John Noel, Jr.
Dedicated and Hardworking Family Man
John R. Noel Jr., 79, of Chelsea passed away on Dec. 7.
He was born in Chelsea on Oct. 25, 1940, the son of the late Leslie and Lorraine (Marsh) Noel.
John was a very dedicated family man who was married to his loving wife, Barbara for 57 years. He was a driver for the Drum and Bugle Corps for many years with his wife Barbara as a chaperone. He was an avid fisherman, was in a bowling league for a number of years and was overall a very hardworking man.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara (Hilton) Noel; daughters, Lisa Wilson and her husband, Mark, Jean Sayers and her husband, Michae, and Lynn Kalil and her husband, John; sisters; Julia Muskauski and Helen Rawls; four grandchildren: William Wilson, Kelly Wilson, Kristina Kalil and John Kalil Jr., and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are in the care of Zis-Sweeney & St. Laurent Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.zissweeneyfuneralhome.com.
Catherine D’Esposito
She Had a Heart of Gold and Loved Her Family and Friends
Catherine D’Esposito.
She had a heart of gold and loved her family and friends.
Catherine A. (Malek) D’Esposito, a lifelong Chelsea resident, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 1, at Massachusetts General Hospital at the age of 86.
She loved her family and friends, especially her friends at the Village at Admiral’s Way. Cathy had a heart of gold that she tried to hide. She cared and donated to many animal and veterans’ organizations in the hope of making someone’s life a little better.
The devoted wife of the late Frank D’Esposito, she was the beloved mother of Denise DiMeo of Danvers and Gregory Bradley of Chelsea, daughter of the late Stanley and Imelda (Francis) Malek, dear sister of Joan Medberry, Stanley “Dukie” Malek, Dorothy Dobbins, Susan Malek, John Malek and the late Lorraine Mazzoni and cherished grandmother of the late Richard and Marisa DiMeo.
A Celebration of Life was held in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Sunday, Dec. 8 and committal services were private.
Richard Gurska
Past Grand Knight of Chelsea K of C
Richard T. Gurska of Salem, NH, formerly of Chelsea, died on Dec. 8.
Born in New York City 84 years ago, Richard passed away unexpectedly Sunday at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, surrounded by his loving family, shortly after admission from home.
A lifelong resident of Chelsea until moving to a retirement community in Salem, NH four years ago, he was a graduate of St. Rose School, Boston Trade High School and received his degree from Northeastern University. His working career involved production inventory control management at many wellknown firms, among them, RCA, Digital, Barnstead, Energy Sciences and Maplewood Engineering. He also was a Past President of APICS Boston Chapter.
He was past Grand Knight of the Chelsea Knights of Columbus Council #83, treasurer for over 30 years, treasurer and longtime member of the bowling league and was the coach of the K of C #83 softball team that won the City Championship in 1977. Along with his wife, Helen, he belonged to the Couples Club. He was an honorary member of the Irish Club and in his spare time, he enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.
He was the devoted husband for 61 years of Helen A. (Curran), loving son of the late Mariann Gurska and son-in-law of the late Helen and Lester Curran; beloved father of Eileen Ells and her husband, Edward of Revere, Jeannette Kirby of Salem, NH, Richard L. Gurska of Revere and Chelsea Fire Department Captain Michael P. Gurska and his wife, Stacey of Revere. He was the brother of the late Edward Gurski; cherished grandfather of Matthew and Ryan Basile, Jillian Fennelly and her husband, Jason, Alyssa Kirby and her partner, Matthew Gauvin and Evan Kirby, Kali Rios and Courtney, Lindsay, Michael and Meaghan Gurska. He is also lovingly survived by his great-grandchildren: Dino and Gus Basile, Perynn and Aleister Fennelly, Lyla Breton and Wraith Rios.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 12 Noon. Visitation with the family prior to the service will begin at 10 a.m. Committal Services will be private. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 or at www.diabetes.org.
Denise Stec
Nov. 20, 1958 – Dec. 7. 2019
Denise M. (Piotrowski) Stec passed away on Saturday, Dec. 7 in the peaceful surroundings of her home in Wakefield after a yearlong battle with overwhelming illness. She was 61 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was a beloved daughter of the late Charles G. Sr, and Patricia A. (Harrington) Piotrowski. Denise attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and graduated from Chelsea High School. She continued her education at Salem State College, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in teaching.
