Ellen Amorosi, 87
Bookkeeper at former Amorosi Automotive Machine Inc. of Revere
Ellen M. Amorosi, a longtime resident of Revere, died at her home on July 20. She was 87 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1940. She was a member of the Chelsea Senior Citizens and its bocce team. For many years, Mrs. Amorosi was the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Automotive Machine Inc, a popular auto parts service center on North Shore Road, Revere, for more than 40 years.
She was the wife of the late Francis E. “Rusty” Amorosi, who died in November 1987; mother of Francis W. “Bill” Amorosi and his wife, Madeline, of West Newton and Robert J. Amorosi and his wife, Jean R., of Saugus; grandmother of Alexander J. Amorosi of Brighton and Christopher R. Amorosi of Saugus; sister of the late Daniel J. and John J. MacDonald and sister-in-law of Marie A. MacDonald of Revere. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, July 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway, Revere. Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, July 24, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to All Care Hospice, 14 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 1901.
John Tramonte
Of Florida, formerly of East Boston
John A. Tramonte of Florida, formerly of East Boston, died on March 4, 2009.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at St. Thomas of Villanova, 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington. Family and friends are invited. There was a private service in Florida at the time of his death and a full obituary was posted at that time.
For additional information, contact Lisa Tramonte Rosa or call 978-658-4665.
Sister Mercedes Gill, CSJ
71-year member of Sisters of Saint Joseph
Sister Mercedes Gill, CSJ, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston for 71 years, died on July 16.
She was formerly missioned as a high school teacher at St. Mary’s Boys School, Lynn; Immaculate Conception, Revere; St. Columbkille, Brighton; St. Aidan, Brookline; St. Charles, Waltham; Marian, Framingham; Matignon, Cambridge; St. Clement, Somerville; Sacred Heart, Newton; and the Paul A. Dever School, Columbia Point, Dorchester. Sister Mercedes also taught at Bentley College in Waltham.
She was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Elizabeth (Goode) Gill; sister of the late Rev. Jerome, Joseph, John, and Marcia Goodrich and is survived by her sister, Sister Rosenda Gill, CSJ, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are at Holy Spirit Chapel, Bethany Health Care Center, 97 Bethany Road, Framingham, today, Wednesday, July 22. Prayer service and wake are at 9 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:15 a.m. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick, following the Funeral Mass. Arrangements are by Norton Funeral Home, Framingham.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, c/o Mission Advancement, 637 Cambridge St., Brighton, MA 02135.
Elena Naso
Of Malden, formerly of Revere
Elena (Ruggiero) Naso of Malden, formerly of Revere and Winthrop, died on July 18.
She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Naso; devoted mother of Louis Scorziello of Revere, Elena Dasaro and her husband, Joseph, of Bellingham, and the late Marie Forsythe; dear sister of Alfred Ruggiero of Houston, Texas, Michael Ruggiero of East Boston, the late Rose Hammond, Beatrice Bruker and Salvatore Ruggiero. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A private burial service will take place in St. Michaels Cemetery, Boston. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Rocco-Carr-Henderson Funeral Service handled funeral arrangements.
Leonard Faraci
East Boston resident
Leonard M. Faraci of East Boston died unexpectedly on July 3.
He was the cherished son of the late Louis J. and Eleanor “Ellie” (DeLuca) Faraci; loving brother of the late Louis J. Faraci Jr.; fond nephew of Etta Gianfroccia of East Boston, Elaine Pericola of Revere and the late Florence Sant, Patricia Franklin and Frank DeLuca; dear companion of Lisa Oliver of Wakefield and dear friend of Peter Francis, Anthony Altavilla and many other close friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of his life on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere. Burial will be private. For directions and guest book, visit www.vazzafunerals.com.
Anthony ‘Nino’ Struppa
35-year Massport employee
Anthony “Nino” Struppa of Orient Heights East Boston died as the result of an accident on July 17.
He was a 35-year employee of Massport and a 1977 graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1977.
