Obituaries 10-12-2017

John Buzderewicz

Of Quincy, formerly of Chelsea

John W. Buzderewicz passed away on Friday, September 22 at the Boston Medical Center in Boston after a long and ongoing illness.   He was 69 years old.

The beloved husband of

Marylou Kemp-Buzderewicz, he was born and raised in Chelsea, a son of the late

Joseph S. Buzderewicz, Sr. and Dorothy (Seeley) Buzderewicz. John attended school in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School. He enlisted in the US Navyand served honorably during the Vietnam Era.   He was a resident of Chelsea for mostof his life and resided in Quincy for the past 18 years.   He worked for many years as asalesman for Eagle Electric Supply in Boston and later for Controller Services in Avon before retiring several years ago.

He was a member of the PPC of Chelsea and theChelsea Yacht Club where he was a past board director and past vice commodore. Hewas also a member of the American Legion Nickerson Post 382 in Squantum.

In his lifetime, John was a devoted husband to Marylou and doting grandfather of five, he enjoyed boating and socializing with his dock buddies at his yacht club.

He is survivedby his beloved wife of 11 years, Marylou Kemp-Buzderewicz; two cherished stepsons and their wives; Kenny Kemp and his wife, Christine of Billerica and Scott Kemp and his wife, Marina of Byron, MN.   He was the adored grandfather “DziaDzia” and “Buzzy” to Jody, Jack and Kevin Kemp, Kealie and John Kemp; dear brother of Francis “Frannie”Buzderewicz and his wife, Pat of El Mirage, AZ, Robert Buzderewicz and his wife, Carla of Maine, Richard Buzderewicz of Chelsea and David Buzderewicz and his wife, Doreen of Hampton, NH, and the late Joseph S. Buzderewicz, Jr. He is also survived by severalloving nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Relatives are most kindly invited to attend a memorial gathering and remembrance service on Thursday, October 19 beginning at 12 noon at the

Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. A prayer service will be begin at 1 p.m. concluding with military honors. In tribute to John’s love of boating on the “Sea Eagle,”those attending his last “Bon Voyage” are requested to dress with casual nautical attire. The Funeral Home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite Funeral Home.

For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com

Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons Chelsea, 617-889-2723

Betty Pisano

Of Boston’s North End

Betty (Goldmeer) Pisano of Boston’s North End died on October 4.

She was the beloved wife of the late Pasquale “Pat” Pisano; devoted mother of Cecile Leone and her husband, Luigi of Kingston, Marsha DeSantis and her husband, Phil of Marshfield, Denise Cipoletta and her husband, Joe of Florida, Elissa Pisano of Lynnfield and Roxane Bangs and her husband, Frederick of Lynnfield; dear sister of Joseph Goldmeer of Arizona and the late Charlotte Rasmussen and Morris Goldmeer; cherished grandmother of nine including the late Patrice Gioia, adoring great grandmother of 19, and great great grandmother of one great great grandchild.  She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere.   Interment was private. For guestbook, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com

LTC Alfred A. “Smilin’ Al” Alvarez

Had long and distinguished military career

LTC Alfred A. “Smilin’ Al” Alvarez (retired) passed away at home on Monday, July 31 at the age of 93 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on April 25, 1924 in Chelsea and was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Clara Alvarez and his older brother, Frederick.  Losing his father at the age of six, his widowed mother raised three children during the Depression.  Excelling at school, he skipped the sixth grade and was later editor of the High School newspaper.  Attending Northeastern University, he joined the US Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and after stateside training joined the First

Infantry Division in England.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he went ashore on Omaha Beach, Normandy and fought his way inshore.  Following the Normandy landing, he participated in numerous battles including “Hurtgen Forest” and “the Battle of the Bulge.”  He ended the war in Europe in Czechoslovakia in 1945.

Following his commission from OCS in 1949, he served two combat tours in the Korean War.  In 1965, he served 18 months in the Dominican Republic conflict, then in 1967 he was in Bolivia confronting “Che Guevara” terrorists.  In 1968-1969 as a LTC in the 7th Special Forces “Green Berets,” he served a combat tour in Vietnam where shortly after arriving in-country the helicopter he was riding in was hit by enemy fire and forced to make an emergency landing.  He returned stateside and served in the XVIII ABN Corps until retiring in 1974 after 32 years in the Army.  Following his retirement from the army, he served as North Carolina State Regional Director of Human Services and later as Cumberland County Master Planner, where he directed personnel assets for the local community.

Taking a plunge into retail merchandising, he was general manager of “The Capitol” department store.  In addition to his normal work routine, he found time to help with education efforts at FTCC where he taught soldiers management subjects.

On the weekends, he served as a radio talk show host and later was successful writing and publishing military short stories.  Inducted into the US Army OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2003 as well as selected as Military Analyst for National Geographic Society tours to France and England for D-Day 60th remembrance in 2004.  He was honored at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and named “Chevalier of the French Legion of D’Honneur” by the French government in 2008.  He received the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” from North Carolina Governor Holshouser.  A charter member of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, he served as docent and participated in various speaking assignments to local and regional audiences.

His awards include: Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, (2) Bronze Stars for valor with Oak Leaf Clusters, Master Parachutist, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Presidential Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Gliderist Badge, Army Occupational Medal (Germany – Japan), Belgian and French Fouragere, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Pacificador – Brazil Medal,  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1st  OLC) and 14 Battle Stars.

He is survived by his sister, Mary (age 97), his wife, Florence (to whom he was married for 68 years), his son, Commander (USN, Ret.) Michael and his wife, Catherine, daughter, Colleen Wellons and her husband, William, son Kevin and his wife, Cynthia and son, Sean and his wife, Amy.  In addition, he leaves 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 A true warrior who put country first in time of war, in peacetime he was happiest surrounded by family and friends and will forever be fondly remembered for his sense of humor and stories.

“ Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life, you don’t have to live forever, you just have to live … And he did.”

A memorial service was held on Saturday, August 5.  Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 20 at 3 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the “Airborne and Special OPS Museum” or to the” Veterans of Foreign Wars.” “Good Night Sweetheart.”

Arrangements are by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.

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