Elvan Wayne Johnson
Department of Veterans Affairs retiree
Elvan Wayne Johnson, born July 30,1938 passed away unexpectedly June 4, 2020.
A native of Perry, Florida, Mr. Johnson was a Vietnam era veteran and served in the United States Navy for 14 years. After his military service, he resided in Boston where he worked at the Massachusetts State Police as a dispatcher. He then went on to work for Citicorp Group and ultimately retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs in Boston Massachusetts.
He and his wife moved to his home state of Florida for retirement where he resided until his passing.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rebecca Johnson, his daughter Desiree Johnson of Las Cruces, NM, his son, Juan Jose Johnson and his wife, Lisa of Batesville, Arkansas, daughter Mary Carmen Dodero of Spain, Eugene Rector of Lowell and he was predeceased by his late sons, Anthony Wayne Johnson and Nicholas Metrick. He also leaves his grandchildren Alexander McCusker, Maggie Mombourquette and Micheal Ash. He was the brother of Donnie Johnson and Dora Jane Miller of Perry, Florida, Dolores Guidry of Lafayette, LA, Marie Gordon Martell of Georgia and the late Thomas Johnson of Tallahassee and Betty Jo Hughes of Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his dear companion, his dog Kitty.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 12 at Tallahassee National Cemetery.
Stephen Cuzzi
Server at Tavern in the Square in Boston.
Stephen Cuzzi, born and raised in East Boston, passed away suddenly on May 10. at the age of 27.
Stephen worked as a server at Tavern in the Square in Boston.
He leaves behind his loving mother, Lynn Cuzzi, father, Joseph Laurenza, grandparents, Anne and Richard Cuzzi of Revere, uncle, Stephen Cuzzi of Rhode Island, great grandmother, Albina Indorato and Godmother Jennifer Noftle. His great- grandparents were Isabella and Luigi Cuzzi of East Boston and the late Joe Indorato. He is also survived by many loving great aunts, uncles, cousins and friends!!
Stephen’s service was held at Boston Cremation in Malden on Tuesday, May 26. Due to COVID-19, his viewing was held by immediate family and close friends in a private service. A celebration of Stephen’s life will be held at a later date.
Stephen made a lasting impression on everyone he came in contact with. Stephen is part of the LGBT community!! I’m sure he is dancing like a Queen…..cheering the angels on…..His presence will surely be missed!! Thank you to all who donated to his GoFundMe page on Facebook and all the lovely cards and flowers that were sent to help Stephen be laid to finally rest!! Love you ALL!!!
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George Tirro
Decorated veteran, served with the US Army 30th Infantry WW II D-Day Normandy Landing
George Tirro of Revere passed away on June 8 at the age of 101.
George proudly served his country in the United States Army in the 30th Infantry that landed in Normandy and advanced into France during WWII. He received the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, 3 Bronze Service Stars, American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. George was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the N.E. chapter of the 30th Infantry Division.
Born in Revere on June 5, 1919 to the late Frank and Anna (Tampano), he was the beloved husband of 57 years to the late Mary (Fala); devoted father of Ann Marie Costa-Ferullo and her husband, Ronald of Revere and Rosalie Hobbs and her late husband, William of Swampscott; dear brother of the late Ralph and Angelo Tirro; cherished grandfather of Rachel Simone and her husband, James Chilton of Hollis NH, William Hobbs II of Swampscott and Marisa Hobbs of Arlington; adored great grandfather of Isabella Simone of Hollis, NH. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Chelsea Soldiers Home for the compassion and exceptional care they gave to George during his time there.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St, Revere on Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. Private Interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Rd, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or to a charity of one’s choice. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com
Leonard ‘Lenny’ Viera
Former owner of Sabanty’s Laundromat in Revere and McGee’s Liquors in Winthrop
Leonard “Lenny” A. Viera, 79, a 32-year resident of Saugus, formerly of East Boston, died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Thursday, May 28.
The loving husband of Andrea (Daly) Viera with whom he shared 59 years of marriage, Mr. Viera was born and raised in East Boston, the son of the late Arthur and Elvira (DeSanctis) Viera.
Leonard was the former owner of Sabanty’s Laundromat in Revere and McGee’s Liquor’s in Winthrop. He later worked for North Shore Community College.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Viera is survived by his son, Jack Viera of Quincy; four grandchildren, Joseph, Talia, Rachel and Anthony; one great grandchild, Grayson; one brother, Lawrence Viera and one sister, Judy Viera.
Due to the regulations of the state and the CDC guidelines, a private Funeral Mass was celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital @ stjude.org. For condolences please visit www.BisbeePorcella.com.
Loretta Lee Pelosi
Worked at Orient Heights Taxi, East Boston and Winthrop Taxi and Suffolk Downs
Loretta Lee Pelosi, 67, a life time resident of East Boston, passed away peacefully due to complications of Covid 19 on June 3.
She was born December 23, 1952 to the late Francis Lester Fitzgerald and Blanche Edith (Phillips) Fitzgerald, formerly of East Boston.
