Obituaries – 06/18/09

Amelia ‘Bobbie’ Brogna
Chaplain of Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post

Amelia “Bobbie” (Caruso) Brogna of Malden, formerly of Saugus and Revere, died on June 15.

The past chaplain of Ladies Auxiliary VFW Staff Sgt. Arthur F. DeFranzo Post 2346 of Saugus, she was the wife of the late Joseph Brogna; loving mother of Joseph Brogna of Malden, the late Robert Brogna and the late Manuella “Dolly” Murray; cherished grandmother of nine; great-grandmother of four and longtime companion of the late Joseph DiVito.

Her funeral will be held from the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, on Friday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer Street, Saugus, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association, Mass. Affiliate, Inc., 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. For directions, please visit www.BisbeePorcella.com.

Diane Waugh, 51

MBTA Materials Supervisor

Diane C. “DeDe” (Edwards) Waugh died unexpectedly at the Lakes Region General Hospital of Laconia, NH, after being stricken at the home of her brother, Stephen, on June 12. She was 51 years old.

She was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1975. She worked for more than 18 years as a driver with the MBTA and then, until her untimely death, she was a supervisor in the materials department in Everett. She was a member of the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 5389.

Wife of Revere Firefighter Donald J. Waugh, who died in December 2002, she was the cherished mother of Jason M. Edwards of Revere and his companion, Jessica Roberts; devoted soul mate of Robert G. Deary of Revere; dear sister of Stephen F. Edwards and his wife, Susan, of Saugus and Meredith NH, Claire M. Griffin and her husband, Edward, Scott Edwards and his wife, Lisa, Cynthia A. “Cindy” Crowley and her husband Edward F. Crowley Jr., Lisa A. Herlihy and her late husband, Edward, and Gregory C. Edwards, all of Revere. She is also lovingly survived by her grandchildren, Michaela R. Thompson of Wakefield, Donald R. and Melissa M. Waugh, both of Revere, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway, Revere, on Thursday June 18, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere, at 10:30 am. Visiting hours are tonight, Wednesday only, from 5 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.

Phyllis Marino, 85

Member of Several Revere Organizations

Phyllis A. (Vitale) Marino, a 13-year resident of Winthrop, formerly of Revere, died unexpectedly on June 12 at Mass. General Hospital, at the age of 85.

Mrs. Marino was born and raised in Revere and was a 1941 graduate of Revere High School. She lived in Revere until she moved to Winthrop 13 years ago. She was an active member of several organizations within the Revere community, namely, the Revere Lodge-Ladies of the Moose, St. Anthony’s Ladies Sodality, REVERE CARES Organization and the Revere Society for Cultural and Historic Preservation. She was also active in the Revere Alumni Celebration Committee.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer about six years ago. With her very determined and feisty spirit, she approached her illness with a most positive attitude and became a “survivor”. She maintained her “cancer free” status until her unexpected death.

She was the wife of Carl A. Marino, who died in June 1993; devoted mother of Sharon G. Slatt and cherished grandmother of Jaime L. Slatt, both of Winthrop, with whom she made her home; dear sister of Lucy Patti and Gloria Hurley, both of Revere, and the late Laura Cataldo, Maryann D’Agresta and Vincent Vitale. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway, Revere, today, Wednesday, June 17, at 10 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St Anthony of Padua Church, Revere, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Remembrances may be made to one’s favorite charity.

Leo Rega

Revere resident

Leo Rega of Revere, formerly of Everett, died on June 14.

He was the beloved husband of Marie (Interrante) Rega, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; loving father of Frances Rega of Revere; dear brother of Teresa Santilli and her husband, Pat, and Louie Rega and his wife, Connie, all of Everett, and the late Elizabeth DiGregorio; and the fond uncle of many.

His funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere, Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Revere, at 10 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in his name to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 660 Washington Avenue, Revere, MA 02151. For directions and guest book, please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.

Mary Perretti

Revere resident

Mary J. (DeVito) Perretti of Revere died on June 12.

She was the beloved wife of the late Angelo Perretti; loving daughter of the late Domenic and Constance “Tillie” (Paragona) DeVito; devoted mother of Linda A. Perretti of Revere, Steven Perretti and wife, Pamela, of Stoneham, Domenic Perretti and wife, Loretta, of Revere, Cynthia Pineau and her husband, Joseph, of Haverhill and the late Georgiann Capachietti and her surviving spouse, Carmen, and Angela Bono and her husband, Charles; dear sister of Johnny and Mickey DeVito, Chico and Nancy DeVito and the late Domenic Jr. and his surviving spouse, Janice, Fannie Botticelli and her husband, Al; sister-in-law of Michael Perretti and his wife, Mary; cherished grandmother of Carmen, Maria, Cynthia, Charlene, Stephanie, Nicholas, Felicia, Christienne, Justin and Joelle. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere, today, Wednesday, June 17, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nicholas Perretti Wellness Fund, Eastern Bank, 605 Route 1, Saugus, MA 01906. For her guest book or flowers, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.

