Francis “Frank” Fiore
Of Rhode Island, formerly of Chelsea
Francis “Frank” Fiore, 76, of Warwick, RI, passed away peacefully at West Shore Health Center on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
He was the beloved husband of Norma Jean (King) Fiore and the devoted son of the late Albert and Irene (Sosnowski) Fiore.
Born and raised in Chelsea, Frank attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and graduated from Chelsea High School. After high school and completing his apprenticeship, Frank joined the Boston Typographical Union Local 13, working as a printer for 19 years. He later worked as a maintenance engineer at various hotels and nursing homes before retiring at the age of 65.
Frank lived in Danvers for 20 years while raising his two daughters before moving to Rhode Island where he met and married his wife of 24 years, Norma.
He enjoyed watching and playing sports, having played hockey in high school. Throughout the years, he also enjoyed various hobbies including bowling, darts and fishing. He was an avid television watcher and especially loved John Wayne westerns and Errol Flynn movies. Frank was also a member of the Polish Falcons Club in Chelsea for many years.
In addition to his wife, Frank is survived by his loving daughters, Tracy Fiore of Salem and Lauren Cauley and her spouse, Scott of Danvers and by his adored grandchildren, Abigail and Ethan Cauley; by his dear sister, Maryann Fiore and her husband, Paul Murphy of Everett and by several loving nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his eldest sister, JoAnn Fabrizio.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Patricia “Pat” Driscoll
August 9, 1935 – January 6, 2025
A lifelong resident of Chelsea, Patricia A (Fee) “Pat” Driscoll entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 6 at the Katzman Family Center for Living in Chelsea. She was 89 years of age.
Born in Chelsea, she was the loving daughter of the late Joseph and Stacia (Rockwell) Fee. Pat attended Chelsea public schools and graduated from Chelsea High School. She was a devoted mother, caring for her home and her four children.
Pat was a long time employee at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She began her working career in Boston and worked as a secretary in various departments within the hospital over the years. She retired as a secretary from the MGH office in Revere. In her down time, Pat enjoyed painting and attending ceramics class. She was a kind, caring and loving person, who will be missed by all.
Patricia is the beloved mother of Karen Smith of Florida and her late husband, Kevin Smith, Denise A. Driscoll and her significant other, Peter A. Steriti of Chelsea, Patricia Irgens and her husband, Daniel L. of Lynn, Paul Driscoll and his wife, Sandy of Jamaica Plain; dear sister of David Fee and his wife, Patricia of Virginia and the late Joseph Fee, Janet Fee, John Fee and his significant other, Eva Larkin of New Jersey; the cherished grandmother of three: Brian, Amy and her husband, Giancarlo and Kayla and four great grandchildren, Marley, Pierce, Avery and Sofia. She is also lovingly survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pat’s Memorial Service will be held in the early spring and will be announced at a later date.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Steven R. (DeRoche) Corder
March 27, 1949 – December 27, 2024
Family and friends are most kindly invited to attend graveside services for Steven R. (DeRoche) Corder at Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm St., Everett today, Thursday, January 16th at 2 p.m. (please meet at the cemetery gate at 1:45 p.m.)
At 75 years of age, Steven passed away on December 27th at the Beverly Hospital after a brief decline in health.
In recent years, Steven has been a resident at the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers.
Though he faced many challenges throughout his life, he is fondly remembered as a gracious child of God, possessing a most precious, gentle, and loving soul, with a captivating smile. He exemplified a spirit of resilience and determination that touched the hearts of those who knew him.
Steven was the beloved ward and son of the late Hector and Bernice (Arsenault) DeRoche; dear brother of the late Robert J. DeRoche who is survived by his wife, Joan M. (Dobson) DeRoche of New Hampshire. Additionally, he was the loved and cherished uncle of Robert H. DeRoche, Dean H. DeRoche, Nancy J. O’Donnell. Denyce A. DeRoche, and Gail A. Talbot. He is also lovingly survived by many extended members of the DeRoche and Arsenault families, friends, and caregivers at the Hogan Center.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Geraldine “Geri” A. Fletcher
June 18, 1962 – January 4, 2025
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours for Geri A. Fletcher on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. Interment will be held at a later date.
At 62 years of age, Geri passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 4 at her home in Chelsea. Born in Boston, Geri was the loving daughter of Roberta (Dacey) Fletcher of Revere and the late Roy Preston Fletcher.
A longtime resident of Chelsea, residing in this city for the past 30 years, she was a dedicated homemaker, tending to her home and raising her daughter, Keri.
Geri is lovingly survived by her beloved husband, Donald “Don” Holland of Chelsea, with whom she shared 19 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Keri Ross of Chelsea and Kerri Cooley of Florida; dear sister of David Fletcher, Paula Fletcher, Noreen Ramunno, and Kim Fletcher; sister-in-law of Raymond Holland and Patricia Swarms and cherished grandmother of six grandchildren: Jade Santiago, Cash Santiago, Jackson Cooley, Chase Cooley, Kennedy Cooley and Brielle Cooley. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Michal Galajda
March 27, 1937 – January 13, 2025
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Michal Galajda on Friday, January 17th in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, from 5 to 7 p.m. His funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, January 18th at 8:30 a.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph/St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley St., East Boston at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody
We mourn the passing of Michal Galajda, who departed this life at the age of 87 on January 13, 2025, following a brief illness while in the compassionate care of Eastpointe Nursing and Rehabilitation in Chelsea.
