Edward Lachnicki
Chelsea Water Dept. Retiree
Edward J. “Midgie” Lachnicki, 95, passed away on Saturday, April 11 at the Chelsea Soldiers Home.
Born and raised in Chelsea, a son of the late Adam and Agnes (Jakuboczyk) Lachnicki, he was best known by family and friends as “Midgie.”
He attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and graduated from Chelsea High School. After graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably during World War II. Following his discharge. he returned to Chelsea and began his working career with the Chelsea DPW. He worked in the Chelsea Water Department and retired after many years of dedicated service. “Midgie” was a familiar face around town. He loved walking all around Chelsea or sitting in front of Winnisimmet Park (Chelsea Sq.). He always enjoyed his encounters with friends or just talking with anyone who would lend him their ear.
“Midgie” lived most of his life in Chelsea except for several years when he moved to Malden to live with his niece and caregiver, Mary Ann. “Midgie” returned to Chelsea seven years ago when he took residence at the Soldiers Home.
He was a past member of the PPC in Chelsea and St. Stanislaus Parish.
In addition to his parents, “Midgie” was predeceased by his siblings: the late Anthony ‘Antush” Lachnicki, Adam Lachnicki, Mary Dykas and Helen A. Karas. He was the cherished uncle of Maryann Spinney of Peabody and Carol Kolak of Burlington and is also survived by several grandnieces and grandnephews.
A private family farewell and committal service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons in Chelsea. For online guest book or to send private expressions of sympathy, please visit; www.WelshFuneralHome.com.
Garry Rice
Retired Co-Owner of Ad-Com Express
Garry H. Rice passed away Wednesday afternoon, April 8 at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital. He was 73 years old.
Born in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late Roy and Virginia (Schilling) Rice, he attended grade school in Indianapolis, Indiana but graduated from Lynnfield High School. He enlisted in the US Navy on September 1, 1965 during the Vietnam War. Garry was honorably discharged on July 3, 1968. He graduated from Indiana University, received a Bachelor of Science Degree and eventually settled in Chelsea where he worked and raised his family.
Garry worked as a Chelsea Auxiliary Police Officer for a number of years before becoming partners in a freight forwarding company. He was a co-owner and business partner of Ad Com Express for 22 years until his retirement five years ago.
Garry and his wife, the late Susan J. (Rollins) Rice, resided in Revere for many years. As a result of declining health issues, Garry has been residing in Melrose for the last two2 years.
Garry was active in the City of Chelsea and had an active role in Chelsea Little League from 1984 – 1987. He was a late member of the N.R.A. and the Gun Owners Action League. He was also a late member of the Mystic Valley Gun Club in Malden and a former instructor at the Old Colony Firearms School in Pembroke.
Garry was the husband of the late Susan J. (Rollins) Rice, devoted father of Michelle Gregory and her husband, Vincent of Revere and Colby H. Rice and his wife, Stephanie of Methuen; brother of the late Gregory Rice and is also lovingly survived by two granddaughters, Amanda and Brianna Gregory of Revere.
Due to the current COVID-19 regulations, Garry’s Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Carafa Family Funeral Home in Chelsea.
Patricia Cecere
Of Revere
Patricia (Hardick) Cecere of Revere died on April 2 at the age of 87.
Born in Chelsea on August 18, 1932 to the late Charles Hardick and Naomi (Reynolds) Hardick, she was the beloved wife of the late John Cecere, devoted mother of Patricia Sutherland of Revere, Leonard Cecere of Malden, Robert Cecere of Chelsea and the late Mary Cecere; cherished grandmother of Richard Sr, Krista, Stephen, Nicole, Elizabeth and the late Kevin and Matthew; adored great grandmother of John, Richard Jr, Christopher, James and Briana and dear sister of the late Florence “Teeney” and Charlotte. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In accordance with the gatherings and congregations due to COVID-19, CDC, Mass. Department of Public Health, Archdiocese of Boston guidelines and local restrictions, all services will be privately held. For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Phyllis Varricchio
Bradlee’s Retiree Who Also Worked as a Wwii Welder at Charlestown Navy Yard
Phylllis R. (Calderone) Varricchio passed away on Wednesday, April 8 at the CHA-Everett (Whidden Memorial) after a brief illness. She was 98 years old.
Born in Boston’s North End, she was one of six children of the late Anthony and Mary (Picariello) Calderone. She attended Boston Public Schools, graduated from Charlestown High School and worked for a time with Schraffts Candy Factory in Charlestown. During World War II, she helped the war effort working as a welder in the Navy Yard.
She married Joseph Varricchio and lived in East Boston before settling in Chelsea where she has resided for most of her life. She enjoyed working at Bradlees Dept. Store in Chelsea for 25 years, only retiring when the store closed. She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Revere. She supported her husband’s career attending many gatherings and meetings with the local NAGE Union. In her lifetime, she enjoyed games of chance and traveling to Las Vegas and Foxwoods.
Phyllis was widowed in 1993 with the passing of her beloved husband, Joseph. In addition to her husband and parents, she was also predeceased by siblings: Edward, Jimmy and George Calderone and Claire Williams. She was the devoted mother of Jo Ann Chiarello of Chelsea and Joyce Maniscaclo of Peabody; cherished grandmother of Tanya Fierro, Michael Drigotas, Christopher Drigotas, Joya Maniscalco and Phillip Maniscalco; adored great-grandmother of Gianni and Gino Drigotas and Joseph and Tyler Johnson and dear sister of Joseph Calderone of East Boston. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A private family farewell and committal service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Welsh Funeral Home in Chelsea. For online guest book or to send private expressions of sympathy, please visit;
www.WelshFuneralHome.com.
Antoinette Melchionno
Active in Many Senior Citizens Organizations
Antoinette Melchionno, 97, of Revere and formerly of Chelsea, died on Easter Sunday, April 12
Born and raised in Chelsea, Antoinette moved to Revere as a young woman and made her home there ever since. She was active in many senior citizen’s organizations. In her free time, she loved spending time with family and friends. She will be sorely missed.
The beloved wife of the late Angelo Melchionno, she was the devoted mother of Barbara Eydenberg of Revere, cherished grandmother of Robert Eydenberg of Revere, dear sister of the late Michael Colella, Carmella Ferrante, Adeline “Lily” Massa, Edith Colella, Amerigo Colella, Olga Colella, Jennie Gregory, Patsy Colella and Rita Keating. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In accordance with the CDC’s Current restrictions on gatherings due to Covid-19 all services will be held privately. The family is planning a celebration of Antoinette’s life for a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 USA . Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. For guestbook please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.
Ernestine Karpenko
Worked as Chelsea Soldiers Home Medical Secretary
Ernestine T. (Strunk) Karpenko, 73, of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, daughter of Louise (Sera) Strunk and the late Delmar Strunk passed away peacefully at Wakefield Center & Rehab on Wednesday, April 8.
Born on October 15, 1946, she was a 1964 graduate of Chelsea High and worked as a medical secretary at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home. She loved Foxwoods Casino, bowling, reading, and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Karpenko, son, Derek Karpenko, daughter Dannielle (Karpenko) Jackson, and granddaughter Amanda Karpenko. She was the sister of the late Edward Strunk and Gregory Strunk and is also survived by her good friend and sister in law, Carol Desimone, great friend, Sheila McKeering and by many other friends and relatives.
Due to the present health crisis, services are private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the MS Society @ support.mymsaa.org/donate. For condolences: www.BisbeePorcella.com.