Charles “Chucky” Galatis
Oct. 30, 1954 – May 22, 2021
Chucky S. “Chucky” Galatis passed away on Saturday, May 22 in Stoneham with his beloved life partner and caregiver, Marianne, and his Godson, Shamus, at his side. He was 66 years of age.
Born and raised in Chelsea, a son of the late Socrates K. “Socky” and Ellen D. (Godfrey) Galatis, he was a lifelong resident of Chelsea. He attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1973.
He worked for 10 years at Marriot Inflight Caterers in East Boston and for 31 years as a Junior Custodian, retiring as a Senior School Custodian at the Williams and Shurtleff Schools. He was deeply committed to the schools and fellow employees and was a mentor to younger custodians. He retired in 2019.
He was a past member of the former St. Andrews B.B.C. The Sagamore Club, Chelsea Lodge of Elks, the Chelsea Irish Club, and Local 708 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.
In his life time, Chucky enjoyed all Boston sports, favoring the Patriots and Bruins. He spent his vacations and weekends at his second home on Shadow Lake in Windham, NH. He enjoyed taking trips to Ogunquit, ME and attending special family events on Cape Cod and Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed cooking, and hosting BBQs for family and friends. A committed family member and loyal friend, he most enjoyed just spending time with them.
In addition to his parents, he was recently predeceased by his brother, Jimmy Galatis and aunt, Mary Bullock.
He is lovingly survived by his beloved life partner of 31 years, Marianne Bond of Stoneham, his cousin and Godson, Shamus Murphy and his wife, Kristen, of Wilmington and their children, Kiera and Thomas, both of whom Chucky loved like a doting grandfather.
He was the dear nephew of Nick and Susan Galatis of Gloucester, John and Michelle Galatis and Kanela “Kay” Murphy, all of Revere. He is also survived by many additional cousins, extended family members and friends.
Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday May 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Funeral Services will be conducted in the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday at 12 noon. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Should friends desire, contributions in Chucky’s memory should be directed to Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home, c/o Gift Processing Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805
We continue to encourage family and friends who wish, to offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting www.welshfh.com.
Arthur “Archie” Mellace
Outstanding Educator, administrator, athlete and citizen
Arthur “Archie” W. Mellace, 85, of Peabody, loving father, grandfather, and devoted husband and high school sweetheart of the late Susan F. Mellace, passed away on March 29.
Born in Revere, the son of the late Francesco and AntoinettaMellace and the brother of predeceased sisters and brothers: Angela Alessi, Adelaide DelloRusso, Angela Kiss, Anthony Mellace, John Mellace, Louis Attenasio, and Vincent Attenasio, Archie was a graduate of Revere High School where he played football, basketball and baseball and was awarded Outstanding Player in the Boston League. Later, he coached the basketball team and was the assistant coach of the football team at Revere High.
At Suffolk University, he graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a talented basketball player. Archie earned a Masters Degree in Education at Boston State College. He attended Framingham State University and earned a Masters Degree in Computer Science and a Certificate in Art.
Dedicated to a career in education, Archie taught social studies, art, and physical education at Revere High School. He coordinated a High School Work Study Program, placing students in various jobs, while the students earned their diplomas. He was Vice Principal at the Garfield Elementary School, President of the School Administrators’ Union and retired as Vice Principal of Revere High School.
Archie’s love of basketball led him to become an accomplished Basketball Referee in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and in the Division One, National College Athletic Association. Archie was President of the Collegiate Basketball Officials’ Association (CBOA). The Board of Directors named Archie the recipient of the Russ Beisswanger CBOA Leadership Award, among the most prestigious honors bestowed on a referee in America. He was a Life Member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Annual Converse North Shore Basketball Coaches Banquet.
Caring about the community, Archie became President of Kiwanis, participating in his favorite event, the Special Olympics. He was a faithful donor to the Food Pantry at St. Adelaide’s Church and The Vietnam Veterans Association.
Archie is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Gina Gagnon-Carter and Richard Carter of Midlothian, VA, and Michele and Richard Morelli of Yarmouth Port, MA, and a grandson and his wife, David Arthur Mellace Gagnon and Lucy Seyfarth of Fairfax, VA, and companion, Paulette Autori of West Newbury, MA.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Saturday June 5 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a Graveside Prayer Service at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody at Noon. Masks and social distancing are required at all times. A private gathering will be held for the family following Prayer Service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Arthur Mellace’s name to: Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
James Arthur Balloon
May 22, 1950 – May 18, 2021
James Arthur Balloon, born on May 22, 1950 in Marion, South Carolina to the late Hamyer and Bertha (Montgomery) Balloom, sadly passed away, earning his wings, on Tuesday May 18, 2021. He was 70 years old.
James, like so many young men of his time, attended school in Marion. With a hope for a better life, he moved to Boston where his older sister, Betty and her husband, John Hemingway lived.
In his new hometown, he learned to travel the streets of Roxbury and Dorchester, negotiating the various bus routes and riding the “T”.
He was always looking for an opportunity to do better, trusting those close to him to help guide him along. One of his best opportunities for doing better came when he met the young woman who would eventually become his wife. On November 14, 1970, James married Eula Pearl Dublin, formerly of Albany, Georgia and moved to Chelsea. The two would soon become three when they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Tracey Laverne.
A willing worker with aspirations of always improving his life, James was initially employed at Northeastern University. He also worked for The Macken Company, the Veterans Administration Hospital, the Thomas Strahan Wallpaper Company and retired from Gans Tire Company, Inc. of Malden.
James loved laying on the couch, watching westerns and drinking Pepsi. He loved to take rides to Boston to his sister Betty’s house to see what she was cooking. He so loved her chicken.
James loved talking on the phone with his brother, Ronald in South Carolina. He especially loved eating ice cream with his granddaughter, Aaliyah who he nicknamed Baby Girl!
Left to mourn his loss are his lovely wife of 50 years, Eula, his daughter, Tracey Balloon-Trotman and her husband, Maurice and his granddaughter, Aaliyah Trotman. Also mourning his loss are his siblings: Betty Hemingway and her husband, John of Boston, Ronald Balloon and his wife, Dean, Robert Balloon and his wife, Olivia, Norzell Balloon and his wife, Flossi, Catherine Turnell and her husband, Frank, all of South Carolina and Emma Jean Balloon of Boston. In addition, mourning his loss are brothers-in-law, Tommie Lee Dublin and his wife, Renee of Lynn and Ulysses Dublin of Jamaica Plain, Preceding James in death were his parents and his brother, Jimmy Lee Balloon.
James had some special people in his life who were especially important to him including: nephews, Carol and Karl Balloon of South Carolina, Anthony and Michael Hemingway of Boston, his aunt, Louise Robinson and cousin, James (Bob) Robinson Jr., both of Chelsea. James also has a host of cousins, nephews and nieces in South Carolina, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey and Washington who will also miss him dearly.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend his Home Going Service at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, today, Thursday, May 27 at 11 a.m. Visitation will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
We continue to encourage family and friends who wish, to offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting www.welshfh.com.