Obituaries 04-27-2017

Eddie Gonzalez

Died as a result of a tragic motorcycle accident

Eddie Gonzalez of Lawrence, formerly of Chelsea, died suddenly after a tragic motorcycle accident on Sunday, April 25. He was 39 years old.

Eddie was born in Guyama, Puerto Rico to Nora E. Diaz and Eddie Gonzalez and came to Chelsea with his family at the age of two. He attended local schools and enjoyed playing basketball with friends.

He was married to Melissa Lugo and they made their home in Lawrence for the past 12 years raising a daughter and son. He was employed with Atlantic Equipment in Revere and worked there for 16 years as a skilled heavy equipment mechanic.

In his lifetime, Eddie enjoyed playing videogames, music and playing the bongos. He will be forever remembered as the man with an infectious smile and sensible disposition. Eddie leaves behind many to mourn his tragic passing and forever cherish his memory. He is survived by his loving wife Melissa Lugo; beloved children, Meledie E. Gonzalez and Eddie Manuel Gonzalez, Jr. all of Lawrence; his beloved parents, Nora E. Diaz and Eddie Gonzalez of Chelsea; three dear sisters: Lillian E. Gonzalez, Miriam A. Gonzalez-Juba and her husband, Marlon, and Grecia B. Gonzalez, all of Chelsea; his cherished maternal grandparents Ramona Ramos and Marcello Diaz and paternal grandparents Eladia Rodriguez and Mario Ganzalez, all of Chelsea. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, April 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted in the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett

Funeral Home fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite Funeral Home. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFuneralHome.com

Juan Vega-Crespo

Dedicated family man 

Juan Vega-Crespo of Chelsea, formerly of Patillas, Puerto Rico, passed away peacefully on April 21 surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with heart disease. He was 71 years old.

Juan or “Veguita” as he was affectionately known to his family and friends was born on August 17, 1945 in Patillas, Puerto Rico. In the mid 1960’s, Juan, moved to Chelsea to pursue work in the city’s bustling manufacturing sector. Here he met and married Ana Maria Rodriguez, who had moved to Chelsea from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico around the same ime. Juan worked as a laborer and assemblyman in several of the large companies in Chelsea at the time, including Sweetheart Paper and Native Poultry, or as they were known in the Puerto Rican neighborhood, “los vasos” and “los pollos”. After the departure of the big companies, Juan developed his skills in carpentry and building. He spent most of his adult life working as a handyman on many projects around the city and the region.

Juan was a dedicated family man and always looked to help anyone he could. He enjoyed dancing to all kinds of music, especially salsa, and was an avid domino player.

Juan was devoted husband of Ana Maria (Rodriguez) Vega for almost 50 years.
He was the devoted father of Juan R. Vega and his wife, Carolyn, Anna Iris Vega, Wanda Vega, Edward Vega, and Brenda Vega, all of Chelsea; beloved son of the late Pedro Vega and Rafaela (Crespo) Vega of Patillas, Puerto Rico; dear brother of Isidro Vega, Victoria Vega, Cristobal Vega, Paula Vega, Ismael Vega, and Maria del Carmen Vega, all of Puerto Rico; Isabel Vega of Chelsea, Marta Vega of New Jersey, Jesús Vega of Revere, Rose Vega of Illinois, and the late Juanita Vega, Rosario Vega, and Gualberto “Berti” Vega. He was the cherished grandfather of Alexander, Anthony, Adrianna, Angelina, Julian, Jazmine, Selinnet, Edward Jr., Nilda, Shakirah, and Carlos and is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. To send a message of condolence to Juan’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Jerold Gold

Of Florida, formerly of Chelsea

Jerold (Goldberg) Gold, of Tampa, Florida passed away April 23 after an extended illness.

The dear, beloved brother of Gloria Goldberg of Manhattan and son of the late Mildred and John Goldberg, he was raised and educated in Chelsea. He attended Prattville and Carter Junior High School and was a graduate of Huntington Prep School of Boston. He continued his studies at the University of Vermont and received his masters from New York University. He resided in Tampa and taught and worked in retail. Graveside services were held April 25 at Temple Emeth Cemetery, Baker Street, West Roxbury. Donations in his memory can be made to Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Foundation, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea, MA 02150 or a charity of one’s choice. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Torf Funeral Service, 151 Washington Ave., Chelsea.  For guest book: www.torffuneralservice.com

Thomas ‘Tom’ Wise

Familiar face walking his little dog in the Cary Square neighborhood

Thomas W. “Tom” Wise of Chelsea passed away on Saturday, April 15 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston after a sudden illness.

