Obituaries 11-22-2011

Elizabeth La Camera

Devoted Her Life to Helping Others

Elizabeth M. (Minola) La Camera of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, died on November 18. She was 97 years old.

Mrs. La Camera devoted 68 years of her life to the people of Winthrop, East Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. She worked for 34 years at the East Boston Social Centers and a second 34 years at North Suffolk Mental Health Association, and retired at the age of 85.

There’s a home for mentally challenged women in Winthrop named the La Camera House in her honor.

She was one of 10 sisters born to Italian immigrants in East Boston, all of whom are deceased, and one of whom was Ann Petersen of Winthrop.  She was a 1931 graduate of East Boston High School at a time when few women of her generation were given the opportunity of further education. However, she went on to devote almost seven decades to the social welfare of her home communities of East Boston and Winthrop.

She was active in the Winthrop Senior Center and St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. Her husband, Anthony La Camera, the long time television critic of the Boston Record American and Herald American was considered the dean of American television critics. Her son, Paul, is the former general manager of both WCVB-TV Channel 5 and WBUR public radio.

The beloved wife of the late Anthony J. La Camera, she was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Ciriarco and Clementina (DiPietro) Minola; devoted mother of  Paul A. La Camera and his wife, Mimi of Boston; adored grandmother of  Mark, Peter, and Christopher La Camera and is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop.  Burial was was in Winthrop Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Hospice of the Good Sheppard 2042 Beacon St. Newton, MA 02468.

For guestbook, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.

Carolann Gray

Animal Lover

Carolann Gray of Chelsea died at home on November 12.

Loved by all, she lived for her family and was one of the biggest animal lovers. She lived a short but love filled life and will forever be in our hearts.

She was the daughter of Joseph and Maryann Sullivan of Chelsea; sister of Joseph, Robert, Thomas, and Diane Goodrich; mother of Kristopher Goodrich, Tiffany Cravotta, Jennifer Cravotta and Tina Bryson and wife of Barry Murphy.

A Mass for Mrs. Gray will be at St. Rose church in Chelsea at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, November 23. In lieu of flowers. please make memorial donations to the MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130

Kathleen Lundgren

New Hampshire Resident

Kathleen C. Lundgren of Auburn, NH, died on November 17 in the Lahey Clinic in Burlington. She was 62 years old.

She was born in Chelsea on October 14, 1953, a daughter of Adele (Kilroy) Cataldo and the late Richard Cataldo. She had been a resident of Auburn for the past 19 years, formerly living in Derry, NH. Kathy combined her education and compassion to touch many lives in many different ways all over the world.

In addition to her mother of Billerica, she is survived by her husband, William Lundgren of Auburn; two daughters, Amy Timney of Kearny, NJ and Kate Smithurst of Hudson, NH; one son, Jonathan Lundgren of Manchester, NH; four grandsons, Zachary, Jackson, Owen, and Dax; one brother, Jim Cataldo of Billerica; two sisters, Susan Cooper of Slayton, Texas and Nancy Cataldo of Acton as well as several nieces and nephews.

Following cremation, a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01805 (please earmark for Oncology) or to the Home Health & Hospice Care, 22 Prospect St., Nashua, NH 03060. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Derry, NH is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or for more information, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com

Carmelo D’Anna

Somerville resident

Carmelo D’Anna of Somerville died on November 18.

He was the beloved husband of Phyllis (Baglio); devoted father of Sandra Janiluinas, Guy D’Anna, and Claire D’Anna, all of Somerville; loving grandfather of Ariana, Kayla and Zachary; brother of Maddalena Giardina of Somerville and the late Giuseppa Giardina and Calogero D’Anna; brother-in-law of Maddalena D’Anna, Salvatore and Antonino Giardina.

Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Funeral Home, Medford. Entombment was at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden. For obituary and guestbook dellorusso.net

James Joseph Buonopane

Known for his Musical Talent

James Joseph Buonopane of Chelsea died unexpectedly on October 23. He was 58 years old.

A graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1971, he also attended Technical School and the Conservatory of Music. He was recognized for his musical talent in the church CYO bands.

He was the beloved son of Agatha “Tina” (Missina) Buonopane of Chelsea, formerly of Revere, and the late Richard J. Buonapane; loving father of Lee-Ann St. Louis of  Dracut and Kim Natale of Brockton; dear brother of Janice Casoli and her husband, Robert Casoli, Jr. of Lynnfield; uncle of Michael J. Buonapane, Jr. of Revere and cherished grandfather of six.

Mary Wilson

Billerica Resident

Mary A. (Murphy) Wilson of Billerica died on November 16. She was 76 years old.

She was the beloved wife of John W. Wilson; devoted mother of Mary Ellen Asselin and her life partner, Thomas Maney, of Uxbridge, Steven G. Wilson, M.D., and his wife, Dorothy, of Belfast, ME, Thomas Wilson of Maryland, Kevin Wilson of Delaware, and Elizabeth Monteith and her husband, Robert, of Jacksonville, FL.; sister of John “Jackie” Murphy of Revere, Helena “Nini” Desharnis of Billerica, Patsy Murphy of Chelsea and the late Margaret Sealey and the late William Murphy. She is also survived by many loving grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were by the Burns Funeral Home, Billerica. Memorial contributions may be made to Life Choice Care & Comfort, 460 Totten Pond Rd., Suite 390, Waltham, MA 02451. www.burnsfuneralhomes.com

Frances Minichiello

Lived Full and Active Life

Frances M. (Indorato) Minichiello of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died November 13. She was in her 96th year.

