Obituaries 10-20-2021

Christina Spina

Enjoyed Shopping, Cooking and Spending Time With Her Family

Christina A. (Causi) Spina of Revere, formerly of Somerville, died on October 16.

Christina enjoyed shopping, cooking and spending time with her family.

Born to the late Salvatore and Josephine (DeSimone) Causi, she was the beloved wife of the late Genesio, devoted mother of Sabino Spina of Everett, Tina Spina Miles and her husband, Bob Jr. and Geno Spina Jr., all of Revere; dear sister of Gloria Causi of Medford and the late Salvatore Causi Jr. and her surviving, sister-in-law Assuntina Spina of Italy. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen Spina of Weymouth as well many nieces and nephews and her beloved dogs.

Her Funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Friday, October 22 at 9 a.m.. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church (Revere) at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, October 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Mausoleum. For guestbook, please visit, www.buonfiglio.com.

Priscilla Nickerson

Founder of Revere’s Santa Walk — She Touched the Lives of Everyone She Met

Priscilla (Solimine) Nickerson of Lynnfield, formerly of Revere, died on October 14 at the age of 59. 

Priscilla touched the lives of everyone she met with her kind heart and infectious smile.  Priscilla loved the City of Revere and her job as Community Liaison serving the community.  She was the founder of Revere’s Santa Walk and contributed significantly to numerous community projects including building new dog parks and children’s playgrounds, the Sargent Street underpass mural and the senior center. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. 

Born in Boston on May 7, 1962 to the late Raffaele and Rose Marie (Sciacca) Solimine, she was the wife of Ray Nickerson of Topsfield, cherished sister of Rose Lydon and her husband, John of Kingston, dear sister-in-law of Susan D’Angelo of Weymouth, Daniel Nickerson of Haverhill and Robert and Sherri Armstrong of Peabody.  She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere today, Wednesday, October 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. At the request of the family, masks will be required upon entrance to the funeral home.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere at 10 a.m. (Everyone meet directly at church). Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Revere Santa Walk, C/O Mayor’s Office, 281 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151. Checks are payable to the City of Revere. For guest book please visit  www.buonfiglio.com.

Emiliana “Emily” Scoppettuolo

Retired Machine Operator and Union Representative at MIT

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on October 19 in St. Anthony of Padua Church for Emiliana M. “Emily” (Brum) Scoppettuolo, 74, who died on Tuesday, October 12 at the Massachusetts General Hospital following a long Illness. Interment was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

Emily was native of Azores, Portugal and the daughter of Jose and Maria (DoCarmo Pereira) Brum.  She arrived in the United States on March 21, 1969 and settled in East Boston. She married Liberatore Scoppettuolo and the couple moved to Revere with their family in 1978. Emily worked for 27 years at MIT as a Machine Operator. She was most proud of the responsibility and trust her supervisors bestowed upon her. Emily was extremely diligent, thorough and mindful of how she performed all of her duties. She also became a Union Representative while at MIT, being the voice for the people who were perhaps afraid to defend their rights. Emily was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and friend to all.

The beloved wife of 51 years to Liberatore Scoppettuolo of Revere, she was the loving and proud mother of Joseph Scoppettuolo and his wife, Erika of Revere, Liberatore “Libby” Scoppettuolo of Alton, NH and Susan Ciulla and her husband, Jack of Winchester; cherished grandmother of Grace, Celeste, Logan, Gianna, Chloe and Christopher; devoted daughter of the late Jose and Maria (DoCarmo Pereira) Brum; dear sister of Manuel Brum and his wife, Isabella of Everett, Maria Clemente and her late husband, Manuel of Virginia, Estrella Frias and her late husband, Carlos of Saugus, Anselmo Brum and his wife, Rosaria of Revere and the late Joseph Brum and his surviving wife, Deodata Brum of East Bridgewater. She is also lovingly survived by many caring nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cherished family friend, Ret. Revere Police Patrolman Paul J. Ciampoli of Alton, NH.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN. 38105 – 9959.

To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith. Home for Funerals.

Salvatrice “Sally” Pace

Devoted Grandmother, Mother Sister and Friend

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, October 15 in St. Anthony of Padua Church for Salvatrice “Sally” Pace, 85, a resident of Revere, who passed away on Sunday, October 10 surrounded by her loving family. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Sally was born in Pietraperzia, Italy on June 11, 1936 and moved to The United States in 1955. She retired after many years of employment at The Grover Manor Hospital and Viking Seafood in 2001.

Sally was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her sense of humor and larger than life personality is something that will resonate with all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Sally spent her time in her yard, at the gym, and in the kitchen with family and friends. Her presence will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was the loving wife of 36 years to the late Biagio Pace; devoted mother of Vincent J. Pace of Revere and Richard S. Pace and his wife, Terry of Martinez, GA; cherished grandmother of Kayla Pace, Daniele Pace, Karly Pace, Maggie Pace and Kelsie Pace; adored great grandmother of Erin and Merideth and dear sister of Rocca Cilano of Revere, Maria Morello of Peabody, Nancy Penta of Revere and the late Biagio Pace. To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith. Home for Funerals.

