Jean Connors, 80
Of New Hampshire, formerly of Chelsea
Jean E. (Doucette) Connors died Friday evening at the Hackett Hill Healthcare Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a heroic battle with overwhelming illness. She was 80 years old.
Born in Everett, she was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Lillian (Melanson) Doucette. She was raised in Everett, Malden and Chelsea and attended local schools. A resident of Derry, NH for the past 30 years, she lived in Chelsea for most of her early years devoting her life to home and family. She was beloved by all who knew her.
She was the beloved wife of the late Michael J. Connors Sr.; devoted mother of Jeanne Snow of Lowell, Michael J. Connors Jr. and his wife, Sally, of Revere, (the late Robert S. Connors), Judy Starke and her husband, Andy, of Andover, Kathy Connors of Chelsea, Danny Connors and his wife, Ann, of Everett, Patty Foster of Florida and Michelle Richard of Everett; dear sister of George Melanson, Robert Doucette of Spanaway WA, Marie Ardizzone of Texas, Richard Doucette of Largo, FL and the late Arlene Boucher. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and many nieces nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Her Funeral was held on Wednesday, a Mass of Christian Burial was said in St. Rose Church, Chelsea. Services concluded with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Services were entrusted to the care and direction of Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home. For online guestbook, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.
John Fineran, 88
Decorated World War II veteran
John J. Fineran, a-65 year resident of Chelsea, died on March 11. He was 88 years old.
He was born in Maspeh, NY and attended New York Public Schools. A US Marine Corps veteran of World War II and a Purple Heart recipient, he participated against the enemy on Saipan, Marianas Islands 15-26 June 1944, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands 19 Feb. 1945. He was a retired printer with 15 years of service at Forbes Lithograph and 20 years of service at Bicknell & Fuller Printing retiring in 1985. He was also a former member of the St. Andrew’s BBC.
He was the husband of the late Louise G. (McCann) Fineran; beloved father of Daniel J. Fineran and his wife, JoAnn, of Jefferson, MD, Richard F. Fineran and his wife, Marlene, of Everett, Mary C. Lapointe and her husband, Joseph, of Brockton, Joseph J. Fineran and his wife, Rosemarie, of Revere, Eleanor M. Murphy of Rochester, NH, Joan Tucker and her husband, John, of Chelsea; son of the late John J. and Eleanor (Cass) Fineran; dear brother of Rita Fineran of New York and the late Eleanor Gresham. He is also lovingly survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were by the William R. Carafa & Son Home for Funerals, Chelsea. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Chelsea Soldier’s Home Recreation Dept. Attn: V.A. Adult Day Care Health Program 91 Crest Ave. Chelsea, MA.
George Bonfiglio Jr. 79
Co-Founder and Director of 27th Lancers
George A. Bonfiglio Jr. of Revere died at the Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston on March 12 following a long illness. He was 79 years old.
Born in Chelsea, he was a life long Revere resident. After graduating from Revere High School in 1948, he began a three year course at the New England Conservatory of Music before joining the US Air Force in 1951 where he served until October of 1955. During his time in service, he developed and designed “Aircraft Parts” from “Automotive Parts” for the Squadron Planes used in the Korean Conflict. These were so successful that he received several national commendations for his inventions. His inventions made military history and he received several commendations from President Harry S. Truman.
He spent most of his working career as the automotive mechanic teacher for Malden High School and also taught sixth grade in Malden Schools before retiring in 2002 at the age of 72.
He was a 1967 graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers College and, along with his late wife, Margaret P. “Patsy” (MacLeod) founded the 27th Lancers. This organization was and remains a part of both of them for all the devotion and the incessant work ethic they provided for the young boys and girls who became a Lancer.
Many “Older Reverites” associate Drum & Bugle Corps with George and Patsy, hand-in-hand. They directed the Corps until 1986 and the 27th Lancers won national and international acclaim. Each and every member of the Corps became “extended family” of the Bonfiglios. They were not only their teachers but their mentors. When the need arose, they became “Surrogate Parents” to the youth in their care. Their responsibility was overwhelming – as their competitions took them throughout the country.
In 1994, the 27th Lancers Alumni presented their final performance, “One More in ’94.” It was a tremendous success.
The Lancers were the first class in 1985 to be appointed to “Mass Drum & Bugle Corps of Mass.” Mr. Bonfiglio wasmone of the founding members of “Drum Corps International” and became its first President in 1972.
