Helen Giordano
All about family; her world revolved
around being a ‘Nana’
Helen K. (Malek) Giordano, a resident of Wilmington for more than 35 years, formerly of Chelsea, died peacefully on February 22 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She was 82 years old.
Helen was born on June 6, 1932 in Chelsea, the cherished daughter of the late John and Mary (Zgrzebniak) Malek. She grew up in Chelsea with her three brothers and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. After graduating, Helen went to work for Cool Ray Sunglass Company in Chelsea where she was a dedicated and loyal employee for more than twenty-five years. Helen loved her job and her co-workers and made many life-long friends throughout the years. Following her retirement from Cool Ray, Helen worked for J. C. Penney Company and Bradley’s Department Store; Helen’s wonderful personality made her a natural with the customers.
Helen married her husband, Paul L. Giordano, Sr. on December 9, 1960; sharing more than 54 years together and making many memories throughout the years. Helen and Paul lived in Chelsea for many years with their family and near their large and loving extended family. Helen was all about family; she was a wonderful wife, mother and a very devoted “Nana.” Helen’s unconditional love and devotion to her family was always evident and she beamed with such pride as she spoke of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her world revolved around being a “Nana.” Helen had a special relationship with each grandchild, she looked forward to the many trips they took together, always making every moment special for them.
Helen loved to travel and some of her favorite trips included Prince Edward Island, Virginia Beach and Old Orchard Beach in Maine. She just loved the beach. Her more adventurous side came through at the many amusement parks she enjoyed with her grandchildren; Disney World and Hershey Park were among the favorite parks and a great time was had by all.
Helen and Paul were considered “snowbirds.” When the New England Winter settled in they headed south where they sought the sun and fun at their home in River View, Florida.Helen and Paul made a great group of friends in Florida but when the spring rolled around, Helen was anxious to return home to her beloved family.
In her spare time, Helen liked to crochet and throughout the years, she made beautiful afghans for her family and friends. Helen also had a competitive side and loved a good game of Bingo.
Helen will be fondly remembered for her thoughtfulness towards others; she was kind, caring, and would do anything for anyone. Helen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Helen was the beloved wife of Paul L. Giordano, Sr.; devoted mother of Linda A. Brown and her husband, Norman of Milford, NH, Michael Geer of Florida and Paul L. Giordano, Jr. of Wilmington; loving “Nana” of Kristina Pelczarski and her husband, Robert of Paxton, Norman Brown IV and his wife, Keri of Medford, Matthew Brown and his wife, Jessica of Ayer, Joseph Giordano of Wilmington, Karissa Skotedis and her husband, Tom of Pennsylvania, Kristoffer Geer of Urah and her 10 great-grandchildren. She was the cherished daughter of the late John and Mary (Zgrzebniak) Malek, dear sister of John Carroll of Orlando, FL, Richard Carroll of Florida and the late Robert Carroll.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington today, Thursday, February 26 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in Helen’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. www.nicholsfuneralhome.com
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Robert A Gillis, Jr.
Decorated Veteran; of New Hampshire,
formerly of Chelsea
Robert A. Gillis, Jr. of Hampton, New Hampshire, formerly of Chelsea, died suddenly on Saturday, February 21 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He was 65 years old.
Born August 28, 1949 in Chelsea, a son of the late Robert A. and Marie (Crosby) Gillis, Sr., he was raised in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School. He was a US Army veteran and served two tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious actions in ground battle with enemy forces. After the War, Bob worked in shipping and receiving at John Hancock Life Insurance and then for Kayem Foods of Chelsea. He retired from Kayem Foods in August of last year.
He is survived by his sons, Andrew Gillis of Pflugerville, TX and Matthew Gillis of Franklin, MA; his brother, Richard Gillis and his wife, Joanna of Revere; his sisters, Marie Wall and her husband, Mike and Joan Rossetti, all of Chelsea, Elaine Testa and her husband, Edward of Revere and Barbara Ibarra of Florida. He also leaves his former wife and caregiver, Kathy Gillis of Portland, ME.
Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, February 25, in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home – Crematory, Hampton, NH. Services and burial will be private. If desired, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
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Louis DePatto
Of Revere
Louis A. DePatto of Revere died on February 22.
