Jeffrey Zajac
Taken Tragically, He Had a Great Passion for Life and People
Jeffrey W. Zajac, 51, was taken tragically on Saturday, November 5 while riding with the love o his life, his wife, Jessie in New Hampshire. A Funeral Service was held on Monday, December 19, in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett with military honors.
Jeff was born in Malden on February 10, 1971 and raised in Malden, Everett, Chelsea and Revere. He attended Northeast Regional Vocational High School where he studied sheet metal and later became a mechanic. Jeff was a natural at fixing and repairing things, especially automobiles.
Jeff enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country and then becoming a reservist. Most of Jeff’s working career was spent as a mechanic and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
He had a great passion for life and people. He was a great friend to many people, affectionately known to many as “Uncle Jeff.” He was a surrogate uncle to so many of his friends’ children. He loved his motorcycle and loved riding. He was always very cautious and instructed many riders to always do the same.
Jeff was proud of being in the military and he also wanted to give back by being involved in an annual Wounded Veterans Bike Run.
Several years ago, Jeff met his best friend, soul mate and the love of his life, Jessica M. Edom. Jeff found out what true love was all about and genuine happiness. On August 8, 2022, he and Jessie got married on 8-8-22. They got married on this day because of DOUBLE infinity. It was a special day for them. They had planned their reception on November 12th, the week before their tragic accident.
Jeff leaves behind so many people who loved him and much heartache.
He is the loving husband of Jessica M. Edom – Zajac of Shirley, the stepfather of Kaila Lane of Illinois, Amanda, Nicole and Kevin Kolodziej of Brentwood, NH; the cherished son of Paula V. Zajac and her companion, Richard Larsen of Revere and the late Bert Paquette; dear nephew of Robert Zajac of Shirley and Karen Zajac of Chelsea. He is also survived by many loving, caring and lifelong friends who have become family, including all of his riding friends.
Donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to www.theyfoughtweride.com.
For online condolences and guestbook, please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.
Funeral arrangements under the care & direction of Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home.
James Herbert Carrasco
Amtrak Retiree
James Herbert Carrasco, 90, of Chelsea, loving husband of the late Concetta (Nazzaro) Carrasco, passed away on December 15 with his loving family at his side.
Jim (or “Herb” as he was also known) was born in Roslindale on May 20, 1932, the youngest of four children of the late Rossiter C. and Frances V. (Richter) Carrasco. A graduate of Roslindale High School with the class of 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served our country in Korea during the Korean War.
He married Connie (also known as “Cee”) on July 2, 1961, with whom he shared a devoted unbreakable bond, with many laughs and warm vacations.
Throughout their lifetime, Jim and Connie were also passionate about helping kids in need. Their generous philanthropic efforts included support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Franciscan Children’s in Boston. With his career as a railroad worker, when his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews came to visit him at work, he thrilled them all with a shared joy of watching trains wiz by and flattening pennies on the rails under the trains until he retired from Amtrak.
He was a passionate N.E. sports fan, inviting many loved ones to share in his season tickets to the Bruins and never willingly missing a Red Sox game, even if just on radio. He might pause work on a crossword puzzle to enjoy a Kelly’s turkey club rollup or a Harrow’s chicken pot pie, but nothing could interrupt his watching of Jeopardy, wherever he might be! After retiring, Jim became an avid dog lover, sharing his home and love with Amigo and then Socks (of youtube singing fame).
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Connie, his sister, Ellen F (Carrasco) Aldous and his brothers, Albert R. Carrasco and Ralph C. Carrasco. He was the loving brother-in-law of Ann Maronski of Chelsea, the late Angelo Nazzaro and Gertrude Cipriani. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, so many with whom he shared a special bond, forged over weekly dinners with desserts, a memorable illicit puff on his pipe or cigarette, rides to or from school and help with homework, or wise counsel on how to try to live up to life’s challenges.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905, WWW.StJude.org/Donate.
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.
David Melendy
Automative Technician AKA “Dave the Tune-Up Man”
David W. Melendy, 78, a longtime resident and community volunteer of Lynnfield, passed away surrounded by his loved ones in the peaceful surroundings of his Lynnfield home on Tuesday, December 20.
Born and raised in Melrose, he was the beloved son of the late Irving D. and Laura (Mosley) Melendy. David attended local schools in Melrose and received his bachelor’s degree from Salem State College.
He enlisted in the US Navy in 1964 and served during the Vietnam War. Attaining the rank of Gunners Mate 3rd class, he was honorably discharged in 1969.
He was a lifelong automotive technician and was self-employed for many years as mobile mechanic operating as “Dave the Tune-up Man.. He finished his career as a Certified Mercedes Technician retiring from Flagship Motors several years ago.
He was married to Patricia (Welsh) Markarian in 1988 and together they resided in Lynnfield raising their children.
David was an active community member in Lynnfield serving on the Lynnfield Conservation Committee and Townscape Lynnfield. He was also an active community member of the First Baptist Church in Wakefield for many years.
In his lifetime, David loved anything and everything to do with nature and science, watching various TV programs, hiking and nature walks, bird-watching eagles and falcons, and avian visitors to his home birdfeeder. He also enjoyed home landscaping, traveling to Bermuda with his wife and making their annual retreat to Follansbee Inn in No. Sutton, NH.
In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his beloved wife of 32 years, Patricia (Welsh) Melendy. He was the devoted father of Garth Melendy of Virginia, Holly Alexander of Kentucky and Jennifer Grealey and her husband, John of Medford, Andrea Markarian Jones and her husband, Michel Jones of Lynnfield, Stephen Markarian and his wife, Elizabeth of Rowley; cherished grandfather to several grandchildren, including: Ethan Wilson, Madelyn Grealey, Kiley, Lucas and Emma Markarian and the dear brother of Meredith Turner of North Reading.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to visit at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Tuesday, December 27 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed immediately by a Funeral Service conducted in the Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions in David’s name may be made to MSPCA-Angell Memorial Hosp. Attn; Donations, 350 So. Huntington St., Boston, MA 02130. or visit; MSPCA-Donate
For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.