Obituaries 02-03-2011

Sister Mary Ethel Niestepski, FSSJ

Member of Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph

Sister Mary Ethel Niestepski died peacefully on Friday, January 28 at 11 p.m. in the Colette Hilbert Care Community, Hamburg, NY in the 97th year of life and the 78th year of religious life.

Sophie Niestepski was born on November 20, 1913 in Chelsea to the late Boleslaw and Marcyanna (Postek) Niestepski. On September 8, 1927, Sister Ethel entered the aspirancy of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. On January 6, 1931 she became a postulant and on July 16, 1935 Sister Ethel professed her final vows.

Sister Ethel received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the Catholic Sisters College of CUA in Washington, DC. For 58 years, Sister Ethel ministered in the field of education Immaculata Academy, Hamburg, NY, St. Michael, bridgeport, CT, Corpus Christi, Buffalo, NY, St. Hedwig, Detroit, MI, Saints Peter and Paul, Three Rivers, MA, St. Michael, Lynn, St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA and Holy Trinity in Lawrence. Sister also was principal of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Detroit from 1961-1967. In 1994, Sister Ethel retired to the Motherhouse where she held various convent ministries and in 1998 she joined the sisters in the Colette Hilbert Care Community.

Sister Ethel will be remembered for her love of classical music, her knowledge of both Polish culture and of the life of the foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, Mother Colette Hilbert. Sister enjoyed planting flowers and propagated her favorite plant, the cactus. Sister Ethel was a gentle soul, a good community person who always had a song in her heart, a kind word or a prayer on her lips and longed to be reunited with her Spouse, Jesus Christ.

Sister Ethel was the sister of the late Beatrice E. Szarkowski, Lucy Maleszewski, Valerin “Ted” Niestepski and Louis “Polo” Niestepski. She is lovingly survived by her sisters-in-law, Gladys Niestepski of Peabody and Adele Niestepski of Stoneham as well as countless nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Friday, February 4 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut Street, Chelsea at 10:30 a.m. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home will be today, Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In accordance with Sister Ethel’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Sister Lynne Anne, 5229 S. Park Ave., Hamburg, NY 14075. To send a message of condolence to Sister Ethel’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Robert Bennett

Retired Postal Employee, veteran of three wars, member of many organizations

Robert Edwin Bennett, a long time resident of Revere and Chelsea, died unexpectedly on January 29 in his Chelsea home. He was 83 years old.

Born in Chelsea, his family lived in Revere until 1973 when he moved back to Chelsea.  He entered the US Navy in 1945 and retired from the service in February of 1975. “Bobby” was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. After discharge from the service, he began a career with the US Postal service from 1980 until he retired as a senior clerk at the South Postal Annex in 1992. He was a member of the American Legion Post 61, VFW Post 6712 of Beachmont, the Chelsea Merritt Club, the Revere Loyal Order of Moose and a life member of the South Boston DAV Post. He was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1945.

He was the son of the late Walter J. and Stella M. (Marchand) Bennett; the devoted brother of Ronald F. Bennett and his wife, Florence, of Sauus; the cherished uncle of Gary W. Bennett of Lynn and Saugus Patrolman Paul R. Bennett of Saugus.

Visiting hours at the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere will be held on Friday, February 4 frm 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will follow the visitation in the funeral home at 7:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. Private burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

John Edward McBride

Educator, Accountant and Avid Golfer

John Edward McBride, a life-long Chelsea resident,  died peacefully at home on February 1. He was 90 years old.

A devoted parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Church, Mr. McBride graduated from Chelsea High School in 1938, matriculated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Math and English in 1943, and was a graduate of the Army Specialized Training Program at City College New York. He received a certificate in Public and Private Accounting from Boston University in 1951.

A US Army veteran of World War II, Mr. McBride served as a Bomb Disposal Technician in Arizona then Interpreter for Italian Prisoners of War at Camp Pine.  He was a certified teacher in Massachusetts, taught in the Chelsea School system, was self- employed in various family businesses and was a Public Accountant before retiring from the United States Post Office as a Supervisor in 1983.

