Obituaries 04-21-2010

Mario DiGregorio

Retired Regional Sales Representative for US Plywood

Mario J. DiGregorio, a 49 year resident of Lynnfield, formerly of East Boston, died on April 12 at Hope Hospice of Cape Coral, Florida following a brief illness. He was 82 years old.

Born and raised in East Boston, he was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1945. He entered the US Army in January of 1946 and served until February of 1947. He graduated from MIT in 1952 and worked for US Plywood for more than 35 years, retiring in 2005 as Regional Sales Representative. He was a long time active member of the Salem Country Club.

He moved to Lynnfield in 1961 and remained there until his death. For the past 25 years, he has wintered in Cape Coral, Florida.

He was the husband of the late Vera A. (Anzalone) who died in 1976; father of Robert J. DiGregorio of Georgtown, Thomas DiGregorio of West Peabody and John DiGregorio of Lynn. He also leaves three brothers, Conrad DiGregorio of Orient Heights East Boston, Riccardo DiGregorio and his wife, Jay, of Wakefield and Roberto DiGregorio and his wife, Louise, of Virginia Beach, VA. He is also survived by his grandson, Andrew DiGregorio of Georgetown, his devoted companion, Lillian DePari of Lynnfield and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals of Revere. Burial was in Forest Hills Cemetery, Lynnfield. Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

 

Frances Ferullo

Medford resident

Frances C. (DiMino) Ferullo of Medford, formerly of Everett and Boston’s North End, died on April 18.

She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony Ferullo; devoted mother of Nancy Ferullo and her fiancé, Francis, of Medford, Susan Ferullo of Medford, Anthony Ferullo and his wife, Theresa, of New Hampshire, Michael Ferullo and his wife, Michelle, of Dracut, Richard Ferullo and his wife, Denise, of Wilmington, John Ferullo and his fiancé, Frances, of Medford; loving grandmother of Theresa, Janine, Melinda, Mikayla, Richard and Nicholas and loving great grandmother of Anthony Botelho. She was the dear sister of Lucy Lemmi and her husband, Al, of Medford, Salvatore DiMino of Boston, Anthony DiMino of Billerica, Joseph DiMino of Revere and the late Bobby, James, Vito and Mario DiMino.

Her Funeral will be held from the Della Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Thursday at 8 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden, at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours are today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society , 30 Speen Street, Framingham MA 01801. Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For directions, obituary and guestbook www.dellorusso.net

 

Catherine Fiore

Industrial Accident Board retiree

Catherine T. (Gargaro) Fiore of Revere, formerly of Charlestown, died on April 18.

A retired employee of the Industrial Accident Board for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, she was the beloved wife of the late Alphonse A. Fiore; devoted mother of Concetta "Connie" Caron and her husband, Ronald, of Sturbridge and the late Albert A. Fiore and his surviving wife, Maureen, of Revere; sister of Jennie Thomas of Wakefield. She is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours in the John H. Sawyer Funeral Home, 329 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown are today, Wednesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. Francis de Sales Church, Charlestown. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

 

Beatriz Bajana

East Boston resident

Beatriz (Bonilla) Bajana of East Boston died on April 16.

She was the beloved wife of the late Alfonso Bajana; loving mother of Amelia Sanchez and her husband, Faustino, of Peabody, Alfonso Bajana and his wife, Yanira, of Revere, Nancy Quintero and her husband, Milton, of East Boston, Javier Bajana of Colombia, Diojenes Bajana of Colombia and the late Joaquin Bajana; cherished grandmother of Jennifer, Christian, Pricilla, Joaquin, Leonardo, Yina, Diago, Dallane, Juliet and the late David; great-grandmother of Jessica, Brian and Brandon.

Funeral arrangements are by The Rapino Memorial Home, 9 Chelsea St. (Maverick Sq) East Boston. A chapel service will be held today, Wednesday, in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel at 10 a.m. For online condolences, please visit: www.rapinomemorialhome.com.

 

Matthew Raia

Revere resident

Matthew J. Raia of Revere died on April 17.

A US Army veteran of World War II, he was the beloved husband of Camille (DiGeorgio); devoted father of Marie Demopoulis of Boston and Lucille Raia of Florida; dear brother of Millie Rosseli and Joseph Raia and six late brothers and sisters. He was the cherished grandfather of Matthew McGilvery and seven other grandchildren.

