Thomas Barton White MD
Lived An Outstanding Life
Thomas Barton White, MD of Ipswich, formerly of Chelsea, died at home surrounded by his family and friends on August 30. He was 94 years old.
Born in Chelsea and a graduate of Chelsea High School, while in high school he excelled both in the classroom and on the football field. He continued his education and went on to earn a Doctorate of Medicine in 1942.
Dr. White began his professional career in a small coal mining town in West Virginia where he performed the dangerous duty of descending deep into the dark coal mine shafts to provide care to injured miners. Back in those days, he made house calls caring for the mining families and often delivered babies in small rustic cabins with no electricity by the warmth of a wood burning stove.
In 1950, Dr. White moved to what would be his professional home of Lynnfield, MA and established a small family practice from his home office. Being a kind and cheerful soul with a renowned bedside manner, his office quickly outgrew his home and he moved his office to Post Office Square in Lynnfield. As he expanded to use more and more space in the “South Lynnfield Medical Building” he decided to build a large office with a partner. He continued to practice medicine in Lynnfield until the age of 81.
During his time in private practice, he was also associated with Union Hospital in Lynn acting as Chief of Family Medicine. When most doctors stopped making house calls in the 1970s, Dr. White continued to make house calls to many of his most ailing clients.
He made many great friendships professionally and socially over the years and was known throughout the medical community for his dedication to his patients, his caring bedside manner and his vibrant sense of humor. His compassion was never more evident than as the attending physician at the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers. Helping those with disabilities became a true passion for Dr. White.
Never one to sit at home and ‘relax’ Dr. White had many varying interests throughout his life. He owned thoroughbred race horses. As the Police Surgeon in Lynnfield, he was a member of the Police Blue Knights Motor Cycle Group. An avid golfer and member of the Ipswich Country Club, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Service Dog Project. He lived an outstanding life and he will be truly missed.
In addition to his loving wife of 45 years, he is survived by his four daughters, Deborah White of Amesbury,
Priscilla White-Dragani of Salem, Owen Kreager of Ipswich and Janine Jacques of Boxford; his two granddaughters, Amanda and Olivia Dragani; his grandson, Colby Jacques, several nieces, nephews and many friends and those of the animal variety — his favorite Great Danes and Mary, the Donkey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours in the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (Route 62) Danvers, today, Thursday, September 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, P.O. Box 834, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.
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Orlando Castro
Sports Fan, Active at Chelsea Senior Center
Orlando J. Castro of Chelsea, a retired environmental worker, died after a long illness on September 2 at the
Eastpointe Rehabilitation Center in Chelsea where he has been receiving supportive care for the past two years. He was 86 years old.
Born and raised in Habana, Cuba, in 1951 he married Barbara Fernandez and began raising their family of two sons. He came to the United States in 1971 and settled in Chelsea.
After the 1973 Chelsea Fire, he relocated his family to Tampa, Florida in search of employment and to better support his family. When the company he was working for moved to Texas, he decided to return his family to the northeast settling in Stoneham and working for the New England Memorial Hospital Environmental Services. He retired in 1989 after working with the hospital for 11 years.
He and his wife came back to Chelsea and he was an active member at the Chelsea Senior Center where he enjoyed playing cards, dominos and checkers. At home he was an avid sports fan.
He briefly moved to South Carolina with his son who helped care for his aging father. Two years ago. he took residence at the Eastpointe facility in Chelsea where he was cared for by staff and his devoted wife.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara (Fernandez) Castro of Chelsea; his loving children; Orlando E. Castro and his wife, Luisa A. of Chelsea and Ricardo L. Castro of Greenville SC; cherished granddaughters, Isbel Modica and Elizabeth Castro Diaz and two adoring great-grandchildren; George Mario Modica and Isabella Luisa Modica.
His Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, September 6 at 8 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway Chelsea at 9 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit
www.WelshFuneralHome.com
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Genevieve ‘Gen’ Butt
Of Topsfield, formerly of Revere
Genevieve “Gen” Butt, recently of Topsfield and a long time resident of Revere, beloved wife of Lester A. “Les” Butt died on August 10 at her daughter’s home in Topsfield after a long illness. She was 93 years old.