Although he was an only child, Mr. Bonfiglio married into the “MacLeod – McLeavey” families of 11 children and that earned honorary family with so many other old Revere families, the Myers, the O’Briens, the Hendersons, the Pounds, the Andersons, the Whittens and the O’Manleys.
Mr. Bonfiglio was the father of Patricia Blake and her husband, Steven, of Georgetown, Denise Bonfiglio of Revere, George P. Bonfiglio and his wife, Sheila, of Lawrence, Jeanine M. McWilliams and her husband, Michael, of Malden and the late Darlene Stannard. He was the father in law of Scott E. Stannard of Boxford and also leaves five grandchildren, Tiffany P. Stannard of Revere, Taylor M. and Tory L. Stannard, both of Boxford, Jessica M. McWilliams and Nicholas G. McWilliams, both of Malden. He is also lovingly survived by many, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Visiting hours will be today,Thursday, March 18 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Vertuccio & Smith Home For Funerals, 773 Broadway (Roue 107) Revere. His Funeral will be held on Friday, March 19 at 9 a.m. from the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Judith Cooper
Florida resident
Judith N. (Faber) Cooper of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, formerly of Medford and Revere Beach, died on March 12.
The beloved wife of the late J. George Cooper, she was born in Chelsea and attended the Chelsea schools and high school. She was the Vice President of the Medford branch of Hadassah as well as a life-long member and “Angel” of the Brandeis Women’s Club. She is described as being very charitable and dedicated to her family.
She was the devoted mother of Lois Kaufman and her husband, David; the dear sister of Ruthann Alpern and her husband, Dr. Asher Alpern and the loving grandmother of Matthew and Carolyn Rachel.
Graveside services will be held at Temple Emmanuel of Chelsea Cemetery, 50 Buxton Rd., Danvers on Friday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice. For online guestbook and directions, please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.
Charles LaRocca, 80
Former North End resident
Charles LaRocca, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on March 15. He was 80 years old.
Beloved by family and friends, who he liked to cook for, he was Sergeant-at-Arms for the Sulmona Club on Fleet Street, Boston for many years.
He was the beloved son of the late Carmine and Assunta (Dinunzio) LaRocca; loving husband of more than 60 years to Anita (Rosati); father of Robert and his wife, Lorna LaRocca, of Chelsea, Charles LaRocca of Revere, Steven LaRocca of East Boston, Eliane Walsh of Somerville, Gail LaRocca and Vincent Ferrara of Boston’s North End, Sandra Forte of Saugus, and Anita and her husband, Louis Vaccaro, of Winthrop. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nicole, Michael, Charles, Lia, Erika, Bianca, Sal, Tara and Alexis; great grand-children Ryan, Tayla, Michael, Ava and Laila; brother Carmen LaRocca of Florida and sister Anne DiMaria of Malden and his sister-in-law Theresa LaRocca of Cambridge.
His Funeral will be from the Boston Harborside Home, 580 Commercial St., Boston, today, Thursday, March 18 at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Leonard’s Church on the Corner of Prince and Hanover Streets at 9:45 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 18 Tremont Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108.
Ann Gianturco RN, 95
Long time school nurse
Ann R. (Marino) Gianturco RN of Chelsea, formerly of Orient Heights East Boston died on February 26. She was in her 95th year.
Mrs. Gianturco graduated from East Boston High School, Class of 1932 and received her RN from the Medfield State Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at the East Boston Relief Station on Porter Street and at the Revere Memorial Hospital. In 1941, she married Dr. Nicholas Gianturco and worked at his home office on Garfield Avenue in Chelsea and as the school nurse at the Shurtliff School in Chelsea until she was 76 years old.
She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Nicholas D. Gianturco with whom she shared 51 years of marriage; loving mother of Nicholas Gianturco Jr. and his wife, Christine, of Middleton, Judie Gianturco of California, Jeanne Jaroszewski of Melrose and Charles Gianturco and his wife, Lorraine, of North Reading. She was the dear sister of Florence Bruza of Naples, Florida, Theresa Curtin of Stoneham and the late Esther Corricelli, Grace Sacco, Margaret Cawa, Eleanor Johnston, Rita Marino, Frances Zuccaro, Leo Yano and Joseph Marino; cherished grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 15.
