Ruth Gretsky
Of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston
Ruth Gretsky passed away at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home on January 20 after a short illness. She was 91 years old.
Born in East Boston to the late Morris Gretsky and Bessie (Philips), she was educated in the East Boston Schools and graduated from East Boston High School. She worked in various retail sales positions over the years and later in life as a telemarketer for the Boston Globe.
She was the dear twin sister and devoted care giver of the late Sylvia Hart of Chelsea and the devoted sister of the late Joseph Gretsky and the late Mary Goldstein of Chelsea as well as the late Rena Greenfield of Brookline,, the late Harold Gretsky of Dorchester, and the late Henry Gretsky of Quincy . She is survived by her loving nephews Robert Hart of Beverly Hills, CA and Dr. Allen Greenfield of Brookline, as well as by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the Greater Boston area.
Services will be held at the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Street, Chelsea today, Thursday, January 24 at 11a.m. Internment will be at the Chelsea Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, 232 Fuller Street, Everett. Remembrances in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Foundation. Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for guest book and directions.
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Edward Parow
Former Telephone Lineman and Chelsea VFW Member
Edward B. Parow of East Boston, formerly of Chelsea, died at home on January 9. He was 71 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea and a graduate of Chelsea High School, he served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, the National Guard and was a Disabled American Veteran.
Ed resided in Chelsea for most of his life, Malden for several years and East Boston for the past eight years. He worked as a Lineman for New England Telephone Company for many years, was a member of the V.F.W. Post in Chelsea and enjoyed spending time with his family.
He was the caring brother of Kenneth Parow and his wife, Theresa of Chelsea, George Parow and his late wife, Barbara of Florida and the late Robert Parow and Walter Parow and his wife, Helen of North Reading. He was the former brother in law of the late Mary Parow and is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Gately Funeral Home, Melrose. Burial was in the VA National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s name to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. For obituary and to sign on line condolences, visit www.gatelyfh.com
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John Thomas Federici
Avid Bowler, Retired Truck Driver and Former Barber
John Thomas Federici of Revere died on January 20. He was 86 years old.
A US Navy veteran of World War II, he was a retired truck driver and a member of Teamsters Local 25. He was born in Cambridge, raised in Revere, attended Revere Schools and was an avid bowler. Before becoming a Teamster, he worked as a barber.
He was the beloved husband of the late Sally (DeSalvo); devoted father of Marian Bruzzese and her husband, Anthony, Debra Vickers and her husband, Chris and Janis Guide and her husband, Michael, all of Revere; dear brother of the late Vincent Federici, Mary Santoyanni and Rena Ioven. He is also survived by seven loving grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in the Massachusetts National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Peter DeRuosi
Former East Boston Resident
Peter DeRuosi, formerly of East Boston, died in Chelsea on January 16.
A US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was the beloved husband of the late Michelina (D’India); father of Anthony Theodore of Ipswich, Elaine Erickson of Melrose, Marie Partee and Dorothy Hoey, both of East Boston and the late John and George Theodore; brother of Mary Roach and Dolores LaMattina, both of East Boston, David DeRuosi of Tewksbury, Sylvester “Sully” DeRuosi of New Hampshire and the late Susan DeRosa, Joseph, Richard and Angelo “Shorty” DeRuosi. He is also survived by three generations of grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were by the Magrath Funeral Home, East Boston. Burial with Military Honors was in Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations in his memory to Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, ATTN: John Davis, 91 Crest Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150 would be appreciated. MagrathFuneralHome.com
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Robert Yett
Master Mason;Gifted Athlete; Member of Temple B’nai Israel of Beachmont Revere
Robert J. Yett of Revere entered into rest on January 16. He was 87 years old.
From an early age, ‘Bob’ was a gifted athlete. He skied, played golf and tennis and was a Vermont state ping pong champion. He also loved fishing.
Modest and humble, he never bragged about his five holes-in-one. An avid golfer, Bob was a long time member of Kernwood Country Club.
During World War II, Bob served with General Patton’s troops in Europe. He was a member of Temple B’Nai Israel of Beachmont-Revere and a Master Mason from the lodge in West Rutland, Vermont.
Robert was born in Burlington, VT and has been a resident of Revere for many years. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Lauralee (Goldstein) Yett.
He was the loving son of the late Benjamin and Ethel (Haberman) Yett of Burlington and the brother of the late Temaly Yett Jacobs of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Renee Currie and nephew Richard Currie and was predeceased by his nephew, the late Robert Currie.
Bob will be remembered and missed by his many wonderful friends and business associates.
Services were held in the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Burial was in the Rabbi Issac Elchonon Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, c/o Dr. Allan Goroll, Mass General Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. For more information:
www.torffuneralservice.com
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Albert Arrotta
Retired GE Draftsman who Loved to Dance
Albert T. Arrotta, a retired GE Draftsman, passed away on January 11 at the Norwood Hospital in Norwood. He was 90 years old and hadbeen in residential care In Norwood since October 6, 2006 due to declining health. Born on July 14, 1922, he was raised in Chelsea, the son of Italian immigrants Nicola and Rosina Arrotta.
Al had several defining experiences in his life. The first was his participation in the Army Air Corps as a young man during World War II. He was a flight crew member attached to the 461st Bomber Group stationed in Torretta, a coastal town in Sicily. The crew flew a B-24J bomber (the Liberator) on bombing missions targeting installations vital to the German war effort. On December 17, 1944, Al’s plane was shot down over Germany. He was one of only a few of the crew who safely parachuted from the plane. He was eventually captured by the Germans and was transported to Stalag Luft 1 located in Wetzler, Germany. He remained a POW until the camp was liberated by the advancing Russian Army in early May of 1945.
Al’s second defining experience was his recruitment into the General Electric drafting apprenticeship program at the Lynn aviation facility shortly after returning home from the war. He entered the apprenticeship program where he excelled as a draftsperson and earned a well-deserved seat in the drafting department. He subsequently made major contributions and became a well-respected member of the drafting team. He spoke highly of his experience with GE and the benefits that a career in drafting offered.
Al had many varied interests in life. He enjoyed gambling, golf, tennis and bowling. But his singular passion was dancing, in particular ballroom dancing to the sounds of the big bands of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Goodman, Krupa, Dorsey and Miller were only a few of his favorite big band heroes. He spent many evenings at Wonderland Ballroom in Revere dancing the night away.
Although Al never married or raised a family, he was a constant presence and influence in the lives of his sister Olga’s children. He provided support, advice, instruction and experiences to his nephews and niece that exceeded what would customarily be expected of an uncle. His presence will be sorely missed, but his memory will linger in our hearts with fondness and love.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Rose Church on Friday, January 18. Al’s final resting place is with his beloved sister, Olga, at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com