He was the beloved husband of the late Anna F. (Falzone) DePatto; devoted father of Kenneth L. and his wife, Sharon of Saugus, Louis B. and his wife, Janet of Marshfield, Dana A. of New York and the late Stephen J. ; dear brother of Frank DePatto and his wife, Ellen of Chelsea and the late Adeline Surrette, Theresa Cote, Angelo DePatto and Samuel DePatto and cherished grandfather of Matthew, Stephen, Jared and Andrew DePatto and Krystina Sullo. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
His Funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons~Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere today, Thursday, February 26 at 8 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Donations in Louis’s name may be made to: Mass Eye and Ear, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. For online guestbook and memorial please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com
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Georgiann Braid
ICU Nurse
Georgiann L. (Graham) Braid died unexpectedly at the Whidden Memorial Hospital on Thursday morning, February 19. She was 58 years old.
Born in Chelsea, she was a graduate of Our Lady of Grace Grammar School and Pope John High School. She received her nursing degree from Laboure College and worked for over 20 years in the ICU Unit at Whidden Memorial Hospital.
She was the devoted mother of Kimberly Kowalski and her husband, Daniel of Revere and Scott Braid and his companion, Rebecca Dausch of Salem; beloved daughter of Lavon and Dolores (Tsolas) Graham of Chelsea; dear sister of Sean Graham and his wife, Eileen of Marlboro and is also lovingly survived by her nieces, Caitlin and Erin. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols Street, Chelsea today, Thursday, February 26, at 10:30 a.m. (Those attending the Funeral Mass are asked to meet directly at Church.) Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. To send a message of condolence to Georgiann’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Joseph Geraci, Jr.
Retired owner of Washington Deli and former proprietor of barber shop in Pratville
Joseph E. Geraci, Jr., a resident of Chelsea for most of his life, passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston late Friday evening, February 20. He as 81 years old.
Born in Everett, he was a graduate of Chelsea High School and a United States Army Veteran during the Korean Conflict. For many years, he was the proprietor of a popular barber shop in Prattville before purchasing the Washington Deli, turning it into one of the city’s favorite eating spots until retiring in 1986. In his retirement years, he could be found daily helping his wife at her business, the Prattville Mart. For over 30 years, he loved his time spent at his vacation home in Moultonboro, NH where he enjoyed boating and fishing.
He was the devoted husband of 31 years to Kimberly (Robinson) Geraci; loving son-in-law of Dorothy (Brown) Robinson and the late George C. Robinson, Jr.; brother-in-law of Bruce Robinson and his wife, Ellen of Stoneham, Robin Steinberg and her husband, Jay of Everett and Kris Robinson and his wife, Christine of Dracut; uncle of Josh, Michael, Cady, Wesley, Molly and Maryellen and is also survived by his cousins, Richard Randazzo and Rosemarie Carlisle, both of Chelsea, Deana DelFemick of New Hampshire, Lucille Catino of Billerica, Lena Gasborro of Medford, Fred Paris of Peabody, Robert Randazzo, Fred Randazzo of CT and Marie Della Russo of Everett and his beloved dog, Peppy.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Service in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, 302 Elm Street, Everett on Saturday, February 28 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Joe’s name may be made to the First Congregational Church Building Fund, 26 County Road, Chelsea, MA 02150. To send a message of condolence to Joe’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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John McDonough
Former Kayem employee; member of Revere Elks and former member of Chelsea Moose
John McDonough of Chelsea, died unexpectedly on January 26. He was 52 years old.
John was a former 20 year Kayem employee, a member of the Revere Elks, a former member of the Chelsea Moose and an avid Boston Bruins fan.
He was the devoted husband of 24 years to Cheryl “Bunny” (Comeau) McDonough; stepfather of Jamie Lubanski and her husband, John of Everett and Mike Lewis of Chelsea; loving grandfather of four. John was the cherished son of Joan Embree of Revere; dear brother of Scott Embree and his wife, Melissa of Revere and loving uncle of Katherine, Abigail and Grace Embree. He is also survived by his aunt Patricia Sullivan of Chelsea, John McDonough of Randolph, Joseph McDonough of Salisbury and the late Marsha Couch of Revere.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Carafa Funeral Home in Chelsea