Obituaries 12-09-2021

Nicholas Kostas Galatis

February 26, 1926  – – December 1, 2021

On Wednesday, December 1, Nicholas Kostas Galatis entered into eternal life. He passed away peacefully at his home in Gloucester with his loving family by his side.  He was 95 years of age. 

Born and raised in Chelsea, a beloved son of the late Costadinos “Charles” and Theodula “Loula” (Starvropoulos) Galatis, from a young age, Nick demonstrated a strong work ethic and dedication to his family.  As a child, he began shining shoes in Chelsea Square, worked for a local dry cleaner as well as a car dealership and furniture store. He also spent his summers at the Cape Ann Golf Course in Essex working for his uncle. He held numerous jobs during his adolescent years to help support his parents and siblings at home as family was the most important thing to Nick.

A graduate of Chelsea High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 during WWII and served honorably as a crewman aboard the USS Sigsbee (DD-502). While stationed in Charleston, SC, he was bowling during a weekend leave when he met and fell in love with Susan R. Garvin.  It was love at first sight and this began their storied wartime romance.  After a three-month courting period, they married on February 16, 1946. The blissful newlyweds remained in Charleston until his discharge in May of ’46. Shortly after, they decided to return to Nick’s hometown where they would eventually raise their family of two sons and a daughter.

Once settled back in Chelsea, Nick worked for a couple of local companies which included Commonwealth Bakery and Smithcraft Lighting.  Shortly after, Smithcraft relocated and Nick began working for Alleghany Airlines in the maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Logan Airport. In 1979, Alleghany was acquired by US Airways and Nick continued to work for them advancing his career until he retired as the Managing Foreman of Stores in 1990.  Shortly after his retirement, he and his wife, Susan moved to Gloucester and happily resided there until his passing.

During his lifetime, Nick was devoted to his family and helping others. He enjoyed working, being a mason, gardening, golfing, square dancing, and spending time with friends and family.  He also enjoyed traveling and would often return to South Carolina for the annual Garvin Family Reunions with his extended family.

He was a longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England in Boston. He was a past member of the Faith Lodge and Robert Lash Lodge A.F. & A.M. and he was also a member of the Aleppo Shrine.

In addition to his parents, Nick was also predeceased by his daughter, Lola Galatis, son, Charles N. Galatis, Sr., grandson, Charles N. “Chucky” Galatis., Jr, great-grandson, Charles “Little Chucky” Galatis III, brothers, Socrates K. “Socky” Galatis and Basil K. “Bill” Galatis.

He was the beloved husband of 75 years to Susan R. “Sue” (Garvin) Galatis of Gloucester; devoted father of Peter N. Galatis of Gloucester, dear brother of Kanela “Kay” Murphy and John K. Galatis, both of Revere, cherished grandfather of Jhamaul Galatis and Demetrios “Jim” Galatis of Fitchburg, Alycia Dow, Peter Galatis, III and Jennifer Galatis, all of New Hampshire; adored great-grandfather of Xavier Galatis, Edwin Galatis, Jr., both of Chelsea, Athena Lambert of New Hampshire, Kyra Carey of Vermont and Alyssa Galatis of New Hampshire, Thea Dow, Nicholas Galatis, Lilly May Galatis and Aiden Galatis, all of New Hampshire; caring great-great-grandfather of Abigail Lambert of New Hampshire and the loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, today, Thursday, December 9 at 11 a.m.  Per order Chelsea Board of Health, all visitors are required to wear face masks while in the Funeral Home. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. 

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston MA 02114. www.ShrinersHQ.org  or Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts Chapter, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 www.Alz.org/donate

Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Welsh Funeral Home.  For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.

Catherine Burge

September 26, 1942 – December 3, 2021

Catherine Burge entered eternal life on Friday, December 3.  She was 79 years of age. 

Born in Revere, a beloved daughter of the late Howard and Margaret (Peters) Haumann, she was a lifelong resident of Chelsea, attended St. Rose Parochial School and graduated from St. Rose High School.

She married William “Billy” Burge and they shared the past 56 years with love and devotion making their home and raising a family of three sons.  A devoted housewife and mother, Catherine also worked outside of her home at Metropolitan Credit Union for 26 years as a Customer Service Representative. 

Home and family were a central part of her life. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, cruising to Alaska and Bermuda and vacationing in Aruba.  She also enjoyed playing Bingo and mechanical games of chance.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, William “Billy” Burge. She was the devoted mother of Michael Burge and his wife, Sau of Burlington, John Burge of Chelsea and Timothy Burge and his wife, Lisa of Sudbury.  She was the cherished grandmother of Tyler Burge, Leona Smith, Justin Burge and Kyle Burge; dear sister of Howard Haumann and his late wife, Ann, Edward Haumann and his wife, Paula, Joseph Haumann and his wife, Nancy, Caroline Paladino and her late husband, Anthony, the late William Hauman who is survived by his wife, Leona Haumann, Mary Szalkowski and Madeline Paradis and her late husband, Gary.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.   

Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday, December 9 from 4 to 8 p.m.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. All visitors are required to wear face masks while in the Funeral Home per order of the Chelsea Board of Health.  

Her Funeral will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday, December 10 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.

Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Welsh Funeral Home.  For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com. 

Masks while in Church, per order Chelsea Board of Health.

