Obituaries 05-26-2021

Anthony Ruggiero

Member of Local 3 Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union

Anthony Ruggiero of Revere passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 22 at the age of 43.

Born in Boston on May 30, 1977 to Egidia (Preziosi) and the late Nicola Ruggiero, Anthony was a Union member of Local 3 Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen.

He is survived and was adored by his sisters: Maria Ruggiero-Pace and her husband, Vincent of Connecticut, Nicole Marotta and her husband, Joe of Lynnfield and Sabrina Vramis and her husband, Niko of Danvers. He was the cherished uncle of Salvatore, Nikolas, Ava and Gia Marotta, Steven and Alexis Vramis and Peter and Nicole Pace; loving nephew of Luigi Ruggiero of Revere and Richard and Anne Marie Ruggiero of Peabody.

All services will be held privately for the immediate family. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.

Joan Louise Palladino

Polaroid Retiree

Joan Louise Palladino, 75, of Stoneham, formerly of Revere, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 17.

Joan was a longtime employee of Polaroid where she made many cherished friends. During her retirement and up until her final days, she can be remembered volunteering at local food pantries, caring for her dog Mya, who she adored, and making memories with her loving family.

She was the beloved sister of John Palladino of Revere, Yvonne Palladino of Salem, NH and the late Nancy Palladino of Revere; cherished aunt to Lainie Ball of Manchester, NH, Lorna Ball of Revere and Kimberly Alston of Winthrop; cousin to several, including Lia and Cynthia and dear great aunt to many nieces and nephews including: Briana, Devyn, Delanie, Jayden, Jared, Ralphie and Santana.

A graveside service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 22. Arrangements under the direction of the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons ~ Bruno Funeral Home.

Marina Richards

Twenty-Three Year Stop & Shop Employee, Labeled “The Queen of Stop & Shop”

Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Thursday, May 27 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere for Marina R. (Boucher) Richards, 77. who died on Saturday, May 22 at her niece Kelly’s home in Nashua, New Hampshire, following a long illness. A funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, May 28 at 10 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church (Corner of Beach St. & Winthrop Ave.) Revere at 11 a.m. and immediately followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Face masks must be worn at all times and social distancing must be maintained in the funeral home and church. All attendees are required to provide their name and phone number for contact tracing and temperatures will be checked prior to entering the funeral home and church.

Marina was born in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada and was raised and educated in Rexton, New Brunswick, Canada. She came to the United States in September of 1961.

Marina was married in 1972 to Leonard Richards and the couple made their home in Revere, where they began their family. Marina was a proud and loving mother of her only child, Robin.

 She worked at Cerretani’s in Revere in the Meat Department, then, after Cerretani’s closed, she began a 23-year career with Stop & Shop. She worked there until May of 2020 when her health declined and she was no longer able to work.

Marina was always an energetic woman who had a positive outlook no matter what the circumstances were. She was labeled “The Queen of Stop & Shop.”

She made friends very easily with her beautiful warm smile and outgoing personality.

She was a woman of great faith and a devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Revere.

Marina loved fashion and loved shopping for clothes. She was always dressed for any occasion and prided herself on her appearance. Marina was an avid bowler and was once featured on Candlepins for Cash.    

A late member of the “Red Hats,” she loved going to music concerts, sometimes by herself. She was a big Elvis Presley fan. She would also frequent the theatre and her all-time favorite was Phantom of the Opera.

Her outgoing personality allowed her to make friends very easily, wherever she went.

One of her most favorite places was frequenting York Beach in York, ME.

Her family will forever remember all the trips back to Canada and the countless memorable trips to York Beach followed by an ice cream and a trip over to Nubble Lighthouse.

The beloved wife of 16 years of the late Leonard Richards, she was the loving mother of the late Robin A. Imperato and the cherished and proud grandmother of Luke and Jake Imperato, both of Revere; dear sister of Paulette Keraghan and her husband, Karl of Manchester, NH, Guy Boucher and his wife, Maryanne of Waltham, Bernadette Jaillet and Yvette Gaisie, both of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is also lovingly survived by her aunt, Rose M. Richard and by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.          

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society of Massachusetts, 3 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.  To send online condolences or for more information, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Arthur “Archie” Mellace

Outstanding Educator, Administrator, Athlete and Citizen

Arthur “Archie” W. Mellace, 85, of Peabody, loving father, grandfather, and devoted husband and high school sweetheart of the late Susan F. Mellace, passed away on March 29.

Born in Revere, the son of the late Francesco and Antoinetta Mellace and the brother of predeceased sisters and brothers: Angela Alessi, Adelaide DelloRusso, Angela Kiss, Anthony Mellace, John Mellace, Louis Attenasio, and Vincent Attenasio, Archie was a graduate of Revere High School where he played football, basketball and baseball and was awarded Outstanding Player in the Boston League. Later, he coached the basketball team and was the assistant coach of the football team at Revere High.

At Suffolk University, he graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a talented basketball player. Archie earned a Masters Degree in Education at Boston State College. He attended Framingham State University and earned a Masters Degree in Computer Science and a Certificate in Art.

Dedicated to a career in education, Archie taught social studies, art, and physical education at Revere High School. He coordinated a High School Work Study Program, placing students in various jobs, while the students earned their diplomas. He was Vice Principal at the Garfield Elementary School, President of the School Administrators’ Union and retired as Vice Principal of Revere High School.

Archie’s love of basketball led him to become an accomplished Basketball Referee in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and in the Division One, National College Athletic Association. Archie was President of the Collegiate Basketball Officials’ Association (CBOA). The Board of Directors named Archie the recipient of the Russ Beisswanger CBOA Leadership Award, among the most prestigious honors bestowed on a referee in America. He was a Life Member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Annual Converse North Shore Basketball Coaches Banquet.

Caring about the community, Archie became President of Kiwanis, participating in his favorite event, the Special Olympics. He was a faithful donor to the Food Pantry at St. Adelaide’s Church and The Vietnam Veterans Association.

Archie is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Gina Gagnon-Carter and Richard Carter of Midlothian, VA, and Michele and Richard Morelli of Yarmouth Port, MA, and a grandson and his wife, David Arthur Mellace Gagnon and Lucy Seyfarth of Fairfax, VA, and companion, Paulette Autori of West Newbury, MA.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Saturday June 5 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a Graveside Prayer Service at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody at Noon. Masks and social distancing are required at all times. A private gathering will be held for the family following Prayer Service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Arthur Mellace’s name to: Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.

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