednesday afternoon on the day before Thanksgiving, as a fire tore through their modest two-family home on Endicott Street, causing an estimated $150,000 in damage and claiming the lives of their daughter Barbara’s two adult cats.

Mary and Nick Bartone

Fire crews from Canton, Norwood, Stoughton, Sharon, Milton and Foxboro responded to the two-alarm blaze, which broke out shortly after 2 p.m. and spread from the main level to the second floor and eventually to the attic. The fire took several hours to extinguish and was still under investigation as of Monday, although the cause is believed to be electrical in nature.

“It’s still hard for them to comprehend,” said Barbara Bartone on Saturday, referring to her parents, who, at 97 and 93 years old, are now faced with the prospects of a lengthy rebuild that could force them into temporary housing for the next several months. “I think they’re probably still in shock at this point.”

Barbara, who lives on one side of the duplex, said she had just gotten out of a meeting at work when she noticed an urgent message on her cell phone from one of her neighbors. Fearing the worst, she was relieved to learn that both of her parents were unharmed but she was shaken by the news of what had happened.

“I lost everything — all of my family pictures, jewelry, everything,” said Barbara, who literally was left with just the clothes on her back. “My mother also had some stuff in a hope chest as well as pictures that she had. Upstairs it’s a total loss on both sides.”

Barbara said it was heartbreaking to see her two cats, Mac and Izzy, unconscious and clinging to each other in the seat of a fire truck. Neither one of them survived; however, she said both had a long and “great life,” and she was thrilled to see her parents reunited with their cat, who was found alive by an insurance adjuster the day after the fire.

For now, Barbara said her one and only focus is on the well-being of her parents, who are both understandably distraught after being forced out of the only home they have known since they were married in 1946. Mary, in fact, was born in that house, and it was also where she became the homemaker and caretaker for her four brothers following the death of both of her parents while she was still just a teenager.

Mary later met Nick through one of her brothers, who served with him in the Army during World War II. Originally from Connecticut, Nick settled in Canton and built a life here with his new bride, and over the years they shared the duplex with various family members and renters.

“They all kept in touch with them after they moved,” said Barbara. “Everybody loved my parents.”

Barbara said her mother and father both have had a “tough life.” Yet they are also both very resilient, she said — and determined to get back into their home as soon as possible. Currently, both Barbara and her parents are staying in separate suites at the Homewood Suites by Hilton on Royall Street and are in the process of searching for a temporary apartment or house to rent while their duplex is rebuilt.

Barbara said her parents have held up well in the days since the fire, although both have had their moments where they have broken down and cried.

As for Barbara, she said the reality of the fire hasn’t quite hit her yet, and part of her thinks that is a good thing as she continues to focus on the care of her parents.

If anything, Barbara said she has been overwhelmed by all of the kindness and support shown to her and her parents in recent days by countless friends, loved ones, and members of the community.

The fire at the Bartones’ house on Endicott Street spread from the first floor up to the attic. (CFD photo)

“People have just been unbelievable,” she said. “They keep saying, ‘What can I do,’ and right now I just don’t know.”

Barbara said she feels forever indebted to the local fire, EMS and police personnel who responded to the scene and showed such great care and compassion for her parents, including Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody, who helped them find lodging at Homewood Suites.

She also couldn’t say enough about her neighbors on Endicott Street, including Maggie Davison and Ken Anspach, who took Nick and Mary into their home during the fire and also hosted the Bartones for Thanksgiving.

“I can’t thank my neighbors enough,” said Barbara, while also mentioning Francie Minder and Joyce and Dan Burke. “Their kindness was so comforting to my parents.”

And there are so many others that Barbara wanted to thank as well — her friends Ken and Lyn Foster, who came up from the Cape on Sunday to be with her family; Canton Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti for his friendship and for helping them find a housing solution; her employers, Old Colony Elder Services, for putting the needs of her family above all else; the insurance adjusters for their quick response; the staff at Homewood Suites for their “amazing” service and kindness; and many, many others who have reached out to them in the days since the fire.

And despite all they had gone through, Barbara said she and her parents were able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with Maggie and Ken just steps away from their home. Barbara was supposed to bring the apple pie and ice cream, and a few days earlier she had purchased some really nice wine. Nevertheless, she said they all had a great time and they have “a lot to be thankful for.”

“It could’ve been worse,” said Barbara. “My parents could’ve perished. You can’t just say, ‘Woe is me.’ That’s not going to change anything. I know it stinks, but it happened, and things happen.”

A fund has been set up at the Canton Co-operative Bank to assist the Bartone family as they recover from the fire. Those who would like to contribute can mail a check, made payable to the Bartone Family Fund, to 671 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021.

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