Elaine Theresa Patti
She was a giver not a taker and this was her gift to the world
Elaine Theresa (Richard) Patti entered eternal rest, November 1 at her home in Chelsea, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
One of 17 children, the daughter of the late Benjamin J. and Jeannette (Labbe) Richard, she was a lifelong resident of Chelsea and attended Chelsea Public Schools. As a young woman, Elaine continued her education becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant.
A proud mother, wife, aunt, sister and friend, Elaine had been frequently hospitalized during the months of September and October due to complications from stage 4 ovarian cancer and renal disease which required her to be on dialysis while she was fighting her cancer. She was also a recipient of a kidney transplant 17 years ago from her brother, Wayne Richard, for which the family was forever grateful as the transplant extended her life.
Elaine remained hopeful, brave, and determined; although fighting these incurable diseases while in palliative care. It was her wish to pass peacefully in her own bed at home. Elaine did not publicize and complain about her situation. She never wavered in her determination despite the physical and mental toll of the disease that took her life. Those who treated her at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston admired her resilience and toughness and she was well cared for and adored by many of the staff. The staff at BI went above and beyond to see that she had some quality of life in the first few years since being diagnosed after Christmas in 2016.
Elaine dedicated her career as a physical therapist assistant at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home. She tended to the care and needs of veterans for 25 years before retiring in 2015.
Elaine had a fond place in her heart for our Veterans, while and after, working at the Chelsea Soldiers Home Hospital for many years. In a way, she served her country by caring for Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf wars. She encountered and befriended many of them and their families; there were always interesting war stories from her patients.
Elaine loved animals, crafts and quilting, Boston sports, and most of all Bruce Springsteen, having gone to many concerts.
During her battle with illnesses, she joined the Chelsea Community Center Quilting Classes with a wonderful group of ladies and friends who helped during her fight and lifted her spirits when she was in times of emotional need. A few of the quilting projects were donated to veterans and other charities. She enjoyed personally crafting them and giving them as gifts to her friends and family while she was physically able to do so. Elaine’s family is forever grateful to the Community Center and all the wonderful people who got her though some of those tough times.
Elaine always listened and encouraged her friends and family. She was a friend to those in need by demonstrating compassion and love no matter how small or large the problem.
She was a giver and not a taker. This was her gift to the world.
Upon her initial diagnosis four years ago, the oncology team weighed the risk of treatment or the option for Hospice based on the complications of fighting Renal and Ovarian Cancer at the same time. The expectations of surviving treatment was low due to her stage 4 diagnose and her tiny 4’ 11” stature. Elaine proudly said to them; “never underestimate a girl from Chelsea.” Elaine will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.
The beloved husband of William H. Patti, Jr. of Chelsea, she was the devoted mother of Keith W. Patti of Chelsea; dear sister of Edward Richard, Linda Riley, Joanne Crandle, Barbara Richard and the late Benjamin J. Richard II, Robert Richard, Joseph Richard, Frank Richard, Leonard Richard, Wayne Richard, Arnold Richard, Ernie Richard, Carolyn Richard, Janet Sturgist, Susette Leblanc, Annette Purcell. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Elaine’s visiting hours at the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Saturday, November 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow the visitation in the Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
For the protection of the public health, we kindly ask those not vaccinated to please wear a mask or facial covering. Masks are optional for all those vaccinated.
Alfred Pantano, Jr.
Financial Advisor
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere, for
Alfred “Al” Pantano, Jr., 78, who died on Saturday, October 30 at the North Shore Medical Center – Salem Hospital in Salem following a long illness. His funeral will be conducted from the Funeral Home on Saturday, November 6 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church (Corner of Beach St. and Winthrop Ave.) Revere at 12:30 p.m., immediately followed by entombment in Woodlawn Cemetery – Versailles Mausoleum, Everett.
Al was born in Everett and raised in Somerville until the age of six when the family moved to Chelsea. He was educated in Chelsea Public Schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1960.
As a young man in high school, Al worked at Stop & Shop and it was there that he met his future wife, Donna DiGianni. Al went on to serve his country during the Vietnam Conflict by enlisting in the United States Airforce. He returned home after he was honorably discharged and began to further his education by attending Northeastern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business.
On July 9, 1967, Al married Donna and the couple remained in Chelsea, where they began their family together. They later moved to Saugus in 1978.
Al began his working career at Bellotti Oldsmobile, then making a move to Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and later to Provident Life Insurance Co. In 1980, he went on his own and became an independent financial adviser. a business that he built with his excellent reputation and superior knowledge. He loved doing what he did and it showed. People looked upon Al to make important financial decisions that would help them forecast their future in retirement.
Al was an avid golfer and played as often as he possibly could. He enjoyed traveling with his family, especially on cruises. He was the Past President of the Saugus Rotary and belonged to the Corvette Club and Hot Rod Club.
He was a devoted husband, father and papa, through and through.
He was the devoted husband of 54 years to Donna N. (DiGianni) Pantano of Saugus, loving father of David A. Pantano of Saugus and Denise P. Colbert and her husband, Thomas of Peabody; proud Papa of Jenna K. English of Portsmouth, NH, Sydney E. Colbert and Ryan E.T. Colbert, both of Peabody; dedicated son of the late Alfred Pantano, Sr. and Emily (Varricchio) Pantano; dear brother of Arthur Pantano and his wife, Carol of Revere and Richard Pantano and his wife, Nancy of Chelsea. He is also lovingly survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or by visiting www.dana-farber.org/gift .
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.
Michael Byron Lopez, Sr.
December 25, 1956 – October 26, 2021
After living courageously for the past two and a half years with ongoing illness, Michael Byron Lopez, Sr., was called home to his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 26.
