Dr. Elsa Wasserman

Former Chelsea High School Principal

Dr. Elsa R. (Robinson) Wasserman passed away on May 14 after suffering a stroke at home in Goleta, California.

Dr. Wasserman served the Cambridge Public Schools in many capacities.

She headed the staff development efforts overseeing the introduction of new methods into the schools; she was Acting Principal of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and was instrumental in the development of two alternative high schools in Cambridge, the Pilot School and the Cluster School. Because of her acumen as an educator and as a principled person, she was consulted by superintendents and educators throughout her years in Cambridge.

In 1989, Boston University hired Dr. Wasserman as Principal of Chelsea High School. This was the most daunting and high profile task of her career, assiduously tracked by the Boston press.  BU had just taken over the Chelsea Public Schools and soon after the town went into receivership with the State. WGBH in Boston documented Dr. Wasserman’s endeavors in, Hard Times at Chelsea High. During her tenure, graduation rates and other important metrics improved. 

Dr. Wasserman then moved into the position of Assistant Superintendent in Maynard. She introduced Standards Based Learning, a move that would be followed by all states.

After leaving Maynard, she worked as an education consultant for the National Center on Education and the Economy in Washington, D.C., developing a program for ​America’s Choice that would greatly alter the collaborative framework of educators within a school.

Dr. Wasserman’s final act as a professional was working as a Social Worker on Cape Cod where she specialized in the methodologies of Dr. Marsha Linehan’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Dr. Wasserman received her MEd and her EdD from Boston University. Her doctorate thesis focused on the  collaborative work she completed with Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg of Harvard University. A rich professional and personal relationship, their efforts and work together produced the implementation of several cutting edge approaches to public education that resulted in democratic participation for all stakeholders in the school environment.

Elsa R Wasserman was born in Boston on May 6, 1937 to Milton and Charlotte Robinson of Brookline. Her father was a florist at the Boston Flower Market, having taken over the business from his father. Her mother, Charlotte, was a housewife.  Dr. Wasserman three siblings; two (Ellen Robinson and Bessie Ezekiel) have preceded her in death.  Her brother, Mark Robinson, lives in Vermont. Dr. Wasserman married Oscar Wasserman and together had three children: Aaron (wife, Ana, and children, Lukas and Zachary) Wasserman of Ft. Worth, Texas, Shoshanna Richek (children, Eric and DaelSzuch) of Charleston, South Carolina and Michael (wife, Liat, and children, Sarina and Leora) Wasserman of Santa Barbara, California.

Elsa and Oscar remained friends and family following their divorce. She loved her grandchildren, taking them on  extraordinary trips to Alaska and the Galapagos Islands which enriched the relationship among the cousins who lived so far apart.

Dr. Wasserman spent most of the last 15 years in Ajijic, Mexico where she developed deep bonds with many locals and expats alike. In particular, she created a second family with the Garcia-Garays: Angie, Alex, Alejandra and Ivan.  Recently, a granddaughter was born to the Garcia family and was named Elsa in honor of their adopted grandmother.

Close family and friends gathered in Santa Barbara to celebrate their love for Elsa.

Alejandro Santiago-Vega, Sr.

Retired truck driver

Born and raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico to the late Felix Santiago and Venerada Vega 80 years ago, Alejandro Santiago-Vega, Sr. of Chelsea, formerly of Guayama, Puerto Rico, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, May 17 at home. During his working years, he worked as a truck driver delivering produce.

He was the devoted husband of the late Josephine (McNeil), beloved father of Alejandro Santiago, Jr. and his wife, Ruth and, Rosa Maria Santiago and her husband, Hector Melendez, all of Lynn, Ana Nieves and her husband, Ramon  and Anibal Santiago and his wife, Michelle, all of Chelsea and Maria Santiago of Medford; brother of Elba Iris Santiago-Vega, Francesca Santiago-Vega, Evangelia Santiago-Vega and Hector Luis Santiago-Vega, all of Puerto Rico, Carmello Santiago-Vega of Revere and the late Pedro Jose Santiago-Vega and cherished grandfather of James Hescock, Melissa Santiago, Alejandro Santiago, Timothy Vega, Vanessa Vega, Kassandra Vega, Ramon Nieves, Jr., Bianca Nieves, Taisha Santiago, Biba Santiago, Xavier Santiago, Sable Santiago, Demetreus Wilkerson and the late Tanya Vega and Melissa Vega. He is also lovingly survived by his great grandchildren: Tyler Hussey, Blake Hussey, CaridaHescock, Maynard Hescock, Sage Hescock, Jordan Vega, Jaydalee Vega, Timothy Vega, Jr., Kaylani Otero, Jeremiah Cepeda, Bayleigh Bachelor, Brody Bachelor, Ella Josephine Hussey and Kaitlynn Vega as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea today, Thursday, May 23 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. 

