Nancy Toppi
Her Husband and Family Were Her Greatest Loves
Nancy (Arlesienne Catherine Napert) Toppi passed peacefully from this life on April 16 in East Boston. She was 92 years old.
She was born at Black Lake, Canada on March 22, 1922, the sixth of 10 children of the late Albert J and Angelina (Cloutier) Napert. The family moved to Berlin, NH in 1922 when Nancy was six months old, where she was raised and educated.
She married William R. Toppi of Gorham, NH at Angel Guardian Church, Berlin, NH on June 16, 1941. The couple moved to the Boston area in 1942, settled in Revere in 1955 and remained residents here for 59 years.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 72 years, Willie,, her son, John D Toppi of Revere, her three daughters: Madeleine Garon Sitton and her husband, Ben of Oklahoma, Sharon L Healy and her husband, William of Shelburne, NH, and Susan M Toppi of Revere. Three of her children predeceased her: William J. and Michael P Toppi, both of Lynn, and Carol A Jones of Medford. In addition to her five sisters-in-law: Josephine and Jayne Toppi of Gorham NH, Irene Hennessy of Medford, Ann Buckovitch of Berlin NH, and Barbara Mitchell of Pensacola FL, she leaves many dear nieces and nephews. She also leaves her beloved 22 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and four great, great grandchildren. That totals a family of 67 members for Nancy and Willie! She had a sweet, gentle and quiet spirit, and her greatest love was her husband and family. She will be deeply missed by each of them.
She was preceded in death by her five brothers: Emile, Louis, Arthur, John and Norman; and her four sisters: Rose, Gilberte, Beatrice and Jeannette. There is no question there was a grand reunion in Heaven with her savior Jesus Christ and the many loved ones who predeceased her.
Family and friends will honor Nancy’s life by gathering at Vazza’s Funeral Home, Revere, today, Wednesday, April 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.and with a mass of Christian burial at St. Anthony’s Church, Revere on Thursday,, April 24 at 11 a.m. Internment will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody .
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Thomas LeBlanc
Owned and Operated “Tom’s†East Boston Auto School For More Than 40 Years
Thomas L. LeBlanc, a 67 year resident of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died at the Lighthouse Nursing Care Center of Revere on Thursday, April 17 following a long illness.
Born and raised in East Boston, Tom attended grammar school at Most Holy Redeemer Parish of East Boston and graduated from East Boston High School, Class of 1937. He entered the US Army in April of 1942 and served until November of 1945. In 1947, he and his family moved to Revere where he remained until his passing.
For more than 40 years, Tom owned and operated “Tom’s†East Boston Auto School located at 387 Meridian St., East Boston. Tom estimated that he taught over 4,000 people to drive and apply for their Massachusetts licenses. Over the years, he and his late wife, Josephine S. (Fazio) made many many friends through their business venture. Tom was a former member of both the East Boston Kiwanis and the Revere Kiwanis Club.
His dear wife of 70 years, Josephine, died on November 29, 2012. He is the cherished father of Thomas W. LeBlanc of Revere and the late Ronald E. and Deborah LeBlanc; the devoted grandfather of Heather LeBlanc of North Carolina, Danielle Morello and her husband, Michael of Lynnfield and Christopher LeBlanc of Peabody; the dear brother of the late: Adele Fazio, Rose and Beatrice leBlanc, Hazel Coleman, Louise Martel and Joseph and Edward LeBlanc and is also lovingly survived by two great grandaughters, Madison and Alivia Morello and by several dediated and caring nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was the son of the late Louis and Odella (Clements) LeBlanc,
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Interment was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.
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Concetta ‘Connie’ Pasquale
Homemaker
Services and interment were held privately for Concetta ‘Connie†(Penta) Pasquale of Revere who died at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on April 12 following a brief illness. She was 76 years old.
A homemaker, born and raised in Naples, Avellino, Italy, she came to the United States in September of 1961, settling in Revere.
She was the wife of the late Anthony M. Pasquale; the beloved mother of Carmille R. Pasquale and Michael A. Pasquale and his companion, Nancy, all of Revere. She was the cherished sister of Michelina Pasquale and Joseph Penta and his wife, Nancy, all of Revere Felicella DeChristoforo, Gerardo Penta and Pasquale Penta, all of Avellino, Italy and the late Lena Penta of Italy. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews in the United States and in Italy.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Heart & American Stroke Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information, visit:www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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Beatrice Melanson
… 1926-2014
Beatrice J. (Onthank) Melanson’s life on earth ended when she breathed her last and peacefully, gracefully and gratefully surrendered her
soul to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of April 14. She was 87 years old.
