Obituaries 09-25-2014

James DeFelice

Retired Astrophysicist at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge;

Active Volunteer

James C. DeFelice of Chelsea a kind and unassuming gentleman who put his family, church and work first and who celebrated his 85th birthday in April, passed away suddenly on Saturday afternoon at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, shortly after admittance from his home.

A US Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, Jim was a graduate of the Chelsea School System and continued his schooling first at Franklin Tech and then Suffolk University attaining a Doctorate in Astrophysics. He was a Director of Laboratories at Tracer Labs in Boston for five years before leaving for the same position at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge.He worked at the Smithsonian for the next 30 years until his retirement. At the Observatory, in conjunction with its lead scientist, Dr. Fireman, he collaborated on many articles and papers regarding space research. To help him better understand and to complete his research, he traveled to many countries to assist in that research.

An active member of The Assumption Church on Broadway, Jim was a Eucharistic Minister, member of The Holy Name Society, the Assumption Men’s Club and also ran the Beano for over 20 years. After retiring and for over 10 years, he volunteered at the Chelsea Soldiers Home and continued his service to his church, St. Michael’s Chapel, as Eucharistic Minister, lector assistant to Fr. Healy.

He was the devoted son of the late James V. and Rose M. (Qualtiere) DeFelice; beloved brother of Joseph T. DeFelice and his late wife, Joanne, the late Guy T. DeFelice and his late wife, Dorothy and the late Charles DeFelice; dear uncle of Charles J. DeFelice, Guy F. DeFelice, Melinda DeFelice, Rosemarie DeFelice and Angela DiPerri and is also lovingly survived by many grand nieces and grand nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend his Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Friday, September 26 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, on the grounds of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea at 11 o’clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home will be today, Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Expressions of sympathy in Jim’s name may be made to St. Michael’s Chapel or to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Recreation Dept., Attn: V.A. Adult Day Care Health Program, both located at 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. To send a message of condolence to his family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

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Victor Presto, Sr.

Retired Union Presser and Skilled Mandolin Player; Had a Good Word

and a Smile For Everybody

Victor A. Presto, Sr. who was born April 1, 1924 in Chelsea and lived in East Boston and David, Florida before settling in Weston, Florida, died after a brief illness at his Florida home on September 19 surrounded by his family. He was 90 years old.

A US Army Air Force veteran of World War II, Vic entlisted at the age of 19 and served his country honorably from 1942 to 1945 in New Guinea and the Phillipines as a US Army Air Force Military Policeman attached to the 9th Army Division. After the war, he became a Union Presser and a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union where he was employed for 47 years. Vic was a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge and the Italian American Club in Revere for more than 40 years.

Vic enjoyed travel and he and his beloved late wife, Phyllis travelled the world until her death in 1994. Always well dressed and congenial, Vic had a good word and a smile for everybody. He enjoyed playing golf and wa a skilled mandolin player. Later in life he became astute at day trading in the stock market.

Victor was the son of the late Vito and Maria Presto, husband of the late Phyllis Meoli Presto to whom he was married for 47 years. He was the brother of the late Frank Presto and Rose Zawacki and her husband, Harold; father of Victor A. Presto, Jr. of Naples, Florida and his wife, Diane, Attorney Anthony V. Presto of Jacksonville, Florida and Marianne Ryan and her husband, David of West Newton; grandfather of Brendon D. Ryan, Meghan A. Ryan and Lauren F. Ryan, Michael V. Presto, Felicia Presto and Giana Presto; uncle of Harry and Alison Zea and their children, Antonia and Nicholas of Naples, Florida; brother in law of Esther and Anthony Manuel of Naples, Florida and great and grand uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours today, Thursday, September 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. His funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, September 26 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart, 45 Brooks Street, East Boston at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the family lot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the MVP Autism Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 959, Naples, Fl. 34106. For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

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Helen Hazelton

Former Longtime Employee at Chelsea Mass General Health Center

Helen M. Hazelton of Hubbardston, formerly of Chelsea, died Saturday, September 13 at the Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield. She was 88 years old.

Helen was born on December 18, 1925 in Chelsea to Lillian (Seavey) and Joseph B. Murphy.

The widow of Joseph Hazelton, she worked for many years at Mass General Health Center in Chelsea. She enjoyed summers at Revere Beach, reading crime novels, watching the Boston Red Sox and doting on her grandchildren.

A beloved mother and grandmother, Helen is survived by her son, Joseph F. Hazelton and his wife, Faith of Lynn ; her daughter, Kathleen A. Hazelton of Templeton; grandchildren, Rebecca Hazelton and her husband, Derek Blackburn of Bedford, Rachel Hazelton and her partner, Ryan Davis of Salem, Meghan Rotti and her husband, Lucas Rotti of Baldwinville and Timothy Hazelton of Templeton; her great-grandchildren, Ava Blackburn, Alexandra Sosnowski and her honorary great-grandchild, Jacob O’Connor.