Stanislaw Suchcicki

Jan. 12, 1930 – May 14, 2019

A Funeral Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Andrew T. Grelak on Saturday in St. Stanislaus Church for longtime Chelsea resident, Stanislaw W. “Stanley” Suchcicki who passed away on Tuesday, May 14 in the WhiddenMemmorial Hospital in Everett after a brief illness. He was 89 years old. Internment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.

Born and raised in Suchcice, Poland, a son of the late Felix and Julia Suchcicki, he grew up in Poland during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. He served in the Polish Army and was discharged in 1952 at the rank of corporal. 

In 1953 he married Zofia J. Tomon and in 1966, he immigrated to the United States with his wife and their two young sons.  He made his new home in Chelsea and resided here ever since.

A welder by trade, he worked for a time at Kayem Foods and later at Market Forge for 23 years where he demonstrated a strong work ethic, maintaining near perfect attendance and mentoring and instructing his co-workers before retiring in 1995.  

He was a devoted parishioner at St. Stanislaus Church for 56 years and a late member of the Polish American Congress. 

In his lifetime, he enjoyed Polish American events, dancing, tinkering with and fixing all sorts of mechanical items and engaging in DYI projects around his home.   He will forever be remembered for his endearing smile, his ever-pleasant demeanor, loyalty to friends and coworkers, his abiding honesty and sense of humor.

In addition to his parents, Stanislaw was also predeceased by his sister, LucynaJarmutowski. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Zofia J. Suchcicki of Chelsea; the devoted father of Albert W. Suchcicki and his wife, Donna of Melrose and Krzysztof J. Suchcicki and his wife, Julie of Danvers, the dear brother of Eugeniusz Suchcicki of Poland and cherished grandfather of Danielle Currier and her husband, Paul of Reading, David Suchcicki and his wife, Jennifer of East Longmeadow, Katelyn Rogers and her husband, David of Lynnfield, Peter Suchcicki and his wife, Caroline of Leesburg, VA and Steven Suchcicki of Danvers; the adored great- grandfather  of  John   Paul   “Jack”   Currier,  Charlotte   Maeve  Currier,   Matthew   David Suchcicki, Nathan Wojciech Suchcicki, James Richard Rogers and Evan Wojciech Rogers.   He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and many extended family members both here and home in Poland. 

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory   may   be   made   to   St.   Stanislaus   Church,  163  Chestnut   St.,   Chelsea.

Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons Chelsea.     

For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit; www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Michael DiSalvo

Retired MGH Pharmacist Assistant

Michael DiSalvo of Melrose passed away at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on May 17, at the age of 97.

Michael was born in Civitanova, Italy and came to America in 1955. He resided in Revere for several years, Chelsea for 45 years and 13 years in Melrose. Michael worked as a Pharmacist Assistant for Massachusetts General Hospital for over 30 years before his retirement. He was a member of the Chelsea Senior Center and also the Senior Center Bocce League, where they were the champions of the Greater Boston Senior Games with the late Mayor Thomas Menino. Michael was a member of St. Rose’s Church in Chelsea for many years, he loved dancing, gardening and enjoying wine with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling with family to Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Las Vegas, Italy and the Catskills of New York.

During World War II, Michael served in the Italian Army, where his ship was sunk, he became a prisoner of war for two years finally escaping from a Yugoslavian concentration camp.

Michael was the beloved husband of the late Maria D. (Padula) DiSalvo for 55 years. He was the devoted father of Domenic DiSalvo and his wife, Dorothy of Billerica, Adele Dantona of Melrose and the late Rita DiSalvo and the late Lucy DeSimone; loving grandfather of Michael DiSalvo and his late wife, Gen of Montreal, Daniel DiSalvo and his wife, Arlene of Stow, Andrea Butler and her husband, Matthew of Billerica and Brittany and Anthony Dantona, both of Melrose; great grandfather of Ariana, Bella, Lauren, Domenic, Ashley, Joslin and Jordyn. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose. Entombment was in Holy Cross Mausoleum in Malden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452. To sign online condolences,  visitwww.gatelyfh.com

Anna Lourdes Euraque Ortiz

Devoted member of Iglesia de Juda Monte de Sion el Chelsea

Anna Lourdes Euraque Ortiz passed away at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 59 years old.