Private funeral arrangements were entrusted to Vazza’s Funeral Homes. Burial was in the family lot in Woodlawn Cemetery. For guest book, please visit: www.vazzafunerals.com.
Lawrence ‘Larry’ Hooker, 69
Party disc jockey who never met a stranger
Lawrence “Larry” Hooker of Chelsea died on March 13. He was 69 years old.
The beloved husband of 41 years of Carol (Niles) Hooker, he was born in Everett and spent his whole life in Chelsea. He attended the Chelsea schools, graduated from Chelsea High School and is described as a gentle man and “wonderful human” who “never met a stranger” since people took to him so quickly and easily. He was very generous and friendly and loved attending flea markets. He also loved music and was a disc jockey at parties for several years.
The loving son of the late Rhoda and Reuben Hooker, he was the dear brother of Frances Hooker, Ryna Veneziano and her husband, the late Charles, and Marvin Hooker and the dear son-in-law of Mary Niles.
Funeral arrangements were by the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Burial was in Everett. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or the Jack Satter House Tenants Assoc., 420 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, MA 02151. For online condolences, please visit the Funeral Home website: www.torffuneralservice.com.
John Costello Jr.
Of New Hampshire, formerly of Revere
John D. Costello Jr. of New Hampshire, formerly of Revere and Hyde Park, died on March 9.
A US Army veteran of the Korean War, he was the beloved husband of Charlotte (Chisholm) Costello of New Hampshire with whom he shared 56 years of marriage; loving father of Charlotte Messina of Malden, John III of Shelburne, Thomas of Saugus, James of Florida, Elizabeth Long, Edward, Robert and Eric, all of New Hampshire; dear brother of Claire Ells of Chelsea, Virginia Legerner of Jamaica Plain, Helen Condelli of Medford, Dorothy Doherty of Wilmington and the late Edward Costello; cherished grandfather of 26 and great grandfather of 17.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial will be in the VA National Cemetery, Bourne at a later date. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.
Anthony Corsino, 48
Special Olympics Volunteer
Anthony Corsino of Tewksbury, formerly of Lynn and Chelsea, died on March 6 by accident in Turkey. He was 48 years old.
A Special Olympics volunteer, he was the cherished husband and best friend of Nancy Ellen (Marino) Corsino; son of Louis Corsino Sr. and the late Shelia (Saunders) Corsino and is also survived by his son Anthony Corsino Jr. and daughter Danielle Ellen Corsino, both of Tewksbury; his brother Louis Corsino, Jr. and his wife, Corinne, of No. Reading; his sister Donna Buckley and her husband, Daniel, of Lynn; his grand dog, Giovanni; and his brothers-in-law, Paul Marino and his wife, Kathy Osgood, Mark Marino and his wife, Paula, and John Marino and his wife, Lisa. He also leaves several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was the son-in-law of the late John and Mary (Zeuli) Marino, formerly of Peabody.
Funeral arrangements were by the Solimine, Landergan & Richardson Funeral Home, Lynn. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Special Olympics of Mass., Yawkey Sports Training Center, 512 Forest St., Marlboro, MA 01752. www.specialolympicsma.org. For guest book www.solimine.com
Nathan Rosnov, 94
Dracut resident
Nathan Rosnov of Dracut, formerly of Chelmsford, died on March 9. He was 94 years old.
The beloved husband of Mary L. (Scobie Marchand) Rosnov, he was born in Boston and attended the Boston schools. He was self employed for many years.
He had the “mind of a human calculator” and toyed diligently with his investments. He loved spending six months a year in Venice, FL, dining out at restaurants, and never missed sending a birthday card to anyone.
He was the devoted father of Iris Bray and her husband, George, Sondra Lucente and her husband, John, Ted Rosnov and his wife, Carol, Alan Rosnov and his wife, Jan, Elaine Ferrone and her husband, Bob, Raymond Marchand and his wife, Pat, and the late Ronald and Brian Marchand. He was the dear brother of six late brothers and sisters and the loving grandfather of many grandchildren, great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
A Graveside service was held at Anshe Poland Cemetery, Woburn. Memorial observance was private. Contributions in his memory may be made to the MA Lions Eye Research Foundation, Inc., Attn: William T. Murphy, Treasurer, P.O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742. For online guestbook please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.