Her late parents, Robert Ash and Diana Mortimer Ash, were born in Newfoundland. As young adults, both Gen and Les’ parents moved to the United States and settled in the Chelsea and Revere area. Gen and Les knew each other their entire lives and were friends during childhood. Their friendship turned to love, and while Les was in the Army during World War II, they married on March 7, 1942 at Revere Methodist Church when Les took a brief leave from his military duties. That love and marriage lasted for more than 70 years. For 60 years, they resided together in Revere in a home built for them at 234 Vane Street by Gen’s brother-in-law, Chet Reynolds.
Gen was a strong and independent woman. She graduated from Revere High School, attended Emerson College and Northeastern University and was an accomplished seamstress. She worked at John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Boston before raising her family and returned to work for The Travelers Insurance Company, Boston when her children were in school.
She was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent for many years at Revere Methodist Church and later taught at Good Shepard Methodist Church, Malden. Gen cherished the children she taught and her time with them.
Family was very important to Gen as was her strong faith in God. Asbury Grove was a part of Gen and Les’ lives from early on when they were brought as infants by their parents by open air trolley car from Revere to Hamilton for Camp Meeting Services and stayed for weeks in Asbury Grove. They owned their own Asbury Grove cottage in the 1950’s and attended Sunday services and activities at Asbury Grove through the years.
Gen and Les enjoyed traveling during their marriage, and after retirement they traveled extensively, enjoying one anothers company. Gen adored her extended family and kept in touch with them as family members moved from Massachusetts, often visiting them in their out-of-state homes. She also traveled to Newfoundland to visit with her and Les’ Newfoundland family members. Gen was proud of her Newfoundland roots and kept track of and researched her genealogy.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Diana Butt Campbell and her son-in-law, James Campbell of Topsfield, her son Jon Butt of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren James, Lisa and Alan Campbell, Pamela Helling, Jon and Ricci Butt; great-grandchildren Tyler, Ethan and Dylan Campbell, Michelle and Ian Tomlinson, Rachel Beck, Brenden Overseth, Morgan and Jaxon Butt and Jonathan Murphy; sister-in-law Dorothy Butt Ash of Texas and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Phyllis Britt of California, and many adored nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the sister of the late Herbert Ash, Florence “Tot” Ash Reynolds, George “Carl” Ash, Viola Ash Aiesi and Winona Ash, and brothers-in-law, N. Chester Reynolds and Donald Aiesi.
Gen’s journey on earth is over, but for those who love her she will remain in their hearts forever.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service on September 13, Gen’s 94th birthday, at 2 p.m. at Asbury Grove, Hamilton. A reception at the Asbury Grove Dining Hall will immediately follow the service. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements are by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to The Home For Little Wanderers, Big Wishes Program, Development Department, 271 Huntington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115 or to the E. Stanley Jones Chapel at Asbury Grove, 1 Pleasant Avenue, Hamilton, MA 01982. To send a condolence to her family please visit www.whittier-porter.com
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Francis ‘Fran’ Reardon
Former Co-Owner of Reardon’s Café
Francis B. “Fran” Reardon of Revere died after a long illness on August 29 at Annemark Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Revere following a long illness. He was 96 years old.
“Fran” was born in Dorchester, one of seven children of the late Patrick J. and Abbie (Connolly) Reardon. The family moved to Revere in 1923 when Fran was seven years old. He attended Revere Schools and was a 1934 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School. He entered the US Navy in July of 1943 and served until November of 1945 as a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class.
He was a long time member of the American Legion Post 61, and the Revere Council Knights of Columbus.
For more than 50 years, he and his brother, Patrick, owned and operated “Reardon’s Cafe and Restaurant.” He remained active in the family business, with his nephews, Stephen and Patrick until 2005.