Born and raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, he was a son of the late Willard G. and Muriel Wise.  He attended schools in Stevens Point and enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam Era. He was honorably discharged in 1971 and returned for a short time to Wisconsin.

He took work as a roustabout and concessionaire with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.  He traveled all around the country with the circus for a season before settling down in Chelsea in 1972. A resident since that time, Tom worked as a cemetery laborer with Slotnick Services in Everett and later on as a heavy boiler installer for an East Boston company. Several years ago an industrial accident forced him into retirement.  He was a familiar face in the Cary Square Neighborhood where he could always be found walking his little dog.

Tom is survived by his devoted companion and fiancée of 23 years, Mary Ann Scacchi of Chelsea.  He was the brother of Clifford R. Wise of Nutrioso, AZ and Maryann Knapp of Nekoosa, WI; uncle of Jason Wise of Dallas, TX.  and he is also survived by his close friend, Richard Cormier of Chelsea.

Memorial services for Tom will be announced at a future date.

Caroline Mendalka

Devoted wife, mother, sister and friend

Caroline T. Mendalka, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, passed away on Thursday, April 13 in the peaceful surroundings of her home.  She was 85 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she was a daughter of the late Antoni and Agnes (Konopka) Kupczewski. One of 13 children, Caroline was born on June 30, 1931 along with her identical twin sister, Dorothy. Growing up as identical twins, Caroline and Dorothy shared so much more than their appearance. In school, they both shared the nickname “Twin,” since people couldn’t tell them apart. Short in stature, they always joked that since they were twins they had to “share their height.” They were married on the same day in a double wedding ceremony on November 19, 1950. Between them they had 10 children, all of whom got the two of them mixed up at one time or another. Even as adults, they would find themselves wearing matching outfits without even planning it.

Caroline was a devoted wife, mother, sister and daughter. She and Ed had a wonderful marriage, sharing 66 years together. She lovingly cared for her developmentally disabled son, William (Billy) from his birth until his death at age 59 from pancreatic cancer. Throughout the years, Caroline was always the caregiver, whether it was driving family members to appointments, delivering groceries to her mother and her mother-in-law, or sitting at the bedside of her brother, Thaddeus until he passed.  Everyone knew that they could count on Caroline for a favor, or just a kind word and a cup of tea.

She was equally devoted to her friends. Caroline had a close group of friends with whom she kept in touch for most of her years. She loved bus trips to Foxwoods, yoga classes and bingo at the Chelsea Senior Center. Caroline and Ed also went to dances on most Saturday nights. Even when they couldn’t polka like they used to, they enjoyed listening to the music and sharing the company of good friends. “Sweet Caroline” was her favorite song; hearing it will always evoke sweet memories for all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Caroline was also preceded in death by her son William “Billy” Mendalka, her siblings; Sophie Siuda, Mary Iwanicki, Henry Kupczewski, Joseph Kupczewski, Thaddeus Kupczewski, Anne Mahoney, Genevieve Karczewski, Hedwig Heinis, Helen Wiers, Florence Carlan and Frances “Nancy” Leonard.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Edward S. Mendalka and she was the very devoted mother of John Mendalka and his wife, Cathy of Revere, Karen Hoerrner and her husband, Mark of Chatham, NJ; the loved and cherished grandmother of Ingrid, Caroline and Philip Hoerrner and Kaitlin Mendalka.  Caroline is also most lovingly survived by her twin sister, Dorothy Wilton of Derry, NH and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

George Forman

Of Revere, formerly of Chelsea

George S. Forman of Revere, formerly Chelsea, entered into res

t on Sunday, April 9.

A US Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean Conflict, he was the beloved husband of the late Roberta D (Needleman) Forman, the devoted

father of Jacalyn Forman Moore and her husband, Michael of Revere, Debra Lanzillo and her husband, Paul of Saugus and Lisa Mullins and her husband, Frank of Saugus; loving son of the late John and Bessie (Namet) Forman; dear brother of the late Henry Forman and Jeanne Forman; loving grandfather of Richard C. Lanzillo and his fiancé,

Deanna Baranski, Derek Lanzillo and his wife, Katie and Bobby Mullins and cherished great-grandfather of Layla Eve Lanzillo.