Her fight with lung cancer lasted less than a month and before dying she made her family promise to spread the word about the evils of cigarette smoking.
Beatrice, or Bea to her family and friends, was the fifth child of Frank and Mary (Fox) Onthank. She grew up in Revere near the beach, living in three rooms on the second floor of the family home with her parents and siblings: Mildred, Gerald, Madeline, and Norman so that the first floor could be rented.
Her mother, Mary, was a 16-year-old orphan who arrived in Winthrop from County Mayo, Ireland; and her father, Frank, was also
an orphan, born in Southborough, MA, who was left by his mother at the Home For Little Wanderers in Boston when he was about four years old. Fortunately for the family, Frank was able to find steady employment at the Charlestown Navy Yard and the Great Depression never really affected them.
Bea was a war-time bride. She married her sweetheart Clarence “Arthur” Melanson, who wore his uniform to the church on May 29, 1944. He left shortly after the wedding for combat in the European theatre, serving under General George Patton in the Third Army.
Two years later, the war ended, Arthur came home and they started a family. Susan was born,then Eileen, then Laurie. Arthur landed a job selling rocketry to the government and the couple purchased their dream home in Tewksbury. Soon after that, Pauline was born, then Kathleen, who sadly was stillborn.
Hard times struck the family. Arthur was laid off and the family lost its car and house. Bea’s daughter, Laurie died of an overdose when she was 18 years old. Another daughter, Eileen, also died of an overdose when she was 44 years old. Arthur had a series of strokes which partially paralyzed him before he died in 2001. Her brothers and sisters, her beloved sister-in-law, Marie, and other close friends, also died. Bea remained a rock, relying on her faith and the power of prayer for strength.
She spent hours on the telephone, praying and talking with friends and her sisters before they died. She attended Bible study and talked toeverybody she could about Jesus, about how He loves and forgives and strengthens His followers.
Bea loved crocheting, crossword puzzles and watching the Red Sox. She loved having visitors to her apartment, for whom she would always have sandwiches and brownies. She loved being part of the Winsor School family in Boston, where she and Arthur worked and lived for almost 20 years. She loved her two surviving daughters, Susan Rivers and Pauline Minch; her sons-in-law, Bill Rivers and Jack Minch; her grandchildren: Colleen, Joey, Ricky, Brenda, Michelle, Joy, Katie and Killian; her great grandchildren: Missy, Tarah, Shaundra, Jessica, Candace, Cassandra,Jordan, Elric, Gavin, Jordan and Wade; her great-great granddaughter, Skylar; her nieces and nephews: Patricia, John, Maryann, Patrick, George, Jean and Vicki.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Burial was in the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. For condolences, please visitwww.mckennaouellette.com
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Joanne Rikeman
Of Andover, formerly of Revere
Joanne B. (Della Piana) Rikeman of Andover, formerly of Revere, died on April 16. She was 68 years old.
Joanne worked for more than 30 years at Kay’s Hallmark in North Andover.
Born in Everett, she was the daughter of the late Julius and Frances (Catanzano) Della Piana; the beloved wife of the late Robert; devoted mother of Robert Jr. and his wife, Stacy and Stephen, all of Pennsylvania and Renee Rikeman of Andover; dear sister of Mary Sasso of Medford and Deborah Della Piana of Stoneham and loving grandmother of Savannah and Brooks Rikeman.
Her Funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere on Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St Anthony’s Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne’s memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923 or The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline MA 02445-7295. For guest book, please visit www. Buonfiglio.com
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Elivira Scarano
Of Harvard, formerly of Revere
Elivira M. (Picardi) Scarano of Harvard, formerly of Revere, died on April 15.
The beloved wife of the late Stephen Scarano, she was the loving mother of Louise Scalfani and her husband, Joseph of Peabody, Joan Silva of Carver, Stephen Scarano and his wife, Kathryn of Harvard and Leonard Scarano of Boston; dear sister of Pam Manko of Florida and the late Connie Cambria and Ida Marcantonio; cherished grandmother of Stephen Scarano, Joseph and Dina Scalfani and the late Lisa Siciliano and two great grandchildren Brianna and Samantha. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood†Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elvira’s name to St. Patrick’s Manor 863 Central St. Framingham, MA 01701.For guest book: www.vazzafuneral.com
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Donna Claire Holt
Motorcycle Enthusiast, Of Maine and Florida, formerly of Revere
Donna Claire (Gaunelli) Holt of Brunswick, Maine, and Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away of Leukemia on April 16.
She was born in Chelsea on October 28, 1942 and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1960 and of Malden Business School, Malden.
She was a Communicant of Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Revere. Before her marriage, Donna was a legal secretary for the law firm of Sullivan and Worcester and Weiss Zimmerman and Angoff of Boston. After her marriage, Donna moved to Brunswick, Maine, where her husband was stationed and later retired from the US Navy at the Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine. She also worked for a time at the BNAS Navy Lodge.
Donna was an avid bowler who belonged to many area bowling leagues. She was also a voracious reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast and an avid motorcyclist, traveling extensively throughout the US and Canada for 18 years on their Goldwing motorcycle. She was a member of Mid-Maine Motorcycle Association, the Maine Retreads, and Goldwing Road Riders Association.
The only child of the late Arthur T. and Mary R. (Lavargna) Gaunelli of Revere, she was the beloved wife of Richard (Tim) Holt and mother of Tracey Laine (Holt) Hart of Portland, Maine, and Timothy John Holt and his wife, Karen, of Jacksonville, Florida; grandmother of Joshua, Justin and Brittni Hart; step grandmother of Jonathon Smith and great-grandmother of Aubrey Brylee Hart and Scarlett Marie Hart.
Funeral arrangements were by the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice in Donna’s name. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Jacquelyn Hedlund and everyone in the treatment room at Maine Center for Cancer Medicine for keeping her alive as long as they did and to the Mid Coast Infusion Center and ACU for all their help and support. Also, thanks to the people of CHANS Home and Health Care for their help during her last days. For this, we are truly grateful.
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Ida Calla
Seamstress/Tailor; ILGWU Member
Ida E (Vetere) Calla of Winthrop, formerly of Revere, died on April 15 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 94 years old.
Ida worked for many years as a seamstress/tailor for a women’s clothing company and was a member of the ILGWU.
Born in Revere, the daughter of the late Michael and Vittoria (Napolitano) Vetere, she was the beloved wife of the late Orlando J.; devoted mother of Louis and his wife, Linda of Winthrop and Victoria Longo and her husband, Edward of Wakefield; dear sister of Nella Galardi of S. Carolina, Florence Fournier of Peabody, Marie Jackson of Salem and the late Assunta Ventola, Jack Vetere, Anthony Vetere, Salvatore Vetere, Anne Cowhig, Josephine Mirabella and Robert Vetere and is also survived by six loving grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere.Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Judes Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105. For guestbook please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Angela Lewis
Member of Revere Moose
Angela (Taranti) Lewis of East Boston, formerly of Revere and Medford, passed away at Boston Medical Center on March 19. She was 75 years old.
Born in Medford and a member of Revere Moose, she was a resident of Revere and spent her last year and a half at the Lewis Mall Apartments in East Boston.
She was the devoted wife of the late Kenneth Lewis, Sr., beloved mother of David Lewis and Steven Lewis and his wife, Maureen, all of Chelsea and the late Eugene, Kenneth Jr., Thomas, John and James Lewis; sister of Rosemary Colarusso of Florida and is also survived by 13 loving grandchildren.
After a family Memorial Mass, committal services were private. The family would like expressions of sympathy in her name to be made to the American Diabetes Foundation. To send a message of condolence to Angela’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Marie ‘Gerry’ Frattollilo
Former President of New England Fish Exchange
Marie “Gerry†(Milano) Frattollilo of West Virginia formerly of Revere and Somerville, died on April 19. She was 77 years old.
The former president of the New England Fish Exchange for 40 years, she was raised in Somerville before moving to Revere in 1968. Mrs. Frattollilo moved to West Virginia about a year and a half ago.
She was the daughter of the late Carlo Milano and Marie (Liggiero) Milano and was the beloved wife of the late Jerry; devoted mother of Dorothy M. Frattollilo and Linda Frattollilo-Mitchell and her husband, Douglas, all of West Virginia; loving grandmother of Christian, Jerry, Michael and Douglas Jr.; dear sister of Sebastian “Sonny†Milano and his wife, Marie of Wareham and is also survived by her loving nieces and nephew.
Her Funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere on Friday at 9 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visitation will be held prior from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701. For guest book, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