He was the beloved husband of Karen (Pucillo) Struppa, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage; loving father of Deana and Anthony Struppa, both at home; dear brother of Giacomo Struppa of Winthrop, Salvatore Struppa of Medford, Vincenza Struppa of East Boston and Michelle D’Itria of Revere and the fond uncle of many.
His funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere, today, Wednesday, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Anthony’s Church, Revere, at 10 o’clock. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visiting hours were Tuesday. For directions and guest book, visit www.vazzafunerals.com.
Rose DiPesa, 93
Longtime Revere resident
Rose M. (Tedesco) DiPesa died on July 16 (the eve of her 94th birthday) at the Don Orione Nursing Home of East Boston, following a brief illness. She was 93 years old.
She was born and raised in Boston’s North End and came to Revere over 80 years ago. She worked for Hy-Sil Manuacturing Co. for several years as a bow maker.
She was the wife of the late James J. DiPesa, who died in 1999; devoted mother of Brian T. Flury and his wife, Lisa M. (Mollenauer), of Revere and the late Loretta A. DiPesa; cherished grandmother of Carsen Rose Flury of Londonderry, NH; dear sister of Ernest Tedesco of Malden and the late Felix A. “Teddy” Tedesco; and she is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway, Revere, today, Wednesday, July 22, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Don Orione Nursing Home, 111 Orient Ave., East Boston, MA 02128, Attn: The Administrator.
Helen Hodgin, 84
Longtime Chelsea City Hall employee, church, community leader
Helen M. (Snow-Hoadley) Hodgin of Chelsea died on July 16 at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, after a brief illness. She was 84 years old.
Mrs. Hodgin lived most of her life in Chelsea, where she raised her three children, Judy, John and Lois Hoadley, all Chelsea High School graduates. She was well-known and highly respected in the City Hall where she worked for 33 years until her retirement in 1987. She was instrumental in establishing the first Clerical Workers Union in the City Hall and served as one of its leaders for many years. She worked with several mayors, aldermen and department heads making sure that the clerical workers received recognition for their hard work and value to their departments. She was a fixture in the Electrical Department and Fire Alarm as the administrative assistant and was highly respected for the support and guidance she provided to her “men” and to several of her clerks over the years.
She was honored at her retirement by Mayor Nolan and the aldermen with a citation and a Chelsea Clock for her years of outstanding service.
Mrs. Hodgin was also active in her church and as a community leader. She was one of the founders and early board members of Care About Now, a community social service agency. She was the Sunday School superintendent at the Horace Memorial Baptist Church and ran many of their suppers and bazaars through the years. She loved her church and community work and had a large following of young women who admired her and grew from her leadership.
After her retirement, she enjoyed over 20 years with her loving companion, William V. (Willy) Wilson, of Somerville. She and Mr. Wilson had a lot in common and enjoyed traveling together throughout New England and to Alaska, Niagara Falls and Nova Scotia. They spent many winters in Naples, Fla., where she had a second home and they were members of the local Congregational Church, where they both loved to sing the old Christian hymns. She attended numerous veterans functions and parades that were organized or led by Mr. Wilson, a Korean War veteran. She loved “Willy” and enjoyed their many years together. She and her family greatly appreciated his care and concern for her during their many years together.
She was most proud of and committed to her family. She was fortunate to have them live close by and was always entertaining at her Chelsea home with cookouts and pool parties. It was a home away from home for her two sisters and brother when they visited, and also for her three children, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was best known and loved as Ms. Gram and Great Gram.
She loved to cook, read and do crossword puzzles and especially loved to spend time with “Willy” and her family, who greatly miss her. The family knows that she is now spending her time entertaining and enjoying family and friends who have passed on.
