Obituaries 06-19-2014

Thomas Griffin

Of Everett, formerly of Chelsea

Thomas J. Griffin of Everett, formerly of Chelsea, died unexpectedly last Wednesday, June 11 at the Whidden Hospital in Everett where he was brought after suffering a heart attack while shopping with his wife. He was 67 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he lived here until moving to Everett.

He was the beloved husband of Judith Ann (Ryan); beloved father of Kristin Newberry of Swampscott, Colleen Lewis of Peabody and Thomas Griffin of New Hampshire; son of the late Bertha (Mace) Griffin; cherished grandfather of Daniel and Lindsay Newberry, Nicholas and Luke Botchie, “EJ” Cody and Hayley Lewis and Thomas, Tyler and Dylan Griffin. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Diana Beaulieu of Chelmsford. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea today, Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. Committal Services are private.

To send a message of condolence to Tom’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com

Edward Durand, Sr.

Retired City of Chelsea Employee

Edward Durand, Sr., a longtime Chelsea resident, passed away on June 14 at the Eastpointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 85 years old.

Born in the Dominican Republic, the son of Arthur and Nydia Durand, upon arrival in the United States, he settled in New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served during the Korean Conflict at which time he received U.S. Citizenship. Edward has been residing in Chelsea for the past 46 years and worked for many years in various departments for the City of Chelsea. Edward was very proud of his military service and the country that he served.

He was the beloved husband ofDaniella (Rivera) Durand of Chelsea; devoted father ofEdward Durand. Jr. and Nydia Durand, all of Chelsea; dear brotherof Athla Durand Fernandez, Eunis Columba and Rafael Durand; cherished grandfather of Samantha Gullima, Dania Davis, Daisy Davis and Eavan Durand.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the  Anthony Memorial / Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Home. To send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.AnthonyMemorial.com.

Gerald ‘Gerry’ Buckley

Retired Chelsea Fire Captain

Gerald W. “Gerry” Buckley, retired Chelsea Fire Captain,passed away on June 13 in his Chelsea home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with an ongoing illness. He was 76 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, the son of the late Jeremiah and Marie (Horgan) Buckley, he attended St. Rose Elementary School and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. He enlisted in the Army National Guard and served honorably for a number of years.

He worked for many years at Forbes Lithograph and then married Rose Domenichello. Together they raised their family in Chelsea. Gerry became a Chelsea Firefighter and served the community for over 20 years. He retired from the Fire Department at the rank of Captain in 1988.

A devoted husband and father, Gerry will be remembered as a caring man who was dedicated to his family and friends. He was also an avid sports fan.

He was the beloved husband ofRose (Domenichello)Buckley of Chelsea with whom he shared 55 years of marriage; the devoted father of Kevin Buckley and his wife, Elaine of Duxbury and Laurie Buckley of Chelsea; dear brother of James Buckley of New Hampshire, Barbara Dwyer of Pennsylvania, Kathleen Brown of Georgia, Brian Buckley of Lynnfield, Susan Maybee of Saugus and Paul Buckley of N. Reading. Gerry was the cherished grandfather of Patrick Buckley, Colin Buckley, Courtney Monzione and Caroline Buckley.

His Funeralwill beginfrom the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, today,Thursday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church,59 Nichols St. Chelsea at 10:30 a.m. Services will conclude with interment atWoodlawn Cemeteryin Everett. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham MA 01701.

Berta Velasco

Longtime Unico Cleaning Employee

Berta A. Velasco of Everett, formerly of Chelsea,passed away with her family by her side at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on June 14. She was 45 years old.

Born in San Vicente, El Salvador, the daughter of Santos and Adela Velasco, she attended schools in El Salvador before coming to the United States. She settledbriefly in Somerville before taking residence in Chelsea. She has been residing in Everett for the past several years.

Berta worked for many years in the union as a commercial cleaner in both homes and offices for Boston based UNICO Cleaning.

She was the beloved wife of Eusebio Montano of Everett; devoted mother of Rosalba Montano and her husband, Jose Pineda of Everett, Maria Montano of Chelsea, Angel Montano and Jasmine Montano, both of Everett and the stepmother of Estella, Carlos and Jonathan Rodriguez of Everett; dear sister of Edilberto and Andres Velasco of Chelsea, Medardo Velasco, Fredy Velasco and AparicioVelasco, of Maryland.She was the cherished grandmother of Brian Pineda, Jamileth Flores, Mariana Figueroa and Jenifer Figueroa.

A Massof Christian Burial was celebratedat St. Benedict Churchin Somervilleon June 18. Servicesconcludedwith Interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Anthony Memorial / Frank A. Welsh and Sons Funeral Homes.To send expressions of sympathy, please visit:  www.WelshFuneralHome.com.

Marie Reale

Longtime Woolworth’s Cashier

Marie E. (Gaskill) Reale of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died on June 14 at Annemark Nursing Home. She was 83 years old.

Marie worked for many years as a cashier at Woolworths.

She was the daughter of the late William Gaskill and Murtle (Goodwin) Gaskill; the beloved wife of Joseph. devoted mother of Karen Cicciarella and her husband, Kenneth of N. Reading, Lisa Saraceno and her husband, Thomas of Groton and Janine Robinson of Revere; loving grandmother of Justin, Taylor, Angelo, Nicholas, Gregory and Jeremy; dear sister in-law of Geraldine Kasper of Revere and is also lovingly survived and pre-deceased by many brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held in the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St., Revere, today, Thursday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited at 9:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s memory to Greater New England MS Society, 101A First Ave., Waltham MA 02451. For guestbook please visit www.Buonfiglio.com

Edmund Byczkowski

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Retiree

Edmund S. Byczkowski of Chelsea died on June 13.

Edmund was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1936, and was a life-long resident of the city of Chelsea. He retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in the late 1970’s and enjoyed his retirement years traveling with his wife, Lucy.

He was a resident of Eastpointe Rehab where he enjoyed coordinating recreation activities and events for his fellow residents. He was also a life-long fan of the Boston Red Sox and enjoyed watching games on a regular basis.

He was the devoted husband of the late Lucy Ann (Wisniewska); beloved father of Lucille Kopaczynski of Stoneham, Edmund S. Byczkoski, Jr. of Wakefield and Thomas Byczkoski of Revere; brother of the late Henry Byczkoski, Stella Drella and Wanda White and is also lovingly survived by 10 grandchildren: Ann Catalano of North Reading, Mary Burns of Billerica, Lynn Casa of Epping, New Hampshire, Elaine Navarro of Stoneham, Beth Agneta of Plaistow, New Hampshire, Edmund Kopaczynski of Litchfield, New Hampshire, Robin Byczkoski of New Hampshire, Joseph Kopaczynski of Springfield, Pennsylvania, Edmund S. Byczkoski, III of Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Thomas Kopaczynski of Danvers. He was the great grandfather of 17 and also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

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