Florence Maiorano
Of Revere
Florence (Zaccaria) Maiorano of Revere died on December 2.
She was the beloved wife of the late Vincent J.; devoted mother of Marie King of Florida; sister of Margaret Anderson of Revere and the late Eva McCool and Angelina Fiore; grandmother of Michael Kelley and his wife, Cathleen and Cynthia Foster and her husband, Robert and great-grandmother of Stuart and Clark Foster and Ethan and Colin Kelley.
Her Funeral will be held today, Wednesday, December 5 from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere at 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church at 12 noon. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice . For guestbook please visit www.buonfiglio.com
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Lillian Polcari
Last Surviving Member of The Founding Family of “Stella’s Restaurantâ€
Lilliam M. Polcari of Point of Pines, Revere died at home on December 1 following a brief illness. She was 96 years old.
Born and raised in Boston’s North End, she was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Class of 1939 and Leslie College, Class of 1945.
Her parents were born in Italy and came to this country, with their parents in the late 1890’s settling in Boston’s predominantly Jewish and Italian immigrant communities. In 1925, her parents, Annibale and Angelina (Vara) Polcari opened “Stella’s Fine Five Star Italian Restaurant of Boston†which was in the heart of Boston’s North End until the restaurant moved to its premier location in 1979 at 74 East India St., Boston. The restaurant remained there until closing its doors in 1983.
When Annibale died in 1968, her two brothers, Louis and Charles A. Polcari took over the total management of the restaurant. For many years, Lillian acted as bookkeeper and custodian of records. Before that and during her restaurant career, she was also Chief Laboratory Technician for several Boston doctors in private practice. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, she was a substitute teacher for the City of Revere, usually serving at the Whelan School.
“Stella’s Restaurant†was a mecca for all categories of Who’s Who in America for more 60 years. Celebrities of all social, educational, clerical, political and infamous backgrounds were hosted there and enjoyed the finest in Italian dining with impeccable presentations and courtesies. And a remarkable accommodation was always accorded old family friends and neighbors as well as those of the “Rich and Famous.â€
The Kennedy Family, especially Jack and Jacqueline and their entire entourage, often frequented the famous Boston five star eatery. Movie, television and radio personalities from Sinatra, Tony Martin, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Martha Raye, Bette Davis, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Gina Lolabrigidia, Eve Arden, the Goldberg Family and many many more were long time patrons. Politicians, their wives and escorts, composers, conductors, the very rich and the very ‘not so rich’ met at “Stella’s.†The famed restaurant was also legendary for its décor of Italian and Greek Art and Sculpture. Lillian Polcari’s life, or much of it, was centered at the core of the restaurant where she maintained a presence until its closing.
Her brother, Charles A. Polcari died in August of 2001 and her brother, Louis Polcari died in December of 2000.
She was the devoted aunt of Louis C. Polcari and his wife, Joanne of Weymouth, Angela M. Ventola and her husband, Robert and Marie C. Polcari, all of Salem. She is also lovingly survived by her sister-in-law, Gloria M. Polcari of Point of Pines, Revere.
Family and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass today, Wednesday, December 5 at 11a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere. Burial will be in the Family Estate Lot at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Italian Home for Children, 1125 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals of Revere – www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Josephine LeBlanc
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Josephine S. (Fazio) LeBlanc of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on November 29 at the Lighthouse Nursing & Care Center following a long illness. She was 90 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, she was a 1940 graduate of East Boston High School. She married Thomas L. LeBlanc in September of 1942 and the couple moved to Revere in 1952. Mrs. LeBlanc worked as a secretary for the former Wigglesworth Company in East Boston.
She was the beloved wife of 70 years of Thomas L. LeBlanc; devoted mother of Thomas W. LeBlanc of Revere and the late Ronald E. and Deborah LeBlanc; cherished grandmother of Heather LeBlanc of Missouri, Danielle Morello and her husband, Michael of Lynnfield and Christopher LeBlanc of Peabody. She is also lovingly survived by her great granddaughter Madison Morello and by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was the dear sister of the late Rose Consolo and Petrina Zazzaretti and the daughter of the late Urelio and Josephine (Gangi) Fazio.
Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Peabody. For more information and directions, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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Wallace Milligan
Worked Eastern Airlines
Wallace M. Milligan of Revere, formerly of Melrose and Somerville, died on November 24 at the Mass. General Hospital in Boston following a long illness. He was 69 years old.
Born, raised and educated in Somerville, he was a 1961 graduate of Somerville High School. He entered the US Army in August of 1961 during the Vietnam Era and served until August of 1964. He worked for Eastern Airlines at Logan Airport on ramp service for more than 20 years and lived in Melrose for about 15 years, then moved to Winthrop and finally to Revere in 1995. He was a former member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078 and was also an avid swimmer at Revere Beach.
He was the beloved father of Wallace J. Milligan and his wife, Darleen of Horsham, PA, Tracey M. Milligan of Wakefield and Scott F. Milligan and his wife, Nancy of Methuen; the dear grandfather of Shanna M., Sierra J. and Wallace S. Milligan and Samantha Marshall and is also lovingly survived by three sisters: Margaret “Betty†Abreu of Billerica, Joan Johnson and her husband, Charles of Royal Palm Beach, Florida and Mary Kantorski and her husband, Edward of Revere. He also leaves his former wife, Janet M. (Rogers) Milligan of Abington and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Wakefield followed by burial at the Mass. National Cemetery in Bourne. Arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Remembrances may be made to the N.E. Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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Virginia Bruce-Richardson
Former Legal Secretary
Virginia Bruce-Richardson of Kittery, Maine, formerly of Saugus, died suddenly on November 28 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire. She was 75 years old.
A former legal secretary, she was the beloved wife of Theodore, the devoted mother of Jayne Penta of Revere, Robert Penta of Saugus, Laura Stewart of Colorado, Gregory Penta of Saugus and the late Terri Kawa; dear sister of Barbara Cote of Revere, Robert Bruce of New Hampshire and the late James Bruce. She is also survived by seven loving grandchildren, one great grandchild and by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by The Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston MA 02215. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Catherine ‘Kay’ Ward
Nurse
Catherine I. “Kay” (Gasparini) Ward of Salem, formerly of Saugus and Revere, died on November 28.
A graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1956 and Chelsea Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, she was the cherished daughter of the late Dante and Rina (Agostinelli) Gasparini; loving mother of Karen Ward and her fiancé, Mark Sanner of Connecticut and Kimberly Lovett and her son, Landon of Saugus.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was at Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.
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Dr. Leo Benecchi
Physician
Dr. Leo P. Benecchi of Revere and Maine died on November 27 at the Lighthouse Nursing Care Center. He was 92 years old.
He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 179, Winthrop Golf Club, Boston College Alumni and the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Born in Brockton, the son of the late Giovanni and Esther (Ghadini) Benecchi, he was the beloved husband of the late Grace (Arsenault) and June (Robbins); devoted father of Dr. John Benecchi and his wife, Elizabeth of Revere and is also survived by his late wife June’s son, Anthony Lennon and his wife, Mary. He was the loving grandfather of Gregory, Jeffrey and Kevin Benecchi, Rachel, Sarah and Ethan Lennon; dear brother of the late Olga Colaneri, Val Benecchi and Ada D’Onofrio.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Light House Nursing Care Center, 204 Proctor Ave., Revere Ma 02151 C/O Activity Fund or to the charity of your choice. Â For guest book, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Domenico Conte
Of East Boston
Domenico Conte of East Boston died on November 29.
A devoted member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in East Boston for many years, he was the beloved husband of Maria (Berlangieri); devoted father of Frank Conte and Cathy Lange of Wakefield, Josephine DiPietro and her husband, Jerry of East Boston, Ann Marie Vinciguerra and her husband, Mark of Mansfield, Anthony Conte of Arlington, Domenic Conte and his wife, Cheryl of Wakefield and John Conte and his wife, Patricia of Wallingford, CT; dear brother of Filomena Berlangieri and her husband,Tullio of Revere; cherished grandfather of Sean, Lauren, Christina, Alessandra, Domenic, JD, Emily, Marcus and Juliana and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. Entombment was at Holy Cross Cemetery. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
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John DeMattio, Sr.
