Obituaries 06-06-2018

Leo Smyrlian

American Airlines retiree and star RHS quarterback

Leo M. Smyrlian of Revere and Reading died peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 31. He was 81 years old.

A star quarterback while at Revere High School, he was a member of the National Guard and had a 35-year career at American Airlines. He loved spending time with family and friends. He was one of kind, “as sharp as jailhouse coffee.” He was always quick to make people laugh and offer sound advice. His varied interests included enjoying great food, horse racing, antique cars and history.

He was the devoted and loving husband of 42 years of the late Emilie Smyrlian, loving father of sons: Gary Smyrlian and his wife, Alicia of Wakefield and Ben Smyrlian and his wife, Emily of Manchester, N.H. and proud Papa of Mia and Zoey. He is also survived by his sisters: Marie Geranian of Key West, Fla., Sonia Barker of Memphis, Tenn., Maxine Mohler of Vancouver, Wash. and his brother, Gregory Smyrlian of Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to: St. Teresa Rehabilitation Center, 519 Bridge St. Manchester, NH 03104. Memorial Services will be private.

Antonio Mantia

Longtime professional boxer-trainer-instructor and member of Construction & Laborers Union Local 22

Antonio Mantia of Revere passed away on Tuesday, May 29, following a long illness at the Kaplan Family Hospice House of Danvers.  He was 83 years old. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Mr. Mantia was born in Termini Imerese (Sicily) Italy on Dec. 4, 1934 and came to the U.S. in 1966, settling in Somerville. The family remained there until moving to Revere in 1994.

Mr. Mantia worked in construction all of his working career within Local #22 of the Construction and Laborers’ Union. He was a member of the Italian Army and a proud member of the “Bersaglieri,” an upper-regarded group, similar to the  “Green Berets.”

In Italy, he was known as a professional boxer for several years. When he came to the States, he continued his sporting prowess as a recognized superior trainer and instructor with the Somerville Boxing Club. He was most proud of his sporting talents throughout his life.

The beloved husband of 67 years to Rosalia (Conigliaro) Mantia of Revere, he was the devoted father to Concetta “Tina” Mantia, Maria Rizzo and her husband, Ermelindo “Lennie” Rizzo and Carlo Mantia and his wife, Gayle, all of Revere and the late Giovanni “John” Mantia; the cherished grandfather of Giancarlo Mantia, Ralph A. Rizzo and his wife, Melissa and Anthony G. Rizzo, all of Revere, Nino Mantia and his wife, Nicole of Peabody, Giovanni “John” Rizzo, Linda Fillion and her husband, David, all of Revere, Maria Donovan and her husband, Kevin of Winthrop, Maine and Jessica Mantia of Somerville;  the dear brother to Ignazio “Zino” Mantia and his wife, Marcia of Everett and the late Frank Mantia. He is also lovingly survived by seven great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Joyce Mantia of Framingham and by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews.

For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Albert ‘Big Al’ Bruzzese, Jr.

Owned AAA Transportation, member of K of C and Kiwanis, active in Revere Youth Sports

Alfred R. “Big Al” Bruzzese, Jr. of Wakefield, formerly of Revere, died Friday, June 1, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.  He was 83 years old.

Born in Boston on Jan. 10, 1935, the son of the late Alfred R., Sr. and Olympia (Basile) Bruzzese, “Big Al” was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1953. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. In 1975, he went into the Transportation business, now known as AMA Transportation of Billerica, which was named after his three sons. He was a member of the Revere Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club. He was also very active in Revere Youth Sports.

Alfred is survived by his beloved wife, Ann (Amoroso) Bruzzese, his two sons: Mark Bruzzese and his wife, Roberta and Anthony Bruzzese and his wife, Lisa, all of Wakefield. He was preceded in death by his son, Alfred Bruzzese III, and brother, Richard Bruzzese. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Erika, Taylor, Anthony, Adam and Dante, his daughter-in-law, Robyn Bruzzese of Lynnfield, and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield today, Wednesday, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

​In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Alfred’s name to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

Carl Hanson

Ten year Sprint employee and past master of Lynnfield Zetland Masonic Lodge

Carl S. Hanson passed unexpectedly at his Revere home on Tuesday, May 29. He was 50 years old.

