Obituaries 05-05-2016

Patricia Piotrowski

Verizon retiree

Patricia A. Piotrowski passed away on Sunday, May 1 at Wingate Nursing Home in Reading after a brief decline in health. She was 83 years old.

Born and raised in Charlestown, she was one of three children born to the late D. Henry and Eileen (Gorman) Harrington. Pat attended school in Boston and graduated from High School in Charlestown. She was wed to Charles G. Piotrowski Sr. and settled in Chelsea to raise their family of two sons and two daughters. Together they moved to Stoneham and have resided there for the past 40 years.

She was recently widowed at Mr. Piotrowski’s passing last September after sharing the past 64 years together. Shortly after his passing, Pat took residence at the Life Care Center assisted living in Stoneham. In her short time there she made many new friends, kept up on all current affairs and was noted for her trivia knowledge, floral arranging and she was an ardent Jeopardy fan. She also made it her cause to work to improve transportation availability for her fellow residents. Earlier in her life Pat worked as a switchboard operator and later became an Office Administrator for N.E. Telephone, continuing with AT&T and retiring from Verizon in 1988 after more than 20 years of employment. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a past president and member of the former PAV Post 13 Chelsea, Ladies Auxiliary. In her lifetime Pat enjoyed traveling on group tours with her husband and taking day trips to New Hampshire traveling along on the “Old Peoples Bus” as she called it. It wasn’t the destination that mattered so much as enjoying the people she traveled with.

In addition to her parents and husband, Pat was also preceded in death by a son, Keven M. Piotrowski, Sr. and her son-in-law Alexander Stec. She is survived by her beloved remaining children: Charles G. Piotrowski, Jr. and his wife, Joan of Delray Beach, FL., Cheryl Breault and her husband, Donald of Stoneham and Denise Stec of Wakefield. She was the cherished grandmother of Charles Piotrowski, Leslie Reed, Sonya Vinson, Donald W. Breault III, Alex Stec, Kevin Piotrowski, Jr. James and Mary Piotrowski;adored great grandmother of Callie and Elise Reed and dear sister of Sis McFarland of Melrose and Peggy Ruggiero of Stoneham.

Her Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday May 6 at 8:30 a.m. followed by Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Welsh Funeral Home today, Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Pauline Doherty

Retired Chelsea Soldiers Home Assistant Treasurer

Pauline M. Doherty of Chelsea passed away on Friday, April 29 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a brief and rapid decline in health. She was 86 years old.

 Born and raised in Chelsea, she was one of three children of the late John F. and Florence (Chassion) Quigley. She grew up in Chelsea, attended local schools and  graduated from Chelsea High School. She married John J. Doherty and together they raised their family of two daughters and three sons. Her husband passed away in 1983. Pauline contributed to supporting her family by working at the Chelsea Soldiers Home as the Assistant Treasurer in the Treasurer’s Office. She retired in 1996 after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the office and the many residents at the Home.

In her retirement she continued to enjoy her life, spending time with her grandchildren and at her summer cottage in Northwood, NH. She also enjoyed playing Bingo, following the Bruins and socializing with her many friends.

She was a longtime resident of the Mill Hill neighborhood in Chelsea up to a year ago when she moved to another hill in Chelsea, making her residence at the “Estates on Admiral’s Hill” assisted living facility. While there she became an active resident within that community adding and acquiring new friends along her way.

In addition to her parents and her forever beloved husband, the late CFD Lt. John J. Doherty, she was also preceded in death by her brothers Will Quigley and her own twin, Paul Quigley. She is survived by her loving children and their spouses: Joni Doherty of Dayton, OH, Patricia D. Miller and her husband, Steve of Windham, NH, John T. Doherty and his wife, Paula of Lynnfield, Edward P. Doherty (Capt.CFD ret.) and his wife, Linda of West Peabody, Robert O. Doherty and his wife, Lisa of Chelsea. She was the loved and cherished grandmother of eight: John Doherty, Dr. Edward P. Doherty, Jr., Stephen Miller, Kyle Doherty, Michael Doherty, Matthew Doherty, Sarah Miller and Patrick Doherty. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to  the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea.  A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s Chapel, 91 Crest Ave. (Soldiers Home) Chelsea and services concluded with Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Chelsea Jewish Foundation, 201 Captains Row, Chelsea MA 02150.

