Christopher Charles DiPrima
Gifted Student Entered Eternal Life Following a Sudden Accident With His Family by His Side
Christopher Charles DiPrima of East Boston, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin and lifelong resident of East Boston, entered into eternal life on Saturday, March 25 following a sudden accident with his family by his side. He was 15 years old.
Born on July 17, 2007, the son of Charles “Chuck” and Nubia (Jimenez) DiPrima, Christopher grew up in East Boston and was educated at the P. J. Kennedy School and Excel Academy Charter Schoo, and was currently attending Excel Academy High School.
Christopher was a gifted student who thrived in his classes and got along well with his classmates. Particularly interested in computers and technology, Christopher displayed a natural aptitude for computer projects, and loved the internet and video games. He recently began practicing chess and enjoyed reading and writing stories. Christopher spent many evenings bonding with his dad and friends over films and TV shows.
He was a talented grill master, enjoyed spicy foods, and always had a variety of snacks to go with his movies. Christopher enjoyed going out with his friends, playing with his dog, Snoopy, family trips to New Hampshire and Cape Cod and school breaks visiting his mother’s family in Colombia. He was always kind and had a smile on his face and was known for his great sense of humor, curiosity, and eagerness to learn and try new things.
Christopher was a loving and helpful son to his parents and a loyal big brother, dedicated mentor, and inseparable best friend to his sister Gisel.
He was the dear grandson of Priscilla (Flaherty) DiPrima of East Boston and the late Santo DiPrima and Santiago and Maria-Teresa Jimenez of Bogota, Colombia. Christopher is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins in both the United States and Colombia.
Visiting hours for Christopher will be held on Thursday, March 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Magrath Funeral Home, 336 Chelsea St. [at Day Sq] East Boston. Relatives and friends are invited. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning, March 31 at 10 o’clock in St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley St., East Boston. Please go directly to church. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Christopher’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to either the P.J. Kennedy School, 343 Saratoga St., East Boston 02128 or the Excel Academy Greenway, 375 Bremen St, East Boston 02128
Please leave messages of condolence for Christopher’s family on his Tribute Page at MagrathFuneralHome.com
Carol Lee (O’Hara) Pepi
Of Winthrop
Carol Lee (O’Hara) Pepi, 76, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, passed away on March 24, 2023, in her home, surrounded by family, following a brief illness. Family & friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 11:30am in St. Michael the Archangel Parish 320 Winthrop Street, Winthrop. Interment in Winthrop Belle Isle Cemetery and lunch reception at The Lodge of Elks to immediately follow.
Carol was born on November 20, 1946 in Boston to her late parents James E. O’Hara, Sr. & Dorothy M. (Breault) O’Hara. She was one of seven children raised & educated in East Boston and was an alumna of Fitton High School, Class of 1964. Carol studied Pastoral Ministry at Emanuel College, then later earned a Master of Education degree in Counseling Psychology at Cambridge College. She also attended Union Institute & University for Doctoral Studies in Social Psychology. Carol was a Professor and Department Chair of Human Services and Justice Studies at Cambridge College, for over 25 years and founded the first Juvenile Justice program in the country. She would often say she had the privilege of teaching the most wonderful adult students anywhere.
Carol was a life-long human rights activist and peacemaker, traveling to colleges, schools and professional conferences throughout the United States, Australia, and Washington D.C. to speak on topics of juvenile justice, prison reform, restorative justice and the abolition of the death penalty.
She is the beloved wife of Gerald A. Pepi of Winthrop, Loving mother of Jennifer R. D. Pepi and her husband the late Gregory Lewis of Winthrop, Rachel J. Williams & husband Walter A. of Brockton, Alicyn J. Thompson & husband Christopher L. of Winthrop & the late Joshua W.J. Pepi. The cherished & proud grandmother of Zoe, Joey, Michaela, Toni-Rae, Chelsea, Tory, Tess, & Layne & great grandmother of Masen. The dear sister of Leona M. Orlando & husband John of Revere, Patricia A. D’Addario & fiancé Joseph DiGenio of Newmarket, NH and the late Kevin P. O’Hara, Sr., Dorothy M. McGrath, Richard F. O’Hara & James E. O’Hara, Jr. Also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Appalachian Prison Book Project P.O. Box 601, Morgantown, WV 26507 or by visiting www.appalachianprisonbookproject.org. For online guest book, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.
Jean Velardo
Of East Boston
Jean M. (Olivolo) Velardo of East Boston died on March 21 in her 100th year.
The beloved daughter of the late Carmela (DiChiara) and Alfonso Olivolo, she was the sister of the late Patricia Brandon, Lena Gozdon, Rose Abisso, Ann Lombardo, Virginia, Thomas, Charles and Christopher Olivolo and is survived by many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at Magrath Funeral Home, 336 Chelsea St. [at Day Sq] East Boston on Saturday, April 1 at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.
Please leave messages of condolence for her family on her Tribute Page at MagrathFuneralHome.com.
Maria Pecora
Of Methuen
Maria A. (Wilson) Pecora of Methuen passed away on March 24 at 64 years of age.
The daughter of the late Edwin and Mary Wilson (DiGulio), she was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Puleio; devoted mother of Albert IV Pecora and his wife, Jessica, Michael Pecora, Joseph Pecora and their father, Albert Pecora III; dear sister of Edwin Jr., Walter and his wife, Francine, David and his wife, Ellie, William and his wife, Juana, Charles and his wife, Elena, John and his wife, Geri and Chester Wilson, Helen Collins and her husband, Kevin, and the late Loretta Napier, Thomas Wilson and Francis Wilson and the cherished grandmother of Ava, Michael Jr., Hayden, Alyssa, Madyson and Emily. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Maria’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street (Orient Heights) East Boston today, Wednesday, March 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, East Boston for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass. Services will conclude with Maria being laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Maria’s name may be made to RT Autism Awareness Foundation Inc., 1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 208, Rochester MN 55901 or by going to their website. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.ruggieromh.com.
Frances Spinazzola
Of New Hampshire, formerly of Winthrop
Frances A. (Ruggiero) Spinazzola of Pelham, New Hampshire, formerly of Winthrop, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 21 at 75 years of age. The devoted mother of Lori Hartley and her husband, Anthony of Pelham, she was the loving daughter of the late John Ruggiero and his wife, Vincenzina “Vinny” (Cannata), dear sister of Janet Macrina and the late Joseph Ruggiero and cherished grandmother of Brett Ashley Hartman. She is also survived by her loving aunt, nieces and nephews. Family and friends will honor Frances’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Friday, March 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday morning at 8:30 before leaving in procession to St. John the Evangelist – St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Winthrop, for a Funeral Mass celebrating Frances’s life at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Frances being laid to rest at Winthrop Cemetery, Belle Isle Section. May she rest in peace. To leave an online condolence please visit www.ruggieromh.com.