Sorry to semi-hog the thread. Thanks everyone for all this good stuff.
I’m originally from MA, but married into Nj ( You got a problem with that??)’
My first-born son was named Mark, and of course I called him “Mahk”. But over the years, the “R” gradually worked its way in.
I still say “aunt” ( never “ant”) and “bath” (never baaaath) and a few others. But I DONT say “Bahston” for Boston! Never did!
Pronunciations are fun!