Carmen Riccio
February 11, 1945 – August 25, 2021
Carmen Riccio passed away after a brief illness with his loving family at his side on Wednesday, August 25 while at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was 76 years old.
Born and raised in Grottaminarda, Italy, he was a beloved son of the late Nicola and Carmella Riccio. Carmen received his formal education as a young boy in Italy. There he developed his love for working with his hands and perfecting his skills in carpentry, cabinetry and masonry trades. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1958, settling in East Boston.
At the age of 13, he would help his family financially by shining and repairing shoes.
He married Antoinette “Toni” Saggese and together would raise their own family in Chelsea. Carmen went on to work as a cabinetmaker with his brother, Pasquale. He later worked as an independent general contractor, master mason and carpenter. He built his own home in Chelsea and later went on to completely renovate his son’s home, as well as constructing beautiful natural stoned retaining walls found on the property.
After his family, his life’s enjoyment was his work. He most enjoyed building and creating things from nothing. His hands were never idle, even after suffering a serious work injury 20 years ago.
Carmen was widowed in 2012 and in addition to his wife and parents, he was also predeceased by siblings, Pasquale Riccio and Anna Hellrigel. He was the beloved husband of the late Antoinette “Toni” (Saggese) Riccio; devoted father of John M. Riccio and his wife, Jessica of Saugus, Tina Bagnera of Chelsea and her husband, Ronald Bagnera, dear brother of Salvatore Riccio of Chelsea, Michelle Ciccariello of Burlington and adored grandfather of Tanya Bagnera and Sienna Riccio.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Welsh Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Should friends desire, contributions in Carmen’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701 https://donate3.cancer.org/
For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.welshfh.com.
Anthony Polidoro
Will Forever Be Remembered for His Kindness and Infectious Laugh
Anthony Polidoro, 59, of Deltona. FL, formerly of Revere, passed away on Friday, August 27.
He was born on August 12, 1962, the son of Joseph and Carmela Polidoro.
Anthony’s love for cars and cooking for his family, as well as fishing and hunting with his friends, brought him the most joy in his life.
Anthony will forever be remembered for his kindness and infectious laugh; he certainly knew how to light up a room.
Anthony is survived by his parents, Joseph and Carmela (Fusco) Polidoro; his sister, Linda (Polidoro) Trapane, her husband, Paul and their children, Olivia and Michael; his brother, Joseph Polidoro, Jr. and his wife, Lisa and their children, Joseph III and Gabriella as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to visit at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday, September 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Anthony’s name, may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a charity of your choice.
Charles Braid
September 30, 1944 – August 28, 2021
Charles Braid, 76, passed away on Saturday, August 28 at the Mass. General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness.
A resident of Chelsea for most of his life, he was a beloved son of the late Harold and Grace Braid. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. His first and only job was working as a mechanic at GE in Lynn and he retired from GE after 30 years of employment.
As a young man, Charles played softball and was a lifelong Red Sox fan. He moved to Revere 18 months ago living with his niece and caregiver, Kelly Carron.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his sisters, Janet Carron, and Grace Robichaud and his brother, Harold Braid.
He is survived by his four children: Chuckie Braid, Todd Braid, Kimberly Kowalski and Scott Braid, five grandchildren, his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Detweiler of Florida and John A. “Sonny” Carron of Chelsea and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Charles will be placed to rest with his parents following graveside services on Saturday, September 11 at 9 a.m. in Glenwood Cemetery, Washington Ave., Everett. Relatives and friends are invited and asked to meet at the cemetery gate at 8:45 a.m.
Should friends desire, contributions in Charles’ name may be made to your charity of choice.
For online guest book or to send expressions For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit : www.welshfh.com
Michael George Dwyer
Lifelong Chelsea Resident
Michael George Dwyer entered into eternal rest Saturday afternoon, August 28 at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home. He was 71 years old.
Born in Everett, the son of the late Christopher and Rosemary (Carberry) Dwyer, Michael was a lifelong resident of Chelsea. He attended school in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1969. After high school, Michael enlisted in the US Army on September 23, 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on September 2, 1971.
Michael held various positions over the course of his working career. In the late 1980’s he worked at the Fire Department 911 Center. Michael also worked for the US Postal Service for five years as a mail handler in Boston and at the IMC in Chelsea. He also worked as the night manager of the parking lot at the former Whidden Hospital in Everett. Michael has been residing at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home for the past three years. He will be forever missed by all those who love him and his friends at the Chelsea Soldiers Home.
He was the beloved brother of William J. Dwyer and his wife, Eileen of Chelsea and Noreen Cotter and her husband, Mark of Billerica.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Chapel (Chelsea Soldiers Home) 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea today, Thursday at 10 a.m. Funeral Services will conclude with Military Honors at the Soldiers Home. Interment will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:45 p.m.
Funeral arrangements by the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea.
John J. Lava, Jr.
Retired Fiscal Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections
John J. Lava, Jr., 80, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away on Monday, August 23, at Mass General Hospital.
John was born in Chelsea on December 13, 1940, one of two sons of the late John and Doris (Lavandier) Lava. Raised and educated in Chelsea, he enlisted in the US Air Force shortly after graduating from Chelsea High School. He proudly served four years as an Airma, First Class and was honorably discharged in October of 1962.
After receiving an accounting degree from Bentley University, John worked in the Boston financial industry for several years before becoming the Fiscal Manager for the Department of Corrections for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
John married Carol Sarni on August 21, 1965 and they settled in Melrose to raise a family of three children.
John was an avid Boston sports fan, but especially loved college football. For many years, he spent Saturdays in the fall watching his favorite team, Alabama, with his family. He enjoyed playing cards, watching a sporting event and always had a reason to celebrate with a family gathering.
Well read, John was a regular visitor to the Melrose Public Library, and the Boston Public Library. He also was a movie buff who enjoyed all types of movies.
Above all, family was most important to John and he cherished any family celebration or event. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports, playing cards with his family, or going on a family outing to the Golden Gate Restaurant in Chinatown.
John will be deeply missed, but always remembered for his steady, positive outlook and incredible generosity. His uplifting nature and love for laughter will live on in the hearts and minds of his family. May he rest in peace.
John was the beloved husband of the late Joan “Carol” (Sarni) Lava with whom he shared 51 years of marriage; loving father of John P. Lava and his wife, Marisa of N. Reading and Susan M. Lava and Michael D. Lava, both of Melrose; caring brother of Kenneth D. Lava and his wife, Cathy of Chelsea; loving Papa of Sarah, Brian, Nicholas, Isabella, Mia, Christian, Jaxon and Ayva. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose today, Thursday, September 2 at 10 a.m. for his Funeral Service. Interment with US Air Force honors will be in in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.