Joanne Rozzi
Lifelong East Boston Resident
Joanne M. (Siracusa) Rozzi, 73, a lifelong East Boston resident, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24 surrounded by her loving family.
She was the cherished daughter of the late Angelina “Ann” (Modica) Siracusa, beloved wife of Dominic Rozzi, loving mother of Christopher Rozzi and Maria Conti and her husband, Thomas; adored grandmother of Francesca and Christopher Rozzi Jr. and Isabella Conti; caring sister of Albert and Louis Siracusa. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral arrangements were by
Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere.
Donations may be made in Joanne’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org.
For guestbook please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.
Angelina Serra
Lifelong East Boston Resident
Angelina (Quagliati) Serra, a lifelong resident of East Boston, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 23.
She was the beloved wife of the late Frank “Che Che” Serra, devoted mother of Linda Serra of East Boston, Richard Serra Sr. and his wife, Diane of Buffalo, New York, loving sister of Mary Colometo of Revere, Clementina “Tina” DeMeo of East Boston and the late Rose Acquadro of Wellesley, cherished grandmother of Richard Serra Jr., Veronica Boisvert, Gina Chiazza, and Dante Serra, and great-grandmother of Julianna Serra. She is also survived by many adored nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Angelina’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, today, Wednesday morning, Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Joseph ~ Saint Lazarus Church, East Boston, for a Funeral Mass celebrating her life at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Angelina being laid to rest with her beloved husband, Frank at the Mausoleum in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. May they rest in peace. For more information or to send an online condolence visit ruggieromh.com.
Andrea Butler
Attorney and Theater Production Director
Andrea Butler of Revere passed away on Sept. 28.
Andrea was an attorney who also had a true passion for arts and entertainment focusing on the fine art of modern theater. Directing theater productions was near and dear to her heart.
Her true love was her niece Francesca. Andrea was blessed with a large, loving family. May God hold Andrea in the hollow of his hand. May he be with her and bless her.
The dear sister of Allison Butler, she was the loving aunt of Francesca Zakharia and dear cousin of Paul Spates, all of Lynn; daughter of the late Leonard J. and Gwendolyn (Del Greco) Butler; beloved Godchild of Uncle Joey, Auntie Rosie and Auntie Marie. She was the blessed little sister of cousin Robert and felt truly loved by Auntie Nora. The cherished friend of Nina of Hamilton, she is also survived by many loving uncles and aunts: Elio and Denise Del Greco, Rosemarie and Joseph Pisano, Joseph and Victoria Del Greco, Elia and Cosmo Dell’Anno, Eleanora and her late husband, Angelo Diruzza, Peter and Camille Del Greco, Stefan Del Greco and Julie Petermann and the late Pasquale and his surviving spouse, Phyllis Del Greco, the late Salvatore and Lucille Del Greco, the late Josephine and Edward Harrington and also survived by many cousins.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St., Revere on Wednesday, October 9, at 10 a.m. (Everyone to meet at church). Private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For guest book, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.
Theresa Oliva
Of East Boston
Theresa “Terry” Oliva, 75, of East Boston, passed away on Friday, Sept. 27.
The cherished daughter of Samuel Oliva and the late Gilda (Filippone) Oliva, she was the caring sister of Jeanette Champion and her husband, Lee of Nahant, loving aunt of Gregg Champion and his wife, Margo of Florida, Keith Champion and his wife, Ismeyly of Winthrop and Brad Champion and his wife, Kelly of East Boston and adored great aunt of Zoe, Everett, Julian, Adrian and Jack. She is also survived by many loving uncles, aunts and cousins.
Family and friends will honor Theresa’s life by gathering in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral home, 262 Beach Street, Revere for a Memorial Visitation on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service beginning at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Theresa’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis TN 38105-9959. For guest book and directions please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.
Elisa Ventresca
She Had a Special Way of Helping People in Need with Her Kind and Warm Smile
Elisa (LoStracco) Ventresca of East Boston passed away peacefully on Sept. 23.
