Obituaries 11-13-2019

Rita Pizzi

Woman of Deep Faith

Rita M. (Kirk) Pizzi, 87, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Don Orione Home, East Boston.

Family and friends are invited to express their respects and condolences at St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop today, Wednesday, Nov. 13 beginning at 9 a.m. to be followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Rita was a lifelong resident of East Boston, member of the Star of the Sea Parish and St. Mary’s graduating class of 1950. On Nov. 11, 1951, Rita married her only love, Thomas “Johnny” Pizzi at Star of the Sea. In the years to follow, she was blessed to be the mother of five children. It was very important that she raised her children with a strong faith in God and to have a Catholic education.

Rita was a dedicated mother and wife. She was very involved in school activities, a den mother in the Cub Scouts and proud to drive the East Boston High Cheerleaders in the Columbus Day Parades.

Rita was a mother who led by example and her children were very proud of her. Rita’s faith was paramount and she demonstrated it daily. She was an active parishioner at Star of the Sea Parish. In later years, she became a devotee of the Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston and St. John the Evangelist in Winthrop.

Prayer was as important to Rita as taking a breath. Rita would always greet you with a warm embrace promising her prayers for you, truly a woman of God. Her deep faith allowed her to have peace in any situation, because she believed in the power of prayer.

After her children were grown, she began a working career at Boston Logan International Airport. Rita loved to cook for holidays and special occasions. She truly enjoyed knitting and crocheting beautiful afghans, quilts, hats and scarves for winter, and often gave them as gifts. Rita always cherished every family gathering with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was the devoted wife of 52 years to the late Thomas J. “Johnny” Pizzi, loving and caring mother of John T. Pizzi and his wife, Glenda of Waltham, Patricia Pizzi Gamble and her husband, Ron of Marlborough, Stephen M. Pizzi and his wife, Karen of Revere, Donna Pizzi Giglio of Winthrop, and Ritamarie Pizzi DiSciscio and her husband, William J. DiSciscio Jr. of Winthrop; adored Nana of Elizabeth, Michelle, Tanya, John Jr., Stephen Jr., Tina Marie, Rayna, Alannah and Nicholas and proud great grandmother of ten great grandchildren; dear sister of the late Ruth O’Brien, Nicholas “James” Kirk, Hazel Fitzpatrick, Earl “Buddy” Kirk, Irene M. Rotondi, Alice E. Oldham, Jean E. Fiatarone, and Patrick Kirk.  

Donations in Rita’s memory can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Arrangements are by the Vertuccio and Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. For additional information, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

Kathleen Juliano

Of East Boston

Kathleen “Kathie” Juliano, of East Boston, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the age of 72.

The beloved spouse of Ann Buonopane, she was the devoted mother of Gina Myers and her husband, Wayne of North Kingstown, RI and Joseph Dedominicis and his wife, Lisa of Malden; dear sister of Jean, Donna, Debbie, Laura, Gail and the late Patty and cherished grandmother of Darius, Myleya and Mikey. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Milo and countless adored nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor Kathie’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. A memorial service will be held in the Serenity Chapel of the Memorial Home at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to offset funeral expenses. For more information,  visit ruggieromh.com

Maria de la Cruz Median Dussan

Of East Boston

Maria de la Cruz Median Dussan of East Boston passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Nov. 8 at the age of 88.

She was the devoted mother of Fabian Medina and his wife, Christine of Revere and William Medina and his wife, Ruth of Seattle, dear sister of Braulia Medina, cherished grandmother of Gabriel and Samantha and adored great grandmother of Avery. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor Maria’s life by gathering at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Maverick St., East Boston on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Maria’s life will take place in the church at 11 a.m.

For more information, visit ruggieromh.com

Thomas Hickey, Jr.

Retired Commission Broker

Services and interment have been held for Thomas F. Hickey, Jr., who died on Sunday, Oct. 13 following a long illness at the Don Orione Nursing Home in East Boston.

Born and raised in East Boston, he attended Boston English High School and was a member of the Class of 1954.

Thomas spent most of his working career as a commission broker. He lived in Las Vegas, Nevada for many years, before returning to Boston and living in Winthrop for over 20 years.

He was the beloved son of the late Thomas F. Hickey Sr. and Helene Jeannette (Buckley) Hickey; the cherished brother to Charles E. Hickey and his wife, Pamela of Saugus and the late, Francis P. Hickey amd his late wife, Jan of Morrow, Georgia. He is also lovingly survived by many cousins and by the Hurley Family of Crest Ave in Beachmont, Revere and by many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances may be made to the N.E. Center & Home for Veterans, P.O. Box 845257, Boston, MA 02284-5257. For more information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Joseph James D’Amelio

Well Known Local Businessman, Will be Missed by all

Joseph James D’Amelio passed away suddenly on Nov. 11 at the age of 49.

Joe was a long-time East Boston resident, formerly of Wilmington. He grew up working in his family’s restaurant in the North End of Boston, 5 North Square. He developed a passion for the restaurant business and opened up D’Amelio’s Off the Boat Seafood, first in East Boston and then moving to a larger, more modern location on Revere Street in Revere.

Joe worked as a young man at Langone Funeral Home in the North End. He developed an interest in the funeral industry and later owned a livery company that specialized in servicing the Funeral Industry. He worked part time for Ruggiero Family Memorial Home in East Boston and Vazza’s Beechwood Funeral Home in Revere. He will be missed by all.

He was the beloved husband of Antonietta (Grieci) D’Amelio, cherished son of George D’Amelio Sr. and Lillian (Orlandino) D’Amelio, fond son-in-law of Dario and Albina Grieci and dear brother of Edmund D’Amelio, George D’Amelio Jr. and his wife, Tricia, Christine DiIulio, Albert D’Amelio and Angelina D’Amelio. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will honor Joe’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home 971 Saratoga St., East Boston on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. and again on Monday morning at 8:30 before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church Brooks St., East Boston for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in celebration of Joe’s life. Services will conclude with Joe being entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Suzanne Mucci Todd

A Great Cook, Who Always Called Eastie ”Her Home” Is Now in Heaven

Suzanne Mucci Todd of Burke, Virginia, formerly of East Boston, died peacefully at home in her sleep on Nov. 9 at the age of 97.

Those who have tried her gnocchi, meatballs and chicken and dumplings know that a great cook is now in heaven. She always loved reminiscing about growing up in East Boston and she always called Eastie her “home.”  Goodbye  Mom, until we meet again!

Funeral arrangements are being made for her to join her deceased husband Ray Jeff Todd at Arlington National Cemetery in Virgina. She was deeply loved and she will be deeply missed.

She was a devoted mother to Raymond Todd and his wife, Elizabeth of Malden, Marjorie Kelly of El Paso, TX; and Anne Todd Walsh and her husband, Gerard of Burke, VA. She leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Margaret Kelly, Tracey Todd Thompson and her husband, Bill, Jeffrey Walsh and his wife, Ashly and James Todd as well as her great grandchildren, Keira and Shane Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior  Project.    https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements are by Advent Funeral & Cremation Services, http://www.adventfuneral.com.

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