John Wilfride Nelson
A Man of Simple Pleasures Who Most Enjoyed Any Gathering Involving His Family
Jean Wilfride Nelson, 87, passed suddenly on Sunday, November 15.
A native of Haiti, son of the late Charles Nelson and Ismaelite Valentin, he received his formal education in Haiti.
As a young man, he served in the Haitian Army. Returning to civilian life, he continued the lessons of order and discipline he gained in the service. He married his beloved Marie Anne (Moreau) raising a family of seven in Haiti and he supported his family working for 28 years as a truck driver. He came to Chelsea from Haiti in 1986 and has lived here for the past 34 years.
Jean worked as a Dietary Aide at Ellis Nursing Home in Norwood. He would always arrive 15 minutes before his shift and maintained perfect attendance for the entire 17 years he worked there. Once again, his military training guided him as he was remembered for bringing strict order and super cleanliness to his department. He was disappointed when his age made his retirement mandatory.
A man of simple pleasures, he most enjoyed celebrating special occasions or any gathering involving his family. He remained in the same home for most of his life where his door was always open to visitors, creating a central place where he could be surrounded by his family.
He was widowed nine years ago with the passing of his beloved wife, the late Marie Anne (Moreau) Nelson. He was the devoted father of Marie Sonia Nelson and her husband, Herold of Everett, Charles Nelson of Everett,
Juliette Castor of Gardner, Simone Magaly Nelson of Lynn, Wiener Nelson of Fitchburg, Wilfrid Nelson Jr. and his wife Nancy of Georgia and Angelo Nelson and his wife, Margorie of Connecticut; cherished grandfather of Valerie Castor, Lisberth Nelson and her fiancé, John Peterson Vemette, Beverly Anne Wooten, Cynthia Nelson, Christian Nelson, Kimberly Anne Nelson, Christie Anne Nelson, Emilie Anne Nelson, Giovany Nelson and Jacob Nelson; adored great grandfather of Andrew Long, Andrew Smith Florestal, Mei Ling Long, Anailah Wooten, Caleb Kilomo, and Johnyah Simone Vemette.
Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, November 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing when greeting the family, pay their respects and exit the funeral home to allow other guests to enter.
His Funeral will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday November, 21 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Ample parking opposite funeral home.
We encourage family and friends who wish, to offer condolences at this time by means of the online guest book, to send a personalized sympathy card visit or see more information visit: www.WelshFH.com.
Charles DeMattia Sr.
Well-Known Musician
Charles DeMattia Sr. of Revere passed away at the age of 92 on November 4.
Born in Medford on August 29, 1928 to the late Michael and Marina (Potito), he was the beloved husband of the late Rita (Insani), devoted father of Charlene McDonald of Salem, Judith Melanson, David DeMattia, and Robert DeMattia, all of Revere and the late Charles DeMattia Jr.; cherished grandfather of Courtney McDonald, Krystal Vacketta, Lauren Melanson and Amanda, Stacey, Rachel, Jonathan and Jennifer DeMattia; dear brother of Jody Caruso of Maine and the late Michael DeMattia, Helen Carvotta, George DeMattia, Clara DiCarlo, Arthur DeMattia and John DeMattia. He is also survived by his former son-in-law Vincent “Jimmy” Melanson and many loving nieces and nephews. Charlie, as he was known, proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He studied electronics, and during the early days of television, owned a TV repair shop in Everett. He later worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Then, at Raytheon, for the Department of Defense in Quality Control. Charlie came from a family of musicians and played the clarinet and saxophone. He performed at many weddings and social gatherings with his brother, Mike. Charlie was a devoted Catholic and member of the St. Mary’s Holy Name Society.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all services were privately held for the immediate family. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33 rd St, New York, NY 10016 or at kidney.org. For guest book, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Donna Marie Fiander
Mass Department of Transitional Assistance Retiree
Donna Marie Fiander of Woburn, formerly of Chelsea, died on November 13 after a valiant battle with cancer.
Born in Chelsea 64 years ago and a resident for most of her life, she graduated from Chelsea Schools and first worked for J.B. Sash on Second Street as a receptionist for many years before working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance at their Malden office, working for over nine years until earlier this year when her health issues forced retirement.
The devoted daughter of the late Alton V. and Marie A. (Flynn) Fiander, she was the beloved sister of Kathy Paradis and her husband, Kevin of Revere and the late Jack Fiander, long time companion of James Guckert of Woburn, loving aunt of Richard Fiander of Taunton and John Paradis of Revere and great aunt of Richard, Matthew, Jacob and Amiyah. She is also lovingly survived by her aunt, Carol Kenny and her husband, David of Plymouth. She also leaves her beloved feline friends, Gigi and Rusty.
With concern for family and friends during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the family will have private services concluding with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
For those who wish to acknowledge her passing, memorial contributions may be made to the MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA or to the MGH Cancer Center, Yawkey Building, Boston, MA .
To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com.
Antonio Ruiz
Enjoyed Quiet Time at Home and Family
Antonio Ruiz, 54, passed away on Monday, November 9 after living courageously with ongoing illnesses.
Born and raised in San Jacinto El Salvador, he was a son of Pablo Ruiz and Dionisa Alfaro. He married his childhood love, Maribel Rivas and settled in Chelsea 33 years ago and together they raised their daughter, Jessica.
Antonio supported his family working for a commercial cleaner providing environmental and housekeeping services. In his lifetime, Antonio most enjoyed quiet time at home with his family and was a fan of Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programs.
He was the beloved husband of 34 years to Maribel Rivas of Chelsea, devoted father of Jessica Ruiz of Everett, loving son of the late Pablo Ruiz and Dionisa Alfaro and dear brother of Aramis Ruiz and Elsa Ruiz, both of Chelsea. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday November 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. A prayer service honoring Antonio will be held during the visitation. Family and friends will gather again at the funeral home on Friday at 10 a.m. for a funeral procession to Woodlawn Cemetery for Committal services.
All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing when greeting the family, pay their respects and exit the funeral home to allow other guests to enter.
We encourage family and friends who wish, to offer condolences at this time by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card visit; www.WelshFuneralHome.com.