Obituaries 11-2-09

Lela Rose Dore

Longtime waitress at Pressman’s Deli in Chelsea

Lela Rose (Terhorst) Dore died on October 27 at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home where she has been receiving supportive care for the past two years. She was 76 years old.

Mrs. Dore was born November 5, 1932 in Denver, Colorado, daughter of the late William and Bertha Terhorst. She received her education in Denver and settled in Chelsea as a young housewife and mother. She worked outside of her home for many years as a waitress for Pressman’s Deli in Chelsea. She briefly moved to Vermont for several years and returned to Chelsea 10 years ago.

She was the longtime companion of the late Joseph “Buddy” Babson and the mother of the late Alan Dore. She is survived by her loving daughter Donna Troisi and her husband, Stanley, of Chelsea; cherished grandmother of Amanda Troisi and Michael Troisi and his wife, Melissa; adored great-grandmother of Jacquilyne, Kenneth and Victoria Baker.

Honoring her wishes, her funeral services are strictly private. Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home, Chelsea.

 

John Griffin

MBTA retiree

John T. Griffin of Revere died on September 14. He was in his 90th year.

A US Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he was an MBTA retiree and a member of the MBTA Pensioners Club.

He was the beloved husband of Alice L. (Cripps); devoted father of John T. Griffin, Jr. of North Carolina, Michael J. and Judith I. Griffin, both of Malden; dear brother of Catherine F. Griffin, Thomas D. Griffin and his wife, Betty, all of Revere, and the late Dorothy L. Griffin, Mary M. Brennan, Joseph, James and Frances Griffin. He is also lovingly survived by four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial funeral Mass was held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere. Private burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the N.E. Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. Arrangements were completed by the Vertuccio Home for Funerals of Revere.

 

Helen Ann Cummings

Of Malden, formerly of Chelsea

Helen Ann (Bernard) Cummings of Malden, formerly of Chelsea, died on October 31 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after a brief illness. She was 91 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Sarah (Arsenault) Bernard. She attended local schools, was a devoted homemaker and mother.

She lived in Chelsea for most of her life until moving to Malden 30 years ago. She was an active member of the 630 Club in Malden and was an honorary member and mascot for the Red Hats of Malden. She recently left her home to live at Life Care Center in Stoneham, where she has been receiving supportive care for the past 10 months.

She was the beloved wife of the late Albert Cummings; devoted mother of George ‘Buddy” Cummings and his wife, Maryann, of Melrose, Carol Ames of Malden, Gary Cummings and his wife, Anne, of Virginia Beach, VA. and the late Albert and Ronald Cummings. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her second great-great-grandchild. She was also the sister of 10 late brothers and sisters.

Her funeral service was held on November 3. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Hallmark Health Hospice, 100 Hospital Rd, Malden MA 02148. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Home.

 

Joan Cesareo

Revere resident

Joan Cesareo of Revere died on October 30. She was in her 102nd year.

She was the cherished daughter of the late Stellario and Vincenza (Triffletti) Cesareo; dear sister of Joseph Cesareo and Eleanor Puopolo, both of Revere, Anthony Cesareo of Chelsea, Richard Cesareo of East Boston and the late Lena Cassie, Katherine Stokes, Stellario and Leo Cesareo; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s Funeral Home. Entombment was at the Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. For guest book, visit: www.vazzafunerals.com

 

Joan Martinez

Delta Airlines Reservation Clerk

Joan H. (Kochocki) Martinez, a 27 year resident of Stoneham, formerly of Chelsea, died on November 1 at Kindred Hospital in Peabody. She was 56 years old.

Born on October 25, 1953 in Jamaica Plain, she was raised in Chelsea where she graduated from St. Rose High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Salem State College and worked for Delta Airlines as a reservations agent for many years. Her family and friends will remember her as a wonderful cook.

She was the beloved wife of Mario Martinez with whom she shared 33 years of marriage; cherished daughter of Helen Kochocki of Saugus and the late Stanley J. Kochocki; loving mother of Anne Marie Martinez and her husband, Dimar, of Costa Rica, Lisa Martinez and her husband, James, of Wakefield, and Julianna Martinez of Stoneham; dear sister of Janice Utter of Noblesville, IN, Joyce Brown of Saugus, and Joseph Kochocki of Lynnfield; loving grandmother of Jarred Munoz of Costa Rica.

Her Funeral will be held from the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose today, Thursday, November 5 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in honor and celebration of her life in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For directions, obituary or to sign her guestbook, please visit www.robinsonfuneralhome.com.

 

Leonard Richard Sr.

