Obituaries 8-25-2022

Raymond Norftill, Sr.
Devoted husband and loving father and member of “The Greatest Generation”

Private Graveside Services were held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden for Raymond R. Norftill, Sr. who died on Tuesday, May 17 at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge following a 

Long illness, he was 96 years old.

Ray was born in Chelsea to the late Lauren and Beulah (Stone) Norftill. He was raised and educated in Chelsea and attended Chelsea Schools. He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II on March 30, 1944 and served his country proudly until May 5, 1946. 

Ray returned home and later married his wife, Rita I. (Thibault). The couple remained in Chelsea where they began their family. 

Ray was a devoted husband and loving father. He was hardworking and family was most important. He worked as a Line Leader for Smithcraft and Keene, where his career spanned over 40 years. He was a late member of the Beachmont VFW and the American Legion Post in Revere. Ray was also a member of “The Greatest Generation,” a term that defines men and women who made sacrifices for family and country, not asking for anything in return. A person, who selflessly went above and  beyond what was asked of them, simply because it was part of their moral fabric.

The beloved husband of the late Rita I. Norftill, he was the loving father of Raymond R. Norftill, Jr. and his wife, Lou Ann of Tarpon Springs, FL. and the late Rita I. Norftill; the cherished grandfather of Amanda L. Welch of Westford and Jonathan R. Norftill of Ho Chi Minh City; the dear brother of Rita Indelicato of Arizona, Grace Brand of Arizona and George DeMasse of Chelmsford and was predeceased by his brothers, Lawrence Norftill, Roger DeMasse and his sister, Beulah Stella.

Remembrances may be made to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. 

 To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the care & direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.

Edward Robert Nicewicz
October 10, 1939 – August 19, 2022

Edward R. Nicewicz passed away on Friday morning, August 19 at the Massachusetts General Hospital.  He was 82 years of age and was living courageously with ongoing illnesses for several years. 

He was the beloved son of the late Alexander P. and Helen (Tomczyk) Nicewicz.  Born and raised in Chelsea residing on the lower Broadway (Waterfront) neighborhood for most of his life.  Edward attended local schools and graduated from Everett Vocational High School. 

As a young man, he served in the US Army during the early years of the Vietnam Era and was stationed overseas in Germany.  In the Army, he was a data equipment specialist and computer keypunch operator working with some of the first-generation computers. 

Receiving an honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Chelsea and began working for Belle Steel Industries as machine operator and metal fabricator. He is best remembered as a fine gentleman and a man of few words.  

He was a resident at Admiral Towers, Chelsea for the last several years.  There he spent his retirement enjoying the many community activities at Admiral Towers.  He also enjoyed playing cribbage, cards, games of chance, and visiting several local casinos, and he was a longtime member of the P.P.C. in Chelsea.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Garber this past January. He is now survived by his dear sister, Christine Griffin of Dania Beach, FL, and his longtime companion, Priscilla Burke of Chelsea.  He was the cherished uncle of Bruce Garber of Midland, GA, Robert E. Griffin of Salem, Kathy Griffin of Chelsea and Kevin Griffin of Lynn.

Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend his graveside inurnment on Friday, August 26 at 11 a.m. in Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden.  Those wishing to attend are asked to gather at the Cemetery gates at 10:45 a.m.

To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.

J. Barry Dwyer
Coached Chelsea High Cross Country and Track Teams to win multiple Commonwealth Athletic Conference titles

J. Barry Dwyer passed away suddenly Sunday evening, August 21 at his home in Chelsea.  He was 82 years of age. 

Born and raised in Chelsea, Barry was a proud, lifelong resident of the city. 

The son of the late David Leo Dwyer and Hazel G. (Escott), Barry attended Chelsea Public Schools and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1959.  He continued his education by attending Suffolk University, receiving a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts and Science in 1981. 

Barry began working at Wonderland Dog Track when he was a young man of 16.  He loved being at the dog track.  He retired as a window clerk when the track closed in 2010, but over the years Barry had many jobs at the track.  He began his career there by leading off with the dogs. 

Barry had a larger than life personality.  He loved his Chelsea Community and he loved helping people.  He was in the National Guard, serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and helping where he was needed.

Barry held many jobs over the years in addition to working at the dog track.  Although he never became a teacher, he had a passion for education and teaching.  He worked as a substitute teacher in the Chelsea Public Schools and became the boy’s cross country head coach at Chelsea High School in 1971.  He built the program into what was considered the greatest dynasty in the history of CHS athletics. 

As head coach of the CHS cross country and track programs, Barry led his Chelsea teams to win multiple Commonwealth Athletic Conference titles.  Because of his love and devotion to coaching, the athletes and the sport, J. Barry Dwyer was inducted into the Chelsea High Athletic Hall of Fame. 

He had a very special relationship with all of the athletes he worked with.  He considered all of them his children and they, too, felt the incredible special bond with Barry, many of whom remained in contact with him.  Barry was still actively involved with the Greater Boston League until his sudden passing. 

He was also a bridge tender at the Chelsea Street Bridge, another job which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Barry will be forever cherished by his loving family, his friends and all of the athletes he coached over the years.

He was the beloved husband of Mary R. (Anthony) Dwyer of Chelsea, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage; devoted father of Andrew P. Dwyer and his wife, Stephanie of Chelsea and the late Barry David Dwyer; dear brother of William Dwyer of Chelsea, Robert Dwyer of Pennsylvania, Linda Gymziak of Georgetown, Michael Dwyer of Pennsylvania, Jackie Skidell of Saugus and the late David Dwyer, Kathy Dwyer, and Ricky Dwyer; adored grandfather of Tennyson Dwyer, Logan Dwyer and Lincoln Dwyer, all of Chelsea.  He is also lovingly survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Friday, August 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon.  Funeral services will follow the visitation in the Funeral Home at 12 Noon.  Services will conclude with interment in the family lot at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. 

We encourage family and friends to visit carafafuneralhome.com to offer condolences by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card.

Loreen Theresa Bauer-Bullock
February 20, 1956 – August 9, 2022

At 66 years of age, Loreen Theresa Bauer-Bullock passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 9th at her home in Hull.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she was the beloved daughter of the late Thomas E. and Mary A. (Godfrey) Bullock. 

Growing up in Chelsea she attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School with the Class of 1974. While attending High School, she was the captain of the school’s Majorettes.  She also volunteered her time at the Chelsea Soldiers Home as a “Candy Striper”

She married Paul E. Bauer and 37 years ago she settled with her family in Londonderry, New Hampshire.  She was fondly remembered as the neighborhood Mom to all the children there. Loreen also worked outside of her home as a baker at Shaw’s Market and at the Dunkin Donuts in New Hampshire.

She was most devoted to home, family, and neighborhood kids.  She enjoyed music, the ocean, and time at the beach.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Mary Ellen Rivera and 13 years ago, she was deeply devastated by the sudden passing of her daughter and her dear friend, Jennifer M. Travassos.    

To cherish her memory and mourn her passing, she is survived by her children; Paul Bauer Jr and his wife, Jennifer, Heather Martin and her husband, Bret, and Jonathan Bauer, all of New Hampshire and Joseph Rivera of New Hampshire, Thomas Martinez of Chicopee,and Kristina Martinez of Rhode Island. She was the cherished grandmother of Elena Travassos, Isaac Bauer and Joshua and Jacob Martin and dear sister of Thomas Bullock of Chelsea. 

Services were private.

To send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.

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