Rose Silva

Revere resident

Rose M. (Ficarra) Silva of Revere died on June 11.

She was the beloved wife of the late George F. Silva; stepmother of the late Frank Silva, Patricia Morgan and their children, Dorothy Morgan, Robert and Tod Silva; dear sister of Jennie Santilli and the late Nicholas Ficarra, Joseph Ficarra, James Ficarra and Mary Sharaffa; loving aunt of Anthony and Anna Sciaraffa of Revere and their son, Anthony, and his wife, Despina, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home of Revere.

Josephine Colella

Of Wakefield, formerly of East Boston

Josephine (Sozio) Colella of Wakefield, formerly of East Boston, died on June 12.

She was the beloved wife of the late Bernardo Colella; devoted mother of Betty Vacirca and her husband, Jim, of Revere, Gerry Celona and her husband, Nunny, of Wakefield; dear sister of Helen Saraceni of Arlington and the late Louis and Peter Sozio, Palma DiFiore, Angie Pizzarelli and Maggie Saraceni; cherished grandmother of Stephen Celona and his girlfriend, Jackie, Diane Simons and her husband, Danny, Jay Vacirca and his wife, Denise, Anthony Vacirca and his wife, Kelli; adored great-grandmother of Juliana and Kristina; and beloved aunt of many.

Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero-Mazzarella Memorial Home, (Orient Heights), East Boston. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations in honor of Mrs. Colella may be made to Glen Ridge Nursing Care, 120 Murray St., Medford, MA 02155. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com.

Raymond Cross Sr.

Revere resident

Raymond J. Cross Sr. of Revere died on June 12.

He was the beloved husband of 49 years of Carole (Grant) Cross of Revere; devoted father of Cheryl Lillie of Revere, Rosanne Ciaramella of Keene, NH, Raymond Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Winthrop and Karen Molina and her husband Santos of Chelsea; dear brother of George, Bernice, Mary, Diane, Sharon, Anthony, Bernard and the late Thomas, Harold, Judy, Claudia, Edward and Patrick. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were by the Frank A. Welsh & Son’s Funeral Home, Chelsea. Funeral services were held at the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, Arlington, Vt., with burial at Ira Allen Cemetery, Sunderland, Vt. For more information, call Frank A. Welsh & Sons, Chelsea, at 617-889-2723.

William Jay Strong Jr., 43

Of West Virginia, formerly of Revere

William Jay “Billy” “BJ” Strong Jr. of Morgantown, WV, formerly of Revere, died suddenly on June 10. He was 43 years old.

He was born June 4, 1966, a son of William Strong Sr., retired longtime Revere firefighter, and Maxine Ash. He was employed at Casa D’Amici Restaurant as a manager for 10 years, but for the last two years, he found his passion as an over-the-road truck driver. He also loved sports, and his favorite team was the Boston Red Sox.

He was the beloved husband of Peggy Freeland and father of DJ Freeland of Morgantown, WV; loving son of William and Patricia Strong of Revere and Maxine and Tim Ash of Morgantown, WV. He is also survived by Elizabeth Rossetti and her children, Athena and Nicholas, of Revere, Leonard Strong and his son, Dylan, of Indiana, Pa., and Susan Strong of Hopkinton, and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral arrangements were by the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, 10 South High St., Morgantown WV, www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com.

Leonarda Catizone

Medford resident

Leonarda “Lee” (Spinale) Catizone of Medford, formerly of the West End, died on June 11.

She was the beloved wife of the late Eugene Catizone; devoted mother of John Catizone of Derry, NH; loving grandmother of six; great-grandmother of nine; and the sister of Joseph Spinale, Frances Celino and Carmella DePasqua.

Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Funeral Home, Medford. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. For her online obituary and guest book, visit dellorusso.net.

Gary Kaplan

Former owner of Myer’s Kosher Kitchen of Revere

Gary Kaplan of Lynn, Administrator of Congregation Ahabat Shalom of Lynn and former owner of Myer’s Kosher Kitchen of Revere, died on June 11.

He was the devoted husband of Judith (Tatch) Kaplan; dear son of the late Myer and Marion Kaplan; beloved father of Michelle and Peter Stanley, Deborah Kaplan and Allen Petersen and Linda Kaplan; adored grandfather of Jamie and Owen Stanley; and loving brother of Philip and Ruth Kaplan.