She married Alexander Stec and together they remained in Chelsea making their home and raising their daughter, Alexandra.
Denise worked for a time as a teacher at St. Rose School in Chelsea for several years. She continued her career as a Contract Manager at Fenway Health in Boston and retired last year due to health issues.
She moved to Wakefield 23 years ago with her husband, Alexander and their daughter, Alex. After 25 years of marriage, she was widowed in June of 2008 with the passing of her beloved husband, Alexander.
Denise’s life was that of extreme devotion to home and family, she enjoyed baking and reading.
In addition to her husband and parents, Denise was also predeceased by her brother, Kevin Piotrowski. She is survived by her adoring daughter, Alexandra “Alex” Lamson and her husband, William of Wakefield. She was the dear sister of Charles G. Piotrowski, Jr. and his wife, Joan of Maine and Florida, Cheryl Breault and her husband, Donald of Stoneham and is also survived by several extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. Her Funeral will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Thomas Phillips, Jr.
Retired Self-Employed General Contractor
Thomas Phillips, Jr. a lifelong resident of Chelsea, passed away Friday evening, Dec. 6 at the Massachusetts General Hospital after declining health issues. He was 61 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, the son of Rosemarie T. (Smith) Phillips of Chelsea and the late Thomas C. “Torro” Phillips, Sr., Thomas attended Chelsea Public Schools and graduated from St. Dom Savio High School, Class of 1976. He attended one year of college at St. Francis in Biddeford, ME but later came home to start his working career.
He worked at City Hall Market for three years before working alongside his father at Torro Contractors. After leaving Torro Contractors, Thomas became a self-employed general contractor and began Thomas Phillips, Jr. Building Construction. He started off building locally and then began work in Hyannis, Cape Cod. Thomas retired 10 years ago due to health reasons.
For many years, Thomas enjoyed playing fast pitch softball for Torro Contractors. He loved music, boating and especially loved all Boston sports teams.
The former husband of the late Nicole P. (Parrotta) Phillips, he is the devoted father of Alexandra E. Phillips and her husband, Victor of New Jersey, beloved son of Rosemarie T. (Smith) Phillips of Chelsea and the late Thomas C. “Torro” Phillips, Sr. He is also lovingly survived by one granddaughter, Beatrice Barkalov of New Jersey.
Thomas’ Memorial Service will be conducted in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. An hour of visitation will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Theresa Moschella
Mass. Division of Unemployment Retiree and Ardent Supporter of St. Anthony’s Church in Revere
Theresa J. “Terry” Moschella, a lifelong Chelsea resident, died on Dec. 2 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Born in Boston, after finishing high school, she began working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Unemployment at Government Center in the Hurley Building and retired from that position at 55 years old.
An ardent supporter of St. Anthony’s Church, she volunteered tirelessly for the parish. An extremely giving person, she worked in the office three days a week, assisted at Monday Bingo and was an important fundraiser for the church. In her spare time, she enjoyed ceramics and arts and crafts.
She was the devoted daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Mirabella) Moschella, beloved sister of Marie Salvati and her husband, Joseph of Boston, Anthony “Sonny” Moschella of Revere and the late Robert Moschella, Sr.; dear sister-in law of Christine Peluso of Saugus; cherished aunt of Maria Sidman and her husband, John of Saugus, Sharon Salvati of Boston, Gail Orenberg and her late husband, Kenneth of Randolph, Anthony Salvati and his wife, Nicole of Saugus, Michael Moschella, Catherine Wagner of Melrose, Robert Moschella and his wife, Kathleen of Billerica, Scott Moschella and his wife, Marilyn of Chelsea, Bryan Moschella and his wife, Leslie of Saugus and the late Mark Moschella. She is also lovingly survived by her great nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Thomas, Michael, Joshua, Nicholas, Aleia, Karyn, Robert, Jr., David, Adriana, Scotty, Anthony, Nicole, Bryan, Mark Anthony and Brianna.
Will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Church because of her active role in the Parish.
Funeral arrrangements were under the directions of the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Church because of her active role in the Parish. To send a message of condolence to Terry’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com.