Gerald Ralph Buckler
Former Chelsea Police Dept. Member and Retired Carpenter
At 101 years of age, Gerald Ralph Buckler passed away Thursday afternoon, April 4th at the Life Care Center of Stoneham.
Gerald was born in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada and moved to the United States when he was seven years old. He was a longtime Chelsea resident before moving to Malden. Gerald lived in Malden for 36 years before taking residence in Stoneham.
He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1942. After graduation, Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A WWII Veteran, Gerald was honorably discharged on December 20, 1946. He was a former member of the Chelsea Police Department. A carpenter by trade, Gerald retired in 1986. He was a late member of the Carpenters Union, Local #327, the Pile Drivers Union, Local #56 and the American Legion Post #69 in Malden. Gerald will be fondly remembered by all who loved him.
Gerald was predeceased by his wife, Katherine A. “Kay” (McHatton) Buckler and his sister, Jean LeGrow. He was the dear uncle of Mark LeGrow, Kenneth LeGrow, Patricia Fothergill and her husband, Herbert “Chuck” and Leo “Buddy” McHatton.
Relatives and friends attended visiting hours in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Wednesday, April 10. Funeral services followed the visitation in the Funeral Home. Services concluded with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
Family and friends are encouraged to visit carafafuneralhome.com to offer condolences by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card.
Patricia Ann “Patty” Ippolito
She Leaves Behind a Legacy of Strength That Will Endure for Generations To Come
Patricia Ann “Patty” (Frongillo) Ippolito, the beloved matriarch of her family in Revere, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, April 7th, at the age of 76, surrounded by her loving family. Her brave spirit and dedication to her family will be dearly missed. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours today, Thursday, April 11th in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service in the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. A loving daughter to the late Andrew and Jenny Frongillo of Revere, where she was born and raised as the youngest in a family of eleven children. Patty worked for the New England Telephone Co. as a long-distance operator after graduation. She then met Frank in Chelsea, her soon-to-be husband. After marriage, she lived in Chelsea as a homemaker and stood by him in running the family businesses, Mills Corner Service Station and Ippolito Snow Plowing of Chelsea. She was very active in sports and loved to ski. She played softball for Reardon’s Pub and was nick-named “Flash” for her speed and team spirit. She always liked taking chances, be it a card game, playing the lottery, or spinning the roulette wheel hoping for her lucky number (2) two. She was a special person, known for her toughness, generosity and desire to win. Patty loved summer activities with her family and was always on the go, enjoying St. Anthony’s Feast and seeing the sandcastles on Revere Beach along with trips to Hampton Beach, Cape Cod, and Maine. She also enjoyed traveling to visit her family in North Carolina and Florida. She was very active in her grandchildren’s schools, known as “Nana Teddy” to the Revere High School JROTC community, and she volunteered at the Paul Revere and Hill Schools. Patty leaves behind a legacy of strength that will endure for generations to come. She is survived by her devoted son, Frank J. Ippolito III, of Boston and her loving daughter, Melissa M. Ippolito of Revere, both of whom stood beside her at every step of the way in fighting a long battle with illness. Following the passing of her beloved husband, Frank J. Ippolito Jr., thirteen years ago, Patty supported her son, Frankie, who carried on the legacy of the family business that she supported for over 50 years. Patricia also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Haley and Ethan Tedesco of Revere, whose lives she enriched immeasurably, and a great-granddaughter, Audrianna, who brought her boundless joy and smiles. She was a loving sibling to Junior Frongillo, Jeanette Tammaro, Anthony Frongillo of Revere, Dottie Bernstein and Robert Frongillo of Saugus, Lillian Robinson and Kay Ferragamo of Supply, North Carolina and the late Marie Perella, Irene Souza and Joseph Frongillo. She also leaves behind her sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia O’Sullivan, Joseph Ippolito of Chelsea, and Jimmy and Jane Ippolito of Saugus. Throughout her life, Patty touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of giving, resilience and love will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to be a part of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Patty’s memory to the American Kidney Fund by visiting www.kidneyfund.org to continue her legacy of giving back to the community that helped her in many ways. A heartfelt thank you to all the caring staff at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Fresenius Dialysis Center in Chelsea, Care Dimensions Hospice and the Ride Right Transportation company in Revere. The suffering is over, rest in peace, dear Patty. To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals.