Geraldine Piva
Devout Catholic; Retiree of the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment
Geraldine L. (Doucette) Piva of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on March 11. She was 100 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, the beloved daughter of the late Francis and Mary Doucette, she graduated from East Boston High and, as a young lady, lived through the great depression. During the mid-1930’s, she married Joseph S. Piva and together they raised their son, Alan until Joseph’s untimely passing in 1950.
As a young widow and single mother, she persevered. Geraldine worked for many years as an Administrative Secretary for the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment, Chelsea Office, retiring in 1977.
She settled in Chelsea over 50 years ago and was a longtime parishioner and communicant of St. Stanislaus Parish in Chelsea. She had a deep faith and was a very devout Catholic. She was an ordained member of the Third Order of St. Francis and a member of the Seven Daughters of the Holy Eucharist. She truly believed in the spirit of St. Francis “That by giving, we receive” while supporting countless charities and missions.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Joseph Piva, Geraldine was also preceded in death by her only son, Alan Piva. She is survived by her grandchildren: Paul Piva and his wife, Mary Ellen of West Roxbury and Michelle Cook and her husband, Dean of Southbridge and her daughter-in-law Marguerite Piva of Beverly. She was the dear sister of Arlene Lelos of Chelsea and Arnold Doucette of Beverly; adored great-grandmother of Mary Angeline and Edward Alan Piva and Cassandra and Morganne Cook. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit:
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Edith Levine
Of Peabody, formerly of Chelsea
Edith (Pollen) Levine of Peabody formerly of Chelsea and Saugus, died on Monday, March 23.
The loving wife of Melvin Levine, she was the devoted mother of Dr. Jerrold Steven Levine of Chicago, Rhonda Ann Marks and her husband, Scott of Peabody; dear sister of the late Abraham Pollen and Jean Zafran and loving grandmother of Dr. Eric Marks and his wife, Amanda and Jesse Marks.
Funeral arrangements were by the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Interment was in Congregation Tifereth Israel Cemetery, Everett. Memorial Observance was held at the home of Rhonda and Scott Marks immediately following the burial. Memorial Contributions can be made to Care Dimensions, 25 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923 and Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for guest book.
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Andre Gonzalez
Founder of the Transplant Survivors
Support Group
Andre Gonzalez passed away after a sudden brief medical set back on January 23 at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina. He was 54 years old.
Andre fought long and hard over a seven year period after surviving two liver transplants and the loss of a leg several months ago. He always maintained a positive outlook and a true love for life.
The beloved son of the late Ana and Juan Gonzalez of Boston, Andre was born in Boston, graduated from Boston High and attended some college. Andre was the proud founder of the Transplant Survivors Support Group. He started the group in 2007 and, at the time of his death, it had grown to over 5,000 members and is still growing strong.
Andre worked as a director of environmental services for over 15 years. He enjoyed telling wild stories, teasing sisters, playing his guitar, working and listening to music on his computer, and spending time with his family. He was also a Boston sports fan through and through. His favorite sayings were “IT IS WHAT IT IS, and NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR HOW BAD I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.”
He is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Diane (Doucette) Gonzalez. He was the loving father of Drew Gonzalez of Easley, SC, AJ Hannon Gonzalez of Connecticut, James Repici and his daughter in-law, Linda Repici and the loving grandfather of Khristina and Rocco Repici of Saugus. He was the dear brother of Hipolito Gonzalez of Easley, SC, Miguel Gonzalez of Florida, Domingo Pantoja and Juan Pantoja of Puerto Rico, Ana Collozo and her husband, Rico of Florida and Juan Gonzalez of Boston; dear brother in-law of Ellen and John Grungo of Middleboro, Barbara and Scott Bessette of Lakeville, Pat and Bob Doucette of Chelsea, Maryanne Beck and Richard Doucette and dear son in-law of Marjorie Doucette, all of Bridgewater; Steven Gibbons of Everett, Frank Grungo of Middleboro, Connie McGill of Chelsea, Deb and Jim Mahoney of Lynn. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend a memorial celebration of Andre’s life on Saturday, March 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. The Funeral Home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite
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Paul Hurton
Retiree of both US Postal Service and Mass Electric
Paul J. Hurton of Melrose, formerly of Chelsea and Malden, passed away on March 22 at the Chelsea Soldiers Home where he had been receiving supportive care for numerous health issues since May of 2011. He was 79 years old.
A retired 43 year employee of Massachusetts Electric, he was also a retired 20 year employee of the United States Post Office-South Postal Annex. He was a member of IBEW Local 104, Postal Workers Local 301, Irish American Club and Golden Tornado’s Hall of Fame.
Born in Malden, a graduate of Malden High School, Class of 1953 where he excelled in football and basketball, Paul attended Boston University prior to enlisting in the US Army. After serving his country, he continued his studies and received an Associate Degree in Business from Newbury Junior College. Joining the work force, he went on to work for Massachusetts Electric, servicing the Malden, Melrose and Medford area and retiring in the mid 90’s after 43 years. During those years and until retiring in 1987, he also worked as a mail handler at the South Postal Annex in South Boston.
Prior to residing in Melrose for the last 10 years, he lived in Chelsea for over 40 years. He had a passion for football and bowling. In his spare time, he enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren, as well as basking in the sun and anything that involved the outdoors.
He was the devoted husband for 56 years of Joan M. (Sullivan); beloved father of Paul M. Hurton and his wife, Jane of North Andover, Brian J. Hurton and his wife, Doreen of Peabody, Daniel J. Hurton of Revere, Nancy J. Caggiano and her husband, Robert of Nahant and Janet Bright and her husband, Robert of Melrose. He was the brother of the late William Hurton, Arlene Kellogg and Marion Bransfield; brother-in-law of Priscilla Hurton of Tewksbury, James Bransfield of Wilmington and the late William Kellogg; cherished grandfather of Brian C., Abigail, Rebecca, Michael, Ashley, Paul Henry, Emma, Erin, Molly and Bridget and is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend his funeral from the Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street, (Maplewood Square) Malden today, Thursday, March 26, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel on the campus of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea at 10 o’clock. Services will conclude with interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Expressions of sympathy in Paul’s name may be made to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Patient Activity Fund, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. To send a message of condolence to Paul’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com