Obituaries 07-26-2012

Elaine Maillet

Of Dracut, formerly of Chelsea

Elaine F. (Welsh) Maillet of Dracut, formerly of Chelsea and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, died peacefully on July 20 at the Lowell General Hospital. She was 77 year old.

The wife of the late Clifford J. Maillet who died in September of 1994, she was born in Chelsea on April 13, 1935,  the daughter of the late Agnes (Cronin) and Joseph R. Welsh.

A dedicated and loving, wife, mother and “Mem” who dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family, she enjoyed bowling and volunteering at the Cambell Elemtentary School in Dracut but her greatest joy came from her family who loved her so dearly.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her three special grandsons, Zackary, Brian and Michael Cook; her children, Julie Cook and her husband, Dean of Dracut, Andrew Maillet and his wife, Jennifer of Turner, Maine and Denise Ferullo and her husband, Richard of Wilmington; granddaughters, Erin Carter and Meghan Brassey and her husband, Joseph and her grandson, Richard Ferullo; three brothers, John Welsh and his wife, Nancy of Tewksbury, Barry Welsh of Saugus and Edward Welsh of Chelsea; her sister in-law, Mary Welsh of Pawtucket, RI as well as many other in-laws, nieces, nephews and her special friends, Joanie, Stacia and “The Woo Woo Girls.”  She was the sister of the late Joseph Welsh, Nancy Lehmann and Gail Winam.

Funeral arrangements were by the Dracut Funeral Home, Dracut. Burial was at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter, RI. To leave an online condolence, story or message please visit www.dracutfuneralhome.com

Robert Reid

Chelsea Resident

Robert D. Reid of Chelsea died on July 19.

He was the husband of Carol (Reeves) Reid; loving father of Robin Pergola and her husband, James of Revere, Brenda Young of Chelsea and Robert Reid Jr. of Revere; close companion of Marie Hibbard and her daughter, Renee; dear brother of Joseph Reid of Chelsea, John Reid of Waltham, Phyllis Antonelli of Revere, Harold Reid of Saugus and the late Lillian Tirro; cherished grandfather of five grandchildren and one great grandchild and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere.  For guest book, visit: www.vazzafunerals.com

Walter Malas

Retired Shipping Clerk

Walter A. Malas died on July 20 at Hammersmith Transitional Care and Rehab in Saugus after a long battle with overwhelming illness. He was 75 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the loving son of the late Walter J. and Helen (Rolka) Malas.  He attended local schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School.  He married Rosemarie Russo in 1960 and settled in East Boston.  He was inducted into the US Army later that same year and was honorably discharged in 1962.  He returned to East Boston and with his wife remained there for many years before resettling in Chelsea 29 years ago.  Walter worked as a shipping clerk for Colonial Provisions in South. Boston for 23 years and later worked for HP Hood in Charlestown for another 10 years before fully retiring in 2002.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years Rosemarie (Russo) Malas; his sister Marion Donovan of Chelsea, his brother Henry Malas of Billerica and by many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in East Boston. Services concluded with Military Honors and burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial / Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Homes. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to VNA Hospice Care, 100 Sylvan Rd., Woburn, MA 01801.  To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com

William Smigelski

Retired Chelsea Park Superintendent

William W. Smigelski of Chelsea died on July 21 at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home where he was receiving palliative care after a swift decline in health. He was 94 years old.

Born in 1917, the son of the late Henry and Josephine (Tachozalewska)  Smigielski, he attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and was a graduate of Chelsea High School.  He entered the US Army in 1940 and served throughout World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to civilian life in Chelsea.

He married Catherine Konieczka in 1946 and together they settled on Library Street in Chelsea.  He worked for the City of Chelsea as Superintendent of Parks for 30 years and also served the city as Parks Commissioner, retiring in 1986.

He was an avid sports fan and was involved with youth sports.  A Baseball Umpire, he was a member of the New England Amateur Athletic Union where he held the office of Past Chief Umpire and served as an umpire trainer.  He was a charter member of the Polish American Veterans Post 13 in Chelsea and held the office of Trustee for numerous consecutive and nonconsecutive terms. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Stanislaus Parish, Sunday Church Usher and Rectory Office volunteer.

He and his wife resided in the Prattville neighborhood where they were beloved by all and became surrogate grandparents to neighborhood families.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Catherine (Konieczka) Smigelski; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, extended family members and close neighborhood friends.  He was preceded in death by his siblings; Jean Bielakiewicz, Charles, Joseph, Edward, Vincent and Chester Smigielski.

His Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, July 26 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church 163 Chestnut St. Chelsea  at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.

For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Sharon Mills

Of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea

Sharon T. Mills of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, died on July 16 with her family by her side.

She is survived by Robert Mills, her loving husband of 40 years, and her loving family, daughter, Lyn Caissie, son, Donald White , twin daughters, Robyn and Jennifer Mills and four loving grandchildren, Jordenn, Cydnee, Giovany and Sofia.

There will be a private gathering with her immediate family only. Any donations may be made to VNA Hospice Care.


Lillian Laffey

Lifelong Chelsea Resident

Lillian A. (Wedge) Laffey, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, died on July 17. She was 75 years old.

A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Malden Chapter, she was the wife of the late John W. Laffey; devoted mother of Joseph Scuturio of Lakeville, Velvet J. Smith and Kelli C. Laffey, both of Chelsea and the late William Scuturio; loving sister of Leslie A. “Sonny” Wedge and his wife, Diana of Lynn; dear cousin of Mary Bullock of Chelsea and is also lovingly survived by six grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew, Ashley, Felicia, Brandon, Angelica and one great-granddaughter, Sophia.  Funeral arrangements were by the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, Chelsea. Burial was private.

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