His Funeral will be held from the Ruggiero Mazzarella Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., Orient Heights East Boston, on Friday, April 23 at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Celebration of his life at St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church, Ashley Street, East Boston at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial with his Military Family in the National Cemetery, Bourne.

 

Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Daggett

Graduate of RHS, Class of 1994

Bernadette "Bernie" Dagget of Revere died suddenly at home on April 6. She was 34 years old.

A 1994 graduate of Revere High School, she was the beloved daughter of Frances Dagget; devoted sister of Roy Daggett and Diane Dominic, all of Revere; loving niece of Bernadette Gordon of Revere, Henry and Theresa Douglas of Winthrop and Anthony Calvagno; dear aunt of John Paul and Jenna Dominic of Revere; loving cousin of Andrew, Mimi and Baby Grace Calvagno of Lowell.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Arrangements are by Paul Buonfiglio & Sons – Bruno Funeral Home.

 

Margaret Graffeo-Albanese

Red Hat Society member

Margaret R. Graffeo-Albanese of Everett died on April 17.

A member of the "Red Hat Society", she was the loving wife of Alfred "Butch" Albanese; loving mother of Venus M. Williams and her husband, Cliff, of Revere; loving daughter of Margaret Graffeo and the late Frank; beloved sister of Charles and Michael Graffeo, and the late Joseph, Paul, and Sonny Graffeo. She is also survived by her one loving granddaughter, Sophia M. Williams, and many loving family members and friends.

Her Funeral will be held from the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main St., Everett on Thursday, April 22, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at the Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High St., Medford at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday (today) only from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , 9 Riverside Rd., Weston, 02493. Burial will be private www.roccofuneralhomes.com

 

John Donnelly

Former Air Traffic Controller

John T. Donnelly of Merrimack, NH died April 15 after a long illness. He was 71 years old.

A US Navy veteran, he was a former Air Traffic Controller and proud PATCO member. He was also a successful entrepreneur who operated several self-sustaining businesses including JD’s Pizza of Merrimack and was the founder of Reeds Ferry Taxi. He was a consummate lover of music and found joy in voice lessons and performing in public in his later years. A gifted gabber and self-assured participant in a wide variety of discourse, he took great pleasure in his daily engagements with regulars at the DW Diner. He will be terribly missed by all.

Born in Revere, he was a son of the late Mary (Kenneally) Donnelly. A 35 year Merrimack, NH resident, he was raised in Everett in a family of 10 children of whom he is survived by eight.

He was the father of the late Glen Donnelly, who died in 1997. Members of his family also include his loving wife of 46 years, Irene (Archer) Donnelly of Merrimack, two daughters, Lisa Donnelly of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Susan Donnelly of Boston.

Funeral arrangements were by the George R. Rivet Funeral Home, Merrimack, NH. Burial was in Last Rest Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Community Hospice House of Merrimack, 8 Prospect Street Nashua, NH 03060 or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). For more information or an online register book go to www.rivetfuneralhome.com

 

Anastas Anastas

Revere resident

Anastas L. Anastas of Revere, formerly of Malden, died on April 5.

He was the beloved husband of Mary (Miskel) Anastas; father of Neil Anastas and his wife, Andrea, of Amesbury, Mark Anastas of Malden and Stephen Anastas and his wife, Lori, of Burlington; brother of Theodore Anastas of Somerville and the late Theresa Ferrante and Christopher Anastas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren.

At the request of his family, services were private.

 

Anthony Guarino

Owner of Cigars R Us of Danvers

Anthony V. Guarino of Revere died on April 16.

A US Army National Guard retiree with 21 years of service, he was a retired Engineering Supervisor with 32 years of service at the Copley Marriott Boston and Proprietor of Cigars R Us in Danvers for the past eight years.

He was the beloved husband of Donna M. (Circiello); loving son of the late Raffaell Guarino and Maria (Tammaro) Guarino; dear brother of Josephine Torra of Medford; brother in-law of Cynthia Pio of Winthrop and Anthony Pio Sr. of Revere; cherished and loving uncle of Alissa Umana of Winthrop, Amanda Pio and Anthony Pio, both of Revere, and is also survived by many other loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers Ma 01923. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com

 

Mary Rossetti

Thirty year employee of Mt. Carmel Church

Mary (Ficcaglia) Rossetti of East Boston died on April 16. She was in her 95th year.

