Obituaries 09-20-2012

Robert Black, Sr.

Retired Truck Driver

Robert G. Black, Sr., died on September 16 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.  He was 83 years old.

Born in Buffalo, NY, he was the beloved son of the late William and Maude (Robbins) Black.  As a young boy he grew up in Keene NH and Charlestown where he received much of his early education.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1947,  was honorably discharged and worked as a professional truck driver as a member of Teamsters local 25.  He drove a truck for Scanlan Scaffolding and Construction Company for most of his career.

He retired in the early 1980’s and settled in Chelsea about that same time.  A resident of Chelsea for 20 years, he relocated once more to Salem where he resided with his step daughter for the past 10 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved companion Alice Manning, his first wife Priscilla Bodkin, his infant child William Black, a sister Diane Galvin and a brother William Black.

He is survived by his children and their spouses;  Pamela Black, Jean and Craig Barton, all of Malden,  Robert Black Jr. of Everett, Daniel and Elena Black of East Boston; his step daughter, Diane Buckley and her husband, Robert of Salem; two brothers, Wayne Black of Charlestown and John Black of Minnesota.   He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

His Funeral will begin from the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home, 157 Washington Ave., Chelsea today, Thursday September 20 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, 91 Crest Ave., “Soldiers Home” Chelsea at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.   For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

Anne Kramer

Of Framingham, formerly of Chelsea

Anne (Kantrovitz) Kramer of Framingham, formerly of Chelsea, died on September 15. She was 89 years old.

She was the beloved wife of the late Alvan Kramer; loving mother of Dr. Michael Kramer and his wife, Helene and Faye Collie and her husband, Kevin; cherished grandmother of Dr. Ryan Kramer, Emily Kramer Abbinanti and her husband, Matthew, Andrew Collie and great grandmother of Benjamin Abbinanti; dear sister of Harry Kanter and his wife, Laura and the late Bill, Yetta, Goldie, Joe, Louis, Murray and Eva and fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held at American Austrian Cemetery, Woburn on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, 109 North State St., #2, Concord, NH 03301, www.bianh.org. Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300 www.levinechapel.com

Michael Fonzo

Successful Businesman, Philanthropist, Animal Lover and Horse Breeder

Michael A. Fonzo of Gloucester died on September 13.

Born on February 5, 1930 in Boston, ‘Mike’ was raised in the North End and in Chelsea in a family with four sisters and one brother. He graduated from Chelsea High School with the Class of 1947, went to work and attended night school at Northeastern University where he received an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He married his first wife, Dorothy, and two children were born to that union. Mike worked for C.W. Torngren in Somerville constructing shipping boxes. Using the knowledge and experience he gained there, he moved in to sales and later brought his brother Sal to the company.

In 1972 the brothers purchased Aero Manufacturing, a company making jet engine parts for General Electric. The success of this relationship led them to expand and build a 75 thousand square foot facility in Beverly, realizing 25 million dollars in annual sales. In 1999 Mike retired and sold his share of the company to his brother, Sal and Sal’s son, David.

Retirement allowed Mike and his wife Jane, who he married in 1994, to pursue his great passion for the care and welfare of animals. He worked tirelessly to help establish the new Cape Ann Animal Shelter which opened in 2012. Along with Jane, he joined the Northeast Health and Hospital’s Founders Society and further supported the Addison Gilbert Hospital by playing an important role in the establishment of the Gorton’s Cancer Unit, donating the waiting room. They were also involved in helping the Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston increase awareness and raise funds for expansion.

While Mike was an active and enthusiastic golfer and a regular at the card table at the St. Peter’s Club, he embarked on a new adventure with the president of the Massachusetts Breeders Association, George Brown. With the purchase of a chestnut thoroughbred horse named Sociano, Mike and George began to breed and race a stable of horses, further enabling Mike’s frequent attendance at Suffolk Downs and providing him with even greater enjoyment.

While Mike enjoyed all of his various pursuits, he had no greater joy than gathering friends and family members at his home for long, wonderful dinners prepared by his wife, Jane.

He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Carmela (DiNunzio) Fonzo, his sisters Jennie Fonzo, Flora Foley, and Mary Petrosky. He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Jane (Creighton) Fonzo of Gloucester, his son, Michael A. Fonzo, Jr., of Rochester, New Hampshire, his daughter Lisa Fonzo Lenk of Danvers, and grandson Harrison Michael Lenk. He is also survived by his brother, Salvatore and his wife, Patricia Fonzo of Gloucester, his sister, Eileen Dwyer of Saugus, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and a large host of friends who will dearly miss and remember him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church, Holy Family Parish, 74 Pleasant St., Gloucester, today, Thursday, September 20 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Funeral arrangements are by the Campbell-Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly (North Beverly location.) Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Ln., Gloucester, MA 01930. Information, directions and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.


Barbara Crowell

Lifelong Chelsea Resident

Barbara E. (Smith) Crowell, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, died on September 12. She was 73 years old.

