Obituaries 11-06-2014

Peter Grasso

Retired Butcher

Peter S. Grasso of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, went home to Jesus October 30.

A US Army veteran of World War II and a retired wholesale meat company butcher, he was the beloved husband of Bina ( Giammarino ) Grasso with whom he shared 66 years  of marriage; loving father of Louise Grasso of Brockton, Anthony Grasso of N. Reading, Loretta Mastalerz and her husband, Jay of Lynnfield and Peter Grasso Jr. and his wife, Deborah of Virginia; dear brother of Antoinetta  DeVincent of Peabody and the late Louis and Louise Grasso and the cherished grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchilren.

His funeral and services were private. For online guest book, please visit: www.vazzafunerals.com.

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Ethel Elfman

Newton Marriott Retiree

A Memorial Service was held October 26 at Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel in Salem for Ethel (Lichman) Elfman of Revere who died suddenly and peacefully at home. She was 84 years old.

Mrs. Elfman was born in Chelsea. She graduated Chelsea High School in 1948 and remained friends with many classmates attending all of her high school reunions. She moved to Revere where she lived for 59 years with her late husband, Edward Elfman and family.

Mrs. Elfman had a career as a caterer and accommodator as well as a server in the Newton Marriott Banquet Department.  Although the hours might have been long, she loved going to work to help make someone’s wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah a joyous success by providing her version of white-glove service.  Throughout her 37-year career,  she received accolades from many who had attended a function at the hotel from which she retired in 2007.

As a volunteer, she sold savings stamps at the Shurtleff School and often visited the local Veterans Hospitals with the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary.

She was the beloved wife of the late Edward “Eddie” Elfman with whom she shared a 49 year marriage, the devoted mother of Beth Wallace of East Haven, CT, Linda Elfman of Stoneham, Paula Daniels of New Hope, PA and Steven Elfman of Swampscott; dear sister to the late Jack Lichman and Sarah Nathan; aunt to Marilyn Steinberg and Eric Nathan and the late Billy Lichman; and proud grandma to Alex and Julia Daniels.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.

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Weldon Elsworth Brown

Retired Chelsea Police Sergeant and Community Volunteer

Weldon Elsworth Brown, a Retired Chelsea Police Sergeant and a 64 year resident of Chelsea, passed away at home, Tuesday morning, November 4 surrounded by his loving family. He was 85 years old.

Born in Arkansas, the son of the late Elmer and Elizabeth (Stopher) Brown, just after high school, Weldon enlisted in the US Navy in June, 1948. He served in the Submarine Service, Atlantic Fleet for seven and a half years, which included the Korean War and he was honorably discharged on July 8, 1955

After discharge, Weldon worked for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections for one year, prior to his appointment to the Chelsea Police Force as a reserve officer in 1957. He was appointed as a permanent patrolman in 1961 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1978. After serving his community for a loyal 30 years, Weldon retired in 1987. As a patrolman, he attended Northeastern University and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

After retirement, he remained active in the community. He volunteered at the Chelsea Public Library and was a member of the Chelsea Historical Society. He was a member of the Massachusetts Police Association and a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Church in Chelsea. He volunteered his time and hard work at the OLG Food Pantry, the OLG Outreach Program and also served as a Eucharistic Minister. He will be greatly missed by all his family, friends and extended family at the Chelsea Police Department.

Weldon is the beloved husband of Lorraine (Carroll) Brown, together they shared 60 years of marriage; the devoted father of Kevin Brown and his wife, Diane of Revere, Gerard Brown and his wife, Alice of Melrose, Michele Tosi and her husband, Walter of Melrose and Laurie Zoldos and her husband, Andrew of Chelsea; dear brother of Imalee Sterling of California; uncle of Michael Sterling of California. nephew of Quinn and Millie Brown of Arkansas. He is also lovingly survived by three grandchildren, Tristan and Emily Brown of Melrose and Gina Tosi of Melrose.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Everett/Chelsea line on Friday, November 7 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Church today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. including a prayer service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Donations in Weldon’s name may be made to Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea, MA 02150 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the William R. Carafa & Son Home For Funerals in Chelsea.

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Joseph ‘Joe’ Francis

Piasecki, Jr.

Chelsea Sanitation Department Retiree

Joseph “Joe” Francis Piasecki, Jr. passed away Sunday, October 26 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 84 years old.

A lifelong resident of Chelsea, the son of the late Joseph F. and Helen (Brunelle) Piasecki, Sr., Joe retired from the City of Chelsea, having worked in the sanitation department for 30 years.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Irene P. (Johnson) Piasecki and he was the beloved father of Joseph F. Piasecki, III of Chelsea; step-father of Phyllis I. Iapicca of Lynn; dear brother of Joan Collins of Chelsea; brother-in-law of the late Edward Collins and is also lovingly survived by six grandchildren: Crystal, April, Raymond, Stephen, Meagan and Joseph and six great-grandchildren: Adam, Alex, Aaron, Aubree, Olivia and Kelvin.

A Graveside Service was conducted at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn.

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