Mrs. Rossetti was a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Mt. Carmel Church, and a faithful employee of the church for more than 30 years.

She was the beloved wife of the late Benjamin "Benny" Rossetti with whom she shared 51 years of marriage; loving mother of Antoinette Gerace and her husband, Richard, of Methuen, Maria Caprio and her husband, Jack, of Revere, Elena Rossetti of East Boston and the late Michael Rossetti and his wife, Janet Rossetti, of Woburn; dear sister of the late Ugo and Vincent Ficcaglia; cherished grandmother of eight and the late Darcy Rossetti and great grandmother of eight.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s "Beechwood" Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to Crossroads Center for Children, 11 Huron Drive, Natick, MA 01760. For guest book, www.vazzafunerals.com.

 

Siser Katherine Frances Higgins, CJS

Educator

Sister Katherine Frances Higgins, CSJ (Sister Francis Joan), a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston for 55 years, died April 14 after a brief illness.

Sister was formerly missioned as a high school teacher at Cardinal Spellman, Brockton; Marian High School, Framingham; and Immaculate Conception, Revere. Sister Kay also served as librarian at Arlington Catholic, Arlington for 28 years, and was currently at the Needham Public Library.

She was the daughter of the late Francis J. and Hazel (Healey) Higgins; beloved sister of Joan Foley of Santa Marie, California and is also survived by her dear friend, Sister Marjorie Marie Howe, CSJ, and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and a great grandnephew.

Her Funeral Mass and Prayers of Final Commendation will be at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, 637 Cambridge Street, Brighton, today, Wednesday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick. Funeral 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.

 

Cosimo Insalaco

Of Florida, formerly of East Boston

Cosimo P. Insalaco died at his home in Sarasota, FL on April 13after a long illness. He was 89 years old.

Born in East Boston on January 29, 1921, he was the son of Salvatore and Catherine (Salerno) Insalaco. When he and his late wife, Mary, were married they lived in East Boston until 1980 when they moved to Malden. They resided in Malden for the next 22 years until Mrs. Insalaco’s death in December of 2002. Mr. Insalaco later moved to Sarasota, Fla.

He was educated in the Revere School System and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1939. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country until June of 1945. He was discharged as a Machinist’s Mate First Class.

After the war, he was employed in the South Boston Ship Yard for the next 30 years and retired in 1972. He later took employment with the East Boston Savings Banks, Maintenance Department for the next 11 years and retired at age 65. He was a member of the Italian American World War II Veterans Club of Malden.

He was the devoted father of Salvatore P. Insalaco of Sarasota, FL, Joseph Insalaco of Osprey, FL and Karen F. Rowe of Stoneham, and the loving brother of Lewis Insalaco of Revere, Kathleen Ciano of Florida; the cherished grandfather of seven grandchildren and great grandfather of seven. He was the husband of his loving wife, the late Mary P. (Viola) Insalaco,; the brother of the late Salvatore Insalaco Jr., formerly of Dania, FL, the late Caroline Jones, formerly of Salem, NH, and the late Phyllis Imprescia, formerly of Revere.

Funeral arrangements were by the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, Malden. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

 

Silvio’Coach’ Cella, 87

RHS "Winningest Coach"

Silvio A. Cella of Revere died on April 14. He was 87 years old.

He was the longtime football coach and athletic director at Revere High School, where he retired as the school’s "Winningest Coach" in 1983.

Silvio Cella had a distinguished career in high school and college athletics as a student/athlete, coach and administrator. He began his professional career at Revere High School as a math teacher.

He was appointed Athletic Director at Revere High School in 1959 where he also served as head football coach for 28 years. As athletic director, Mr. Cella oversaw all school athletic events and programs, and worked to expand the sports curriculum to include a broad range of varsity and junior varsity activities. He was voted Massachusetts Athletic Director of the Year in 1987 and served as president of the Greater Boston League from 1978-1980. Since 1980, Mr. Cella also served as the League’s Baseball Commissioner.