Michele Moniello

He Achieved the American Dream

Michele Moniello of Revere, 92, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, October 17 surrounded by his loving family.  

A resident of the United States, he arrived 52 years ago in Chelsea where he worked as a mason and later for Sky Chef at Logan Airport.  Later, he achieved the American dream and purchased his family home in Revere, where he enjoyed making wine, gardening and celebrating birthdays and holidays with his loving family.

He was the loving husband of the late Teodolinda Moniello with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.  Born in Santa Maria a Vico, Italy, the son of the late Raffaele Moniello and Concetta Martone, he was the brother of the late Alessandro, Maddalena, Antonietta and Giuseppe Moniello and is survived by his sister, Rosetta Moniello of Naples, Italy.

He is survived by his four children: Concetta Rivellini and her husband, Anthony of Saugus, Gina Luongo and her husband, Robert of Canyon Lake, TX, Teresa Pedicini and her husband, Robert of Lynnfield, and John Moniello and his wife, Patricia (Stone) of Barrington, NH. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Lena Giordano and her husband, Anthony, Michelle Napoli and her husband, Joseph, Mark Luongo and his wife Terra, Adam Luongo and his wife, Talia, Shawn and Robert Pedicini and Michael and Katharine Moniello, his six great-grandchildren: Evelynn, Zachary, Francesca, Gavin, Daniela, and Riverlyn who were his greatest joys and many nieces and nephews in the United States. and Italy.

His Funeral will be from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere today, Wednesday, October 20 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St Anthony’s Church at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. For guestbook, please visit  www.Buonfiglio.com.

Robert Piazza

Retired Truck Driver, Dog Lover and Antique Car Enthusiast

Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere today, Wednesday, October 20            from 4 to 7 p.m., for Robert L. Piazza, 65, who died on Saturday, October 16 at the Oxford Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Haverhill following a brief illness. A Funeral Service will be conducted in the funeral home at 7 p.m. Interment will be held privately in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Robert was a native of the Beachmont Section of Revere. He attended Revere Public Schools and Lynn High School. He spent the first half of his life in Revere, until moving to Lynn 34 years ago. Robert worked as a truck driver all of his life for Emery Air Freight most of his career, then later for Bicknell & Fuller. He was forced to retire early due to his declining health.

Robert was an antique car enthusiast. He collected many antique cars throughout the years and enjoyed working on them, restoring and selling them. He was also a dog lover. He had many dogs through the years, most recently, his Bull Terrier “Fred.”

The beloved son of Leonard R. “Len” Piazza of Beachmont Revere and the late Shirley E. (Young) Piazza, he was the loving father of Jason R. Piazza and his fiancé, Angela Koontz of Salem; dear brother of Deborah Sullivan and her husband, Walther of Waterboro, ME; cherished uncle of Erin L. Murphy and her husband, Daniel of Bellingham, MA and Caitlynn M. Maki and her husband, Benjamin of Wilton, NH. He is also lovingly survived by his three grandnephews: Walter, Tyler and Finnegan and many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) NE Chapter, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.

To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith. Home for Funerals.

Vito Anthony Pisano

Had a Generous Giving Nature and a Couple of Chance Meetings with JFK

Vito Anthony Pisano of Revere died on October 10 at the age of 94. 

Vito proudly served his country in the United States Navy on the USS Pickaway in the South Pacific during WWII and he received the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Asiatic- Pacific Theatre Medal.  After the military, he attended barber school and received his license.  He cut hair in Dorchester and Orient Heights for some time until working for Hertz as a service technician for 25 plus years until retirement.

He enjoyed big band music, listening to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, as well as the sport of horse racing, spending some of his free time at Suffolk Downs.  He loved to cook, especially making his homemade pizza which family and friends enjoyed. He had such a generous giving nature where at times he would prepare food and give to those in need down Revere Beach. His family enjoyed hearing the stories of his past, especially the one where he had a couple of chance meetings with JFK who was a U.S. Rep at the time. When Vito returned home from military service he was hitchhiking back home to East Boston through the tunnel when he was given a ride from JFK not once but on two separate occasions. He must have left an impression after the first ride because JFK recalled that he had given him a ride one time prior. 

He will be truly missed by all who knew him.

Born in Boston on November 14, 1926 to the late Baldassare and Rose (Sambrone) Pisano, he was the beloved husband of Yvonne (LeVie) for 63 years; devoted father of John Pisano of Lynn, Clifford Pisano of Revere, Jennifer Pisano and her husband, Jerry Lynch of Wilmington and Robert Pisano and his wife, Anica of Brockton; dear brother of Marion Kelleher and her late husband, Edmund of Lynn and the late Virginia Perius, Nancy DeMaino and her husband, Nicolo; cherished grandfather of David and his wife, Yazmin, Heather and her husband, Christopher, John and Katelyn; adored great-grandfather of Gabriella, Emeli, Anthony Vito, and Jessy Jane.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere on Saturday, October 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 5 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.  A private interment will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Greater Food Bank of Boston, 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 or at gbfb.org.  For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.

