Jose Vega Diaz
October 22, 1954 – February 18, 2025
Jose Vega Diaz, a spirited and loving soul, passed away on February 18, 2025, at the age of 70 after a long illness. Born on October 22, 1954, in Patillas, Puerto Rico, Jose was the cherished son of the late Timoteo Vega and Natalia Diaz.
In 1968, he made Chelsea, Massachusetts, his home, where he built a life filled with love and family. Jose was devoted to his wife, Carmen Milagros Crespo, with whom he shared 37 beautiful years before her passing in 2011. Together, they raised four children—Milagros, Jose Jr., Carmen and Yolanda—who will always remember him as a doting father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Jose dedicated 30 years of his life to Castel Metals in Boston, where he worked as a sheet metal fabricator before retiring. A man of many passions, he fervently supported Boston sports, holding a particular love for the Red Sox. His athletic spirit also shone through as he played in the Chelsea Modified Softball League, honoring the team legacy playing with his brothers. Music was another cornerstone of his life; he adored Puerto Rican folk and salsa music, and his talent as a singer brought joy to many nights at Las Flores Night Club in Boston.
Jose leaves behind a loving legacy of cherished memories, including his beloved grandchildren, Cynthia and German Bonilla, Yailene Rodas, Mathew Henao, Alejandro, Lorenzo, and Julián Vega, and Angelica Santillán, his great-granddaughter Laurel Artica. He is also survived by his dear siblings Isidro Vega, Domingo Vega, Timoteo Vega, Maria Vega, Carmen Vega, Socorro Vega, Pilar Vega, and Marta Vega, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Family and friends are warmly invited to join in celebrating Jose’s life. A Mass of Christian Burial took place at the Immaculate Conception Church, lat 133 Beach St., Revere, on Friday, February 20th, at 12 noon and interment was at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn. As we came together to honor Jose’s life, we remembered his dedication to family, his passion for sports and music, and the warmth he brought. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Joao Deus Gomes
April 30, 1954 – February 18, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joao Deus Gomes, who left this world peacefully on February 18, 2025, at the age of 70, following a battle with bacterial pneumonia. Joao passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, embraced in the love of his family.
Born on April 30, 1954, in Vila Nova Sintra, Brava, Cabo Verde, Joao spent his earliest years on the picturesque islands of his homeland before moving to Senegal. It was there that he completed his education and commenced his career as a ship’s captain, exemplifying a spirit of adventure as he transported cargo across the waters. He was the beloved son of the late Paulina Rosa de Gomes and Julio de Barros, the latter survived by his spouse Rita Martins de Barros of Pawtucket, RI.
In search of new opportunities and a quieter life, Joao settled in Chelsea, two decades ago. It was here that he found love and companionship in Maria Teresa Fortes de Brito, with whom he shared a devoted partnership and together raised three children. Their home radiated warmth and compassion, a testament to J For the last 20 years, Joao served as a fresh produce clerk at Demoulas’ Market Basket in Chelsea, where his dedication and work ethic left a lasting impression on both his colleagues and loyal customers. He was also an active member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Chelsea, where he engaged meaningfully with the community.
A true family man, Joao cherished every moment spent with loved ones. He had a profound passion for soccer and was a devoted supporter of Benfica of Portugal. His nurturing spirit extended to his nieces and nephews, who found in him a constant source of encouragement and guidance. Recently, Joao had eagerly anticipated returning to Cabo Verde to reconnect with family and friends. Joao was preceded in death by his loving parents, whose memories he held dear throughout his life.
Joao leaves behind his beloved wife, Maria Teresa Fortes de Brito, and his cherished children, Eliza Rodrigues of Pawtucket, RI, Keven, and Paulino Brito de Gomes, both of Chelsea. His legacy will also be carried on by his adoring grandchildren Claudia Braz, and Deandre Evors, and his siblings: Julio de Gomes and Fatima de Gomes, both residing in Cabo Verde, as well as Ermilinda de Barros of Chelsea,oao’s unwavering commitment to family.
For the last 20 years, Joao served as a fresh produce clerk at Demoulas’ Market Basket in Chelsea, where his dedication and work ethic left a lasting impression on both his colleagues and loyal customers. He was also an active member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Chelsea, where he engaged meaningfully with the community.
A true family man, Joao cherished every moment spent with loved ones. He had a profound passion for soccer and was a devoted supporter of Benfica of Portugal. His nurturing spirit extended to his nieces and nephews, who found in him a constant source of encouragement and guidance. Recently, Joao had eagerly anticipated returning to Cabo Verde to reconnect with family and friends. Joao was preceded in death by his loving parents, whose memories he held dear throughout his life.
