Cheryl Christine Zenga
She Was the Glue of Her Family
Cheryl Christine (Plagenza) Zenga, born June 15, 1951 in Boston’s North End, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Saugus on October 13 at age 71.
The loving wife of Nicholas Zenga, she was the devoted mother to Steven Merrill and his fiancé, Laurie Thornell, Christina Galleguillos and her husband, Neil Galleguillos and Joyce Bouche and her husband, Mark Bouche; the cherished daughter of the late Peter Plagenza and Phyllis Plagenza Polcari of the North End, dear sister of the late Joyce Plagenza Fournier, Phillip Plagenza and Stephen Plagenza, all from the North End and East Boston. Cheryl was the adoring grandmother, GiGi, Nanna, to nine grandchildren: Matthew Chesbrough and his wife, Jessica , the late Cheryl Chesbrough, Thomas Chesbrough, Marc Bouche and Julia Jackson, Jordan Bouche and William Henderson, Cailyn Merrill, Caleigh Merrill, Cameron Merrill, Christopher Merrill, and three great-granddaughters, Madison, Elise and Aria.
Cheryl was a long-time Operations and Logistics Manager for Applied Mailing Systems-Prospectus. She treasured cooking, knitting and her “shows.”
She was most happy being a central figure in the lives of her family. She was a God-loving woman who donated to various charities. Anyone who knew her would say she was the glue of the family, the central figure, the one of a life lived and wisdom gained and shared. Cheryl shined bright when cooking-but never brighter than on one of her favorite holidays, Christmas Eve, when she would tirelessly prepare the feast of the seven fishes for her family of 30 plus, It was her banquet for sure! Her children have promised to continue this tradition. As well, they promised in her presence at a very young age, “to always take care of each other.”
To know Cheryl for five days or for a lifetime was to love her. She will forever be in our hearts and heads as her simple, yet powerful words of wisdom live on and are shared with generations.
Family and friends will honor Cheryl’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero’s Family Home, 971 Saratoga Street, East Boston on Saturday, October 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. for a memorial visitation. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Cheryl’s name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Antoinette “Netta” Bozza
She Will Be Missed by Many
Antoinette “Netta” Bozza of East Boston passed away on October 10 at the age of 91.
Antoinette loved her trips to Foxwoods and playing bingo with friends. She loved to crochet in her free time. Antoinette also enjoyed her lunch dates with family and friends. She will be missed by many.
The loving daughter of the late Elena “Helen” (Minichiello) Bozza and Emilo Bozza, she was the dear sister of the late Mary Bozza, cherished cousin of Theodore Monteiro and his wife, Faith, Angela McCarthy and her husband, John and the late Joseph Russo and his surviving wife, Elaine and the late Marie Sasso and her late husband, Joseph; adored second cousin of Lisa Ferry and her husband, Vincent, Anthony Russo and his wife, Wendy, Angela Cuomo and her husband, Paul, Stephanie McCarthy, Joseph Russo and his wife, Karen, Adeline Ciccarello and her husband, Joseph and the late Joseph Sasso and his surviving wife, Jen and treasured third cousin of Vincent Ferry, Anthony Russo, Joseph Russo, Mia Russo, Johnny Cuomo, Ashley Cuomo, Janelle Labitude, Alli Ciccarello, Jenna Ciccarello, Anthony Sasso and Alexa Sasso.
Family and friends will honor Antoinette’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street (Orient Heights) East Boston today, Wednesday, October 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church in East Boston for a Funeral Mass celebrating Antoinette’s life at 11:30 a.m. Services will conclude with Antoinette being laid to rest in Saint Michael’s Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Corporal Joseph J. Puopolo
Now Brought Home to His Family
Cpl. Joseph J. Puopolo was a Prisoner of War during the Korean Conflict. His remains were repatriated to the United States in the 1950’s and were interred in the National Cemetery of the Pacific until his identity was recently confirmed by the Department of Defense. He is now being brought home to his family to be buried with his mother and younger brother in Holy Cross Cemetery.