Born on March 27, 1937 in Zawadka Rymanoska, Poland, Michal was the beloved son of the late Andrzej and Anna (Kuchta) Galajda, and was one of four siblings. His formative years were spent in Poland, where he developed his skills as a machinist, proudly contributing his talents to the country’s piano manufacturing industry.
In the 1990’s, seeking new opportunities, Michal immigrated to the United States, initially settling in Revere. He embarked on a career in the construction field before retiring in 2005. After two years spent in his homeland, he returned to the U.S., establishing his home in Chelsea, where he lived for the past 18 years.
A devoted parishioner of the former St. Stanislaus Church in Chelsea, Michal exemplified the values of faith, family and friendship. He cherished gatherings with loved ones, often taking the lead in song, showcasing his passion for music through the accordion and harmonica. His love for Christmas was evident; he delighted in singing traditional carols, bringing joy to those around him.
Michal is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Irena S. (Wilk) Galajda. He was a devoted father to Derek Galajda and his wife, Barbara of Peabody, as well as Anna Fila and her late husband, Derek of Poland. He took immense pride in his role as a grandfather to Daniel Galajda, Greg Galajda, Isabella Sudol and Karolina Fila, and as a loving great-grandfather to Jan and Cecilia Sudol.
He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, beloved friends, and the caring staff at Eastpointe Rehabilitation, all of whom will miss his gentle spirit and vibrant presence.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Doris Blyth
June 19, 1934 – January 9, 2025
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours for Doris A. Blyth on Tuesday, January 14th in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. The visitation was followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea. Services concluded with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
At 90 years of age, Doris passed away on Thursday, January 9 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.
Born and raised in raised in Chelsea, Doris was the daughter of the late Leo J. and Irene M. (Hildreth) Parker. Doris attended Chelsea public schools and was a Chelsea High School graduate, Class of 1952. She received an Associate’s Degree and completed a nursing training program from the Beth Israel Hospital. Upon becoming a Registered Nurse, she worked for many years at the former Chelsea Memorial Hospital. She ended her working career as a school nurse at the former St. Rose School in Chelsea. Doris was a late resident of Medford, where she has been residing for many years. She will be forever cherished by all who loved her.
Doris was predeceased by her husband Donald C. Blyth and her brother, Leo Parker. She was the devoted mother of David C. Blyth of Medford, Debra Blyth-Wilk and her husband, Richard Wilk of Charlestown, Dennis Blyth and his fiancé, Laura Buchanan of California; cherished grandmother of one granddaughter, Victoria Irene Blyth-Wilk of Charlestown.
Should friends desire, contributions in Doris’ name may be made to Wide Horizons for Children Adoptions, 375 Totten Pond Rd. Suite 100, Waltham, MA 02451.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Richard R. Breda
Of Wenham, formerly of Chelsea
Wenham, MA – It is with great sadness, yet cherished memories, that we announce the death of Richard R. Breda on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Care Dimensions Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers at the age of 92, where he died peacefully surrounded by family.
A devoted family man, a humble man, and true “gentle” man, Richard “Dick” was born and raised in Chelsea where his family owned Breda Brothers Bakery. He attended Immaculate Conception High School. During high school, Richard met the love his life, his late wife of 64 years, Theresa “Tess” Gesmundo who passed away in October of 2020. They have three daughters, Diane Silva and her husband, John of Portsmouth, NH, Joyce D’Angelo and her husband. Michael of Bradenton, FL and Beverly O’Keefe and her husband, John of Hamilton, MA.
Richard attended Bentley College and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was a Staff Sergeant and crewmember of a B-36, stationed in Roswell, New Mexico and Guam during the Korean War.
His work ethic was unsurpassed. In 1998, Richard retired after working 40 years as an (IBEW Local 109) electrician for the New England Telephone Company in Boston.
Athletic always, Richard was a captain of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home football team. He loved baseball most of all – in high school he even hit one off the Green Monster during a tryout for the Red Sox. He was also a competitive league bowler for many years. He and his brother. Geno reminisced endlessly about their younger years growing up with some high-spirited fun including sledding, and delivering newspapers between taking care of the chickens and vegetable gardens at their home.
For his family, Richard built their last two houses on land he and Tess found in Peabody and Wenham. Both were homes to be proud of with the latter on a beautiful lake. Taking care of his homes was his constant passion. Richard was the consummate “do it yourselfer.” His homes did shine. His outstanding stone and masonry work still stand strong today.
Richard’s family was always his priority. Summers often included a family vacation to Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine where many memories were made. “Papa” was often knee-deep at low tide finding sand dollars to give his grandchildren.
Richard is survived by his sister, Claire Fitzgerald and her husband, John “Bud” of Chelsea, his grandchildren: Jacqueline Silva Garnett and her husband, Will, Brett Silva, Anthony D’Angelo, Shawn O’Keefe and his wife, Alexa, Caroline O’Keefe, Ariana O’Keefe, his great-grandson, Mason Garnett, and fourteen nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Remigio and Gioconda Breda, his sister, Alice Capistran and her husband, George of Chelsea, his brother, Geno Breda and his wife, Marianne of Revere and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Anne and Paul Gesmundo of Hamilton.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Paul, 50 Union Street, Hamilton on Tuesday, January 21st, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly will be on Monday, January 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be at Wenham Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at CareDimensions.org/Donate. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.