Michael was born on December 25, 1956 to the late Audrey Jane Phillips and Gilbert Lopez. He was raised in Dorchester and graduated from Boston Technical High School.
In May of 1981, he married Mamie Robinson and settled and resided in Chelsea for over 40 years. His union to Mamie was blessed with three children: Autumn Joi Lopez, Amber Lee Lopez, and Michael Byron Lopez, II.
His life’s devotion was to his family and for most of his life, Michael worked as a Union Insulation Installer for various companies working at power plants and other major construction projects throughout the area and country.
His other passion was basketball and his “Chelsea Kids,” coaching and refereeing his Chelsea Kids in countless games with local basketball leagues. Michael coached at Chelsea High School for the Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity teams, the “CYBL,” and at the Jordan Boys and Girls Club. He founded a summer league, the Chelsea Neighborhood Basketball League “CNBL,” and was a cameraman and sports announcer with Chelsea Community Cable TV.
Michael was also a proud member of Insulators Local 6, Boston.
In addition to his parents, Michael was predeceased by his father-in-law, James I. Robinson, Sr., his sister-in-law, Irena A. Wilkerson and brother-in-law, Donald C. Robinson.
To mourn his passing and cherish his memory, he leaves his beloved wife of 40 years, Mamie Robinson-Lopez of Chelsea, his devoted children, Autumn Joi Lopez, Amber Lee Lopez and Michael Byron Lopez II. He was the cherished and adored grandfather of Jaelyn, Jeilani and Orlando Echeverria, Z’Andre and Omari Lopez.
He is survived by his loving siblings: John Matthew Lopez, Carol Lopez, David (Ruby) Lopez, Margo Lopez, Martin (Ruth) Lopez and Kenneth Lopez.
He is further survived by his dear mother-in-love, Louise Robinson and her children, Gwendolyn Robinson Greene, James I. Robinson, Jr., Terry Robinson, Jacqui Robinson-Perry, Margaret Robinson- Williams, and by a host of extended family members and friends.
A family hour and visitation will be held on Friday, November 5 from 10 a.m. in the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 20 Hillside Ave, Malden followed by a home going service at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Services will conclude with a procession to Michael’s final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
To sign the online guestbook, for directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: WWW.WelshFH.com.
Eileen Curran
N.E. Telephone Company retiree
Eileen M. Curran, 86, of Wareham, formerly of Carver and Plymouth, died Saturday, October 30 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
She was the wife of the late John Curran, the daughter of the late Joseph and Eileen (Riley) Gallagher and the step-daughter of the late Herbert Hannabury.
Born in East Boston on December 14, 1934, she was raised in Chelsea and graduated from St. Rose High School in Chelsea, Class of 1952. Eileen began her thirty-five year career as a switchboard operator and retired as a supervisor for the New England Telephone Company where she was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and a Union Steward.
Eileen loved being by the ocean and swimming. She went for walks every day. She loved to work out in her yard and was talented with arts and crafts. She was always making something for other people. Eileen was an amazing wife and mother. She was always supportive and encouraging to each of her children in their various pursuits. She was active, supportive and committed to her late husband, John’s affiliations with the American Legion in Plymouth and Dorchester, various veteran’s groups and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
She will be forever missed by her children: James Curran of Plymouth, Brian Curran and his wife, Judy of Buckeye, AZ, Stephen Curran and his wife, Sheila of Ponte Verda Beach, FL and Paula Hayeck and her husband, Michael of Boston; her grandchildren: Elena, Jenny, Liam, Henry, Kate, John and Michael; her sister, Jeanne Desmond of Salem, NH, and her nieces, Anne Bartlett and Susan Malyknowski. Eileen was predeceased by her daughter Ellen Curran, her sister Loretta McCarthy and her brothers, Herbert Hannabury Jr. and Paul Hannabury. She had a unique and beautiful friendship with Derik Noland and his parents, John and Denise and his sister, Andrea.
Her funeral will be held from the Cartmell Life Celebration Funeral Home, 150 Court Street (near downtown) Plymouth, at 9:30 a.m. today, Thursday, November 4, followed by a Funeral Mass in St.
Peter’s Church, Plymouth at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the National Cemetery of Massachusetts, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452. Guestbook at www.cartmelldavis.com.
Juan Ortiz
Retiree of Synthon Industries in Chelsea
Juan A. Ortiz, 72, passed away unexpectedly at his Malden home on Monday, Nov. 1.
Born in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, he was a beloved son of the late Maria Luisa Ortiz.
Juan received his formal education in Jayuya before settling in Chelsea as a young man over 40 years ago.
For 37 years he raised his family from his home on Watts Street in Chelsea. He worked for many years as a machine operator and textile cutter at Synthon Industries in Chelsea. A resident of Chelsea for most of his life, he and his wife recently settled in Malden, taking residence with his son and care giver.
Juan was a hardworking, quiet and humble man who in his leisure liked walking. He enjoyed the company of family and friends entertaining them by playing his guitar and singing. He was a longtime parishioner of St Rose of Lima Parish in Chelsea.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Sabrina Pena Ortiz, his devoted sons: Jose Rosario, Johnny Rosario of Cambridge and Marcos Kulian of Malden. He was the cherished grandfather of Krystyna M. Rosario, John D. Coyer, Shawn Paul Rosario, Samai Kulian and Davina Kulian and dear brother of Pedro Ortiz of Somerville.
Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. In order to protect the public health, we advise that all visitors wear face masks while in the Funeral Home. His funeral will be conducted from the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, November 6 at 12 noon. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Welsh Funeral Home.
For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.