During his tenure as head football coach at Revere High School, Coach Cella achieved many distinctions, including being named Massachusetts Coach of the Year and National Sons of Italy Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the National Football Federation Hall of Fame. In addition, Coach Cella earned over 100 victories as a head coach – leading his teams to five Greater Boston League championship titles. He coached the first Greater Boston League team to participate in a state Super Bowl (1973, SuperBowl II). Coach Cella also served several times as head coach of the Harry Agganis Football Classic.

As a student athlete at Revere High School, Silvio Cella was a stand-out in football, baseball and track. He went on to Boston University where he was a two-way starter under coach "Buff" Donelli, playing with local football legend Harry Agganis. Silvio Cella was named UPI All American in his senior year. He served in the United States Marines during World War II, and went on to graduate from Boston University where he was appointed Freshman Football Coach for the B.U. Terriers. The following year, 1950, he returned to his native Revere as a teacher and head coach of the Revere Patriots. He also went on to earn a master’s degree in education.

After retiring as head football coach in 1983, Silvio Cella was succeeded by his son and former assistant coach, Michael Cella, in 1987. This was the first father-son combination in high school athletics in Massachusetts.

Very active in community service, Mr. Cella supported a number of local organizations, including the Boys’ Club of Revere, Revere Public Library, Special Olympics, United Way, V.F.W., American Legion, Sons of Italy, Kiwanis Club of Revere, the city’s "Say No To Drugs" Committee and the Blue Ribbon Committee on Recreational Development.

He was the beloved husband of the late Mary (Cataldo) Cella; devoted father of Michael Cella and his wife, Pamela, of Peabody, Gina Cella of Lynnfield and the late Steven Cella; dear brother of the late Phyllis Moschella; cherished grandfather of Stephane Scalese and Steven Cella, both of Peabody and great-grandfather of Julien Cella and Domenic Cella Scalese.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons~Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to: The Silvio Cella Family Foundation, PO Box 1074, Lynnfield, MA 01940, established to support Massachusetts high school football programs. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com

 

Lorraine Williams

Retired Registered Nurse

Lorraine M. (Galleani) Williams of Revere, formerly of Holden, died on April 11 in Salem Hospital after a short illness. She was 83 years old.

Born in New York, NY, the daughter of Louis and Josephine (Kelly) Galleani, she lived in Holbrook, MA, Simsbury, CT, Setauket, Long Island and Holden, MA, before moving to Revere two years ago. She was a 1948 graduate of New England Hospital for Women and Children School of Nursing. Most recently, she was a registered nurse for Digital Equipment Corporation in Northborough for 10 years, retiring in 2002.

She was the beloved wife of 60 years of the late Benson Williams. She leaves her son and daughter-in-law with whom she lived, Damon Williams and Junxue Zhang of Revere; a daughter, Valerie Armstrong and her husband, Steven, of Mt. Sinai, NY; her sister, Ilia Galleani of Ohio; three grandchildren, Jacob Williams and his wife Kathleen, Melanie Armstrong and Emily Armstrong; and a great-grandson, Sean Williams. She also leaves her beloved nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gale Free Library, 23 Highland St., Holden, MA 01520; or the Revere Public Library, 179 Beach St., Revere, MA 02151-5001. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. www.milesfuneralhome.com

 

Ralph Raymond

Of Franklin, formerly of Revere

Ralph Raymond of Franklin, formerly of Revere, died on April 13.

He was the devoted husband of Margaret (Caturano) Raymond; loving father of Ann Raymond of Franklin and the late Mary Mancuso and John R. Raymond; beloved grandfather of Charles Raymond Mancuso of Dover NH, Liana Russell of Millbury and David John Raymond of Franklin and devoted great grandfather of seven. He also leaves many devoted nieces and nephews and the loving staff at Sunbridge who he adored and who in turn grew to treasure him.

Funeral arrangements were by the Gillooly Funeral Home, Norwood. Private burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Memorial donations may be made to the Bosler Humane Society, PO Box 12, Baldwinville, MA 01436. www.gilloolyfuneralhome.com

 

Richard Joseph Drinkwater

Man of Many Accomplishments

Richard Joseph Drinkwater died peacefully on April 13.

