Helen Kolpaczynski
March 3, 1939 – January 8, 2024
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours for Helen Kolpaczynski, on Thursday, January 11th in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea and her funeral was conducted from the funeral home on Friday, January 12th followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea. A.M. Services conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Helen passed away at home after a brief decline in health on Monday, January 8th. She was 84 years of age. Born and raised in Chelsea, the beloved daughter of the late Stanislaus “Stanley” A. and Jean G. (Gozdon) Kolpaczynski, Helen was a lifelong resident of Chelsea and spent her last years at home in Revere.
She was the dear sister of Richard Kopaczynski and his wife, Kathy of Georgetown; cherished aunt of Kevin Kopaczynski and his wife, Kelly of Boothwind, PA, Kim Kopaczynski of Georgetown, and Melinda Sawyer and her husband, Allen of Franklin adored great aunt of Maura, Kevin, Jr., and Jaclyn Kopaczynski, Philip and Emily Sawyer, and Faith Kopaczynski. She is also survived by many extended family members and friends.
Should friends desire, contributions in Helen’s name may be made to Women’s Health & Epilepsy Program, C/O Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129 or visit https://www.bidmc.org/giving and select Neurology Education and Research
For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFH.com.
Jose Clemente Acosta
Left Handed Pitcher with Exceptional Talent
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Jose Acosta, on Friday, January 19th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, A funeral service will follow the visitation at 7 p.m.
Jose passed away on Friday, January 12th at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was living courageously for several years with a rare form of a bone marrow disorder. He was 56 years of age.
Born and raised in Guayubin Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, he was one of six children born to the union of Jose Alvarez and Dolores Acosta. He began his formal education in the DR and at a young age was recognized as a young baseball prodigy.
A left-handed pitcher with exceptional talent, Jose’s presence on the baseball field was a symbol of victory and skill. Whether he was pitching or at bat, his prowess was undeniable. His ability to control the game from the mound and his powerful batting made him an inspirational figure in the sport. His love for baseball extended into softball, where he continued to exhibit his remarkable athletic abilities, becoming a local legend in the community.
He married Guarina Garcia in 1985 and began to raise two sons, Brayar and Clemente, in the Dominican Republic, later welcoming the birth of his third son, Nayib in the United States. In his later years, he was blessed with a fourth son, Jose Acosta, who is currently nine years old.
In 1988, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and brought his young family to the U.S. He played minor league baseball for the next five years and was a Triple “A” Relief Pitcher with the California Angels and Pirates.
With his professional baseball career behind, he settled with his family in Chelsea and worked for many years in manufacturing at Mystic Bedding in Medford. More recently, Jose worked at La Econimica as a cook in the kitchen, he also assisted in the bodega, stocking shelves and helping customers. He retired from work 3 years ago due to his declining health.
In his lifetime, Jose enjoyed playing softball and cooking. Without being asked, he would make unique and special dishes, surprising family and friends with their favorite meals. His many acts of generosity were numerous and mostly all kept private. He would give food and clothing to people who he felt were in need, even if it meant he would have to sacrifice for himself.
He is most fondly remembered for his charismatic personality, his giving and forgiving nature, never speaking ill of anyone, and always finding something positive in every situation.
Jose is survived by his former wife and dear friend, Guarina Garcia. He was the devoted father of Brayar “Brian” Acosta, Clemente Acosta and his wife, Tatjana, Nayib Acosta and Jose Acosta, all of Chelsea; cherished grandfather of Arijana, Amaja and Dion Acosta; dear brother of Carlandra, Nena, Josefina, Melania and Binche Acosta, all living in the Dominican Republic, and the late Chicho Acosta.
For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFH.com.
Linda Finnegan
Retired Sears Roebuck Human Resource Manager
Linda L. (Keating) Finnegan, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, passed away suddenly at the Cambridge Health Alliance/Whidden Hospital in Everett, Sunday morning, January 14 surrounded by the love of her family. She just celebrated her 76th birthday.
Born and raised in Chelsea, Linda was the daughter of the late Edward T. and Lores (Neri) Keating. She attended Chelsea Public Schools and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1966. Linda was a retired human resource manager for the Sears Roebuck retail company. She dedicated 35 years with the company before retiring in 2004. Linda enjoyed her retirement by spending time at the beach and enjoying her family and her dog, Finna. She especially enjoyed her time being a grandmother. Linda will be fondly remembered by all who loved her.
Linda was predeceased by her husband, Joseph J. Finnegan. She was the beloved mother of Patrick J. Finnegan of Chelsea; dear sister of Thomas E. Keating and his wife, Lee of Tewksbury and devoted grandmother of Leah St. Croix of Pennsylvania.
Funeral Services will be conducted in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., today, Thursday, January 18 at 11 a.m., please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the service time. Services will conclude with entombment at the Sheffield Mausoleum, Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online at www.alz.org
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.
Mary Casucci
She Was Passionately Devoted to Home and Family
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Mary E. (Glennon) Casucci on Tuesday, January 23rd from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, the visitation will be immediately followed by her Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea at 12 noon. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Mary passed away on Tuesday, January 16th at the Mass. General Hospital after a sudden illness. She was 85 years of age. Born and raised in Chelsea, she was one of eight children of the late Ann Marie (Gorman) Nicewicz-Glennon and William A. Glennon, Sr. Mary was a lifelong resident of Chelsea where she attended local schools. She was married to Augustus M. “Gus” Casucci, Sr. for 67 years, and together raised six children. Mary was passionately devoted to home and family. She was a longtime parishioner and communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church and was active in the OLG 1000 Club. She was a longtime member of the Chelsea Senior Center and participated in the bocce and bowling leagues with the center. Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Gus M. Casucci, Sr. and was the devoted mother of Annmarie Maddeford and her husband, Kenneth of Melrose, Valerie Casucci of Maine, Michael Casucci and his wife, Denise of Revere, Anthony Casucci and his wife, Victoria of Wakefield, Marcia Allberry and her husband, Robert of Florida and Augustus M. “Gus” Casucci, Jr of Chelsea; cherished grandmother of Paul Casucci, David Maddeford, Anthony, Angela, and Nicholas Mele, Jake, and Kyle Casucci, Augustus, III., and Lewis Casucci, Stephen, Amanda, and Katelyn Casucci, and the late Erica Casucci; adoring great-grandmother of Demetri Colbeth; dear sister of Catherine Pascarelli of Wollaston and Thomas Glennon of Onset, the late Dorothy Rolloff, William A. Glennon, Jr., Dennis Glennon, Murdock Glennon, and Walter Glennon. She is also survived by many extended family members and friends. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFH.com.