Fannnie Campochiaro
Long time owner of Shelby Market in Orient Heights; known for her often replicated, never duplicated, biscotti and meatballs
Fannie (DeBole) Campochiaro, of Wakefield, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully at Sawtelle Family Hospice House on December 11. She was 98 years old.
Born in Wakefield on December 31, 1916, Fannie was one of six children raised in East Boston by the late Leo DeBole and Maryann (Cutana) DeBole. As a young high school student, Fannie stayed home during the day to help raise her younger brothers. She attended school at night, learning from a young age the importance of a strong, loving family.
On September 21, 1941, she married Guy Campochiaro at Mt. Carmel Church in East Boston. After living in California and Malden for several years, they returned to East Boston buying a local grocery, Shelby Market, in Orient Heights. They lived above the store for many years, supplying friends and neighbors with grocery items nearly seven days a week. They looked forward to their day off on Monday when, during the summer, they often enjoyed day trips to Beaver Lake in New Hampshire with Fannie’s brother, Sal and his family.
Over the years, Fannie and Guy traveled to see family in Italy and spent winters in California with their son, Guy and his family. Closer to home, Fannie loved watching her grandchildren grow and whenever anyone would come to visit, she would have plenty of food ready. She loved cooking and baking, and was known for her often replicated, never duplicated, biscotti and meatballs. True to her Italian heritage, she loved family parties, holidays, and always had enough food for everyone.
In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, watching the Lawrence Welk show with her husband on Saturday nights, and loved returning to see her friends in East Boston for weekly craft meetings at the Senior Center. After Guy passed away in 1993, Fannie’s strength and independence allowed her to continue living on her own through her mid 90’s. Fannie’s love of family, her understanding nature, and optimistic outlook will always be treasured by her family.
Fannie was the beloved wife of the late Guy Campochiaro with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Guy M. Campochiaro and his wife, Patty of Granada Hills, CA, and Linda Camier and her husband, Pete of Wakefield; dear sister of the late Pasquale, Joseph, Leo, Angelo, and Salvatore DeBole; sister-in-law of Joanne DeBole of Royal Palm Beach, FL; cherished grandmother of Lisa Wagner and her husband, Bruce, Michael Campochiaro and his wife, Kristie, Christopher Campochiaro, Gregory Camier and his wife, Melanie, Peter Camier and Nicole Pope and her husband, Adam; loving great-grandmother of Timothy, Ashley, Erin, Morgan, Amy, Lucy, Michael, Amber, and Gregory.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Fannie’s life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose for her funeral service today, Wednesday, at 9 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Gifts in Fannie’s memory may be made to the Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill St., Reading MA 01867. For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visitRobinsonFuneralHome.com
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Kathryn ‘Rena’ Lopilato
Taught in Revere School System for 38 years
Kathryn “Rena” Lopilato of East Boston passed away on December 9. She was 84 years old.
A teacher for 38 years for the City of Revere School System, she was the cherished daughter of the late Mary C. (Rosato) and Louis A. Lopilato Sr.; loving sister of Frankie Kamlot and the late Michael T. and Louis A. Lopilato Jr.; caring aunt of Michael, David and Mark Lopilato and is also survived by many loving great and great-great nephews and nieces.
Family and friends will honor Rena’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St. Revere today, Wednesday, December 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 8:30 a.m. Thursday before leaving in procession to The Most Holy Redeemer Church in East Boston for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in her honor at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. At the family’s request, please OMIT flowers, donations may be made in Rena’s name to The Most Holy Redeemer Church, 65 London St., East Boston, MA 02128. For guestbook and directions www.vazzafunerals.com
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Maria Roccadella Roberto
Worked in family business Spinelli’s Bakery and Catering; formerly worked for Piccarello Manufacturing and Don Orione Nursing Home
Maria Roccadella (Palumbo) Roberto, a life long East Boston resident, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her bedside on Tuesday afternoon, December 8.
Maria began working in the clothing business with Piccarello Manufacturing and later went to work for over 21 years at the Don Orione Nursing Home in East Boston in their kitchen preparing meals for the residents. She then went to work with her family in their business in East Boston, Spinelli’s Bakery and Catering. .
The beloved wife of the late Joseph Roberto, she was the devoted mother of Claire Bavaro and her husband, Joseph and Rita Roberto and her partner,, Jeannie, all of Topsfield, Louie Roberto and his wife, Maria of Danvers and Anthony Roberto and his wife, Olina of Peabody; loving grandmother of Michael Bavaro and his wife, Justine, Christina Noel and her husband, Gregg, Joey Bavaro and his wife, Erica, Tommy Bavaro, Joseph Roberto and his wife, Michelle, Alexandra Roberto, Matthew Roberto, Marc Roberto, Justin Roberto, Giana Roberto, and Gabriella Roberto; cherished great grandmother of Patrick, Cameron, Will, Sammy, Marianna, Alana and Nadia and is also survived by many fond nieces and nephews.
The Roberto Family would like to give a special thanks to Maria’s caregivers; Paul Amoroso, Joanie Ferrara, Marisol Williams, and Diane Tamas.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, (Orient Heights) East Boston. Services concluded with Maria being laid to rest with her beloved husband, Joseph In Woodlawn Cemetery. In honoring Maria’s life and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown MA 02172. For more information, please visit:www.ruggieromh.com
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John Anthony Mello
Member of many organizations; of Everett, formerly of East Boston
John Anthony Mello of Everett, formerly of East Boston, passed away on December 11. He was 77 years old.
John was a US Airforce Veteran (Strategic Air Command), a member of the Boston Business Association, National Geographic Society, AMVET, Winthrop Elks, St. Anthony’s Church in Revere, an Honorary Member of Father Flanagan’s Boys Town and a past member of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Orient Heights Yacht Club.
He was the longtime partner of Theresa Tacardo; cherished father of Donna Starrett of Magnolia, John “Jackie” J. Mello of Revere, Anthony J. Mello of Hopkinton, Robert W. Mello of LA and the late Philip M. Mello; loving grandfather of 15 and great-grandfather of one.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, MA. www.vazzafunerals.com
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Joan Hamel
Devoted mother and animal lover
Joan Hamel of Trenton Street, East Boston passed away at home on December 10. She was 81 years old. Born in Boston, the beloved daughter of the late Sylvia (Maffei) and Joseph Martorano, she was a 1952 graduate of Winthrop High School and went on to work as a clerk for State Street Bank for many years. Thoughout her life she was very fond of animals, but more importantly, she was a devoted and loving mother to her four children.
She was the loving mother of Thomas Hamel of San Diego, California, Maria “Mia” Hamel of Tampa, Florida, Joyce Hamel of Silver Spring, Maryland and Robert Hamel of Mansfield; the dear sister of Joseph Martorano of Tewksbury and Michael Martorano of Silverthorn, Colorado and the cherished grandmother of Kristina, Cassandra, Robert and Jayme.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the memorial service from the Central Assembly of God Church, 50 Bennington St., East Boston today, Wednesday, December 16 at 2 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue League, Boston at www.arlboston.org/donate/