He was a graduate of Bentley College of Accounting and Finance.

Among Mr. Drinkwater’s many accomplishments was the founding of a manufacturing company in the 1980’s, Lion Import and Development Company, located in Malden and noted for introducing to the gift trade many timely and innovative items that were unique to the market. Working with designers and manufacturers in Germany, Italy and Hong Kong, Mr. Drinkwater brought many highly sought after gift accessories both to mass market merchandisers and to small gift boutiques. Many of the toys, back-to-school supplies and gift accessories were designed by Mr. Drinkwater himself.

Most recently, Mr. Drinkwater served as Senior VP at Otis & Ahearn in the real estate industry. His marketing techniques, client service and interpersonal/organization skills positioned him in the top six of Boston’s high transaction agents. Superior market knowledge and marketing skills benefited his clients whether buyer or seller.

Mr. Drinkwater has been the exclusive listing agent for a number of boutique new construction residential developments including One Garden Street, 13 Lindall Place, The Glass Factory and hundreds of re-sale properties at Charles River Park. He participated in the management of onsite sales for larger developments including The Bryant Back Bay Boston where entry level pricing exceeds $1.5m. He consulted with developers regarding unit mix, interior finishes, pricing and target audience.

Mr. Drinkwater was an active Member of the National Association of Realtors(r), Massachusetts Association of Realtors(r), Greater Boston Association Of Realtors(r) and Chair of that organization’s New Business Development Committee and a member of its Long Range Strategic Planning Committee.

He was the son of Joseph J. Drinkwater and Altomare E. Drinkwater; father of Cassandra Louise Drinkwater, Trevor Joseph Drinkwater, Jared Evan Drinkwater, Joseph Tyler Drinkwater; grandfather to Anthony Joseph Drinkwater, Dylan Louise Drinkwater, Paxton Joseph Drinkwater, Brendan Ryan Bernstein, Jory Shai Drinkwater, Zac Joseph Drinkwater, Brother to Giovanna Drinkwater Palmer; brother in-law to George Palmer; uncle to Galen Palmer, the late Christopher Drinkwater Palmer, and the late Marlowe J. Palmer. His primary passion was for his family, his partner of 11 years, Nancy Pond-Smith, his friends and his love of golf.

We will miss him dearly.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons – Bruno Funeral Home, Revere.

 

James Gooding Sr.

Malden resident

James Gooding Sr.

Longtime supervisor and toll collector at Sumner Tunnel

James M. Gooding Sr. of Malden died in Barbados, West Indies, on March 24.

A Supervisor and Toll Collector for Commonwealth of Mass, Sumner Tunnel in Boston for many years, he was the beloved husband of Beatrice E. (Hector) Gooding of Malden; loving father of Rosalind Nurse of England, Marva Gooding of Revere, Denise Gooding-Dudley of Lynn, Dennis Gooding of Malden, Mark Gooding of Maine and the late James M. Gooding Jr., formerly of Malden, and his late mother, Constance Gooding, formerly of Barbados; loving brother of Hubert Gooding of Barbados and Eunice Gooding of Florida. He was the cherished grandfather of a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, Malden. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For obituary please visit: www.weirfuneralhome.com

 

Edna May McIntyre

Of Winthrop, formerly of Chelsea

Edna May (Chandler) McIntyre, a devoted wife and mother, was called home to glory in her 103rd year on April 11 surrounded by her loving family in her Winthrop home.

Born in Peabody, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Ellen (Thompson) Chandler. She grew up in Winthrop and attended local schools there. She married Nathaniel McIntyre and their union produced three children. She devoted her life to family and home and resided on Addison Street in Chelsea for 62 years, before returning to Winthrop 10 years ago. She remained a loving mother and grandmother for her entire life.

She was the wife of the late Nathaniel who died in 1982, the mother of the late Eleanor who died in 1991 and she was also the sister of four late brothers and one late sister.

To cherish her memory and mourn her passing, she leaves her children Marie McIntyre of Winthrop and Nat McIntyre of Revere, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held at Anthony Memorial Funeral Home, Chelsea. The Reverend Calvin T. Brown, a dear family friend, officiated. For online guestbook, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

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