Funeral arrangements were by the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Avenue, Cary Sq,

Chelsea. Interment was in Agudas Shalom

Cemetery, Everett. Contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Chelsea

Jewish Foundation, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea, MA 02150. For more information and guestbook: www.torffuneralservice.com

Francis ‘Frank’ Bernard, Sr.

Retired salesman, part time Chelsea Librarian, active at Our Lady of Grace Parish and former member of Chelsea Community Theater

Francis J. “Frank” Bernard, Sr. passed away on April 21 after a brief illness. He was 79 years old.

Born, raised and a lifelong resident of Chelsea, he attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School.  In 1963 he wed Mary L. Manning and together they raised a family of four.  Frank was a salesman for the Dial Soap Corporation.  He received many awards for his accomplishments selling soap products to numerous supermarkets in the New England area.  After retiring, he worked as a part time librarian at the Chelsea Public Library.

He was a faithful parishioner and communicant of Our Lady of Grace parish for the past 20 years and was a past member of the former Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. He assisted “OLA” as an adult counselor and chaperone for the CYO and participated in the annual parish minstrel shows.  He was also a former member of the Chelsea Community Theatre.  In his lifetime Frank enjoyed reading novels, following his beloved Red Sox and spending time with his beloved family and many friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary L. (Manning) Bernard of Chelsea. He was the devoted father of Christopher Bernard and his partner, Christine of Revere, Maureen Jurgelewicz and her husband, Paul of Norwood, Frank Bernard, Jr. of Chelsea, and Michael Bernard of Salem; cherished Papa of Michael, Mason and Aubree Bernard and Marissa and Cody Jurgelewicz. He is also survived by several foster-grandchildren and was the cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

His funeral and visitation will begin at the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, April 27 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols Street, Chelsea at 10:30 a.m.  Services will conclude with Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to; Spina Bifida Assoc. of Greater New England, 219 E.Main St., Milford Ma 01757 http://sbagreaterne.org/donate-now/   or
M.S.P.C.C., 3815 Washington St., #2, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130http://www.mspcc.org/donate/

Caroline ‘Carole’ Pawlak

Her passions were her five B’s; Bowling, Baking, Bingo, Bocce and Ballroom Dancing. 

Caroline M. “Carole” Pawlak passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 19 in her Revere home.  She was 82 years old.

Born in Chelsea in 1935, she was one of three children of the late Frederick J. and Stella K. (Uminski) Lombardozzi. Carole spent most of her life in Chelsea and settled in Revere 18 years ago.  She graduated from Chelsea High School in 1952.  On April 26, 1953, she married her beloved Chester P. Pawlak and together they raised their two daughters, Kathy and Chrissy in Chelsea.

While her husband operated Chelsea Square Alleys, Carole remained mostly at home but also held part-time work outside of her home.  Later on in life, Carole worked with the Chelsea Public School Department as a lunch monitor at the Sokolowski and Hook schools.  She was a past officer and member of the former PAV Ladies Auxiliary and a current member of the Chelsea Senior Center.  In her lifetime, some of Carole’s passions were her five B’s; Bowling, Baking, Bingo, Bocce and Ballroom Dancing.  Carole participated in various bowling leagues at Chelsea Square Alleys and she still bowled every Wednesday and Thursday at bowling alleys in Malden and Wakefield.

She and her husband, Chet ran countless Sunday dances at the PAV in Chelsea.  No family holiday or special event would be complete without something baked from Carole’s kitchen.  She enjoyed playing bingo, most recently at St. Mary’s in Revere and playing bocce in Chelsea.  Her family was always center stage, helping her two daughters wherever she could in all of their endeavors.  Carole also opened her home to care for her young nieces and nephews while their parents worked.

 In addition to her parents, Carole was also preceded in death by her brother, Richard Lombardozzi and her beloved husband, Chester, five and a half years ago after sharing 58 years together. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Kathleen “Kathy” Finklestein and her husband, Neal of Revere and Christine “Chrissy” Pawlak of Chelsea. She was the dear sister and sister-in-law of Frederick “Rocco” Lombardozzi and his wife, Veronica “Ronnie” of Chelmsford, and Richard’s wife, Irene Lombardozzi of Chelsea; cherished aunt of Felicia, Stephen and his wife, Darlene, Richard and his wife, Brenda, Karen and Adina Lombardozzi and adored great aunt of Katie, Stephen, Ryan, Matthew, Andrew and Darren Lombardozzi.  She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and many extended family members.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea.  Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

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