He was the beloved husband of 31 years to Elaine J. (O’Donnell); devoted father of Gerald L. Styburski of Revere; dear brother of the late John P. “Mickey” Reardon, James M. Reardon, Patrick J. Reardon, Jr., Marie B. Gormley, Kathleen B. “Kay” Reardon, and Ann E. Readon; cherished uncle of John P. “Jack” Reardon of Lynn, Sheila A. Screnci of Saugus, Atty. Michael H. Reardon of Washington, DC, Patricia Schwabenbauer of Erie, PA, John Reardon of Merrimac, NH, Atty. Stephen F. Reardon, Patrick J. Reardon, Jr., both of Revere, Janice Lane of Fairview, PA, former Revere Police Chief Terrence K. Reardon of Lynnfield, and Mary Regis Fusco of Stoneham. He is also lovingly survived by his granddaughter, Natalia Styburski of Tewksbury and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688. For more information, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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James Arsenault
Of Billerica, formerly of Chelsea
James P. Arsenault of Billerica, formerly of Chelsea, died on August 30.
A US Navy veteran, he was the beloved husband of Joan J. (Dalton) Arsenault; father of Linda Peterson and her husband, Joseph of Merrimack, NH, Karen Ayer and her husband, Thomas of Burlington, Audrey LaRosa of Hudson, NH and James Arsenault and his wife, Cheryl of Amherst, NH; brother of Thomas Arsenault of Saugus and Ann Mielcarek of Lynn and is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were by the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, Billerica. Burial was in Foxhill Cemetery, Billerica. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association , 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. www.sweeneymemorialfh.com
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Ruth Witten
Chelsea Resident
Ruth (Forman) Witten of Chelsea died on August 31. She was 94 years old.
She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Witten; devoted mother of Fred Witten and the late Marianne Witten Buchholz and Herbert Witten; cherished grandmother of Eric and Sue Buchholz and the late Daniel Buchholz; great grandmother of James and Jacob Buchholz and loving sister of Arnie and Connie Forman and Harvey and Marsha Forman. She was also the sister of the late Sylvia Piken, Sid Forman, Hy Forman and Max Forman.
We love you and will miss you dearly.
Funeral arrangements were by the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, Brookline. Burial was at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory to the Chelsea Jewish Foundation, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea, MA 02150 will be appreciated. www.stanetsky.com
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Frances MacCuish
Of Medford, formerly of East Boston
Frances M. (Flammia) MacCuish of Medford, formerly of East Boston, died on August 30.
She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond MacCuish; devoted mother of Donna Richmond and her husband, Roger of Malden and Raymond MacCuish of Wilmington; loving grandmother of Patrick and Sarah Richmond and Raymond Jr. and Kody MacCuish; dear sister of Louise Koczorowski and her husband, Anthony of Chelsea and the late Michael and Anthony Flammia and the loving companion of Richard Sheehan of Everett. Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, Medford. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. For guestbook and obituary: dellorusso.net.
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Catherine ‘Vera’ Breslin
Lifelong Chelsea Resident
Catherine “Vera” (McBride) Breslin, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, died on August 31. She was 87 years old.
She was the wife of the late Arthur L. Breslin, Sr., with whom she shared 64 years of marriage; devoted mother of Joanne B. Luti of Chelsea, Arthur L. Breslin, Jr. and his wife, Diane of Connecticut and George J. Breslin and his wife, Janis of Wilmington. She was the daughter of the late Michael J. and Katherine (Hughes) McBride; sister of Ruth T. Mosey of Tewksbury, Margaret “Elaine” Nevin of Roslindale and the late James, Ivan, Gerald McBride, Mary Brosseau, Evelyn Pascowski and is also lovingly survived by six grandchildren: Dennis J. Luti and his wife, Caitlin of Danvers, Kristen and Ryan Breslin of Wilmington, Lauren, Shannon and Patrick Breslin of Connecticut and four great-grandchildren: Noelle, Matthew, Jason and Joseph.
Funeral arrangements were by the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, Chelsea. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
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Ruth Francer
Chelsea Resident
Ruth L. (Simmons) Francer of Chelsea, formerly of Quincy and Mattapan, died on August 31. She was 92 years old.
