Diane ‘Debbie’ Bednarek
Devoted to caring for family and friends
Diane M. “Debbie” Bednarek, a lifelong Chelsea resident, passed away Friday evening, May 20 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a sudden illness. She was 74 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, the beloved daughter of the late Chester and Carolyn (Crock) Ostergard, Debbie attended local schools and was the beloved wife of 55 years to Richard Bednarek. Together they raised a family of one son and one daughter. She was forever devoted to caring for family and friends. She also worked outside of her home as a bookkeeper for many years with Sudbury Brass, a Chelsea company specializing in the manufacture of religious brass goods and wares.
She enjoyed family trips to the Grand Canyon National Park and the White Mountains in New Hampshire, time spent at the Chelsea Senior center and was a friend to all.
Nicknamed “Richie’s shadow” she was in the constant company of her husband, Richard going to movies, shopping, attending church and going together wherever the day may have led them. She also possessed a childlike enjoyment of simple pleasures, dancing in the rain and delighting in making snow angels with every winter storm. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard P. Bednarek of Chelsea. She was the devoted mother of Rick Bednarek and his wife, Laura of Kennesaw, GA and Terri DiOrio and her husband, Robert of Chelsea; cherished grandmother of Nikki and Hannah Bednarek of Georgia,. “RJ” DiOrio of Connecticut and Deryn DiOrio of Chelsea; dear sister of Barbara Breault of West Bridgewater, Robert Ostergard of Revere, Chet Ostergard of Panama City, Florida, the late Helen “Chickie” Thomas, Ann Noseworthy, Joan Ostergard, Pat Harkins and Ronald Ostergard. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Chelsea Senior Center Activity Fund.
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Ralph Mottola
Well known professional singer
Ralph Mottola of Revere died on May 18.
Ralph served in the United States Army, was a former mutual clerk at Wonderland Dog Track, loved music and was a well known professional singer.
He was the beloved son of the late Emilio and Jennie (Faia) Mottola; loving brother of Eileen Walsh of Revere and the late Mildred Ewing, Annette Cascio, Angelo, Augustine and Ronald Mottola; dear friend of James Martindale of Boston, Diane D’Orlando of East Boston and the late John Tucker. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and by his cherished birds. Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Rev. Francis Garrity
Religious
Rev. Francis D. Garrity passed away on May 21.
The former Pastor of St. Bartholomew Church, Needham and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Medford, he was ordained February 2, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, by Cardinal Cushing. Fr. Garrity served as Episcopal Vicar under Cardinal Medeiros and Cardinal Law. He was a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. 4th Degree Member of The Needham Knights of Columbus Council 1611, the former Chaplain of the Needham Fire and Police Departments and Medford Police.
A graduate of St. Anselm College, Class of 1951, he served as National Vice President of the Alumni Association and was a US Navy veteran of World War II.
He was the beloved son of the late W. Frank and the late Gertrude M. (Quinn) Garrity; brother of the late Gertrude I. Trusselle and her late husband, Robert S. Trusselle of Melrose and Virginia Grayson and her late husband, Bernard of Salem; uncle of Susan DeMatteo of Melrose, James Trusselle of South Berwick, Maine, Joan Mueskes of Methuen, William and Dorothy Grayson, both of Salem, Bernard Grayson of Tewksbury, Virginia Grayson of Everett and John Grayson of Reading.
A Rite of Reception was held in St. John the Evangelist Church, 178 Humphrey St., Swampscott, Wednesday where Fr. Garrity lay in state until 8 p.m. A Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be offered, today, Thursday, May 26 at 11 a.m. with his cousin, Rev. Msgr. Paul V. Garrity as Principal Celebrant. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Fr. Garrity’s memory to Regina Cleri, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114-2729. For online guestbook gfdoherty.com. Funeral arrangements are by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, Needham.
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Robert ‘Rob’ Longo
Member of the Chelsea Police Department Motorcycle Unit, Control Sign Tango 11
Robert W. “Rob” Longo, of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, died unexpectedly on May 19. He was 49 years old.
Born in Revere and a longtime Chelsea resident until moving to Saugus seven years ago, Rob passed away suddenly Thursday evening.
He was a graduate of Northeast Regional Vocational High School, attended Curry College where he was bestowed a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. A member of the Chelsea Police Department Motorcycle Unit with the control sign of Tango 11, Bobby, as he was known on the force, leaves behind his many friends on the force.
He was the devoted son of the late Angela Jestings and is lovingly survived by his K-9 Ozzie, his beloved sister Rosemary Strassburger and her husband, Manuel of Chelsea. Rob was the devoted and loving uncle and father like figure to George Strassburger and his wife, Kelly of East Boston and David Strassburger of Chelsea; loving companion of Joanne Cunneen and her children, Kevin, Kelly and Keith Cunneen. He also leaves behind his brother, Charles Jestings and his wife, Nancy of Pepperell and nieces, Tracie and Samantha.
Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. To send a message of condolence to “Rob’s” family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com