Mr. McBride was a Trustee of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home from 1983 till the time of his death, and once served as Chairman. He is the former Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Winthrop Golf Course, former Treasurer of the Sagamore Club, and former Treasurer of the Chelsea Mayoral Recall Committee. He was also a member of the National Association of Cost Accountants. An avid golfer, he was inducted into the International Hole-in-One Club on the 6th day of August, 1985.

He is survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Sullivan) of 67 years, the son of John J. McBride and Alice (Crosby) McBride, late of Chelsea; brother of the late William McBride, and is survived by his sister, Mary Gandolfo of Revere. He was the father of Ellen McBride, Elizabeth Backstrom of Somerville, John J. McBride, Kevin M. McBride and his wife, Susan, of Saugus, Alice Leeming and her husband, Simon, of Canterbury, N.H., Timothy McBride, Kathleen R. McBride and her partner, David Herlihy, of Boston, and Anne Tolley and her husband, Joseph, of Hardwick. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Church. 59 Nichols St. (Everett-Chelsea line) on Saturday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.  Visiting hours in the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.

Francis ‘Frank’ McCusker Jr.

Of Revere, formerly of Chelsea

Francis W. “Frank” McCusker, Jr. of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died on January 30. He was 50 years old.

A member of the Mass Army National Guard, he was the beloved husband of Linda L. (Lindstrom) McCusker; loving father of Francis W. McCusker III and his wife, Jennifer, of Everett, John M. McCusker of Saugus, Stephanie M. McCusker of Chelsea; dear brother of Joseph J. of Lynn, Edward P. of Revere, Robert A. of Lynn, Randy A. of Wilmington, Deborah R. McCusker of Revere, Karen Cioffi of Winthrop, and the late James Sobanek.  He is also lovingly survived by six grandchildren, Alec, Dylan, Joshua, Jada, Ariana and George.

Funeral Services are entrusted to the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, Chelsea. However, arrangements are incomplete at this time due to the inclement weather.  Inquiries may be made to the Funeral Home at (617) 884-4188.

Jose Santos Jr.

Of Puerto Rico, formerly of Chelsea

Jose J. Santos Jr. of Arroyo, Puerto Rico, formerly of Chelsea, died unexpectedly at home on January 16.

Born in Malden, he was the beloved son of the late Jose Santos Sr. and Amelia (Cordero) Santos; beloved brother of Brena Cotto of Webster, Tommy Santos of Revere, Avein Santos of Spencer, Miguel Santos of Everett, Fredy Santos of Spencer, Milaros (Santos) Diaz of Chelsea, Minerba Santos Cordero and the beloved uncle of many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Services were held in Puerto Rico. He will be sadly missed.

Anne Mirochnick

Schrafft’s Candy Co. retiree

Anne (Swartz) Mirochnick of Chelsea died on January 28. She was 94 years old.

The beloved wife of the late Kiva Mirochnick, she was born in Malden and was a resident of Chelsea for most of her life.  She was educated in the Malden schools, graduated from Malden High School and retired from Schrafft’s Candy Co. of Charlestown.

She was the devoted mother of Carol Ginsburg and her husband, Gerald, Barbara Mirochnick and her husband, David Fucile, and the late Stephen Mirochnick; the dear sister of Pearl Suckney and the late Lillian Kramer;  the loving grandmother of Beverly, Rhonda, Sherry, and Tammy and the loving great-grandmother of Alyson, Kyle, Jarrod, Aaron, Spencer, Samantha, and Zachary.

Funeral arrangements were by the Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Burial was in Everett.  Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.  For online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.

Martin ‘Marty’ Markarian

Late owner of JEM TV of Chelsea

Martin R. “Marty” Markarian, late owner of JEM TV of Chelsea, a proud member of a vanishing breed of television repair specialists, died suddenly in his Chelsea home on January 27. He was 76 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the beloved son of the late Hachadour and Margaret (Monooshian) Markarian.   He attended local schools and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of “52”. He enlisted in the US Army in 1957, was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged after completing two years of service. He learned his trade at Mass School of Radio in Boston.

A licensed radio and TV repairman for well over 50 years, “Marty” has been repairing televisions for almost as long as TV’s have been around. He also worked as a professional funeral home attendant and chaufeur for the Welsh Funeral Home in Chelsea for the past 20 years and was a member of the First Church of Christ of Lynn, Finance Council.

Devoted to his family, he was a good friend to all who knew him.  He enjoyed traveling abroad, skiing in New Hampshire and was a longtime Braves fan from Boston to Atlanta.  Everyone will sadly miss his smiling face and engaging personality.

He was the former husband and good friend of Mrs. (David) Patricia (Welsh) Melendy of Lynnfield; devoted father of Jennifer Grealey and her husband, John, Andrea Markarian and her husband, Ryan Wilson, all of Medford and Stephen Markarian and his wife, Elizabeth, of Rowley; dear friend and companion of Janet Cragin of Lunenburg; cherished grandfather of Madelyn Grealey, Ethan Wilson and Kiley Markarian; dear brother of the late John E. Markarian and Robert Z. “Babe” Markarian and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service was held in the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home on February 1. His good friend Rev. Vincent J. Gianni officiated. Services concluded with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and the direction of his colleagues and friends at the Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Home.

Rosalie Ann DeAngelis

Former Chelsea resident

Rosalie Ann (Romano) DeAngelis of No. Andover, formerly of Stoneham, died on February 1.

Born and raised in Chelsea, she was the wife of John R. “Bob” DeAngelis; daughter of Lena (Merlina) Romano of Saugus and the late Joseph C. Romano; sister of Stephen Romano and his wife, Laura, of Georgetown, and Robert Romano and his wife, Ellen, of Harwich; aunt of Joseph, Michael, Stephanie, and Melissa and great aunt of Lilianne and Joseph.

Her Funeral will be held from the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Friday at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Patrick Church, 73 Central St., Stoneham at 10 o’clock. A visitation period will be held at the Funeral Home today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m.  Burial will be in Wood End Cemetery, Reading. For obit/ directions/guestbook mcdonaldfs.com

Olive Spring

Stoneham resident

Olive M. (Sidelinger) Spring of Stoneham died on January 25. She was 97 years old.

She was the wife of the late Frederick W. Spring and is survived by her dear friends, Shirley Lane of Lexington, Paul and Diane Garbarino of South Burlington, VT, Arthur Broussard of Andover, Dorothy, Elizabeth and Lorette Muse of Wakefield, Kathy DiDonato, Alice and Charles Ivers and Gertrude Marshall all of Stoneham, Louise Donovan of Melrose, Lenora Frankel of Swampscott, Margaret Askew of Salem, Deborah Gaff of Lynnfield, Maria Levesque of Peabody and Beth Walsh of Malden. She was also the dear friend of the late Carroll Libby and Elizabeth Garbarino.

Funeral arrangements were by the Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, Stoneham. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorial tributes may be sent to the Devlin Memorial Scholarship Fund, 34 Pleasant St., Stoneham, MA 02180

Madeline Mendez-Rivera

Of East Boston, formerly of Chelsea

Madeline Mendez-Rivera of East Boston, formerly of Chelsea, died unexpectedly in her home on January 25.

She was 59 years old.

Born in Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Fernando and Bonafacia Mendez. She attended schools in Puerto Rico and spent 40 years living in Chelsea before relocating to East Boston six years ago. A loving wife and mother, she spent her life caring for her family.

She was the beloved wife of 38 years of Ignacio Rivera of Everett; devoted mother of Abraham Rivera of Philadelphia and Ignacio Rivera of Revere.  She is also survived by three brothers in Puerto Rico. She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers.

