Barbara Gravel-Gillis
Of Saugus, formerly of Winthrop
Barbara A. Gravel-Gillis of Saugus, a former longtime Winthrop resident, died unexpectedly on Monday, June 4, at the Melrose – Wakefield Hospital after being stricken at her Saugus home. She was 61 years old.
Her funeral will be conducted from the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere, today, Wednesday, June 13, beginning at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service in the funeral home at 11a.m. Interment will be private.
Barbara was born and raised in Winthrop. She attended Winthrop Public Schools and was a graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1975. Immediately after graduation, she  began working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the state treasurers office as a clerk in the Department of Abandoned Property. She later took a position as a service agent at Avis Car Rental at Boston’s Logan International Airport where she worked for approximately eight years until she was forced to retire due to her declining health.
Barbara’s most important and precious thing in her life was her son, Owen. She was a very proud mother, and she admired the man he has become.
The cherished and loving mother of Owen J. Gillis of Saugus, she was the devoted daughter of Ann C. (Welter) Gravel of Topsfield, formerly of Winthrop, and the late Joseph R. Gravel; dear sister of Kimberly J. Vellante and her husband, Albert V. “Al†Vellante of Ipswich and the late Rae F. Chappie and her husband, Steven Chappie of Spring Hill, Fla. She is also lovingly survived by many devoted nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Josephine LeClair
Of Revere
Josephine (DiBlasi) LeClair of Revere died on June 10. Josephine and her late husband, Norman, enjoyed many years of traveling.
Born in Chelsea on August 30, 1927 to the late Philip and Mary (Palmisano) DiBlasi, she was the beloved wife of 46 years to the late Norman LeClair, dear sister of Salvatore DiBlasi and his wife, Louise of Florida, Anna Merlina and her late husband, Augustine “Gus†Merlina of Revere and the late Maurice DiBlasi and his surviving wife, Louise of Revere and the late Joseph DiBlasi and his late wife, Yolanda. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday, June 16, at 10 a.m. Interment private.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701. Funeral arrangements by the care of the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere, MA 02151. For guest book, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.
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Barbara Fair
Taught for 27 years at the Whelan School
Private funeral services were held at Woodlawn Cemetery for Barbara A. (Rice) Fair, a former resident of Revere, Swampscott, Marblehead and Westport, who died on Monday, June 4, at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Florida after a long illness.
She was 71 years old.
Barbara was born in Lynn, but raised and educated in Revere. She was a graduate of Revere High School and Gordon College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She enjoyed a 27-year-long career with the City of Revere teaching early elementary grades at the Whelan School. She treasured her co-workers and students and approached her career with passion and zeal.
Upon retiring, she and her husband, Tom, relocated to Vero Beach, Fla. Being raised in Revere, Barbara deeply loved the ocean. Throughout her life she and Tom lived in sea-side communities such as Swampscott, Marblehead Neck, Westport and Vero Beach.
She and her husband travelled often, especially in the British Virgin Islands, and they made the road trip
between Florida and their New England families many times. She and Tom also loved antiquing and enjoyed scouring yard sales, estate sales and auctions for treasures. She lovingly displayed  her extensive collection of dolls crafted by members of the Seminole tribe. Barbara loved both birds and butterflies, sometimes embellishing the “B†of her first name to make it look like a butterfly with closed wings.
In retirement, Barbara served as secretary of her homeowner’s  association as well as chair of the Architectural Plan Revue Sub-Committee. In these roles, she worked closely with budgets, contractors, architects and home owners, giving her a showcase for her intellect and strong work ethic.
The treasured wife of 40 years of Thomas H. Fair of Vero Beach, Florida, she was the cherished daughter of the late Althea H. (Jones) Rice-Drinkwater and George E. Rice; adored oldest sister of Dolly Wolfe and her husband, Gary of Tewksbury, Cynthia A. DeAmelio of Malden and Betty Rice and her fiance, Gary Nowlan of Revere and loved sister-in-law of Linda Henry and her husband, Jack. She is also lovingly survived by the late John “Jack†Drinkwater and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
For additional information, please visit             www. vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Leonel ‘Guito’ Jimenez
Of Revere
Born on Jan. 27, 1935, in Costa Rica, he was the loving son of the late Amadeo and Eida (Fernandez) Jimenez, beloved husband of Maria (Claudel) Jimenez, devoted father of Johnny Jimenez and his wife, Paula of Burlington, Gladys Barboza of Saugus, Marco Jimenez and his wife, Aleja Torres of Peabody, Leonel Jimenez and his wife, Ana of Chelsea and Alexander Jimenez and his wife, Elisa of Revere; cherished grandfather of Johnny, Jennie, Maria, Stephannie, Jose, Rosario, Mirian, Jeannette, Leonel, Samuel, Elizabeth and Katie and adoring great-grandfather of nine. He was the dear brother of Nelly and the late Manuel, Manuelico, Gladys, Luis, Carlos and Jaime and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere, today, Wednesday, June 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave., Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062 or to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. For guest book please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com.
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Americo ‘Tootsie’ Alviti
Of Revere
Americo “Tootsie†Alviti of Revere, formerly of East Boston, passed away on Saturday, June 9.
A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he was the cherished son of the late Americo and Albina (DeAngelis) Alviti, beloved husband of Marceline (Zizza) Alviti, loving father of Steven Alviti and his wife, Susan, Gerald Alviti Sr. and Gina Maggio and her husband, Paul who was a loving son-in-law, adored grandfather of Anissa Fusco, Gerald Alviti Jr., Jessica Maggio, Vincent Alviti, Vanessa Louis, Erika Maggio and great-grandfather of Gianna Alviti, Adrianna Fusco and Gino Proia, caring brother of Arnold Alviti and his wife, Frances and the late Charlie Alviti and his wife, Pauline. He is also survived by many loving nephews and one niece.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Americo’s honor at St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley St., East Boston, on Thursday, June 14 at 11a.m. Inurnment will be private.
