Thomas Byczkoski
He Never Gave up on Himself or on Love Itself
Thomas Henry Byczkoski, 77, of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, passed away in his sleep on June 29 at the Wakefield Center following an illness.
Mr. Byczkoski was a 1963 Chelsea High School graduate. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army against the advice of his doctor. One of his proudest achievements was receiving his U.S. Army Completion of Training certificate. However, due to a medical condition, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on September 12, 1968.
Throughout his life “Mr. Thomas” held various positions working as a bartender, security officer, working in retail, working in the furniture business in which he employed his nephew, Edmund Kopaczynski for a while and then, in his final role prior to his illness, he worked as a private investigator.
Thomas’ presence was as big and noticeable as he was. Standing well over six and a half feet tall, Thomas had a booming voice that could be heard from rooms away. That voice would lend to many karaoke stages throughout his life. A regular at the Kowloon in Saugus, Thomas would make cassette recordings for his Godson Thomas Kopaczynski, belting out the tune he told people was written for him, “My Way” by the great Frank Sinatra.
With a deep and commanding voice while towering over most people he encountered, he was quite intimidating and downright scary to interact with if you did not know him well.
Thomas took it upon himself to ensure that his late parents, Ed and Lucy, were well taken care of when they moved into an assisted living facility. Often Thomas was brash and loud as he made inquiries on the level of care his parents were receiving, earning him a few nicknames from staff at the facility.
Upon the death of his mother, Thomas was gracious and thankful and expressed that to the staff that oversaw her care. Following her funeral, Thomas told one of his nephews, “Make sure you hug your mother extra each time you see her, I wish I had.”
Whenever one of Thomas’ siblings needed a helping hand, he was the first to stop what he was doing and dash over with bags full of food, extra money, one of the tightest bearhugs you ever received and, of course, he would have queued up some jokes.
That rough and tough man of steel exterior broke in 2005 when he was asked to be a pallbearer for his beloved “second brother,” his brother-in-law, Paul. He declined by stating “I just can’t do it, not even for Paul,’’ and he was moved to tears.
Thomas struggled through his life to be a good man. He was not perfect, then again who is? He loved his family and close circle of friends, he never gave up on himself or on love itself.
Thomas was born September 8, 1943, the loving son of the late Edmund S. and Lucy A. (Byczkoski) Wisniewski. He was the lovable and funny brother of Lucille A. Kopaczynski and her late husband, Paul of Stoneham and Edmund S. Byczkoski Jr. of Wakefield and the father of Robin Levin of Chelmsford. Thomas also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Ann Catalano of Newport, RI, Mary Burns of Billerica, Lynn Casa of Epping, NH, Elaine Navarro of Stoneham, Beth Agneta of Plaistow, NH, Edmund Kopaczynski of Litchfield, NH, Joseph Kopaczynski of Springfield, Pa., Edmund S. Byczkoski III of Fort Bragg, NC and Thomas Kopaczynski of Boston; great-nephews and nieces: Adam, Nicholas, Amanda, Daniel, Caitlyn A, Kyle, Caitlyn B, Evangelyn, Jonathan, Edmund IV, Robert Jr., Katrina, E’Angelyliz, Paul J., Ella F. and Evand.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea.
All are invited to a Memorial Mass to celebrate Tommy’s Life on Saturday, September 11 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Częstochowa, 655 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA 02127
To send a message of condolence, visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com.
Ramon Antonio Mercado Cruz
June 23, 1977 – July 2, 2021
Ramon Antonio Mercado Cruz passed away unexpectedly in his Chelsea home on Friday, July 2. He was 44 years old.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a beloved son of Ana D. Cruz-Ortiz and the late Jose Antonio Mercado-Monte, Ramon grew up in Chelsea. attended local schools and was a lifelong resident of Chelsea. As a youth he worked for a local tow truck company. A serious motorcycle left him permanently disabled at an early age.
In his lifetime, he was an enthusiastic fan of the New England Patriots and loved all things related to the team. He also enjoyed accessorizing cars. He is survived by his mother, Ana D. Cruz-Ortiz of Tia Baja, Puerto Rico He is also survived by his brother, two sisters, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, July 8 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Family and friends may offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting: www.welshfh.com
Helen Mullett
October 18, 1927 – July 4, 2021
Helen E. (Amelio) Mullett passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 4 while convalescing at The Elmhurst Health Care in Melrose. She was 93 years old.
Born and raised in Malden, a beloved daughter of the late Joseph G. and Mary Bernice (Sarni) Amelio, in 1956 she wed US Army Sgt. Donald Mullett. They lived as a military family raising two sons and a daughter stationed at various Army Bases in Germany, Georgia and Alabama. A resident of Chelsea for most of her life, she settled in Everett in 1998 for 16 years.
Helen was widowed in 2014 after sharing 58 years of love and devotion with her beloved husband. For the past seven years, she lived with her daughter and caregiver in their Wakefield home.
Her life was lived as that of a quiet homemaker and mother. She was a richly devoted Catholic and was deeply committed to her faith. She received great comfort watching her daily Mass on TV, reciting her rosary and many other Catholic devotions. She enjoyed the company of friends and family in her home.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was also preceded in death by the passing of her son, David J. Mullett in 1994 and later by her siblings, Anthony Amelio and Genevieve “Jackie” Gruning. She is survived by her son, Donald A. Mullett of Lake Jackson, TX, her daughter and caregiver, Donna Shepherd of Wakefield and her daughter-in-law, Teresa Mullett of Nashua, NH. She was the cherished grandmother of Diana, David Jr., Jesse, Joshua, Danielle, Ethan, Shann, and Luke; adored great-grandmother of Xander, Kailyn, Ally, Zoeigh, David, Grace and Ava and is also survived by her daytime care giver, Cathy Feloni of Somerville.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend her funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, July 8 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Family and friends may offer condolences by means of the online guest book by visiting: www.welshfh.com
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