Donald Bradford Roy
September 29, 1943 – July 20, 2023
Donald B. “Don” Roy, self-employed general contractor and commercial builder, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 20. He was 79 years of age. Born and raised in Beachmont, Revere, he was a beloved son of the late Joseph A. and Suzanne (Selvitella) Roy.
He attended local schools in Revere, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Navy “Seabees” construction battalion and spent time stationed in Guantanamo Bay during the Bay of Pigs Operation. He was honorably discharged in 1964 and returned home to Beachmont.
Don continued his education attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston matriculating in woodworking and finish carpentry. He established himself as Donald B. Roy Construction in Revere and later as Bradford Construction in East Boston. He designed and built many projects in the area, recently among them was the Florentine Café in Boston’s North End and Giacomo’s Ristorante in the South End.
He was married to Margaret (Koscielecki) Konikowski–Roy for 54 years. Together they resided in Orient Heights, East Boston for the past 43 years in the house he designed and built.
In his lifetime, Don and Margaret enjoyed time on the ocean, cruising aboard his boat to the Harbor Islands and Cape Cod. He was a familiar yachtsman at Smith Marina in Winthrop and Constitution Marina in Boston. Don was an avid animal lover, keeping pets at home and feeding and observing the urban wildlife around his home.
Don enjoyed his work and never fully retired from his construction work. He enjoyed taking on various projects, creating and building was his passion. He is also remembered as being a problem solver, finding solutions, repairing structures and edifices.
In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Roy, formerly of Beachmont. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Konikowski-Roy. He was the loving stepfather of Paul Konikowski and his wife Jennifer of Billerica, cherished grandfather of Carly Konikowski and Phillip Konikowski and adored great-grandfather of Ava and Atlas Butcher, all of Billerica. He is also survived by his longtime friend, Jason Brooks and his canine companion, “Smoky.”
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Should friends desire, contributions in Don’s name may be made toSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905. WWW.StJude.org/Donate or Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 –www.DonateNortheastAnimalShelter.
For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Lawrence “Lonnie” Christopher
Retired Professional Boxer, Union Carpenter and Founding Member of the Winnessimet Club of Chelsea
Family and friends attended a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, 133 Beach St., Revere followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, for Lawrence “Lonnie” Christopher who peacefully died in his sleep surrounded by family. He was in his 87th year.
Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the youngest of thirteen children born to Thomas and Mary Christopher. He was known as “Big Red” for his athleticism and imposing stature. But looks can be deceiving, to those who knew him he was a gentle soul who loved to laugh and always had a joke.
As a youth, he enjoyed both the Boston Braves and the Boston Red Sox. He most enjoyed the Celtics from the dynasty of the 60’s up to the Bird years in the 80’s.
He worked out almost daily at the Chelsea YMCA from his youth until he was in his early eighties. It was at the Chelsea YMCA where Lonnie learned to box. He fought as a heavyweight as both an amateur and a professional throughout New England.
Upon retiring from boxing, he became a union carpenter where he was a member of Local 33, until his retirement in 1999. During the Boston building boom of the 60’s and 70’s, Lonnie worked on the building of the Prudential and Hancock Towers, as well as many other sky scrapers.
Lonnie was a founding member of the Winnissimet Club in Chelsea. For many years he enjoyed playing in numerous Chelsea men’s basketball leagues and on the mound as a pitcher at the Chelsea Fast Pitch Softball League.
It was in Chelsea that he met the love of his life , Jean (Anderson), who is a retired registered nurse. The couple just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary the day before his passing. They left Chelsea and settled in Revere, moving to Eustis Street in 1973. Once there, he spent the next several decades using his carpentry skills to completely revamp every room in the house.
He is survived by Jean and their three children: Laura Adreani and her husband, Mark of Revere, Attorney Lawrence “Lonnie” Christopher and his wife, Rachel of Revere and Jon Christopher and his wife, Abby of Winthrop. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Mark Adreani Jr. and his wife, Ally of Revere ,Christopher Adreani and his wife, Gabrielle of Peabody, Ashton Adreani and her fiancée, Brielle Gilmore of Melrose, Brendan Christopher and Erinn Christopher, both of Revere and three great-grandchildren: Emma Adreani, Mark Adreani III and Matthew Adreani. He also adored many wonderful dogs through the years, including Thor, Bailey, Clementine, Lola, Paco and Charlie.
Remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith and Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals.
Marie Censullo
She Will Be Missed, Remembered and Forever Loved
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, July 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., for Marie A. Censullo, who passed from this life on Thursday, July 20, in the loving presence of her family and in the comfort of her home following a long illness. She was 94 years old. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 29th at 10 a.m. in St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop. Interment immediately following will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Marie was born in Revere on June 18, 1929 to her late parents, Joseph and Josephine (DePaula) Perna. One of six children, she was raised and educated in Revere and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1947. She married Alfred Censullo in 1954 and they moved to East Boston where they began their life and family together.
Marie was a proud mother of six children and she went to work when the children were in school. She worked various jobs, including as a bookkeeper and office manager.
Marie’s faith was an extremely important aspect of her life. She was a faithful and daily communicant at St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop. She was also an active member of the Third Order of Mary at Immaculate Conception Church in Revere. Faith and family went hand and hand. Her children and grandchildren were the definition of her heart and soul. She will be missed, remembered, and forever loved.
She was the devoted wife of 53 years of the late Alfred P. “Freddie” Censullo; the loving mother of Peter J. Censullo and his wife, Kathleen of Rowley, Joseph A. Censullo and his wife, Anne of Lynn, Deacon Alfred P. Censullo, Jr. and his wife, Rose of No. Greenbush, NY, Paul V. Censullo and his wife, Joann of Stoneham, Jennifer A. Pisarik and her husband, Kris of Chelmsford and Maria Mazzone and her husband, Mario of Winthrop; cherished grandmother of David Censullo and his wife, Jacqueline of Lynn, Dr. Elizabeth Pisarik and her husband, Dr. Michael Epstein of Somerville, Alyssa O’Hare and her husband, Sean of Chelmsford, Kristi Bray and her husband, Greg of Jamaica Plan, Erica Mazzone of Loma Linda, CA, Dr. Jennie Pisarik of Boston, Mario Mazzone and Michael Mazzone, both of Winthrop, Alex Censullo of Boston and Peter Censullo of Rowley; adored great grandmother of Emmie, June, Will, Quinn, and Grace; dear sister of the late Louise Spallone, Carmine Perna, Domenic Perna, Joseph Perna, and Josephine Lettney. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Restoration Fund at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop.
To send online condolences please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith and Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals.
William Burge
July 23, 1942 – July 22, 2023
William E. “Billy” Burge entered eternal life on Saturday, July 22, just one day before his 81st birthday. A lifelong resident of Chelsea, Billy was one of six sons born to the union of the late Arthur J. Burge, Sr., and Mary S. (Budney) Burge. Billy was married to Catherine C. (Haumann) Burge for 56 years and together they raised three sons. He worked as Specialty Paint Tinter for 40 years, starting with General Electric and later continued working for Glyptal Inc. in Chelsea before retiring at age 62 in 2004. A quiet unassuming gentleman, his wife, family and home were the central parts of his life. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, cruising to Alaska and Bermuda and vacationing in Aruba. Later in life, he volunteered his services at the Chelsea Senior Center, helping during the many events held at the center, working at the food bank and delivering food to seniors during the covid crisis. Billy was predeceased by his wife, Catherine C. Burge and a brother, Arthur J. Burge, Jr. He is survived by his loving sons and their spouses: Michael Burge and his wife, Sau of Burlington, John Burge of Chelsea and Timothy Burge and his wife, Lisa of Sudbury. He was the cherished grandfather of Tyler Burge, Leona Barber, Justin Burge, and Kyle Burge; dear brother of Joseph Burge of Florida, Edward Burge of Saugus, Thomas Burge of Chelsea and James Burge of Florida and also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. Interment was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Peabody. For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.