Worked for US Postal Service

Leonard W. Richard Sr. of Chelsea, formerly of Revere, died following a brief illness at Kindred Hospital in Peabody on October 27. He was 56 years old.

Mr. Richard was born and raised in Revere and moved to Chelsea as a young man. He was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1972. He entered the US Navy during the Vietnam Conflict and served from October of 1973 to December of 1975.

He was a custodian for the US Postal Service for more than 15 years until illness forced his early retirement in 2002. He was a long time devotee of First Congregational Church of Revere and served on many church committees and ministries.

He was the beloved husband of 29 years of Marie J. (MacDonald) and cherished father of Leonard W. Jr., all at home; son of the late Benjamin and Jeannette (Labbe) Richard; dear brother of Wayne of Saugus, Arnold, Ernest, Barbara Richard, Elaine Patti and Linda Riley, all of Chelsea, Joseph Richard and Annette Purcell, both of New Hampshire, Janet Sturges of Fitchburg, Joanne Scribner of Indiana, Edward Richard of Billerica, Frank Richard of Revere and the late Benjamin, Robert and Carolyn Richard and Suzette Harvey. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Rev. Nicholas G. Granitsas, pastor of First Congregational Church of Revere, officiated at graveside services held at the Mass. National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Vertuccio Home for Funerals, Revere. Remembrances may be made to the “Food Pantry” at First Congregational Church, 230 Beach st., Revere, MA 02151.

 

Terrance James Bryce

Member of Salem Elks and Marlborough DAV

Terrance James Bryce died unexpectedly on October 24 at Marlborough Hospital, Marlborough. He was 68 years old.

He was born in Chelsea, son of the late Wyman and Sarah Gertrude (Wells) Bryce. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, worked as a maintenance supervisor and boiler operator for Maloney Properties, Inc and Corcoran Properties and was a member of the Elks in Salem and the D.A.V. 82 in Marlborough.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen (Smith) Bryce; his son, Michael T. Bryce of Framingham. He also leaves behind his brothers, Thomas Bryce and William Bryce. Service and burial was at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne MA.

 

Thomas ‘Torro’ Phillips

Past member of Chelsea Planning Board,

Owner and Operator of Torro Contractors, supported youth sports

Thomas C. “Torro” Phillips, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, died on October 28. He was 71 years old.

A graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1957, he was the owner and operator of Torro Contractors for over 45 years, a US Army veteran and active for many years as a sponsor and coach of fast pitch and modified softball and flag football. He was a past member of the Chelsea Planning Board and a past president of St. Dominic Savio Father’s Club. Mr. Phillips was also known as an ardent Patriot’s and Red Sox fan.

He was the beloved husband and best friend of Rosemarie T. (Smith) Phillips; the devoted father of Thomas C. Phillips Jr. of Brookline; son of the late George C. and Anne (Seavey) Phillips; brother of Joan Buontempo of Winthrop, Anne Alpert of New Hampshire and the late Henry Phillips and Ruth Cassidy; brother-in-law of James Cassidy of Chelsea and the late Arthur Alpert and Richard Buontempo. He is also lovingly survived by one granddaughter, Alexandra Phillips, of New York, her mother, Nicole, of Cape Cod and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

Funeral arrangements were by the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, Chelsea. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in his memory to the Thomas C. “Torro” Phillips “Unsung Hero” Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mr. Phillips supported youth sports in Chelsea throughout his life and this scholarship will be awarded each year to a Chelsea High School senior football player who will attend college. The student will be designated by team and coaches as an Unsung Hero. Please make checks payable and send contributions to: Thomas Phillips Scholarship Fund c/o Duffy-Keane, 118 Tudor St. Unit #, Boston, MA 02127. For more information, please call 617-268-4479.

 

Charles A. Radek

Of Chelsea

Charles A. Radek of Chelsea, he died suddenly on November 1st at the Whidden Memorial Hospital after a short, unexpected illness. Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the son of the late John S. and Stella (Suchecka) Radek Sr. He attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and graduated from Chelsea High School. Charlie continued his education at Wentworth Institute in Boston, receiving his certificates in metallurgy and welding. Charlie worked for many years as a self-employed welder and metallurgist. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his wife Kimberly (Hildreth) Radek. Dear brother of Halina Konikowski and Al Davenda, both of Chelsea, John S. Radek Jr. of Chelsea, Terry McCarter and her husband Dave of San Clemente, CA. He was the cherished uncle of Erica Konikowski, Kyle McCarter and Kaelyn McCarter.

Funeral will be held from the Frank A. Welsh & Son’s Funeral Home 718 Broadway CHELSEA on Friday November 6th at 8:00 A.M. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 9:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Thursday from 4 – 8 P.M.