Funeral Services were held privately. There were no calling hours. Burial in St. Josephs Cemetery in Barre. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield, MA is assisting the family with arrangements.

varnumfuneralhome.com

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Anthony Lojko

Polish Survivor of World War II and Reunited With Family after 10 Year Separation

Anthony Lojko, a longtime Chelsea resident,

passed away on Saturday, September 20 at the Oxford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Haverhill where he had been receiving supportive care. He was 94 years old.

Born in Poland, he was the son of Michael and Ursula Lojko. He wa raised and received his early education in Naliboki, Poland. He married Anna Farbotko in Poland 74 years ago and together began their family with the birth of their first daughter.

At the onset of World War II, he was seized during the Soviet invasion of Poland and forced to serve in the Russian Army. Meanwhile his wife and daughter were captured by German troops and held as political prisoners in German concentration camps. Anthony was later able to join with the Polish Army, fighting with the allies under US General Andrews. He aided the US Army in campaigns in Monte Casino, Egypt and Tunisia.

For 10 years, Anthony had no knowledge of the fate of his wife and daughter. Through the efforts of the American Red Cross, the family was reunited and together settled in Chelsea in 1951, where their family grew to include two more daughters, Irene and Anna.

Anthony held jobs with Panco Rubber “American Biltrite” in Chelsea and Sears and Roebuck in Boston. He worked for many years as a welder and kitchen fabricator for Market Forge in Everett. A former parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, he was also a past member of the P.A.V. Post 13 and the Polish Falcons, Nest 485, all in Chelsea. Anthony, who has been living in Hampstead, NH for the past 15 years, loved music and played the organ.

In addition to his parents, Anthony was preceded in death by his brother, Karol Lojko and a year ago he was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 73 years, Anna (Farbotko) Lojko. He is survived by his loving daughters; Helena Deprospo of Chelsea, Irene J. Dennis and her husband, Lindsey of Georgetown and Anna A. Keith of Hampstead, NH. He was the cherished grandfather of Christopher Deprospo, Lauren Dennis, Katelyn Ferguson and her husband, Ryan and Alexander Keith and adored great grandfather of Elle Ferguson.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Stanislaus Church on September 23. Services concluded with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to Life Choice Hospice, 790 Turnpike St. North Andover, MA 01845. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Home.

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Kenneth Lewis

US Postal Service Retiree

Kenneth T. Lewis, a longtime resident of Chelsea, passed away on September 22 at the Eastpointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Central Avenue. He celebrated his 70th birthday in May.

Ken worked for over 20 years until his retirement as a mail handler for the United States Post Office, first at Airport Station and lastly at the South Postal Annex in South Boston. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Navy.

He was the devoted husband of Margaret E. (Casucci); beloved father of Louise Sullivan, Jody Sullivan and Kimberley Rosario, all of Chelsea; brother of Henry Lewis and his wife, Brenda of Chelsea, William Lewis of California, Douglas Lewis of Maine and the late Robert, Marjorie and Ruth Lewis. He was the cherished grandfather of Julian Montenez, Jeremy Rosario, Augusto Rosario, Jr., April Garcia, Augustin Rodriguez, Felix Menendez, Jr., Michael Guzman, Khianna Bedford, Xavier Bedford and Zuilda Rosario and is also lovingly survived by his great grandchildren Angelique, Alexis, Ariel, Felix, III and Daniel as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Saturday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A prayer service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Expressions of sympathy in his name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108.To send a message of condolence to Ken’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

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John Cappa

US Navy veteran of World War II and Korea

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service of John Cappa at 12 noon on Thursday, September 25 in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. He was 101 years old and died at the Milford Memorial VA Nusing Center of Milford on September 20 following a brief illness. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Born, raised and educated in Chelsea, John was a 1931 graduate of Chelsea High School.

He entered the US Navy in September of 1942 during World War II and served until October of 1945. He served at the Battle of Saipan and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. He re-enlisted in 1949 and served until May of 1951 as a painter (aviation.)

All of his working career was spent as an industrial painter for both the Army and Navy within the civilian classifications. Most of his last 25 years have been spent in the Metro-West Area.

He is lovingly survived by one daughter, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His family acknowledges with extraordinary gratitude the superb care and long time advocacy John received from the entire staff of the Genesis Healthcare of Milford, the Senior Center of Mendon and the Milford VA Memorial Center and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boton, MA 02108. For more information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

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