Lillian Polcari
Last Surviving Member of The Founding Family of “Stella’s Restaurant”
Lilliam M. Polcari of Point of Pines, Revere died at home on December 1 following a brief illness. She was 96 years old.
Born and raised in Boston’s North End, she was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Class of 1939 and Leslie College, Class of 1945.
Her parents were born in Italy and came to this country, with their parents in the late 1890’s settling in Boston’s predominantly Jewish and Italian immigrant communities. In 1925, her parents, Annibale and Angelina (Vara) Polcari opened “Stella’s Fine Five Star Italian Restaurant of Boston” which was in the heart of Boston’s North End until the restaurant moved to its premier location in 1979 at 74 East India St., Boston. The restaurant remained there until closing its doors in 1983.
When Annibale died in 1968, her two brothers, Louis and Charles A. Polcari took over the total management of the restaurant. For many years, Lillian acted as bookkeeper and custodian of records. Before that and during her restaurant career, she was also Chief Laboratory Technician for several Boston doctors in private practice. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, she was a substitute teacher for the City of Revere, usually serving at the Whelan School.
“Stella’s Restaurant” was a mecca for all categories of Who’s Who in America for more 60 years. Celebrities of all social, educational, clerical, political and infamous backgrounds were hosted there and enjoyed the finest in Italian dining with impeccable presentations and courtesies. And a remarkable accommodation was always accorded old family friends and neighbors as well as those of the “Rich and Famous.”
The Kennedy Family, especially Jack and Jacqueline and their entire entourage, often frequented the famous Boston five star eatery. Movie, television and radio personalities from Sinatra, Tony Martin, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Martha Raye, Bette Davis, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Gina Lolabrigidia, Eve Arden, the Goldberg Family and many many more were long time patrons. Politicians, their wives and escorts, composers, conductors, the very rich and the very ‘not so rich’ met at “Stella’s.” The famed restaurant was also legendary for its décor of Italian and Greek Art and Sculpture. Lillian Polcari’s life, or much of it, was centered at the core of the restaurant where she maintained a presence until its closing.
Her brother, Charles A. Polcari died in August of 2001 and her brother, Louis Polcari died in December of 2000.
She was the devoted aunt of Louis C. Polcari and his wife, Joanne of Weymouth, Angela M. Ventola and her husband, Robert and Marie C. Polcari, all of Salem. She is also lovingly survived by her sister-in-law, Gloria M. Polcari of Point of Pines, Revere.
Family and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass today, Wednesday, December 5 at 11a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere. Burial will be in the Family Estate Lot at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Italian Home for Children, 1125 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals of Revere – www.vertuccioandsmith.com.
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Salvatore ‘Red’ Alessandroni
Active at St. Lazarus Parish; Courageous Generation Vice President
Salvatore L. “Red” Alessandroni of East Boston died on December 1.
He was a past member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Past President of St. Lazarus Home and School Association, a member of St. Lazarus Parish Council and Holy Name and the vice president of the Courageous Generation of St. Lazarus Parish.
He was the beloved husband of more than 57 years to Marilu (Luca) Alessandroni; devoted father of Donna O’Connor and her husband, Michael, retired Boston Police Department Sergeant, of Jamaica Plain, Michael of Lunenburg and the late Joseph; dear brother of the late Nora, Aldo Ann Alessandroni and the late Edith LaFleur; cherished grandfather of Michael III, Erin and Julianne O’Connor and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
His Funeral will be held from the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston on Thursday, December 6 at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Celebration of his life in St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church, Ashley Street, East Boston at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with ‘Red’ being laid to rest with his son Joseph in Woodlawn Cemetery. May they both rest in peace. Because of his love for and devotion to the Courageous Generation of St Lazarus Parish, memorial donations may be made to Courageous Generation St Lazarus Parish, 59 Ashley St. East Boston 02128. For more information, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
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Robert DiPalma
Of East Boston
Robert J. DiPalma died in East Boston on December 1.
He was the beloved father of Robert J. DiPalma and his wife, Danielle of Beverly; son of Anna (Gullifa) DiPalma of East Boston and the late Arthur DiPalma and grandfather of Staci DiPalma.
Visiting hours will be held in the Magrath Funeral Home, 325 Chelsea St. [at Day Sq] East Boston tonight, Wednesday evening, December 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private. Indoor parking and entrance to funeral home available from 340 Bremen St. MagrathFuneralHome.com
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Josephine LeBlanc
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Josephine S. (Fazio) LeBlanc of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on November 29 at the Lighthouse Nursing & Care Center following a long illness. She was 90 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, she was a 1940 graduate of East Boston High School. She married Thomas L. LeBlanc in September of 1942 and the couple moved to Revere in 1952. Mrs. LeBlanc worked as a secretary for the former Wigglesworth Company in East Boston.
She was the beloved wife of 70 years of Thomas L. LeBlanc; devoted mother of Thomas W. LeBlanc of Revere and the late Ronald E. and Deborah LeBlanc; cherished grandmother of Heather LeBlanc of Missouri, Danielle Morello and her husband, Michael of Lynnfield and Christopher LeBlanc of Peabody. She is also lovingly survived by her great granddaughter Madison Morello and by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was the dear sister of the late Rose Consolo and Petrina Zazzaretti and the daughter of the late Urelio and Josephine (Gangi) Fazio.
Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Peabody. For more information and directions, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com
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Catherine ‘Kay’ Ward
Nurse
Catherine I. “Kay” (Gasparini) Ward of Salem, formerly of Saugus and Revere, died on November 28.
A graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1956 and Chelsea Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, she was the cherished daughter of the late Dante and Rina (Agostinelli) Gasparini; loving mother of Karen Ward and her fiancé, Mark Sanner of Connecticut and Kimberly Lovett and her son, Landon of Saugus.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was at Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. For guest book. www.vazzafunerals.com.
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Ralph Voto
Of East Boston
Ralph F. Voto passed away on November 26.
He leaves behind his loving children Anthony and Cathy, along with their spouses Kim and Stephen. He is also survived by one cherished grandson, Ryan Christopher Voto.
A wake service and funeral mass was held at St. Michael’s Chapel in Chelsea. Burial was private.
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Domenico Conte
Of East Boston
Domenico Conte of East Boston died on November 29.
A devoted member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in East Boston for many years, he was the beloved husband of Maria (Berlangieri); devoted father of Frank Conte and Cathy Lange of Wakefield, Josephine DiPietro and her husband, Jerry of East Boston, Ann Marie Vinciguerra and her husband, Mark of Mansfield, Anthony Conte of Arlington, Domenic Conte and his wife, Cheryl of Wakefield and John Conte and his wife, Patricia of Wallingford, CT; dear brother of Filomena Berlangieri and her husband, Tullio of Revere; cherished grandfather of Sean, Lauren, Christina, Alessandra, Domenic, JD, Emily, Marcus and Juliana and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. Entombment was at Holy Cross Cemetery. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
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Charles Hudson
Member of ITAM and Union Local 1726
Charles R. Hudson of East Boston died suddenly on November 29. He was 50 years old.
A member of ITAM and Union Local 1726, he was the devoted father of Charles “CJ” Hudson and Rachel Hudson, both of Saugus and Niki Fournier of Winthrop; cherished companion of Sherry Ricupero of East Boston; dear brother of Elaine Hudson, Debbie Hunter and Charlotte Dalton, all of Florida, Shelia Hudson of Wilmington and the late Beverly Grady; loving Cha Cha of Madee and is also survived by his fond nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston. For more information: www.ruggieromh.com
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Elvira Venuti
Of East Boston
Elvira (Mazzapica) Venuti of East Boston died on November 27.
She was the beloved wife for more than 65 years of Michael Venuti; devoted mother of Michael Venuti of San Francisco and Steven Venuti and his wife, Mary of Littleton; dear sister of Charles Mazzapica of Florida, Carl Mazzapica of Woburn and the Late Phyllis Abate, Peter and John Mazzapica; cherished grandmother of Matthew and Jeffrey and adored great grandmother of Hailey, Nicholas and Ella. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In honoring Mrs Venuti, memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 N. Main St., Natick 01760. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
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John DeMattio, Sr.
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
John W. DeMattio, Sr. of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on November 26 at the Lighthouse Nursing Care Center in Revere. He was 84 years old.
A US Air Force veteran and a former employee of Market Forge, Everett, he was he was born in East Boston, the son of the Late Edward and Sarah (Cutillo.) He was the beloved husband of Helen M. (Gannon); devoted father of Edward J. of Revere, John W. of Connecticut, Joseph S. and his wife, Lisa of Revere; dear brother of Vera DiCarlo of Quincy, Evelyn DeLuca of Revere, Sarah Fantasia of Revere and the late Samuel DeMattio, Edward DeMattio, Julia Cataldo, Jennie Zollo, Phyllis Scalisi and Edna Fortini. He is also survived by four loving granddaughters: Marissa, Kayla, Lauren and Lindsey.
Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham MA 01701. For guestbook please visit www.Buonfiglio.com
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Margaret Capobianco
Of Methuen, formerly of East Boston
Margaret G. (Doucette) Capobianco of Methuen, formerly of East Boston, died peacefully November 27 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was 81 years old.
The daughter of the late Frederick and Bertha (Petersen) Doucette, she was born in Boston on June 13. 1931 and lived in East Boston until moving to Methuen in 1996. She was educated in Boston schools, graduated from East Boston High School and was employed with the former Shawmut Bank until retiring. She later worked for the former Bradlees Department Store and Staples.
She will be deeply missed by her children; Margaret “Meg” Capobianco of Derry, New Hampshire, Thomas J. Capobianco, Jr. and his companion, Diane Calello of Winthrop, Linda Giardina and her husband, Paul of Wakefield, Gail Coppola and her husband, Rick of Danvers and Joanne Leach and her companion, Raymond Voter of Methuen; two sisters, Mary Boudreau of Saugus and Dorothy Mooney of Florida; 12 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son-in-law, William F. Leach, Jr. Her beloved husband, Thomas J. Capobianco, died in 2011.
Friends and family honored and celebrated her life by gathering for her Funeral Mass in St. Monica’s Church, Methuen. Burial was in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Methuen. To share a condolence with the Capobianco family, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Pollard family was honored to assist the family with arrangements.
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Claire Mainero
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Claire T. (Saurino) Mainero of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on December 1.
She was the beloved mother of Maryann Giorgio and her husband, Al, Michele Polsonetti and her husband, Michael, and Claire and Roseann Mainero, all of Revere; loving sister of Michael Bono of Revere, Maryellen Mendoza of East Boston, Martin Bono of New Hampshire, Donna Materese of Melrose, and the late Joseph and Theresa Saurino. She is also survived by 10 loving grandchildren, eight loving great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her memory in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, today,
Wednesday, December 5 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody. At the family’s request, visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the St. Anthony’s Church Restoration Fund, c/o St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St., Revere, MA 02151. For directions and guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com. Arrangements are under the the direction of Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Reverek