She was born in Saugus and grew up in East Boston, where she attended school. After her marriage, she and her husband settled in Revere. She loved and lived a very active life. She was a member of the National Ladies Garment Workers Union, The Rossetti, Patriots, and ITAM Clubs of Revere. She was a talented seamstress who designed her clothes and made her daughter’s velvet wedding gown. She worked for several sportswear companies in Boston. Caputo Sportswear, Lisa Sportswear, Jo Mar Sportswear and Skipper Sportswear. She had many hobbies which included roller skating with her brother, Joe in their teenage years and they won many skating competitions as a duet. She loved performing Ballroom, Line, Tap and Jazz Dancing. She also performed on Community Audition’s “Star of the Day” Senior Talent Show.

The beloved wife of the late Ralph Minichiello, she was the loving daughter of the late Joseph and Angelina (Paglia) Indorato; devoted mother of Genevieve A. Spinelli and her husband, Ralph of Chelsea; cherished grandmother of Robert G. MacDonald and his wife, Silvia and great-grandmother of Olivia MacDonald; dear sister of Mary Lagammo of Revere and the late Joseph Indorato, Santa Indorato, Constance Jakusiak, Santo Indorato and Michael Indorato. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons~Bruno Funeral Home, Revere were private at the family’s request services. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: VNA Hospice Care 100 Trade Center, G500, Woburn, MA 01801. For guestbook please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com

Oscar ‘Whitey’ Rutstein

Retired Salesman, member of Masons

Oscar “Whitey”Rutstein of Marblehead, formerly of Everett, died on November 16. He was 90 years old.

A resident of Marblehead for 35 years, he was born and and raised in Everett, attended the Everett School System and graduated from Everett High School. He was a salesman, a member of the Jordan Masonic Lodge, bowled in a league in Peabody and greatly enjoyed fishing.

He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Gorman) Rutstein; devoted father of Margie Harris and her husband, Howie and Suzanne Rutstein; devoted stepfather of Paula Graham and her husband, Jimmy and Bryna Goldstein and her husband, Steve; the beloved husband of the late Frances (Newman) Rutstein and the loving son of the late Nathan Rutstein and the late Gussie (Frimet) Rutstein; the dear brother of the late Arthur Rutstein and the late Sylvia Salter and the loving grandfather of Molli, Craig, Jake, Jody, Jesse, Alexandra, Laura and Dan.

Services were entrusted to the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Burial was in Everett. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718. For online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.

Marilyn Rubenstein

Of Florida, formerly of Chelsea

Marilyn (Shneider) Rubenstein of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Chelsea and Medford, died on December 7, 2010 at the Winchester Hospital. She was 80 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she attended Chelsea Schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. She was a resident of Medford for 50 years and was a homemaker of her own home, a life member of Hadassah, N’Amat and a member of Temple Shalom of Medford for many years.

She was the beloved wife of the late Herbert Rubenstein;  the devoted mother of Donna Rubenstein, Philip Rubenstein and his wife, Nancy, Michael Rubenstein, and Paula Rigoli; the dear sister of Melvin Shneider and his wife, Lucille; the loving grandmother of Jason and Adam Rigoli and Caitlin Rubenstein and is also survived by many nieces, nephews, sister in laws, and other extended family.

Services will be held at Temple Shalom of Medford, 475 Winthrop St., Medford on Thursday, December 9 at 11 a.m. Rabbi Braham David will officiate Burial will be in Peabody. Memorial observance will be at the home of Michael Rubenstein, Thursday following the burial until 8 p.m. and that Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to the Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association, PO BOX 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005 or to a charity of your choice. For directions and online guestbook please visit the funeral home website. Torf Funeral Service  617-889-2900 www.torffuneralservice.com

Chester P. Pawlak

Owner of Chelsea Square Bowling Alley

Chester P. Pawlak, proprietor of the former Chelsea Square Bowling Alley, passed away on November 20 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a sudden decline in health. He was 83 years old.

Born in Chelsea, the son of the late Peter Pawlak and Helena (Kordylewski) Markowski, he attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1945. He enlisted in the US Army, served during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1947.

He returned to Chelsea in 1953 and married Carole Lombardozzi. Together they settled in Chelsea, raising their two daughters here. He worked for Sears and Roebuck for nearly 42 years as a warehouseman in Dorchester and Somerville, retiring in 1990. During that period he also owned and operated Chelsea Square Bowling Alley for more than 30 years until 1992 with the closing of that well known Chelsea establishment. He continued working until 2002 at the deli counter in the Chelsea Market Basket “DeMoulas”.

He was a former member of the St. Andrew’s B.B.C. and a lifetime member of the P.A.V. Post 13, Chelsea.

He was the beloved husband of Carole (Lombardozzi) Pawlak of Revere; devoted father of Kathy Finklestein and her husband, Neil of Revere and Chrissy Pawlak of Chelsea; dear brother of the late Teddy, Walter, John and Carl Pawlak and is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.

His Funeral will begin from from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday, November 26 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 670 Washington Ave. Revere at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to MGH Leukemia Program, c/o Dr. Amir Fathi, Zero Emerson Place, Suite 118, Boston, MA 02114. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit   www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

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