The beloved son of the late Alessio and Anna Puopolo, he was the cherished brother of Elizabeth Fiorentini of Winthrop and her late husband, Gene, the late Mary Mosca and her husband, Frank “Lucky” Mosca, Rose Vecchia and her surviving husband, Frank Vecchia, Emilio and his wife, Eva and Nicholas Puopolo; loving Uncle “Butchie” of Anne Tipping, Peter Mosca and Maria Clements, Roseanne Graham, Jean Lewis and the late Joey Fiorentini, Michael, Joseph and Stephen Puopolo, Christine Carroll, Lisa Wall and the late Melie Puopolo, Joanne Connors, Frankie Vecchia and the late Janet Spano; Honored grand-uncle of 30 nieces and nephews, great-grand-uncle to 38 nieces and nephews and also survived by many cousins.
Corporal Puopolo’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning, October 22, at 10 o’clock in the Sacred Heart Church, 45 Brooks St., East Boston. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, Corporal Puopolo’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Messages of condolence for the family can be left on his Tribute Page at MagrathFuneralHome.com.
Anthony DiPietro
Of Lynn, Formerly of Revere and East Boston
Anthony S. DiPietro of Lynn, formerly of Revere and East Boston, passed away on Friday, October 15 at 63 years of age.
The loving father of Anthony L. DiPietro of Lynn and Alexa DiPietro of Winthrop, he was the dear brother of his twin, Jerry DiPietro and his wife, Josephine and the late Louis DiPietro, Theresa Mazzone and Sammy DiPietro; adored son of the late Louis and Elvira (Capone) DiPietro and also survived by his loving nieces and nephews and many cherished friends.
Family and friends will honor Anthony’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Monday, October 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Parish, East Boston, for a Funeral Mass celebrating Anthony’s life at 11:30 a.m. Services will conclude with Anthony being laid to rest at Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Boston. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
Robert Mottola
A Truly Loving, Caring, Mentoring, Loyal and Devoted Family Man
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours today, Wednesday, October 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral home, 262 Beach St., Revere for Robert V. Mottola who died unexpectedly at his home in Taunton on October 16. He was 87 years old. His funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, October 20 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in
St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, 230 Playstead Rd., Medford.
Robert was born at home on August 2,1935 to Amato and Michelina (DeAngelis) Mottola at their Webster Street home in East Boston. Robert was educated in Boston Public Schools. He enlisted in the US Army and served his country faithfully during the Korean Conflict era.
Robert had a strong work ethic and began his working career in the construction field as a laborer. His love and devotion to his family was profound. On March 6, 1992, he married his longtime sweetheart and love, Evelyn P. (Hardy). The couple maintained their residence in the East Boston family home. He was the epitome of a father to his daughter, Nannette. He was blessed when he became a grandfather to his only grandchild, Dylan, and he played a monumental role in raising Dylan. Robert had an incredible and special relationship with his daughter and grandson. He retired early to care for his elderly parents. This was an honor for Robert to give back to them and he was grateful for the opportunity to care for them.
He was fiercely independent, enjoyed going shopping, out to eat (especially in the North End) and sitting with his longtime friends and family telling stories from the past, in complete detail. He remembered everything! He was truly a loving, caring, mentoring, loyal and devoted family man.
He was the husband for 31 years to Evelyn P. (Hardy) Mottola, loving father to Nannette M. Johnson and father-in-law to Steven P. Johnson, all of Taunton; cherished and proud grandfather to Dylan J. Mackey and great-grandfather to Landen Robert Mackey of Auburn, Maine; devoted son of the late Amato and Michelina (DeAngelis) Mottola; brother of Nina Salvo, Diana Stanziani and Richard Mottola, all of Peabody. He is also lovingly survived by his Hardy brothers and sisters in law, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was also a fur father to his feline companions and best pals “Skippy” and “Rainie.”
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168.
For online guest book & condolences please visit www.vazzafunerals.com.