Her Funeral will begin from the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home 157 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Friday, February 4 at 8 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway Chelsea at 9 a.m. Services will conclude with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Visiting hours will be held at the Anthony Memorial today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m.  For directions, online Guest Book or to send a sympathy card, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

Peter Fijalkowski Sr.

Worked for former Carmote Paint Co.

Peter Fijalkowski Sr., a longtime Chelsea resident, died on January 23 after a brief stay at the Chelsea Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with his loving son and at home caregiver, Peter Jr., at his bedside.  He was 91 years old.

Born in Lowell he was the son of the late Stefan and Frances Fijalkowski and, as a young boy, his family moved to Chelsea. He enlisted in the US Navy after graduating from local schools and served as a Naval Aviation Electrician, stationed in Oklahoma, Iceland and Florida.

He was honorably discharged, returned to Chelsea,  married and raised his family here. He worked as a Tinter/Color Matcher at the former Carmote Paint Co. in Everett for many years before retiring.

He was the beloved husband of the late Sophie (Nowicki) Fijalkowski and devoted father of Peter Fijalkowski of Chelsea and Paul Fijalkowski; the dear brother of the late Louis, Daniel, Stanley and Walter Fijalkowski, Mary Staponites and Catherine Sarno.

Funeral Services were strictly private and entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home.  To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

Stella Mae Nolan

Longtime Chelsea resident

Stella Mae (Wyre) Nolan, a Georgia native and longtime Chelsea resident, died on January 29 at the Braemoor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Brockton where she has been receiving supportive care for the past two years, She was 84 years old.

Born and raised in Milan. Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Adrian and Bessie (Evans) Wyre.  She was first married to Norman Gester, a local man who was serving with the US Coast Guard in Georgia. She settled in Chelsea and together they had two sons. She was later married to George “Shorty” Nolan and together they added four more children to her family. A devoted homemaker and mother she remained in her Essex Street home for many years

She was predeceased by her husband “Shorty” six years ago and soon thereafter, in need of more continuous care, she took residency at Braemoor in Brockton to be cared for by her son, Larry.

The beloved wife of the late George “Shorty” Nolan, she was the devoted mother of Lawrence Gester and his wife, Jane Wiley, Gary Gester and his wife, Linda, Richard Nolan and his wife, Meredith, Michael Nolan and the late Debra C. Nolan and Patrick C. Nolan. She was the cherished grandmother of Alex, Derek, Karen and Kristi. She was the sister of one late brother and is survived by three brothers and one sister, all in Georgia.

Her Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Son’s Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Thursday February 3 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  For online guestbook or to send a personal sympathy card please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Carmella “Mella” Creilson

Everett resident

Carmella A. “Mella” Creilson of Everett died at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on January 30.  She was 86 years old.

Born and raised the North End of Boston, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Clementine (Repucci) Rizzo. As a young child, her family moved to Everett and she had been a lifelong resident ever since. She attended Everett High School and after graduating she attended the Chandler School in Boston. She worked outside the home in the US Naval Hospital throughout the 1940s and 1050s. She also spent time working in Laverde’s Market on the M.I.T Campus on a part time basis for 10 years until her full retirement in 2005.

“Mella” enjoyed shopping and traveling with a circle of friends. A proud Bostonian, she loved exposing new generations to Boston culture.

She was the beloved wife of 64 years of Lawrence C. Creilson of Everett; devoted mother of Larry Creilson Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Snellville, Georgia, Linda McNamara and her husband, John, of Ireland and Susan Dascoli and her husband, Frank, of Saugus; dear sister of Joseph Rizzo and the late Lena Bonito; cherished grandmother of Andrea Connolly and her husband, Gareth, Michael Dascoli, Gina Dascoli, Alexander Creilson and Nicholas Dascoli; adored great grandmother of Charlotte and Isabelle Connoly.

Her Funeral will begin from the Frank A. Welsh & Son’s Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Saturday, February 5 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Visiting hours will be held at the Welsh Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral Home is fully handicap accessible, ample parking opposite Funeral Home. To send expressions of sympathy and for directions, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

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