Born and raised in Honduras, she came to the United States over 20 years ago with her young family. Anna originally settled in Lawrence for 17 years.  Two years ago, she moved to Revere to be cared for by her daughter during her illness. 

During her lifetime, Ana enjoyed time with family, playing with her cherished grandchildren and going to church.   She was a devoted member of Iglesia de Juda Monte de Sion el Chelsea.

She is survived by her beloved husband Julio Ortiz, the devoted mother of Loyda Ortiz, Mariala Sanchez, Lonnie Ortiz, Julio Ortiz, Joshua Ortiz and Milissa Ortiz; loving daughter of Humberto Euraque and Juana BlasinaBarralaga-Piedad and cherished grandmother of Jonathan Sanchez and Alejandro Amaya.

Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to remember and honor Ana’s life by attending visitation and prayers to be held in the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, May 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Graveside services and interment will be on Saturday at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

The funeral home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite funeral home. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Arrangements entrusted to: Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons, Chelsea, 617-889-2723

Eva Nadworny

Being a mother, grandmother and homemaker was her main love and passion

Eva M. (Clark) Nadworny of Peabody, formerly of Chelsea, died on May 19.

Born in Freshwater, Newfoundland, Canada 89 years ago, Eva passed away early Sunday morning at the Beverly Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

She came to the United States with her family, settling in Chelsea, when she was nine years old. Though she worked small jobs outside the home, her main love was being a mother and homemaker to her growing family. She always enjoyed her Vegas Trips as well as cheering on the Boston Bruins and Red Sox. But, her main passion was her grandchildren.

She was the devoted wife of the late William F., beloved mother of Evelyn Grace-Niemi of Dracut, Janet Sullivan of New Hampshire, Phyllis Elliott of Peabody, Patricia Michaud of Connecticut and the late Susan Piasecki and William Nadworny; sister of Louise Cetrullo, Alvina Finnigan, Evelyn Bianchi and the late Dorothy Gould and William Clark. She is also lovingly survived by 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, 302 Elm Street, Everett at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Shrine, 100 Arch St., Boston, MA 02110 or at stanthonyshrine.org or to the Salvation Army., 258 Chestnut St., Chelsea, MA 02150. To send a message of condolence to Eva’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Dorothy Marie Corea

Recipient of the Friends of the Chelsea Senior Center’s Citizen of the Year Award

A Funeral Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Richard A. Uftring on Tuesday in Our Lady of Grace Church, Chelsea for longtime Chelsea resident, Dorothy Marie “Dottie” (Casazza) Corea.   Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.  

Dorothy passed away on Friday, May 17, at Rosewood Nursing and Rehab in Peabody where she had been receiving supportive care for the past two years.  She was 95 years old. 

Born and raised in Somerville, she was a daughter of the late John and Clara (Rizzo) Casazza.  She was married to Robert J. Corea and settled in Chelsea to raise a family of two daughters and one son. 

Dorothy worked outside of her home for many years as a bookkeeper for the former Green Bros. Oil Co. in Chelsea. She also volunteered her time as a local Girl Scout leader for several years.  After retirement, Dorothy was very active at the Chelsea Senior Center and was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Friends of the Chelsea Senior Center.  She was a member of the “Empty Spools” quilting club and the Silver Haired Legislature.  As a member of the centers travel committee she coordinated countless trips for local seniors. 

She was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Corea, Sr., who passed on December 25, 2000, the devoted mother of Christine Talbert and her husband, Michael of Independence, OR, Geraldine Brundin and her husband, Douglas of Easton, PA and Robert J. Corea, Jr. of Middleton;  the cherished   grandmother   of  Adam,  Andrew   Corea Talbert, Katherine Corea Talbert, Meredith Corea Talbert, Dawn Moeller and Douglas Brundin, Jr. and the dear sister to the late Lois James and Rudy Casazza.  She is also lovingly survived by six great grandchildren. 

Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons Chelsea.  For onlineguest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit; www.WelshFuneralHome.com

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