Born in Stoneham, he was raised and educated on Cape Cod, living in West Hyannisport. He was an 1986 alumnus of Barnstable High School. Carl had a 10-year career with Sprint within the Management Division and was a longstanding member of the Lynnfield Zetland Masonic Lodge of Lynnfield. He was past master of the lodge and also had taken office of every other title within the lodge. He was a sincere and true supporter of that organization, especially spearheading fundraising events and functions.

The adored husband of 27 years to Bianca (Carrasquillo) Hanson and the devoted father of Christian J. and Joshua S. Hanson, both of Revere, he was the cherished son of Cynthia A. (Procurot) Hanson of Centerville and Carl H. Hanson and his wife, Sandy of Saugus and son in law of Patricia (Vellucci) Carrasquillo of Revere and the late Juan Carrasquillo;  the proud brother to Cherryl A. Hanson-Bull and her husband, Gregory Bull of South Boston and Jane Foley of Natick and brother-in-law of Anthony Carrasquillo, PhD of Williamstown and Revere and Shawn Carrasquillo of Revere. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio and Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development,  51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.

For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Charles Guarino, Sr.

EPA retiree, Revere Soccorso Club member

The Funeral of Charles P. Guarino, Sr. of Revere was held from the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, Revere on Saturday, June 2. Interment following funeral services was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Born in Allston, Charlie lived in Allston (Boston) all of his young life until moving to Revere 60 years ago. He served during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army from Nov. 28, 1956 to Nov. 27, 1958. Charlie worked for over 30 years with the Department of the Environmental Protection Agency. He also worked for the City of Revere within the Parks and Recreation

Division for a brief time. He was a member of the Revere Soccorso Club.

The beloved and treasured husband of 60 years to Phyllis J.M. (Derrah) Guarino, he was the  devoted father of Charles P. Guarino Jr. and his wife, Beth (Hill) Guarino of Newton and Debra H. McNamara and her husband, Michael of Derry, N.H.; the cherished grandfather of Laura M. Guarino-Chalmers and her husband, Jon of Holbrook, Stacey L. Guarino of Millis, Newton

Patrolman Charles P. Guarino, III and his fiancée, Kaleigh of Billerica, Joseph P. Guarino, Alex McNamara, Stephen McNamara and his fiancée, Kayla, all of Derry, N.H., Matthew Guarino, Cliff Jewett, both of Newton, Nicole Guarino of Peabody, James Jewett of Framingham and Melissa Jewett of Billerica. He is also lovingly survived by three great-grandchildren, Sophia, Xavi, Haley and the dear father-in-law of the late Mary Ann Guarino.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made the New England Center & Home for Veterans, P.O. Box 845257,  Boston, MA 02284-5257.

For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Charles Muise

Boston Naval Shipyard retiree

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, June 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere for Charles E. Muise who passed away following a long illness on Friday, June 1, at the West Revere Health Care Center. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following the visitation at the Immaculate Conception Church (corner of Beach Street and Winthrop Avenue) Revere at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Born in Boston, Mr. Muise lived in and was educated in the East Boston schools and was an alumnus of East Boston High School, Class of 1946. He entered the U.S. Air Force in August of 1948 and was discharged with the rank of Airman 1st Class on July 8, 1952.

The family moved to Beachmont in 1948, as he entered the US Air Force and where he continued to live until his death. He joined the Beachmont VFW Post 6712 upon being discharged and was an active member for many years. He was a faithful parishioner of the former Our Lady of Lourdes Parish of Beachmont, Revere. He retired in 1983 from the Boston Naval Shipyard with over 28 years of service as a master machinist.

He was the beloved husband of the late Mary E. (Reardon) Muise and the proud son of the late John Ernest Muise and Loretta (Cotteau) Muise; the dear brother of Diane G. August and her late husband, John of Winthrop and the late Elizabeth DeVeau, Constance “Connie” Tobin, Paul Muise and Frederick Muise. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Alzheimers’ Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Jean Arsenault

Member of the ‘Zolla’ family, one of Revere’s oldest families

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, June 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere for Jean A. (Iovine) Arsenault. She was 88 years old and was a Revere resident for 61 years.

Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Tuesday, June 12, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Adelaide’s Church, 708 Lowell St., Peabody at 10:30 a.m. and will be immediately followed by interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

Born and raised in Revere, she was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1948. Jean enjoyed a 15-plus year career within the Payroll Department at General Electric of Lynn. During her time there, she attended Felt & Tarrant Comptometer School. After her marriage to Donald J. Arsenault of Chelsea, the couple began raising their family in Revere before moving to Peabody 61 years ago. A devoted wife and mother, Jean also worked alongside her husband at their family business, “Acme Thread Co. Inc.” of Lynn for many years. For several years, she served as a Den Mother with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Peabody. She was known for her skill at the sewing machine and her talents in her kitchen. She was an extraordinary cook and baker.

She leaves her adoring husband of 66 years, Donald J. Arsenault, Sr. of Peabody. She is the cherished mother of Donna Jean Colello and her husband, Edward of Brewster, New York and Donald J. Arsenault, Jr. of Webster, New Hampshire; the devoted grandmother of Nicholas A. Colello and his wife, Sarah of McKinney, Texas, Christopher W. Colello and his wife, Danielle of Brewster, New York, Mariana E. Colello and LeighAnne J. Colello, both of Brewster, N.Y. and Cory D. Arsenault of Dover, N.H., and the great grandmother of Mackenzie Jean; dear sister to Helena I. “Helen” Gilleberto and her late husband, Antonio G. “Anthony” and Ronald N. Iovine, both of Revere and the late Robert E., Richard A. and Louis R. Iovine. She is also lovingly survived by her sisters-in-law: Edith L. Iovine of Maine and Barbara Ann Iovine of Revere.

For more information, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Harold Fulton

Retired Revere Police Chief, member of Masons and Beachmont VFW

Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Thursday, June 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway, Revere, for retired Revere Police Chief Harold R. Fulton who died on Sunday evening, June 3 at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett following a brief illness. He was 89 years old.

His funeral will be conducted in the funeral home on Friday, June 8, at 11:30 a.m. and will be immediately followed by interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

Born in Torrance, Calif., he graduated from high school in Bremerton, Wash. in 1947 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon leaving the Coast Guard in 1953, he joined the Air Force Reserves and served 33 years until his retirement. He received his B.S degree in criminal justice in 1974 from Northeastern University. Chief Fulton began his career with the Revere Police Department in April of 1962 as a reserve member, then on to permanent placement in September of 1965. He was raised to sergeant on Aug. 22, 1976, lieutenant on July 16, 1982 and promoted to captain on Aug.  27, 1989. He was appointed Chief on Jan. 26, 1992 and retired on Oct. 1, 1993. His tenure during his almost 32-year career was marked with honor, excellence and an unblemished record. He set a high standard for himself and others in service to his community.

He was as a longstanding member of the Seaview Lodge of Masons, A.F.& A.M. and a member of their 32nd Degree, as well as holding a membership in the Beachmont V.F.W. Post 6712.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Louise E. (Guarente) Fulton and the cherished father of Lynda E. DeMeo and her late husband, David of Billerica as well as Kathleen F. Chambers of Charlotte, North Carolina and David B. Chambers of Las Vegas, Nevada; the devoted grandfather to Dawn M. DeMeo of North Attleboro, Michelle A. DellaPorta and her husband, Stephen of Wilmington, Elizabeth C. Tallett and her husband, Alexander of Waltham and Christopher D. Chambers of Dallas, Texas; dear brother of Joyce Fischer of Rockdale, Texas and the late Robert Fulton. Grampi/Papa is also adored by his three great-grandchildren: Isabella M. Botte, Giovanni D. DellaPorta and Charles S. Tallett.

For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Robert Ellsworth, Jr.

Award winning playrite, screenwriter, journalist and educator

Robert F. Ellsworth Jr. passed away on March 31 in Los Angeles, Calif..

A Revere native, he graduated cum laude from UCLA and an MFA from Cal State Los Angeles. A former journalist, his writing appeared in Elle, US Weekly, Vogue, The National Post and Movie Line. He recently had a play off Broadway called Life Line. He sold three feature film screenplays to studios, Touchtone, Village Road Show and Warner Brothers.