Services were held at Congregation Ahabat Sholom, 151 Ocean St., Lynn. Burial was in Lynn. Condolence calls may be made at his late residence through today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be donated to the National Tay Sachs & Allied Diseases Foundation, 2001 Beacon St. 204, Brighton, MA 02135. Arrangements were by the Goldman Funeral Chapel of Malden.

Maria Grazia Polidoro, 99

Homemaker

Maria Grazia (Fusco) Polidoro of Revere died on June 10 at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home. She was in her 100th year.

A homemaker, born in Mondragone Caserta, Italy, she was the beloved wife of the late Anthony; dear and devoted mother of Joseph Anthony and his wife, Carmela, Mario John, Carmela “Chicki” Zani and her husband, Leo, Joanna Vesce and her husband, Stephen, all of Revere, and Rosalie Perry and her husband, William, of Florida; sister of Filomena Cacaci and Gaetano Fusco. She was also the sister of nine siblings,who preceded her in death; loving grandmother of Linda Trapane and her husband, Paul, Anthony Polidoro, Joseph Polidoro and his wife, Lisa, Stephen Polidoro, and his wife, Jennifer, Lisa Pellegrino and her husband, Flavio, Adrian Perry, Michael Vesce and Christina Vesce; and the loving great- grandmother of 10.

Funeral arrangements were by the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home of Saugus. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Memorial contributions to the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, 17 Lafayette Avenue, Chelsea, MA 0210 would be sincerely appreciated.

Carmela Munapo, 79

Bookbinder

Carmela Munapo of Revere died on June 4. She was 79 years old.

A bookbinder, she was born on March 27, 1930 in Boston, the loving daughter of the late Michael Cascio and Giuseppina (Ciccarello) Cascio; cousin of Carmela Leopold of New Hampshire, Helen Sienkiewicz of Salem and Matthew Cascio of Winthrop; and she is also survived by her godchild, Maria Leonard, and her husband, James, and their two daughters, Christina and Stephanie Leonard.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Boston.

Irma Nazzaro

Saugus resident

Irma (Lanzetta) Nazzaro of Saugus, formerly of Stoneham, died on June 8.

She was the beloved wife of Henry J. Nazzaro, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage; loving mother of Mark Nazzaro and his wife, Donna, of Peabody and Susan Urrata and her husband, Giovanni, of Wakefield; dear sister of Nina Lanzetta and Ann Yardumian, both of Stoneham, Mary LoRe of Braintree and the late Joseph Lanzetta; cherished grandmother of Joseph and Jesica Urrata and Mark Jr. and David Nazzaro.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the All Care Hospice, 16 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1834, Merrifield, VA 22116. For her guest book, please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.

Gennaro Vitiello, 88

Of New Hampshire, formerly of Revere

Gennaro Vitiello of Litchfield, NH, formerly of Revere and East Boston, died unexpectedly on June 9. He was 88 years old.

He was the husband of the late Erminia E. (Santosuosso); cherished father of Constantino “Dino” Vitiello and his wife, JoAnne, of Peabody, Frank Vitiello and his wife, Dorothy, of Revere, Carmella Putney and her husband, Alfred, of Litchfield, NH, and the late Angelina Vitiello; dear brother of Anna Vitiello of Avellino, Italy, and Elia Vitiello-Evangelista and her husband, Carmine, of Swampscott. He is also lovingly survived by 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Entombment was in Holy Cross Community Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688.

Virginia Nigro

Active at St. Anthony’s Church

Virginia Nigro of Revere died on June 9.

An active parishioner and volunteer at St. Anthony’s Church, she was the dear sister of Helen Mirarchi, Arthur Nigro and his wife, Sally, of Revere, Lucia Gargano of Winchester and the late Emilyn Bartolomucci, Evelyn, Warren and his surviving wife, Jean, and Robert Nigro. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were completed by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Catholic Charities, 7 Kneeland St., 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02111-1931.

Shirley Polansky, 81

Retired Everett Assessors office employee

Shirley (Pressman) Polansky of Revere, formerly of Malden, died on June 8. She was 81 years old.

A retired employee of the City of Everett Assessors, she was the devoted wife of the late George Polansky; beloved mother of Keith and his wife, Elizabeth Polansky, Jeffrey Polansky and the late Glenn Polansky; cherished grandmother of Matthew, Kevin and his wife, Erin, and Brian Polansky; loving longtime companion of Syd Levine; and dear sister of Donn Parker and Diane Nachman.

Funeral arrangements were by the Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden. Burial was in Peabody.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

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