Arthur MacDonald

December 11, 1940 –  November 21, 2021

Arthur R. MacDonald, 80, passed away on Wednesday, November 24.

Born and raised in Chelsea, a beloved and loving son of the late Frances M. (Bradley) MacDonald and the late Leo A. MacDonald, Sr., Arthur attended the Shurtleff elementary school and Chelsea High School.  As a young man, he enlisted into the US Air Force in 1957 and served during the Vietnam Era.  He was honorably discharged in 1961 holding the rank of Airman Second Class.

A former resident of Chelsea and Dorchester, Arthur has been living in Boston’s North End for the past 25 years.  He worked for many years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as the manager of the bank’s printing department.

In his lifetime, he enjoyed playing tennis, traveling to Las Vegas and other destinations and he always enjoyed lively debates with friends and companions at Rocco’s Cucina & Bar in the North End.

In addition to his parents, Arthur was also predeceased by siblings, the late Beverly Papparlardo, Leo A. MacDonald, Jr. and Robert McAleer and his former wife and friend, Helen Laima (Jakutis) MacDonald.

He is lovingly survived by his sister, Maureen Harris and her husband, Michael of the North End and is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled for the spring of 2022.

Should friends desire, contributions in Arthur’s name may be made to a charity of their choice.  

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

Thomas Klosiewicz

Graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1980

Thomas J. Klosiewicz, 59, of Air Heights, WA, passed away with his loving sister by his side on November 27 at the Spokane Hospice House after a brief illness.

Thomas was the beloved husband of the late Nipha “Pat” Klosiewicz, devoted son of Lucia Klosiewicz of Billerica and the late Thaddeus Klosiewicz, brother of Edward Klosiewicz of Manchester, NH and Jane “Jennie” Klosiewicz-Gesualdi and her husband, Anthony of Billerica. He was the uncle of Edward Klosiewicz, Jr. and Theresa Klosiewicz of Malden and Thomas Gesualdi of Billerica; the loving godson of Jane Koza of Beverly and is also survived by many extended family members in Poland. 

Thomas grew up in Chelsea, attended Chelsea schools and was a 1980 graduate of Chelsea High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from August 1980 until he was discharged honorably in October of 1984. Following active duty, he continued in the Navy reserves for over 20 years.

He met his wife in 1983 in California, living in Alameda for 10 years before relocating to and settling down in Airway Heights. He worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital as a Boiler Engineer for over 30 years, the last 20 at the VA Medical Center in Spokane, WA retiring in 2019. Tom enjoyed fishing with his wife and friends as well as hunting and enjoying his wife and home together. He will be deeply missed.

Visiting hours were held in the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea on Monday, December 6 and a Funeral Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols Street, Chelsea on Tuesday, December 7. Services concluded with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. 

Leonard J. “Danny” Richard

 August 8, 1936 – December 4, 2021

Leonard J. “Danny” Richard, 91, a lifelong resident of Chelsea’s Mill Hill neighborhood, passed away on Saturday, December 4.  He was a member of the French, Polish and Irish Clubs in Chelsea and the Moose Club in Revere.  An avid walker, he traveled by foot throughout Chelsea and the Greater Boston area.  It was not uncommon for him to walk 30 or more miles each week.  Along the way, he would pick up discarded items such as pens and bottle caps and used them to create his artwork. 

Lenny worked two fulltime jobs for many years; at the Everlastic Company on Spencer Avenue but he was most proud to serve the Veterans at the Soldiers Home where he worked as an orderly.

He is survived by his twin sister, Laura Steriti and her children, Lenore Steriti and her partner, Maria Paulo, Lea Steriti and wife, Zoe Zarkadas, Maria Steriti and partner, Joslyn Portier and Felicia Steriti-Smith and her husband, Chris Smith; grandniece, Leah McKeon and her husband, Sean, grandnephew, Phil Cowels and his wife, Kristina, grandniece Lani Steriti and partner, Theo Honigmann and grandnephew, Noah Cowels and partner, Danielle Angers.

When Laura lost her husband Phil in 1968, Lenny stepped up and offered emotional, physical and financial support to her and her children until the time of his passing.  He was the best brother and dad anyone could ask for.  He instilled in his family, who are forever in his debt, a respect for and interest in nature, history, science, astronomy, the arts, and space exploration.  He was happiest when his family gathered around a table to enjoy a meal.  He freely lent a helping hand, kind gesture or gift to those who crossed his path.  The world is a better place because of him and the good deeds he performed throughout his life.

Lenny is also survived by his sister, Elsie Fenby of Florida, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Matthew P. and May G. (Savoy), brother, Ronald, sisters Lillian Lemoure, Isabel Caron, Stella Stahl, Jeanette “Mitzy” Wasson and Nancy Desjadon.

His family would like to thank Steve Powers and the entire crew at S&L for watching out for Lenny over the years.  Steve referred to Lenny by his nickname “Danny” and Lenny referred to Steve as “Stevie”.  Their friendship lasted over 40 years.

Expressions of sympathy in Lenny’s name may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.  Care Dimensions has Hospice Houses in Lincoln and Danvers. Their Lincoln facility provided exceptional care and comfort to Lenny and his family.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.  His artwork will be on display at that time.

Arrangements were given to the care and direction of the Welsh Funeral Home.  For online guest book or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit: www.WelshFH.com.

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