She is survived by her oldest daughter, Judith A. Landers, and her husband, Raymond, of Wakefield and their four children: Tommy Landers of Chelsea, Susan and Al Hoffman of Andover, Julie and Tom Quinn of Hingham, Maureen and Bruce McKean of North Andover; and by her son, John R. Hoadley Jr., and his wife, Linda, of Chelsea and their two children, John Hoadley of Wakefield and Michael and Emily Hoadley of Worcester, and their youngest daughter, Lois R. Hoadley of Chelsea and son-in-law, Daniel Flynn, of Revere. She is also survived by her 10 beloved great-grandchildren.
Private family funeral services were held at the William R. Carafa and Son Funeral Home in Chelsea, followed by burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
John Reardon Jr., 38
Auditor for Commonwealth of Mass.
John J. Reardon Jr. of Revere died on July 17. He was 38 years old.
An auditor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he was the beloved husband of Michelle Lee (Nigro) Reardon; devoted stepfather of Kayla Wright and Hannah Bashner; loving son of Elaine (Ludemann) Gibbons and her husband, Stephen, John J. Reardon Sr. and his wife, Beverly; dear brother of Kathleen Reardon and her husband, Larry Urban, and Kerri Coggswell; stepbrother of Stephen Gibbons and his wife, Ginger, Frank Gibbons and his wife, Katherine, Janas Mercer and her husband, Rick, Nicholas, Charles and Eric DiChiara and his wife, Katie, and is also survived by his Big Brother, Pat Coburn, and many nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reardon Family Fund, c/o Eastern Bank, 605 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. For his guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Joseph Smiddy, 70
Retired Boston Patrolman, honored as a hero
Joseph D. Smiddy, a resident of Winthrop since 2000, who was born and raised in East Boston, died at home on July 15, following a brief illness. He was 70 years old.
A graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1957, he joined the Boston Police Department in 1968 and retired in 1991. He was a member of the Boston Police Relief Association and the Union of Boston Police Patrolmen. Officer Smiddy was honored as a hero by the Boston City Council in October 1987 for his efforts in rescuing and saving the life a man at Constitution Beach in East Boston.
He was the former husband and best friend to Eleanor (Gargiulo) Smiddy of Revere; devoted father of Corrine S. Lombardi and Rhonda M. Smiddy, both of Revere, Joseph D. Smiddy Jr. of Hillsborough NC and Michelle L. Giangregorio of Middleton; cherished grandfather of William Smiddy, David Lombardi, Christopher Flint, Kayla Smiddy, Joshua Giangregorio, Morgan Smiddy, Taylor Giangregorio and Conor Smiddy; dear brother of Sandra Tennant of Cape Cod and William Smiddy of Florida and son of the late Rita (MacCormack) Smiddy. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews and an extended family of close friends and colleagues within the Boston Police Department.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Autism Society of America (Mass. Chapter), 47 Walnut St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
Evelyn Paone, 97
Registered Nurse and Immaculate Conception Parish Community devotee
Evelyn C. (McGraw) Paone, a longtime resident of Revere, died on July 15 at Tuft’s Medical Center. She was 97 years old.
Born on June 12, 1912 in Lonaconing, Maryland, she was a graduate of Georgetown University School of Nursing, Class of 1933 and met her soul companion and future husband while both were students at Georgetown University School of Law. Her late husband, Francis V. Paone, Esq., a member of one of Revere’s oldest families, died in December 1984. (The Paone family was the first Italian family to worship at Immaculate Conception Church and became one of its most generous benefactors through the years).
Although Mrs. Paone never formally continued working in the nursing field once she married and move to Revere in 1940, she became the Paone family’s own private nurse until her death. She also maintained her own home until her death.
