Raffaele Guarino
Of East Boston
Raffaele Guarino of East Boston, formerly of Mirabella, Italy, passed away on April 29 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 75.
He was the beloved husband for over 52 years of Columbia Guarino, devoted father of Lucille Gerardi and her husband, Joseph of East Boston, Vincent Guarino of West Peabody and Elaina Guarino of East Boston; dear brother of Lena Buonopane of East Boston, Bianca Benizzoni and Rita Memmolo, both of Italy; cherished grandfather of Michael, Dariana, Antonio, Corey, Marco and Joey and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Raffaele’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston on Friday May 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church Ashley St., East Boston for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in celebration of Raffaele’s life. Services will conclude with Raffael’s being laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery Malden, MA.
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Joseph ‘Joe’ Puleio
Of Methuen, formerly of East Boston
Joseph ‘Joe’ Puleio of Methuen, formerly of East Boston, died on April 25 after a brief illness.
He was the beloved husband of Maria Wilson Pecora; dear son of the late Nancy J. (Pinto) and Joseph Puleio Sr., son-in-law of the late Mary and Edwin Wilson, brother of the late Anthony Puleio and Rosemarie “Dolly” Santiago, loving step-father of Albert Pecora IV and his fiancée, Jessica Addario, Michael and Joseph Pecora, devoted grandfather of Ava, Michael, Hayden, Alyssa, Madyson and Emily, brother-in-law of Helen and Kevin Collins, Eddie Wilson, Walter and Francine Wilson, David and Ellie Wilson, Billy and Juanna Wilson, Buddy and Elena Wilson, John and Geri Wilson, Chester Wilson and the late Loretta and Dennis Napier, Thomas and Frankie Wilson. He is also survived by his godson Jason and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
At Joe’s request, services are private. A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date. MagrathFuneralHome.com
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George Manfra, Sr.
Retired teacher
George Manfra, Sr. of Middleton, formerly of East Boston, peacefully passed away on April 26.
A US Navy veteran of World War II, George was a teacher for the Boston Public Schools for over 35 years, as well as, Peabody School System and North Shore Tech until he was 90 years old.
He was the beloved husband of the late Carmella “Millie” (Oliva-Morani), devoted father of Sandra Dicato of Peabody, George Manfra, Jr. and his wife, Lori of Malden and the late Donald Manfra and his surviving wife, Lois; dear stepfather of Laura Dacarakis and her husband, George of Saugus, George Morani of Merrimack, and his former wife, Milanda, Gregory Morani and his wife, Jackie of Middleton and late Linda Brown. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters and is also survived by his cherished grand and great grandchildren, as well as by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston. A graveside service in celebration of George’s life was held in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com
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Michelle Boudreau-Nihan
Great communicator who made everyone feel special
Michelle M. Boudreau-Nihan of Wilmington and Naples, ME, formerly of East Boston, died on April 15 with family by her side after a year-long battle with heart disease.
Michelle was a financial analyst at Syneron-Candela in Wayland. She was a former employee at FedEx and W. N. Proctor Co.
Michelle had an unmatched love for life. She enjoyed spending all of her free time in Naples, Maine with her husband, Mike and especially loved to entertain family and friends there.
She was a great communicator, and had friends near and far that she always kept in close contact. She made everyone feel special. She will be greatly missed by all.
She was the beloved wife of Michael Nihan, loving daughter of George E. Boudreau of Medway and the late Marie (Cottreau), dear sister of Kimberly Yukon and her husband, Sam of Texas and Laurie Gallotto and her husband, Robert of Medway; cherished aunt of Matthew, Danielle and Julie Gallotto and is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Michelle’s funeral was held on April 21 from the Magrath Funeral Home with a Funeral Mass in the Sacred Heart Church and interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For additional information, visit: MagrathFuneralHome.com
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Salvatore ‘Googie’ Sponpinato
Retired machinist and devoted family man
Salvatore L. “Googie” Sponpinato of Revere, formerly of East Boston, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, April 30. He was 82 years old.
Sal was a member of the Knights of Columbus Saugus Order. He had a lifelong love of photography. Sal was a proud graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1954. He was a retired machinist, and enjoyed passing on his knowledge to apprentices and colleagues. He was a devoted family man who took pride in providing for his family. Sal and his family spent many weekends taking long drives in his beloved 1964 Chrysler Imperial, foraging for wild mushrooms, hunting for antiques, and vacationing at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Sal enjoyed nothing more than the company of his wife and daughters.
The cherished son of the late Joseph “Lefty” and Anna (Simonelli) Sponpinato, he was the beloved husband of 59 years to Amelia (DeSimone) Sponpinato, loving father of Anna Robinson and her husband, Robert, Gina Mack and her husband, William, Lisa Petrillo and her husband, Roberto, and Nancy Sponpinato, all of Revere; adored grandfather of Colleen Rossetti and her husband, Michael, Harley Petrillo, Jessica Mack and her companion, Matthew Catanzariti, James Petrillo,
Antonia Robinson, William Petrillo and Marina Robinson; caring brother of Adele Ciampa of Winthrop and the late Phyllis “Chickie” Bavaro. He is also survived by many loving relatives.
Family and friends will honor Salvatore’s life by gathering in Vazza’s Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere on Thursday, May 3 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. Friday before leaving in procession to the Immaculate Conception Church in Revere for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in his honor at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Salvatore’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St.
Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the GBS/CIDP Foundation International, 375 East Elm Street, Suite 101, Conshocken, PA 19428 (info@gbs-cidp.org). For guestbook and directions please visit www.vazzafunerals.com