Joao leaves behind his beloved wife, Maria Teresa Fortes de Brito, and his cherished children, Eliza Rodrigues of Pawtucket, RI, Keven, and Paulino Brito de Gomes, both of Chelsea. His legacy will also be carried on by his adoring grandchildren Claudia Braz, and Deandre Evors, and his siblings: Julio de Gomes and Fatima de Gomes, both residing in Cabo Verde, as well as Ermilinda de Barros of Chelsea,
Lucilia de Barros of Taunton, Diolinda de Barros of Pawtucket, RI, and Enrico de Barros of Cabo Verde. He is survived by a close circle of family and friends who will greatly miss his warm spirit and generous compassion.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend calling hours for Joao Deus de Gomes in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, on Monday, February 24th from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., allowing family and friends to share their memories and condolences. His funeral will begin from the funeral home on Tuesday, February 25th at 9:00 A.M. Immediately followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose of Lima Church, 601 Broadway, Chelsea at 10:00 A.M. celebrating Joao’s life and his enduring spirit. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, where he will be laid to rest surrounded by loved ones, forever remembered as a man of integrity, love, and devotion.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshfh.com.
Steven G. Clayman
He followed his dream of entrepreneurship, building businesses, first in the evolving computer industry and later in executive recruitment and real estate development
Steven G. Clayman of Boston and Brewster, Massachusetts, with lifelong roots in Chelsea, died on February 3, 2025 at the age of 82. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Nancy (Hedén) Clayman; his daughters, the pride and joy of his life, Amanda Clayman and Alyse Clayman; his sons-in-law, Tom Levenberg and Drew Bulfer, who he loved from day one and mentored in the world of real estate; his adored and adoring grandchildren, Anna and Max Levenberg, Maeve and Riley Bulfer; and his niece, Kate Clayman, and her family.
He treasured his extended family near and far, especially his cousin, Bruce Chase, his nieces and nephews, colleagues and loyal employees, his children’s in-laws and friends, and even his grandchildren’s friends. He enjoyed connecting with those both similar and so different from him sharing many laughs and meaningful conversations, often parting with an “I love you.”
Steve was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Anne (Novack) Clayman, and his younger brother, Richard. Steve graduated in 1960 from Chelsea High School – a good student, participated in track, and often bragged, especially to his grandson, of attaining very high scores playing basketball, though we doubt the veracity of those memories!
Steve furthered his education at Tufts University, class of ’64, where he majored in electrical engineering and then at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, where he achieved his MBA, Class of ’66, and met his wife-to-be.
Unlike most of his fellow classmates at Tuck School, Steve followed his dream of entrepreneurship, building businesses, first in the evolving computer industry and later in executive recruitment.
For most of his career, Steve partnered with his brother in real estate development having lunch, and often breakfast, every weekday of their adult lives. They built their business on a handshake and never a “beef.” Sited in Chelsea, their company continues to provide housing options serving families in working class communities.
His wife, Nancy, described their relationship, “My husband had a zest for life I witnessed through all our years together. His primary focus was always family, followed closely by an interest in and caring for friends, co-workers, and, yes, strangers who crossed his path. If he was your friend, you felt his presence, his focus on you, his loyalty and support. As a stranger – a restaurant server, an Uber driver, someone down and out looking for help on the sidewalks of Boston – you felt seen.
“Though son-in-law, Tom, now heads the family business, Steve never really retired. Up until the last month of his life, he had a number of business ventures simmering in the background, Excel sheets detailing the options, with the same level enthusiasm that propelled him 60 years before. His passion for learning unending.
“Steve was my partner for 60 years. I was never bored in his presence. His love of life translated to our time together. As an example, Steve sent me several emails every day, though in our years of retirement, we shared little more than 1000 square feet of living space. When he complained I didn’t read his emails, I often irritably asked him to just talk to me. He would leave in a huff, and I would guiltily check his recent sends. One day I find four: 1) a link to a writer’s workshop I might be interested in; 2) a link to new treatments for leg cramps (I had complained of same that morning); 3) a link to an editorial about Israel he suggested we discuss over dinner that night; and 4) an invite to our favorite comedy club where we were the oldest attendees, by far, and both enjoyed immensely. That was my Steve – loyal, supportive, caring, and fun – my partner in life. I will miss him always.”
Steve and Nancy raised their family in Concord, Massachusetts and, as his daughters shared at his funeral, gave them both deep and meaningful roots and the wings to soar. His daughter, Amanda, shared his values of humor, intellectual curiosity, independence, care for others, and love of friends and family especially his grandchildren, particularly relishing in all of their uniqueness. His daughter, Alyse, went on to share that perhaps contrary to his innate Jewish father sensibilities, he encouraged her and her sister to take risks, to live their best lives even if far from home, and truly enjoyed their daring and sense of adventure explaining, “As much as he may have hated it, he drove us to the airport, tucked a sawbuck in our pocket, and waved us off – over and over again. It was his greatest gift to us.”
Donations in Steve’s honor can be made to the Middlebridge School, where his grandson is a graduate and his daughter, Amanda, serves on the board, 333 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882 or Jewish Family and Children’s Service of San Franscisco, where his daughter, Alyse, works overseeing programs serving those in need here and in Israel, P.O. Box 159004, San Francisco, CA 94115.
Steve’s funeral service can be viewed on Congregation Shirat Hayam’s YouTube channel.