During her working career, she worked at Coolray-American Optical, Towle Leonard Silver Co., and Smith Craft Lighting Co. She was an avid sports fan of the home town Boston teams.

The wife of the late Gordon I. Crowell, she was the beloved sister of Richard D. Smith of Revere, Patricia A. Aniello and her husband, Joseph of New Hampshire; daughter of the late Chelsea Police Det. Sgt. Joseph B. and Teresa (Francis) Smith; dear aunt of Julie Aniello of Medford, Noelle Smith of Revere, Joseph Aniello of Florida, Mark Aniello of New Hampshire and Steven DeLeo Jr. of Medford.

Funeral arrangements were by the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals, Chelsea. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Rose Lewis

Resident of Revere and Andover

Rose Lewis of Revere and Andover died on September 12. She was 95 years old.

The loving wife of the late Joseph Lewis, she was the devoted mother of Eileen Bonasera and her husband, Henry; loving grandmother of Jonathan Bonasera and Jodi Roache and cherished great-grandmother of Samantha and Connor Roache and Alex and Andrew Bonasera. She was the sister of  Jack Beloff.

Graveside services were held at Sudilkov Cemetery, Everett. Memorial donations may be made to the Jack Satter House Tenants Assoc. 420 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02151. Arrangements were entrusted to Torf Funeral Service, Chelsea.  For online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website www.torffuneralservice.com.

Richard ‘Dick’ LaBonte

Chelsea Resident

Richard J. “Dick” LaBonte of Chelsea died on September 16,

He was the beloved husband of 37 years to Irene (Stawicki) LaBonte; devoted father of Raymond LaBonte of Billerica and Joanne Magnan and her husband, Paul of Derry, NH; cherished grandfather of Tiffany Magnan of Derry, NH and Melanie Magnan of Somerville.  He was preceded in death by eight brothers and one sister.

His Funeral will be held from the Anthony Memorial Funeral Home, 157 Washington Ave., Chelsea on

Saturday, September 22 at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea at 9:30 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Visiting hours will be held at the Anthony Memorial on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.  For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

John Chiaradonna, Jr.

Former Proprietor of JC Fence Co.

John H. Chiaradonna, Jr. of Peabody died unexpectedly following a long 12 year battle with a brain injury sustained in an automobile accident. He was 50 years old.

Born in Revere, he was raised and educated in Chelsea and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1980.

He was the beloved husband of Mary A. (Flynn) for more 25 years. The couple moved to Peabody 23 years ago and John owned and operated JC Fence Co. of Chelsea and Peabody for about 10 years until a tragic auto accident 12 years ago ended his working career. He miraculously survived the auto accident but sustained a substantial brain injury. The last 12 years have been a very long and difficult battle with surgeries, therapies etc. He spent eight years at his parent’s home in Chester, NH and the last three years at an assisted living facility in Manchester, NH.

He was the beloved son of John H, Chiaradonna, Sr. Chelsea Fire Department retiree and the late June (Davey) of Chester, NH; devoted father of Matthew J. Chiaradonna and his wife, Natalia of Middleton, Amanda M. Chiaradonna and her fiancé, Wade A. Johnson of Ipswich and Alyssa G. Jackson and her husband, Thomas of Peabody; dear brother of: Cheryl L. Dale and her husband, Christopher of Derry, NH, Mary K. Ramsey and her husband, Michael of Epsom, NH and is also lovingly survived by his father and mother in law, Keith A. and Marie F. (Simone) Flynn of Peabody. He was the uncle of: Caitlin M., Christopher C. and Bridget D. Dale, all of Derry, NH and is also lovingly survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. His Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, September 21 at 9 a.m. followed by the funeral service in the funeral home at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Massachusetts Brain Injury Association, 30 Lyman St., Suite 10, Westborough, MA 01581. www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Virginia Korzeniowski

Retired Postal Clerk

Virginia M. (Clark) Korzeniowski, a 39-year resident of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died at her daughter’s home in North Andover surrounded by her loving family on September 17 after a short illness.

Educated in Chelsea Public Schools, she was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1943 and retired as US Postal Service Clerk in 1990 after 23 years of dedicated service.

She was the beloved wife of Edward P. Korzeniowski; devoted mother of Paul K. and his wife, Clare (DiGiovanni) Korzeniowski of Sudbury, Joyce and her husband, Anthony Arrigo of North Andover and Diane J. Korzeniowski of Revere; sister of the late Doris White, Mildred Comeau and Thelma Stone. She is also lovingly survived by five grandchildren: Christine M. Arrigo of Medford, Anthony E. Arrigo of Boston, Edward J. P. Arrigo of North Andover, David E. Korzeniowski and Mary B. Korzeniowski, both of Sudbury.

Her funeral will be held from the W. R. Carafa & Son Home for Funerals, 389 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Saturday, September 22 at 10 a.m. followed by a service in the chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery, Elm Street, Everett with the Rev. Stephanie Beadley of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, North Andover. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. For those who wish,

memorial donations may be made to the MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.

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