She worked for many years at Orient Heights Taxi, East Boston and Winthrop Taxi, and had many great friends there. She was a dedicated and long-time employee of Suffolk Downs Racetrack, East Boston.
She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1970, married Paul Pelosi and continued to call “Eastie” her home.
Loretta leaves behind her husband, Paul, her beloved daughter, Bridgett Pelosi and her partner, Nick Araujo, her brother and sister-in-law, Gerald P, and Sharon K Fitzgerald of Plano, Texas and her loving sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Bob Jameson of Boxford. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Lester Francis and Marlene Fitzgerald of San Diego, California. She also leaves her life-time dearest friend, Donna Kavjian.
She so loved her many nieces and nephews: Jennifer and Jeff Rathkamp, Kristen and Joseph Malcolm, Shannon and Kenneth Groppi, Lauren Fitzgerald of San Francisco, and Julie Beall of Dallas, Texas. She adored her grand nieces and nephews: Olivia Webb, Ryan Malcolm, Ethan Malcom, Tatum Webb, Teagan Webb, Benjamin Rathkamp and Kate Rathkamp.
May you rest in peace sweetheart, you will be missed.
Loretta’s family will have services at a future date. To send messages of condolence to the family, please go to her Tribute Page at MagrathFuneralHome.com.
Dennis Michael Arsenault Sr.
Family and friends meant everything to him
Dennis Michael Arsenault, Sr. of Revere passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 4 at the age of 67.
Dennis was a 1971 graduate of Revere High School. He worked at Star Sales and Distributing in Woburn for 41 years where he formed long time friendships with co-workers.
Family and friends meant everything to Dennis and he will truly be missed by all.
Born in Chelsea on May 7, 1953 to the late Edward and Violet (Marotta) Arsenault, he was the beloved husband of Marlene (Franklin) with whom he shared almost 42 years of marriage, devoted father of Erica Arsenault, and Dennis Arsenault Jr. and his wife, Alesandra; cherished grandfather of Max Arsenault, who he adored.
In accordance with the CDC’s current restrictions on gatherings due to Covid-19, all services will be held privately. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mass General Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Derek Kovacev
Of Danvers
Derek J. Kovacev of Danvers passed away on Friday, May 29.
The beloved son of Anthony and Kathleen (Riley) Kovacev, he was the cherished husband of Deborah Simonelli-Kovacev, devoted father of David Marks Kovacev, loving step-father of Katrina and Ryan Gigliello, dear brother of Anthony and his wife, Rachel, Carrie and her husband, John, Christen and her husband, Frank, Joy and Michael. He is also survived by many treasured nieces and and nephews.
A memorial service for Derek will be held at a later date. If you have any questions or would like to express your condolences, please contact the funeral home during normal business hours 617-569-0990 or leave a message for the family on the tribute wall at: www.ruggieromh.com.
Robert Lotti
Hidden Renaissance Man of East Boston
April 29, 2020 marked the passing of a hidden renaissance man of East Boston, Robert Lotti, who died suddenly but peacefully.
By June 5, 1955, Robert Lotti still lived at the home his grandparent’s purchased in the 1930’s. Bob was an altar boy and lectern at Saint Lazarus Church and graduated from St. Dominic Savio High School. He served four years in the Air Force and carried on with his pilot training to become a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol.
On his return to civilian life, he was a laboratory technician and phlebotomist at Winthrop Hospital for many years until the hospital closed. He began a new chapter in his career when he entered the biotech industry where as a scientist he received a commendation from the President of the United States for his contribution to the Human Genome Project.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bob rose to the rank of Grand Knight of Council 2962. He was also active in the East Boston Yacht Club and served as bar manager.
The purchase of his 1997 Pro-Line 231 was one of his happiest times. He additionally pursued many hobbies and interests. Cooking was a great passion. He was a trained sushi chef, and enjoyed developing and sharing recipes of all kinds and trying the latest gadgets and techniques.
He was also a Padi Certified scuba diver, small plane pilot, ham radio operator, internet radio moderator and speaker for various programs, wedding photographer, minister, angler and fly tyer, and a member of the Boston Computer Society from which time he often tells the story of swapping his Boston Computer Society pants suspenders with Bill Gates (we’re still looking for those).
He was also musically gifted and could play the piano, guitar, harmonica and more. Bob had an extraordinary memory for a vast amount of minutiae, and his friends and family will miss having him as a source of knowledge.
He was the beloved son of Rita and the late Americo Lotti, dear brother of Roland Lotti, Paul Lotti and his wife, Lori and Lisa Matarazzo and her husband, Robert. He was also the cherished uncle to Matthew, Daniel, Christopher, Elena, Nicholas and Emily. He will be profoundly missed by numerous cousins and friends.
In accordance with the rules and regulations on congregations and gatherings due to Covid-19, a celebration of Robert’s life will be held at a future date. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com or contact the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home during normal business hours at 617-569-0990.