She was the devoted mother of Thomas F. Paone and his wife, Carolyn, of Longmeadow,Francis V. Paone Jr. and his wife, Kathleen M., of Andover, M. Denise Paone, RN, of Saugus, Martin P. Paone and his wife, Ruby G., of Reston, Va. and the late Joseph P. Paone; cherished grandmother of Lisa C. Paone of Nantucket, Karen A. Provencher and her husband, Gary, of Durango, Colo., Catherine E. Paone of Longmeadow, Francis V. Paone, III of Hoboken, NJ, Maura K. Polak and her husband, Michael, of Medfield, Anne Marie Savage and her husband, Sean, of Wakefield, Michael C. Paone of Malden, Alexander M., Stephanie D. and Thomas J. Paone, all of Reston, Va.; sister of the late Margaret McGraw, Dennis McGraw, Mary Creegan and Kathleen Harrington. She is also lovingly survived by her cousins, Louise Turnbull and her husband, William, of Lavale, Md., Margaret Ann Goodwin and her husband, Lester, of Bel Aire, Md. and the late Rose Marie Dilfer and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Ida ‘Eda’ Bellacqua, 90
Talented seamstress
Ida “Eda’ (Capuano) Bellacqua died peacefully at the Kaplan House in Danvers on July 17. She was 90 years old.
Daughter of the late Bennie Capuano Sr. and Gisella Sbriscia Capuano, she was born in Everett and was a lifelong resident there until the last five years of her life when she moved into the loving care of her devoted daughter, Donna, and her son-in-law, Philip DiGiovanni Sr.
She was married for 66 years to Dante S. Bellacqua, who preceded her in death. They shared a beautiful life together centered on family and surrounded by many close friends. In addition to being a devoted mother, she was also a talented seamstress who worked for several companies, including the Andrew Dutton Company of Boston.
She was the sister of the late John Capuano and Olga Caso and is survived by her brother, Bennie Capuano, and his wife, Carmela, of Everett; her daughter, Donna DiGiovanni and her husband, Philip, of Peabody and her sons, Stephen Bellacqua and his wife, Helen, of Selkirk, NY and Paul Bellacqua of Kingston, NH; her devoted former daughter-in-law, Debra Bellacqua of Salem, NH and her grandchildren: Philip DiGiovanni Jr. and his wife, Fatima, of Malden, Suzanne Bellacqua Hynes of South Weymouth, Cara Cinelli and her husband, Freddie, of Revere, Paul Bellacqua Jr. and his wife, Laura, of West Newbury, and Daniel Bellacqua of North Andover. She also leaves her great-grandchildren, Brendan and Brian Hynes of South Weymouth, Gabriella and Sofia Bellacqua of West Newbury, Michael Cinelli of Revere, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
The family wishes to express its appreciation to the many friends and caregivers who supported Mrs. Bellacqua in her final days, in particular to Soraya Croughwell and Monique McAleer for their love and special care, and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm Street, Danvers, MA 01923, or at www.hns.org.
Michael Walker, 73
Revere resident
Michael B. Walker of Revere died unexpectedly in Florida on July 13, at the age of 73.
He was the beloved husband of Helen A. (Hallahan) Walker, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage; loving father of Debra Simoneau and her husband, Gene, of Rhode Island, Karen Crapo of Newburyport, Janice Varoqua and her husband, Aiman, of West Peabody, Christine LaRosa and her husband, Steven, of Revere and Lynne Scanzillo and her husband, Mark, of North Andover; dear brother of William J. Walker Jr. of Sutton; cherished grandfather of Stephanie and Douglas Crapo, Noelle and Alexa Ghosheh, Noorelle and Natasha Varoqua, and Kathryn and Michael Simoneau and great-grandfather of Michael McGonagal. He was the fond uncle of three nieces and two nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For his guest book, visit vazzafunerals.com
Lois Riendeau, 75
Holbrook resident, Registered Nurse
Lois D. (Foshey) Riendeau of Holbrook died on July 12. She was 75 years old.
Born and brought up in Boston, she lived in Holbrook for over 40 years and also enjoyed vacationing in Maine. She became a registered nurse later in life and received her nursing degree from Massasoit Community College, Brockton in 1983. She was a registered nurse for Catholic Charities, Brockton for over 16 years until her retirement 10 years ago.
