Mary Arlene Sobanek
Of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston
Mary Arlene (Derome) Sobanek of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston, passed away on August 25. She was 80 years old.
The cherished daughter of the late Annie (Curry) and Arthur Derome, she was the loving mother of Wayne Sobanek and his wife, June of North Carolina, Brian Sobanek of New Hampshire, Karen Cioffi and her husband, Greg of Winthrop and the late Jamie Sobanek; adored grandmother of Wayne, Christopher, Emily and the late Jason Sobanek. The youngest of 11 children, she is survived by her brother, William Derome of Florida and her dear friend Helen Brennan of New Hampshire. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and her dog, Candy.
Family and friends will honor Mary’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere on Tuesday, September 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. in our Chapel of the Resurrection. For guestbook and directions: www.vazzafunerals.com
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Rose Wells
Strongly Devoted to Her Family
Rose M. (Bono) Wells, a longtime Chelsea resident, passed away at home on August 24.She was 96 years old.
Born in Chelsea, the daughter of the late Salvatore and Augustine (Maglienti) Bono, she attended Chelsea schools, worked at Filenes and later as a waitress at a private business club for many years. She will be remembered for her strong devotion to her family.
She was the beloved wife of the late Gerald R. Wells, Sr.; devoted mother of Gerry Koplovitz of Chelsea and Rick Wells and his wife, Camille of Revere; dear sister of the late Mary Visone, Charles Bono, Lillian Estrella, Daniel Bono, Theresa Assaltey and Thomas Bono; adored grandmother of David Koplovitz, Jr. of Chelsea, Kevin Wells and his wife, Karen of Danvers and Carolyn Maples and her husband, Tom of Revere; cherished great-grandmother of Samantha and Sydney Wells and Ava Maples. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.
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Susan Clark
Executive Director of Chelsea’s Choice Thru Education and Upward Bound; Member of Chelsea Kiwanis and Other Civic Organizations
Susan S. Clark of Chelsea and Kennebunkport, Maine died in Kennebunkport on August 22 after a prolonged illness. She was 72 years old.
Born on January 3, 1942 in Portland, ME. to Harvey A. Clark and Frances Clark, she graduated from Deering High School, received an undergraduate degree from Smith College and a Masters of Education from Boston University.
Susan lived in Chelsea and Kennebunkport, Maine and was the Executive Director of Choice Thru Education and the Upward Bound Program in Chelsea until the time of her death. She was a member of the Chelsea Kiwanis and other civic organizations.
Susan will be especially remembered for her founding of Choice Thru Education in 1974, an independent non profit organization. Her vision and leadership developed the oldest and most successful Upward Bound program in the nation; which fostered a love for academic excellence and successful entry into higher education for thousands of Chelsea High School students. Through multiple collaborations with local universities and colleges, Susan created an on campus summer learning experience for countless Chelsea youth that had a lasting influence in breaking the barriers for low income youth in pursuit of a college education.
Choice Thru Education, under Susan’s leadership, held a vision from the 60’s of breaking the cycle of poverty through education of the neediest of Chelsea’s youth and she continued to bring this vision into the realities of the 21st century. Understanding the need for permanency, stability, and a place to be called “a center for learning,” Susan purchased a building in Chelsea in the “70’s.” As increased unmet needs arose for Chelsea’s youth, new programs were introduced by Susan at Choice that included English as a Second Language; GED; College Financial Aid Counseling; Academic Parenting Teen Program; and Alternative Learning for higher risk youth who had DYS and DCF involvement.
Her survivors include: Susan’s partner John Codman, 2nd of Kennebunkport, ME; her sister, Sarah Thompson of Kennebunk, ME, her brother Thomas Clark of Cumberland, ME; her grandniece, Meagan and her nephews, Michael and David. She is also survived by Doreen Dares and Millie Vega, her foster daughters; and she also leaves thousands of students whose lives she positively impacted.
A private service will be held at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME. In lieu of flowers, Susan’s family has requested that donations be made to: Susan Clark, Ocean Communities Credit Union, and PO Box 1961, Biddeford, ME. 04005. All donations will go to the creation of the Susan S. Clark Higher Education Fund.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk.
www.bibberfuneral.com
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James ‘The Greek’ Zouras
His True Passion was Chelsea High School Athletics and He Remained
Close to his Chelsea Roots All His Life
James “The Greek” Zouras of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died on August 26 after a long bout with cancer.