Robert recently taught media ethics and journalism at Cal State. Med Sect was the 2016 recipient of the Best Feature Screenplay Award for the 25th Annual California Media Arts Festival.

Robert leaves behind his mother, Dee; sister, MaryLynn and three nephews: Jake, Dylan and Trevor.

 

Francis ‘Frank’ Duggan Jr.

January 20, 1932 — May 31, 2018

Francis T. “Frank Duggan, Jr. passed away on Thursday, May 31, at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home where he had been receiving supportive care for the past four years. He was 86 years old.

Born on Nantucket Island, the beloved son of the late Francis T. Sr. and Theresa P. (Heffernan) Duggan, he grew up in Cambridge where he attended local schools.

He enlisted into the US Army and served honorably during the Korean Conflict, returned to Cambridge and was employed for many years working for the Polaroid Corp with plant services and maintenance.   He settled in Chelsea several years ago and resided at Admirals Hill Towers for most of that time. He was a member of the American Legion Post 61 in Revere and volunteered his time at the VA Homeless Shelter in Boston.

In his lifetime, he was a great Boston sports fan and a diehard and devoted Red Sox fan. He lived a very military regimented life style. During the past years at the nursing   home, he   participated   in   many   activities.    Well-known   for   wearing   stylish

Sunglasses, he was affectionately nicknamed “Hollywood” by residents and home staff members.

Frank was the former husband of the late Rosemarie (Melanson) Duggan and Janet L. (Gaylord) Duggan. He was the father of Kevin Duggan, Cheryl Willette and Mark Duggan, all of Woburn, Thomas Duggan of New Hampshire, Karen Michelle Duggan and Michael Duggan, both of Everett and the late Francis T. Duggan, III and the brother of Mary Duggan of Sarasota, FL and the late John “Jack” Duggan. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Private Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, June 8    from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea to be followed by military honors and interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. For online guestbook orto send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFuneralHome.com

Grace (Hill) Sannella

Retired Revere solicitor’s office para-legal and last sibling of the ‘Hill’ family

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, June 10  from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere for Grace P. (Hill) Sannella who died following a long battle with metastatic ovarian cancer on Sunday, June 3, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers. She was 78 years old.

Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Monday, June 11, at 10 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church (Corner of Beach Street and Winthrop Avenue) Revere at 11 a.m., and will immediately be followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Born and raised in Revere, she was a 1957 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and also a 1958 graduate of the Chandler School of Boston. Grace enjoyed a long career of 42 years within the Revere City Hall, retiring in 2005 after 42 years as a paralegal with the Revere solicitor’s office. She was a long-standing member of the Revere City Hall Bowling League.

Her love for the city and the many friends she made over the decades cannot be over stated. She was a member of one of Revere’s best known and well-respected families, the Hill family. The newly dedicated Hill Elementary School on Park Avenue is in memory of her brother, Staff Sgt. James J. Hill, who perished during World War II. One of ten children born to the late Herbert S. Hill, Sr. and Helena M. (Spellman) Hill, she was the last of her siblings.

Grace enjoyed walking Revere Beach early each morning and enjoying coffee with a comforting group of people whose companionship she cherished.

The beloved wife of 42 years to Revere School Committeeman Frederick A. Sannella, the couple resided in the Point of Pines area for 42 years.

She was the cherished sister to the late Helen M. “Honey” Hill, Revere Firefighter Thomas L. Hill, SS Herbert S. Hill, Jr., SS James J. Hill, both having perished during World War II, Revere School Supt. William J. Hill, Revere City Assessor and Ward Councilor Kenneth F. Hill, Mary Cushing, H. Pauline Hill and Audrey Cogliano. She is also survived by many faithful and devoted nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Grace’s affection and love for her nieces and nephews is marked and ranks extraordinary.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Corey (nurse) of Care Dimensions Hospice and Palliative Care support team and the staff and volunteers at the Kaplan Family Hospice House. Your empathy, attention and care were a tremendous comfort to the family.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Grace (Hill) Sannella Scholarship Foundation, 36 Goodwin Ave., Revere, MA 02151 in support of Revere High School. For more information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

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