She will be remembered by her many friends at the assisted living center on Admirals Hill in Chelsea.
She was the devoted mother of Donnalee Rubin and her husband, Burton and Carole Sesling; loving daughter of the late Louis Simmons and the late Annie (Cohen) Simmons; dear sister of the late A. Myer Simmons, the late Nelson Simmons and the late Mark Simmons; loving grandmother of Gary, Daniel, Karen, Sharon, Michael and Deborah and is also survived by nine great grandchildren. Memorial observance was private. Donations in her memory may be made to the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Foundation, 17 Lafayette Ave Chelsea, MA 02150. For online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website: www.torffuneralservice.com
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Dennis Folan
Health Care Provider
Dennis P. Folan, a health care provider and US Army veteran, of Chelsea died suddenly on August 27 in the Emergency Department at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett while recovering from long term injuries. He was 57 years old.
Born in Norwood, he was the son of the late John F. and Helen A. (Kannegieser) Folan. He attended elementary schools in the Wollaston section of Quincy and later moved to Hamden, CT, where he graduated from High School. He enlisted in the US Army, served his country for three years during the Vietnam Era and was honorably discharged in 1975. While stationed in Germany, he met Genie Boland and together they had one daughter.
He was a resident of Wollaston, Hamden, CT and resided in Flagstaff, Arizona for many years. While in Arizona, he worked as a health aide caring for autistic adults. In his spare time, he enjoyed biking, hiking and swimming.
He was recently reunited with Genie and his daughter, Patty. He relocated to Chelsea and took residence with his wife while he was convalescing from injuries he sustained a year earlier.
He was the beloved husband of Genie (Boland) Folan of Chelsea; devoted father of Patty Blinn and her husband, Richard of Weymouth; dear brother of Nancy Folan-Grace and her husband, Robert of Florida and John Folan and his wife, Laura of Florida; cherished grandfather of Katrina and Brianna Boland and Leila Blinn; adored uncle of Jack, Jill and Tara. He is also survived by his great-nieces and nephew: Shelby, Sophia, Olivia and Nicholas.
The reward is not of this world but in the next, we know that, we will not ever be able to repay for your kindness or generosity, but that our gracious and loving God and the Blessed Virgin Mary will guide, bless and protect you abundantly throughout your lives. THANK YOU so much for everything from Dennis, Genie, Patty, Brianna, Katrina and Leila.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Anthony of Padua Church in Revere on Tuesday, September 4. Services concluded with Military Honors and burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made by donating Care Food Packages to NAHVCS-Dom Residents, 500 North Hwy 89, Prescott, AZ 86313-5001, a donation or Memorial Mass in his name at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Revere or by donations to his niece, Desiree Geestman, [email protected] to continue to serve the community of City of Hope for children with cancer.
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Rosemarie Palermo
Of Stoneham, formerly of Revere
Rosemarie Palermo of Stoneham, formerly of Revere, died on August 30 at her residence. She was 83 years old.
Born in Cambridge on March 2, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Gladys (Parente) Lopilato.
Mrs. Palermo was a graduate of Chelsea High School and had been a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Revere.
She was the wife of the late Pasquale Palermo and is survived by her son, Richard Palermo and his wife, Maria of Lynnfield and her daughter, Mary Ann Delgado and her husband, John of Revere. She is also survived by four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were by the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, Stoneham. Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
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Robert ‘Buzzy’ Bazylewicz
Of Lynnfield, formerly of Chelsea
Robert P. “Buzzy” Bazylewicz of Lynnfield, formerly of Chelsea, died on August 29.
He was the beloved husband for 47 years of the late Jean M. (Mugford); loving son of the late Albert and Olga (Osowick) Bazylewicz; dear brother in law of Joan Maria and her husband, Robert of North Andover, James Mugford of Florida, MA, June Clark of Methuen and her late husband, Lance and Kathy Sabet and her husband, Wally of North Andover and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home, Chelsea. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.