William Nadworny

US Postal Service retiree

William S. Nadworny of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died on April 29.

Born in Chelsea and a resident here until a few years ago, he was a member of the Chelsea Knights of Columbus #83 and Explorer Post 109. He worked for over 30 years as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in the Framingham area until his retirement in 2010.

He was the devoted son of Eva (Clark) of Peabody and the late William “Chickie” Nadworny; father of Anthony J. of Rochdale; beloved brother of Evelyn Grace-Niemi and her husband, Gene of Dracut, Janet Sullivan of Center Barnstead, NH, Phyllis Elliott and her husband, Bill of Peabody, Patricia Michaud and her husband, Michael of Fairfield, CT and the late Susan Piasecki; brother-in-law of the late James Demore, Paul Piasecki and Richard Grace. He will be loved and missed by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Friday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea at 10:30 a.m. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home will be today, Thursday,  from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Expressions of sympathy in Bill’s name may be made to St. Anthony’s Shrine, (Arch Street Church) 100 Arch St., Boston, MA 02110. To send a message of condolence to Bill’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Lavon Lee Graham

Retired stationary engineer

Lavon Lee Graham of Chelsea passed away at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett late Wednesday afternoon, April 27. He was 83 years old.

Born in Bee Branch, AK and a resident of Chelsea since 1954, Lavon passed away at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett late Wednesday afternoon.

A Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, after military service he worked as a stationary engineer at James Rivers and Diamond International, both in Hyde Park, S7W Industries in Newton and lastly for at MCI Concord retiring in 1998.

He was the devoted husband of the late Dolores H. (Tsolas) who passed away three days earlier; beloved father of Sean Graham and his wife, Eileen of Marlboro and the late Georgiann Braid; brother of Flora Phillips of Conway, AK and the late Billy Wayne Graham; cherished grandfather of Kimberly Kowalski and her husband, Daniel of Revere, Scott Braid and his companion, Rebecca Dausch of Salem, Caitlin Graham of Chicago and Erin Graham of Dorchester.

Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his name may be made to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Patient Activity Fund, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. To send a message of condolence to Lavon’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Roberta Maureen Pellerin

Whidden Hospital retiree; active member of First Congregational Church

Roberta Maureen (Graham) Pellerin, a lifelong Everett resident,  passed away Wednesday evening, April 13 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston surrounded by her loving family. She was 86 years old.

The daughter of the late John R. and Mary (Davis) Graham,  Roberta attended Everett Public Schools and graduated from Everett High School, Class of 1947. After high school, Roberta became a mother of two, caring for her home and for her family. She also worked outside of the home, dedicating over 35 years as a secretary and a medical transcriptionist at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett.

Roberta was an active and devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Chelsea for 81 years. Over the years, she was a church officer, the secretary, the soloist and organist,  a member of the choir and volunteered countless hours at church dinners and functions. Roberta was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ruth Chapter O.E.S #37 in Everett.

During her retirement, she enjoyed playing the piano, knitting, crocheting and being around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and her extended family at the First Congregational Church.

The beloved mother of William J. Pellerin and his wife, Karen of Kingston, NH and Gail A. Paradiso of Everett, she was the sister of the late Kathleen Graham and Eileen McTague. Roberta is also lovingly survived by four grandchildren: Robyn Mahoney and her husband, Dave of New Hampshire, Jennifer Vega and her husband, Oscar of Everett, Graham Pellerin and his wife, Samantha of New Hampshire, Diana Paradiso of Everett and six great grandchildren: Rico Vega, Jason Mahoney, Colin Mahoney, Santino Vega, Nathan Mahoney and Adeline Mahoney.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Roberta’s life will be conducted at the First Congregational Church, 26 County Road, Chelsea on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Carafa Family Funeral Home in Chelsea.

Frank Charak

Decorated veteran

Frank Charak, formerly of Chelsea and Revere, died on Monday, May 2.  He was 95 years old.

