William Jay Strong, Sr.
Retired Revere Fire Fighter
RFD retiree William “Billy†Jay Strong Sr. of Revere died on February 16 at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Chelsea on June 25, 1940 to the late Leonard and Eva (O’Brien), Bill joined the US Navy on his 17th birthday and traveled the world until his honorable discharge in 1961. Upon his return to Revere, Bill worked in the Boston Naval Shipyard until his appointment to the Revere Fire Department in 1968. He was a proud firefighter until his retirement in 1997. During his tenure, he received many commendations and was an invaluable member of the department. He was also a member of Revere American Legion Post 61 and Mottolo VFW Post 4524.
Bill was the beloved husband of 35 years to Patty Reilly Strong, devoted father of Elizabeth Strong of Revere, Leonard Strong of Pittsburgh, PA, Susan Strong and her fiancé, Scott Horner of Marlborough, and the late William J. Strong Jr of Morgantown, WV; cherished grandfather of Athena Strong Tucker and her husband, Evan, Nicholas Albano, Dylan Strong, Sarah Horner and Ryan Horner; dear brother of Robert Strong of Maine, Helen McKinnon of Revere and the late George Strong, Walter Strong and Leonard Strong. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Visitation was held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Monday, February 22 followed by Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William’s name to the Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 South Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118 or at GBFB.org. For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com
David Kelly
Retired Revere Police Patrolman and Three-Time Exalted Ruler of Revere Lodge of Elks
Funeral Services and Interment were held privately due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic for Retired Revere Police Patrolman David J. Kelley, 80, who died in the loving care of his family in Saugus on Friday, February 12 following a long illness.
David was a lifelong Revere resident. He was educated In Revere and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1958. He joined the Revere Police in the 1970’s in the city he loved. His career spanned over 30 years of service before retiring. He was an active member of the Revere Lodge of Elks #1171 where he made many lifelong friends and happy memories and was a three-time past Exalted Ruler and an Honorary Life Member. His best memories were always spent with his family, whom he loved deeply.
The beloved son of the late Norwood and Loretta (Theodore) Kelley, he was the loving father of Diane D. Danca and her husband, Frank of North Andover, John J. Kelley and David P. Kelley and his wife, Michelle, all of Revere, Melissa L. Sheppard and her husband, Matthew and Christian C. Kelley and his wife, Wendy, all of Saugus; dear brother of the late Robert B. Kelley and his surviving wife, Eleanor E. “Sissy†Kelley of Revere; adored grandfather of five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He is also lovingly survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Remembrances may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The staff at Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals are most honored to have assisted the family in completing funeral arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
Phyllis Picardi
Of Wakefield, formerly of Revere
Phyllis (Barrasso) Picardi, 91, of Wakefield, formerly of Revere, passed away on Monday, February 15 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
She was born in East Boston on July 14, 1929, the daughter of the late Armando and Margaret (Finno) Barrasso. Phyllis grew up in East Boston, later settled in Revere and has been a Wakefield resident for the past 25 years.
She was the beloved wife of the late Nunzio J. Picardi, the loving mother of Margaret Maccaro and her husband, Edward, Brenda Picardi, Robert Picardi and Ernestine Picardi, sister of Armand Barrasso, Elizabeth Tripari and her husband, Anthony and the late Nicholas and Gennaro Barrasso; cherished grandmother of Robert Picardi Jr. and great grandmother to Bria Picardi.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave.,
Wakefield on Thursday, February 18. Services were in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
Marie Rose Teresa Cavallaro
April 24, 1918 — February 9, 2021
Funeral Services and Interment were held privately for Marie Rose Teresa Cavallaro of Revere who passed away peacefully in her home on February 9 at the age of 102.
Marie was born in Revere where she spent most of her childhood.
After high school, she met and married her husband, Patrick Cavallaro from Lawrence. They lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut with their young children and eventually settled in New Jersey to raise their family. Throughout her life, Marie was involved in her community participating in numerous organizations in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
As a young woman, she served as secretary for the Republican Party of New Jersey. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
Marie remained active in her later years in the Boston area and never let the Boston weather get in her way. She thoroughly enjoyed her Taiichi and yoga classes sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital and was an avid Mahjong player. Marie also served as vice-president of the Golden Age Club of East Boston and was a member of the Anna Defranzo Club of East Boston.
She was also involved with the VFW Auxiliary of Revere and the Red Hats.
The beloved wife of the late Patrick Cavallaro, she was the devoted mother of Patricia Ann Nardone and her husband, Leo Nardone and the late Roger Lee Cavallaro and mother-in-law of Doreen Saulnier; cherished grandmother of five granddaughters, five step-granddaughters and fifteen great-grandchildren; dear sister of the late Mildred Spallone, Michael, Anthony and Raymond Spallone. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Marie was a grandmother, mama and friend to many. She was a gregarious woman who shared her decades of life experiences, wisdom, sense of humor and strength from her deep faith with everyone she met. Marie’s family is grateful to the many people who provided support and care for her including the hospice team from Care Dimensions, the home health care teams from Right at Home, Metropolitan Home Health and Mystic Valley Elder Services. Their compassion and determination to provide care for Marie in her home during the pandemic was exemplary. Additionally, the family thanks the Mass General team for decades of superb health care and services that provided Marie the ability to live a long and full life.
A special thank you to Megan for her incredible commitment to Marie and to Branka and Jake, their daughter Sara, and son, David for their unwavering support, care and love for Marie.
In lieu of flowers, Marie requested donations be sent to the ALS Association – Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton Street, Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062 (www.als.org) in memory of her son, Roger.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.
Michael Church
A Kind and Gentle Soul with a Big Heart
Michael C. Church of Salem, 64, a kind and gentle soul with a big heart, passed away peacefully on February 7.
He was born March 14, 1956 in In Palo Alto, California to the late Bernice Sweeney Church. He was the father of Michael Jr., Seneca Bryson, Patrice Bryson, Natasha Bryson, Christina, John and Mark Church. He also leaves behind his grandson, Adrian. Michael was the brother of Luke E. Church of Maine and Bernice Kehoe of Boxford and the late Marielen Kehoe, John Church, Raymond Church and Maureen Scott. Michael is also survived by his best friend, Neil Donovan of Salem. He was the beloved friend of the late Judy Bryson and the uncle of several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
All services were privately held under the direction of the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons ~ Bruno Funeral Home.
John Gipson
MWRA Retiree and Patriot Taxi Dispatcher
John T. Gipson of Revere died on February 20.
John was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. After his service, he went to work for the Commonwealth of MA Water Department, now known as the MWRA. After retiring from the State, he worked as a dispatcher for Patriot Taxi.
The beloved and devoted son of the late John and Catherine (Mckenna) Gipson, he was the dear brother of William Gipson of New Hampshireand Sandra Guarino of Revere and loving uncle of William Gipson and John Guarino. He is also survived by many loving grand nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial visitation will be held In the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Saturday, Feb 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by a prayer service and Military Honors at 2 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Covid-19 restrictions and procedures are in force and masks and social distancing are required while in the funeral home. Due to capacity limits please make your visit brief, so others may enter the funeral home.
Rocco ‘Rocky’ Carapellucci
Co-Owned Heidi Place’s, a Convenience and Sub Shop in Beachmont
Rocco L. “Rocky†Carapellucci, 82, of Revere, passed away on February 17 after a short battle with cancer.
Rocky was born on August 28, 1938 in Boston. He worked for Malden Mills and later Cranberry. In 1983, he met Mary Dedrick, his partner for the last 37 years. Together they have one child, Heidi Carapellucci.
They later opened Heidi Place’s, a convenience and sub shop, in Beachmont.
Rocky was predeceased by his first wife, Lorraine Baldassari of Malden and daughter, Tamina White of Salem. He is survived by Mary Dedrick of Revere and his children: Heidi Carapellucci of Revere, Richard and Brenda Carapellucci of Everett, Lisa Carapellucci of Salem, Robyn and Enver Kolpachnik of Billerica, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