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
John W. DeMattio, Sr. of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on November 26 at the Light House Nursing Care Center in Revere. He was 84 years old.
A US Air Force veteran and a former employee of Market Forge, Everett, he was born in East Boston, the son of the Late Edward and Sarah (Cutillo.) He was the beloved husband of Helen M. (Gannon); devoted father of Edward J. of Revere, John W. of Connecticut, Joseph S. and his wife, Lisa of Revere; dear brother of Vera DiCarlo of Quincy, Evelyn DeLuca of Revere, Sarah Fantasia of Revere and the late Samuel DeMattio, Edward DeMattio, Julia Cataldo, Jennie Zollo, Phyllis Scalisi and Edna Fortini. He is also survived by four loving granddaughters: Marissa, Kayla, Lauren and Lindsey.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere,. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham MA 01701. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. For guestbook, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Salvatore Anastasi
Of Revere, formerly of the North End
Salvatore J. Anastasi of Revere, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on November 26. He was 62 years old.
He was the cherished son of the late Nancy (Esposito) and John Anastasi; loving brother of Louise DeCristoforo and her husband, Joseph and Donna DeCotis and her companion, Paul Kavalchuk; beloved uncle of Lucia, Andrea, Annmarie, Nancy and great-uncle of Brianna and Rylee Mia and is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass in his memory was held on November 30 at St. Leonard’s Church, Boston.
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Daniel Pauley
Retired Suffolk Downs Horse Trainer
Daniel J. Pauley of Beachmont, Revere, died at home on December 2. He was 80 years old.
The loving husband of Marcella (Goodwin) Pauley, he was born in Boston, the son of the late Joseph and Dorothy (MacDonald) Pauley. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and worked as a horse trainer at the Suffolk Downs race track.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Pauley leaves two daughters, Lisa Belschner and her husband, Thomas of (Beachmont) Revere and Bernadette Pauley and her husband, Alfred Ducharme of California; four grandchildren, Kevin Patrick O’Hara, Jr., Shannon Taylor O’Hara, Thomas Belschner, Jr. and Joseph Belschner; two brothers, Joseph C. Pauley and his wife, Rebecca of Hamilton and Robert L. Pauley and his wife, Jane of Middleton. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy of Maine and by many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held from the Porcella Funeral Home, 876 Winthrop Ave. (Beachmont) Revere today, Wednesday, December 5  at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 660 Washington Ave., Revere at 10 a.m. Relatives and  friends are invited. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For directions and condolences, www.BisbeePorcella.com.
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Mario Masella
Of Revere
Mario A. Masella of Revere died unexpectedly on December 1. He was 75 years old.
A US Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Era, he was the beloved son of Mary (Ragucci) and the late Mario Masella of Florida; dear and devoted father of Maryann P. Masella of Winchester and Alexander Masella of Arlington; dear brother of Joanne Mazzie of Everett, June Sanfilippo of Florida and the late William Masella; loving nephew of Annette Patten, Ida Natale, Gloria Ragucci, all of Everett and Carmella Natale of Dracut and former husband of Pilar (Hernandez). He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His Funeral will be held from the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main Street) Everett on Friday morning at 9 followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contibutions to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St. Boston, MA 02108, would be sincerely appreciated.
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Claire Mainero
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Claire T. (Saurino) Mainero of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on December 1.
She was the beloved mother of Maryann Giorgio and her husband, Al, Michele Polsonetti and her husband, Michael, and Claire and Roseann Mainero, all of Revere; loving sister of Michael Bono of Revere, Maryellen Mendoza of East Boston, Martin Bono of New Hampshire, Donna Materese of Melrose, and the late Joseph and Theresa Saurino. She is also survived by 10 loving grandchildren, eight loving great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her memory in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, today,
Wednesday, December 5 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody. At the family’s request, visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the St. Anthony’s Church Restoration Fund, c/o St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St., Revere, MA 02151. For directions and guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com. Arrangements are under the the direction of Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere.