A proud US Army veteran of World War II who was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star, he was the beloved husband of one month shy of 69 years to Marilyn (Saltzman) Charak,  the devoted father of Gail Volk and her husband, Douglas and Kenneth Charak and his wife, Adrienne.; the loving son of the late Joseph and Goldie (Katz) Charak; dear brother of the late Bernard Charak, the late Gertrude Stepansky and sister in law Jean Charak; loving grandfather of Adam and Danielle Illfelder, Jonathan Volk and Alan Le, Rachelle and Elliot Carlson and Jessica Charak and great-grandfather of Ilana, Isabelle, Benjamin Illfelder, Ana Jane Carlson and Martin Charak Carlson.

Services will be held at the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Avenue, Cary Square, Chelsea today, Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to Chelsea Jewish Foundation, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea, MA 02150 or to the Perkins School for the Blind/Perkins Trust-175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or the Jack Satter House, 420 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02150. Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for guest book and directions.

Aida Marie Baker

Of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea

Aida Marie (Ross) Baker of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, passed away on Thursday, April 28. She was 67 years old. , The  cherished daughter of the late James Ross and Margaret (Ginnelli) Lockey and her late step-father Clarence Lockey, she was the beloved wife of the late William Baker,  loving mother of James J. Baker and his wife, Shemika, Ross Baker and his late wife, Jennifer, Kenney Baker and his wife, Penny and the late William Baker; adored grandmother of Allen, Christopher, Destiany, Jacqueline, Kenny, Victoria, Nicole, Antonio, Abigail and the late Coito James and great-grandmother of Giovanni.  She was the caring sister of Theresa and her wife, Joann Traficante, Andy Ross and his wife, Patty, Bill Ross and his wife, Robin, Wayne Ross and the late James Ross, Ricky Ross and Kathy and her partner, Rita Cotio.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nicky Ross and by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends will honor Marie’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St. Revere today, Thursday, May 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Funeral Service beginning at 7:45 p.m..  Committal service is private.  At the family’s request please OMIT flowers. Donations may be made in Marie’s name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Barbara Freitas

Retired saleswoman

Barbara S. Freitas, a lifelong Chelsea resident, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 27 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House of Danvers following a home accident. She was 79 years old.

Mrs. Freitas was born and raised in Chelsea and was a 1954 graduate of Chelsea High School. Most of her working career was as a saleswoman for Boston Department Stores, including Filene’s and Macy’s at the Northshore Mall for over 25 years.

She was the wife of the late John T. Freitas and the cherished mother of James M. Freitas of Winthrop, John D. Freitas of Palm Coast, FL., William T. Freitas and his wife, Lenore K. of South Natick, Mariann Freitas of Groveland and the late Robert Freitas;  the dear sister of Jean Abbott and her husband, Robert and Chester “Sonny” Wozniak, all of Malden, Patricia Wozniak of Woburn and the late Joseph Wozniak. She is also lovingly survived by her faithful sister-in-law, Ann Freitas of Chelsea with whom she made her home, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to  the Vertuccio & Smith Horne for Funerals, Revere. Interment was in the family lot at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,

P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN. 38101-9908. For additional information,  please visit

www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

William George Martin, Jr.

Retired accountant and Williams School teacher 

William George ‘Bill’ Martin, Jr. passed away Saturday afternoon, April 30 at the Bear Hill Nursing Center in Stoneham. He was 77 years old.

Born in Malden,  the son of the late William G. and Catherine A. (Harding) Martin, Bill grew up in Chelsea,  attended Our Lady of Grace School in Everett and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1956. He graduated from Bentley College with a degree in Accounting. Bill worked as a accountant for many years before becoming a teacher. He worked at the Williams School in Chelsea for eight years. He also worked at the Chelsea Public Library for a number of years before his retirement.

He was the beloved brother of Judith K. Martin of Florida; dear uncle of Lisa Cea of Caliornia and Pamela Hernandez of Florida.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Bill’s life will be conducted in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave. Chelsea on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m.  Visiting hours will precede the service from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment at a later date will be held privately.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *