Philip “Sonny” Viola
Retired Winthrop School Custodian Known for His Wonderful Disposition and Personality
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours on Tuesday, November 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for Philip J. “Sonny” Viola who died on Saturday, November 4th at the Massachusetts General Hospital following a long illness. He was 89 years old. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home at 1 p.m. Interment with military honors will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Sonny was born in Boston on May 11,1934 to his late parents, Joseph and Phyllis (Delavora) Viola, the only boy of four children. He and his three sisters were all raised and educated in East Boston.
Sonny attended East Boston High School. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict and proudly and faithfully served his country from 1954 to 1957. He was honorably discharged as a Private 2n class.
Sonny then began working at A & B Shoes on Essex Street in downtown Boston and then took a position as a baker at Stop & Shop in the production store for over 17 years. Sonny then left to work for the Town of Winthrop School Department as a custodian.
Sonny had a wonderful disposition and personality. Sonny was witty, kind, personable and positive. He was a very big sports fan, especially of the Boston Sports Teams. He was in a Bowling league for many years at Central Lanes in East Boston.
His love for his sisters and their children was very present. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Sonny.”
He was the beloved brother of Marie Graziano of Revere and her late husband, William Graziano, Lucille A. Abate and her late husband, A. Ed Abate and Jean R. Scarino and her late husband, Raymond Scarino. He was the cherished uncle of Cheryl A. Vargus, Charles E. Green and his companion, Caroline Winter and Kenneth Green, all of Revere and the late David W. Green; the treasured grand uncle of Tiffany Green and her companion, Kirk Crowley and Chloe A. Green, all of Revere.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Sonny’s Memory to the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168.
For online guest book, please visit: www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Viola Caggiano
Her Legacy of Love, Warmth and Hospitality Will Continue To Inspire Those Who Were Touched by Her Presence
Viola Caggiano, lovingly known to her family and friends, peacefully passed away on October 18.
She was the devoted wife of the late Michael F. Caggiano and a cherished mother to Sandra Caggiano, Corinne Barisano and her late husband, Ronald, Michael F. Caggiano Jr. and his wife, Pamela and Cammy Green and her late husband, Charles. Viola was also a beloved sister of the late Frances DiStasi, Orlando Bossi, Anna Manfra, Domenic Bossi, and Carmella DiRienzo.
Viola’s legacy extended through generations, as she was a doting grandmother to Michael F. Caggiano III and his wife, Kelly and Krysta Caggiano and her husband, Robb Brooks. She took immense joy in her role as a great-grandmother to Gianna, Michael and John, cherishing each moment with them. Her love and warmth were felt by many loving nieces and nephews.
Born on July 26, 1926, Viola spent her entire life as a proud resident of East Boston. In 1954, she married the love of her life, Michael F. Caggiano, embarking on a journey filled with love and cherished memories. Viola had a passion for spending time with her family, enjoying spirited card games and evenings filled with bingo. Tuesday nights were reserved for poker with her closest girlfriends and she reveled in hosting holidays, upholding traditions, and preparing Sunday dinners that brought everyone together.
Viola was known for her open-door policy, welcoming all with open arms. Her home was a place of warmth and hospitality, where countless cherished memories were created.
Friends and family paid their respects during visiting hours at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, East Boston, on Monday, October 23 and again on Tuesday, October 24 followed by a Funeral Mass in celebration of Viola’s life celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Brooks Street, East Boston. Following the Mass, Viola was laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Care Dimensions at 75 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA. Viola’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her, and her legacy of love, warmth, and hospitality will continue to inspire those who were touched by her presence.
Rose Elena Tacelli
Passed on November 3rd
Rose Elena (Maddalone) Tacelli passed away peacefully on November 3. She was the loving daughter of the late Frank and Carmella (Grieco) Maddalone and the beloved wife of the late Arthur Tacelli. Rose was the devoted mother of Carla Tacelli DiRuzza and her husband, Carmine.
She was the cherished grandmother of Christopher and Christina DiRuzza, the dear sister of Saverio, Frank and the late Phillip “Beebe” Maddalone and the sister-in-law of the very special Kenneth Tacelli.
Family and friends honored Rose by gathering at her treasured parish, St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley St., East Boston, on Monday, November 6, from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, November 7 for an 11 a.m. Mass celebrating her life. Services concluded with Rose being laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rose’s name to the Campus School at Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill 02467, Attention: Tom Miller. To leave an online condolence, visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Arrangements under the personal care of the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston.
Salvatore “Sal” Napolitano
Retired MWRA Maintenance Mechanic and Member of East Boston ITAM
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 10th from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for Salvatore J. “Sal” Napolitano who died following a brief Illness with Pancreatic Cancer. He would have celebrated his 78th birthday on November 19th. A Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 12 noon in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere. Interment will be held privately.
Sal was born to his late parents, Ralph and (Noto) Vincenza in Winthrop. He was raised with his two sisters and brother in East Boston, educated in Boston Public Schools and attended East Boston High School. Sal enlisted in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War. He proudly and bravely served his country from 1965-1967. He returned home, married and had two daughters, Dawn and Kristin. He remained in East Boston for many years, until moving to Saugus with his daughter, Kristin, over 23 years ago.
Sal worked as a Maintenance Mechanic for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) at the Deer Island Facility in Winthrop for over thirty years. Some of Sal’s favorite ways to spend time was fishing, going for boat rides and listening to music. He was a member of the East Boston ITAM Club, where he socialized with many friends and fellow veterans. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sal loved his family unconditionally.
He was the loving father of Dawn M. Ryan of Auburn, ME and Kristin Faiella and her husband, Joseph, Jr. of Saugus; the cherished papa of eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren; the former husband of Elaine C. (Powers) Napolitano of East Boston; the treasured brother of Susan McMahon of Revere and her late husband, Philip McMahon, Gerard Napolitano of East Boston and the late Nancy Fontaine. He is also lovingly survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sal’s memory to Make A Wish
Foundation Mass & RI, 133 Federal St. 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110.
For online guestbook, please visit: www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Joseph Costanzo
Local 22 Laborer’s Union Retiree
Joseph Costanzo of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, passed away at home on October 29. He was 93 years old.
Born in East Boston, the beloved son of the late Francesca (Arrigo) and Giovanni Costanzo, he was a resident of Winthrop for over 50 years, he worked as a laborer for Local 22. He was also a member of the National Guard.
He was the devoted husband of the late Josephine (Olivieri) and the loving father of Francine Pappas Mariano and her husband, Richard and Maria DelPapa and her husband, Joseph, all of Danville, NH, John Costanzo of Winthrop, Debra Crescente and her husband, Anthony of Medford and Joseph Costanzo, Jr. and his wife, Lisa of Revere; dear brother of the late Leo Costanzo and Orazio “Ray” Costanzo; cherished grandfather of Sean Pappas and his wife, Nanci of Peabody, Alaina Pappas and her partner, Eric Barrows of Orlando, Florida, Joseph DiRocco and his wife, Cassidy of Saugus, Anthony Crescente and his wife, Samantha of Wakefield, Christopher Costanzo and Darren Costanzo of Revere and great grandfather of Bradley Pappas, Joshua Pappas, Matthew Pappas and Luca DiRocco.
He was lovingly cared for by family and friends, Parc at Harbor View, Neighborhood Pace, Care Dimensions and Right at Home.
Relatives and friends attended the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Sunday, November 5 and the funeral was conducted from the funeral home on Monday, November 6 followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop. Services concluded with the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers MA 01923 or go to www.caredimensions.org.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.