Rose Festa

Known as “The Pizza Lady,” she was Everyone’s Mother

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Saturday, October 23  from 1 to 3:00 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere for Rose (DiMonte) Festa who died on Tuesday, October 12 at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen following a brief illness. She was 83 years old. A Funeral Service will take place in the Funeral Home following the visitation at 3:15 p.m. Interment will be private.

Rose was born to Angelo and Rosaria (Riccio) DiMonte, immigrants from Italy, who began their life in East Boston. She was one of eleven children. When Rose was just a young girl, the family settled in Revere. She attended Revere Public Schools and raised her children in Revere.

Rose was well known to all of the children in the neighborhood. She was known as the “Pizza Lady” because when she made pizza she literally fed all the neighborhood kids with an endless amount of homemade pizza. She was like a second mother to most kids in the neighborhood. No kid would ever go without anything, whether if it was a meal, a coat, or simply love. She was everyone’s mother. She was a comfort in the neighborhood to the other parents having a woman like Rose, knowing there was someone else watching out for their child. Whenever a kid came by, Rose always had a piece of gum, candy, popsicle or whatever she had, she offered to the kids.

Rose returned to work once her children were of age and in school. She worked at various local restaurants, whether as a waitress or in the kitchen. She was a fabulous cook and had an even better personality.

As she grew older, she became known as “The Grandmother with the Swing on the Tree,” and of course any kid who wanted to swing was more than welcome and then given some type of treat. Her love and affection for children was profound.

She was also a feisty woman who always told you exactly what was on her mind. Her honesty certainly was one of the other factors that made her truly a genuine person.

She was the loving mother of Susan A. Scoppa of Revere, Donna M. Scoppa of Andover, Carlene M. Festa of Reading and Carl Festa and his late wife, Brenda of Everett; cherished grandmother of

David J. Gleeson of Reading, Sarah R. Santangelo of Reading and Shayla R. Festa of Everett; dear sister of Anna Rotondo of Saugus, Lena Spagnola, Gloria Ferullo and the late Jean Barrett,

Pasquale DiMonte, Antonetta Lea, Marie DiMonte, Joseph, George and Anthony DiMonte. She is lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.         

To send online condolences, please visit

www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals.

Ralph B. Lilly, MD

Oct. 28, 1935 — Oct. 10, 2021

Ralph B. Lilly, MD, born in Melrose, Massachusetts to Evelyn and Max Lilly in 1935, Ralph grew up in Revere and Chelsea and graduated from Revere High School in 1952. He attended Brandeis University and Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax, Nova Scotia and from there went to Phoenix for a residency at The Barrow Neurologic Institute. A private practice came next, in Phoenix.

He was married to Janet Lilly and had two sons, Zak and Jason, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by his brother Earle S. Lilly, a legendary attorney. His sister, Marilyn Levine, mover and shaker, predeceased him.

His life changed in 1980, when, on his motorcycle and stopped at a red light, he wasrun down by a drunk driver. He was severely injured and that brought Ralph to a new life and career.

He eventually journeyed to Providence, Rhode Island where he took a position as the Director of Neurological Services at Butler Psychiatric Hospital, associated with Brown University Program in Medicine, and where he met his second wife, Joyce Stamp, his greatest fan and supporter, who survives him today.

Ralph and Joyce next set out for Texas where Ralph treated acutely injured patients with Dr. John Cassidy at the Neurobehavioral Institute of Houston and eventually throughout Memorial Hermann Hospital at the Houston Medical Center.

Ralph was instrumental in teaching the medical and nursing staff at many facilities about Neurobehavior and the consequences of Acquired Brain Injury.   Ralph’s focus in the last decade came to be on his outpatient clinic in Houston.

He saw patients and families whether they could pay or not. He had knowledge, empathy and love to share and that is what he did.

Throughout his many years of practice, Ralph was instrumental in saving so many lives, with his skill, his patience and his perseverance in the face of seemingly unsurmountable problems. Many, who almost had the “plug pulled” came under his wing and are alive now to tell about it.

Before he left us, Ralph finished his book about the Healers — the family, friends, and companions who stand beside brain injured people and help usher them to new, often different, often better, lives. The book is almost complete, and his wife, Joyce will see his goal of publishing to fruition.

There will be no services, just look at the stars and Ralph will be there to chat. There will be various get-togethers to celebrate his life in the coming months.

Please visit www.dignitymemorial.com to see a more complete obituary and to leave any messages. Ralph and Joyce would like to thank the caregivers at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Houston    Medical Center, Nexus Specialty Hospital in Shenandoah, and the ​caring individuals at Brazos Home Care and Brazos Valley Hospice for their caring, attention and empathy.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice Brazos Valley, www.hospicebrazosvalley.org to The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, www.eftx.org, to The Southern Poverty Law Center at  www.splc.org or to Planned Parenthood at  www.plannedparenthood.org.

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