Grace (Messina) Ruggiero
loving wife, mother and Nonna
Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours today, Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Vertuccio and Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere for Grace (Messina) Ruggiero who died peacefully in the tender presence of her God, on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital following a long illness. She just celebrated her 87 th birthday with her family on Jan. 29.
Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Grace was born and raised in Santa Caterina, Villarmosa, Caltanissetta, Italy. She was 27 years old when she came to America, settling in East Boston. Grace worked for a brief time as a seamstress in Boston’s Garment District and was married on Nov. 18, 1962, to Mario Ruggiero. The couple remained in East Boston where together they raised their three children. In 1986, the family moved to Saugus where she lived until her passing.
Her family felt overwhelmingly blessed to have had such a devout wife, mother and Nonna. She lived up to the epitome of her name, Grace. She was truly a lady of grace and strength. Caring for her family was always the top priority of her life. Cooking, sewing and caring were not tasks or chores, that is what she did and so incredibly well. There was no place she would want to be more than around her loving family. She was undoubtedly a Matriarch who demonstrated her love and unwavering selflessness for her entire family. Her presence will be greatly missed, her memory and love will continue on within her children.
She was the devoted and beloved wife of 57 years to Mario Ruggiero, Sr. of Saugus, cherished and loving mother of Rosemarie Williams and her husband, Joseph P. of Saugus, Josephine Ruggiero of Saugus and her companion, Kenneth Cummings of New York City and Mario Ruggiero, Jr. and his wife, Dina of Saugus; adored grandmother of Sean J. Williams of Saugus; dear sister of Domenica Amico of East Boston, Salvatore Messina of Revere and the late Lella Messina and Giuseppe Messina. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, both here in the U.S. and in Italy.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, MA 01880. For more information, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
Ethel Edna Cohen
Of Chelsea and Revere
Ethel Edna (Weiner) Cohen of Chelsea and Revere died on Friday, Feb. 21.
The beloved wife of the late Herman Milton Cohen, she was the loving mother of Jay Cohen of Jacksonville, Fla., and Ronald Cohen and his wife, Ellen of New York, N.Y., and the late Richard Cohen; daughter of the late Joseph and Eva (Greenstein) Weiner and loving grandmother of Amanda Cohen.
A graveside service was held at Pultusker Cemetery 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Contributions in Ethel’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements were by Torf Funeral Service, Chelsea.
Vincent Lauria, Sr.
Retired Revere Police patrolman, former Little League coach, Past Commander of ITAM Post 17 and Past President of Revere High Parents Football Club
Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m., in the Vertuccio and Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rt. 107) Revere for Retired Revere Police Patrolman Vincent M. “Vinny†Lauria, Sr., 82, who died on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Katzman Family Center for Living in Chelsea, following a long battle with heart disease. His funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, Feb, 28 at 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 670 Washington Ave., Revere at noon. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Vinny was born and raised in East Boston. He was educated in Boston public schools and was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1955. Vincent was an outstanding athlete and lettered in basketball, football and track. He served his country by enlisting in the U.S Army and was honorably discharged and returned home to East Boston.
Vinny worked as a foreman at the Howe & French Chemical Company in the Shipping Department and later AVCO, where he met his future wife. On Oct. 4, 1964, he married the love of his life, Mary Lou (Sullivan). The couple later moved to Revere where they began their life and family.
Vincent joined the Revere Police Department and proudly had a career with 10 years of service until he suffered a massive heart attack while on the job. Due to his medical condition, he was forced into early retirement.
He served as the Past Commander at the ITAM Post #17 and was the Past President of the Revere High Parents Football Club. Vinny was also known for coaching little league at St. Mary’s in Revere. He was always present for all of son’s games and his grandchildren’s as well. Vincent was a dedicated husband and father, always providing for his family and spending time with them.
He is the devoted husband of 56 years to Mary Lou (Sullivan) Lauria of Revere, loving father of RPD Patrolman Andrew G. Lauria and Vincent M. Lauria, Jr. and his wife, Dawn; cherished grandfather of Vincent M. Lauria, III, Drew H. Lauria, Hailey R. Lauria, Dante G. Lauria and Andrea M. Lauria, all of Revere and one great grandson, Brayden Oliver; dear brother of Constance T. “Connie†Malone of Revere and her late husband, Ret. Boston Police Det. Robert W. Malone and beloved uncle of Revere Police. Lt. Thomas J. Malone and Joanne J. Willette and her husband, Kevin all, of Revere. He is also lovingly survived by several grandnieces and grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Juvenile Diabetes, JDRF New England Chapter, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02841.
For more information, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