Elisa came to the United States in 1956 with her son Joseph, to join her beloved Mario. They made their home in the Orient Heights section of East Boston. As a long time resident of East Boston, Elisa enjoyed her garden, sewing and cooking for endless families and friends. She worked as a seamstress for many years.
Elisa opened her home to many friends and families and devoted her time to her beloved church, St Joseph St Lazarus Parish and cherished Don Orione Shrine. She loved volunteering in the church choir as well as the Don Orione Shrine in anything that was asked of her. Elisa had a very special way of helping people in need with her kind and warm smile. May God himself hold you in the palm of his hand.
The beloved wife of the late Mario Ventresca, she was the devoted mother of Joseph and his wife, Marlene of California and Joanne and her husband, William J. Mahoney Jr. of Winthrop; dear sister of Alba Ventresca of Italy, Maria Molinaro of Hamilton, Canada and the late Filadora, Amelia, Nunziata and Francesco and the cherished grandmother of Desmond Mahoney. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Elisa’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston today, Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Thursday morning at 8:30 before leaving in procession to St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, Ashley St., East Boston for a Funeral Mass celebrating Elisa’s life at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Elisa being laid to rest with her beloved husband, Mario in Woodlawn Cemetery. May they rest in peace.
Antonio Vigliotta
Of East Boston
Antonio Vigliotta of East Boston passed away peacefully on Sept. 27 surrounded by his loving family.
He was the beloved husband of the late Concetta Vigliotta, loving father of Maria DelGrosso and her husband, Ugo of Norton, Pasquale Vigliotta and his wife, Lisa of Andover, Josephine Saraceni and her husband, Ralph of Melrose, Libertina “Libby” Vigliotta of New Hampshire, Salvatore Vigliotta and his wife. Alycia of East Boston and the late Anthony Vigliotta and his wife, Claudia of Revere; dear brother of Angelo Vigliotta and his wife, Antonetta of East Boston and Luigi Vigliotta and his wife, Pasqualina of Italy. He is also survived by 14 loving grandchildren, six loving great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston. Entombment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, donations in Antonio’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For more information: www.ruggieromh.com.
George Heffron
Member of first Graduating Class of Dominic Savio Prep High School
George A. Heffron of Gardner, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday morning, Sept. 16.
George was educated in East Boston and was a member of the first graduating class of St. Dominic Savio Prep High School. He then served in the U.S. Army National Guard. George worked 15 years as a dental technician before joining Teradyne in Boston where he worked for 25 years. He was a faithful Catholic who attended daily mass at Arch St. Chapel on his way to work.
A former athlete who loved football, George was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame and the New York “Football” Giants. His favorite Sunday was when the Giants won and the Patriots lost, but eventually he became a fan of the Patriots.
He was also a self-taught wood worker and especially crafty on the wood lathe. Another favorite pastime came every October when he would make wine with family and neighbors.
George’s true passion was his family. He always looked forward to large Sunday dinners, birthdays and holidays where he could enjoy great food and the company of family and friends. He treasured his trips to Courgne, Italy to reunite with extended family.
He was the loving son of the late William J. and Margaret (Savio) Heffron, devoted father of Toni Anne St. John of Taunton, Michael Heffron and his wife, Laurie of Hanover and Denise Alley of Gardner; dear brother of William G. Heffron of East Boston and the late Patricia J. Falcone; cherished grandfather of Anthony, Dominic, Dante, Frankie and Tessa; dear brother in-law to Louis Falcone and Anne Marie Heffron and uncle to Mark Falcone, David Falcone, John “Jack” Heffron, Katie Heffron and Gracie Heffron.
Family and friends will honor George’s life by gathering in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights), East Boston on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. for a Memorial Visitation ending with a Prayer Service. George’s ashes will be interred at Winthrop Cemetery with his beloved family at a later date. In honor of George, memorial donations in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, (508)-270-4635.