James, who resided in Revere and Clearwater, FL., was a graduate of Chelsea High School and Newton Junior College. He was a Sergeant in the National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers from 1956 to 1964, worked as an architectural engineer for the United States Post Office and as a reserve Revere Police Officer. A 32nd Degree Freemason and a member of the Bethlehem Lodge and Shriners International Boston, MA, he was also a member of the Italian American Club in Revere, the VFW in Clearwater and a founding member of the Winnesimmet Club of Chelsea. He was the former captain of the “Try Me” fishing boat and a member of the Lynn, Lynn Volunteer, and Bass Point Yacht Clubs and an antique car enthusiast.
His true passion was Chelsea High School football and athletics. He coached and assisted the program for over 20 years and loved teaching and mentoring young athletes. He was the assistant coach of Chelsea High’s only Superbowl winning team and he remained close to his Chelsea roots and friendships his entire life.
He was the beloved husband of 43 years to Paula A. (Pappas) Zouras of Revere; devoted father of Charles Zouras of Revere; son of Charles “Chick” and Angelina “Kiki”(Primpas) Zouras.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 29 at 11 a.m. in the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons~Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere. Relatives and friends are kindly invited at 10 a.m. Visiting hours are today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Jimmy’s name to: Jimmy Fund 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445. For online guestbook and memorial please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com
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Stanley Meads
Retired Proprietor of Meads Brothers Plumbing of East Boston
Stanley J. Meads of Revere and Middleton, formerly of East Boston, died on August 22 following a long illness at his Middleton home surrounded by the love and devotion of his family. He was 81 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, the son of immigrant Portugese parents the late Manel F. and Julia (Dia) Meads who settled in East Boston, they were among the founders and first members of St. John the Baptist Portugese Church on Saratoga Street, East Bosotn. Although the church property was sold and converted to condominiums, the social and devotional societies of the church are still meeting.
Stanley was a 1951 graduate of East Boston High School. He entered the US Navy in February of 1952 and served until February of 1956. In 1960, he and his brothers founded the Meads Plumbing Co. of East Boston. Stanley owned and operated his business until 2002 when he retired.
Stanley was active in St. John’s Portuguese Club and The Empire of the Holy Ghost. He was also a member of the American Legion Post of Middleton and the Sportsmens’ Club of East Boston.
Stanley and his wife, Theresa M. (Poto) Meads, lived in Revere for over 45 years until moving to Middleton four years ago. In addition to his beloved wife of 59 years, Theresa, he was the cherished father of Gary J. Meads of Revere, Mark M. Meads (the proprietor of Rapid Flow Inc.) and his wife, Roberta of Middleton. He was the devoted “Papa Stanley” to: Amanda N. Meads and her companion, Nicholas Nazzaro of Tewksbury and Mark A. Meads of Middleton; the dear brother of Manuel F. Meads of Longwood, Florida, Theresa Merin of Peabody and the late Mary F. Burns, Ernest L. and Anthony J. Meads. He is also lovingly survived by his sister in law, Philomena “Philly” Meads of East Boston and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Inc. of Revere. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the VA Medical Center, Attn: Spinal Cord Clinic, 140 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132. For more information, please visit:www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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John Tarrant
Kitchen Culinary Aide for Au Bon Pain Restaurants in Boston and Red Sox Fan
John H. Tarrant passed away at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett after a short illness on Tuesday, August 26. He was 67 years old.
Born and raised in Lowell, he has been residing in Chelsea for the past 25 years.
The beloved son of the late Richard E. and Ruth A. (Coughlin) Tarrant, John attended St. Patrick Parochial School in Lowell and graduated from Lowell Trade High School, Class of 1965. He worked for Au Bon Pain Restaurants in Boston as a kitchen culinary aide. He was an avid all-around Boston sports fan but most favored the Red Sox.
John is survived by his sisters: Gayle Frederick of Litchfield, NH, Barbara Battis and her husband, James of Hudson, NH, Margaret McDonough and her husband, Christopher of Litchfield, NH and his brother in law Joseph Harper. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Richard Tarrant Jr., a sister, Ellen Harper, brother in law, Paul Frederick and sister in law, Patricia Tarrant.
Relatives are kindly invited to attend a time of visitation and remembrance to beheld at the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home ,157 Washington Ave, Chelsea on Tuesday, September 2 from to 7 p.m. A Catholic Prayer service will begin immediately following at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Lowell at a later date. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston 02118. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit
www.AnthonyMemorial.com