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Raynham Man Dies Of EEE

An 80-year-old Raynham man who was the first in the state this year to be diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis has died.

Family members say Martin Newfield died Monday at a Boston hospital. He had been hospitalized since Aug. 27.

His family tells the Taunton Daily Gazette that Newfield was a local businessman who was recognized as the town's Citizen of the Year in 2003. He was on the town's Board of Appeals and was a well-known youth football official.

It is unclear where he caught the mosquito-borne disease because he travelled between his home and Middleborough in Plymouth County.

His family says the state should have sprayed chemicals to kill mosquitoes in the area.

He is survived by his wife, four children, four stepchildren and 13 grandchildren.

This program aired on September 6, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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