She was the beloved wife of Joseph A. Riendeau; loving mother of Joseph A. Riendeau Jr. and his wife, Lynn, of Holsbrook, R. Michael Riendeau and his partner, Robert Haas of Boston; Bryan Riendeau and his girlfriend, Lori Martinelli, of Virginia, Lori Harris of Holbrook and Peter S. Riendeau and his wife, Geraldine, of East Bridgewater; devoted sister of Marion Halpin of Andover, Charlotte MacLeod of Maine, Arthur Foshey of Revere, Donald and David Foshey, both of Maine, Fred Foshey of North Attleboro, Robert Foshey of Holbrook, the late Charles Foshey, Helen Hardy and George Foshey; dear grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 13. She is also survived by her former son-in-law, Stephen Harris and former daughters-in-law, Jill Riendeau and Deanne Riendeau and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was also the godmother of Cheryl Hoeft of Maine.
Funeral arrangements were by the Cartwright Funeral Home, Holbrook with services held at the Winthrop Congregational Church in Holbrook. For additional information or to leave messages of sympathy, visit www.cartwrightfuneral.com.
Dominic Palandro, 92
East Boston Civic Club member
Dominic J. Palandro of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on July 15 following a brief illness. He was 92 years old.
A US Army veteran of World War II and member of the East Boston Civic Club, he was the husband of the late Mary E. (Harkins); devoted father of Dorothy M. Palandro and cherished grandfather of Maryellen A. LoRusso, both of Revere; dear brother of Rubina Delano of Winchester, Robert Palandro of Saugus and the late Eleanor Costantino, Rose Cary, Ruth Osgood, Joan and Eugene Palandro; beloved brother in law to Sylvia Palandro of Danvers and Donald Kerivan of Dayton, Ohio. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445.
Jeanne Baldi
Medford resident
Jeanne M. “Gea” (DeMartino) Baldi of Medford, formerly of Somerville, died on July 13.
She was the devoted mother of Isabelle “Penny” McLaughlin and her husband, Albert, of Medford, Judith A. Manning and Henry Kilty of Florida, Janice Ripley and her husband, Bob, of Woburn, Laurie Marino and her husband, Nelson, of Revere; loving grandmother of David McLaughlin and his wife, Sandra, Lisa Tagliavento and her husband, Tom, Kevin Manning and his wife, Marie and loving great grandmother of Thomas, Nichole, Taryn and Braelyn.
Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Funeral Home, Medford. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent in her name to a charity of one’s choice. For her online obituary and guest book, please visit dellorusso.net.
Seymour ‘Sy’ Yesner
Longtime Educator
Seymour “Sy” Yesner of Brookline, formerly of Revere, died at home on July 6, after a 22-year journey with prostate cancer.
Born in New York City in 1925, he grew up in New Haven and Revere. At 18, he enlisted in the Army and fought in World War II in Europe, participating in the Normandy Invasion and the liberation of Buchenwald. He never used a gun again.
In 1948, he moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and at age 28 began his 44-year career in English education, 26 years as a teacher and consultant in English, reading and humanities for Minneapolis Public Schools. He moved to Brookline in 1979 as director of English and language arts and also taught English at the high school. He served on many committees of the National Council of Teachers of English, taught English teachers in Thailand, was associate director of education for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, authored numerous professional articles, edited several textbooks and poetry and literature anthologies, and enjoyed speaking on topics such as censorship and teaching writing. He cherished his excellent friends and relished complex arguments, fine mysteries, foreign movies, good food and great scotch.
He was the husband and soul mate of Joan Campion Yesner; proud father of Ruthbea Yesner Clarke; happy father-in-law to Neil Clarke; delighted Baba and Grampa to Soren and Neilsy; and he is also survived by his brother, Robert Yesner; his wife, Regina, and his daughter, Dawn, all of Michigan; and his dear in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends.
A memorial gathering was held at the Brookline Senior Center.
Memorial donations may be made to the Brookline Senior Center. For his online guest book, please go to www.faggas.com.
