Juana “Mercedes” Lidilia Santana
Family And Friends Were of the Utmost Importance to Her
Juana “Mercedes” Lidilia (Collado) Santana of East Boston, formerly of Arlington, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH following a brief illness on February 2nd.
She was the second youngest of eight children born to farmers Bruno and Lidilia Collado on August 28, 1939 in Sabana Iglesia, Dominican Republic. Following her schooling, she moved to New York where she met the love of her life and eternal dance partner, Camilo Santana. They had 63 wonderful years together, raising a deeply cherished family in the Boston Area.
Family and friends were of the utmost importance to Juana. With a corded phone perched under her ear, she kept in regular contact with those near and dear to her heart all over the world. Being physically together was a core value of hers, bringing people together with a sancocho or visiting loved ones in New York, Dominican Republic, and anywhere else you could get on a tank or two of gas. She thought that connections between people were sacred, even in her work life, organizing Birthday parties, gatherings and special events to celebrate life’s moments big and small.
Juana worked for Colonial Provision Company fulfilling various roles and finished her career retiring from the City of Boston under Mayor Menino.
She leaves behind her sister, Carmen Rowley and was predeceased by her mother, Lidilia Collado, father, Bruno Collado, brothers and sisters: Ana Collado, Manuel Collado, Australia Genao, Hilda Lugo, José Collado and Rosita Reynoso.
Juana is survived by her loving husband, Camilo Santana; sons: Camilo Santana and his wife, Cindy and Eduardo Santana; daughters: Nancy Ossinger and her husband, Donald, Evelyn Santana-Nola and her husband, Michael, Nelly Vozzella and her husband, Anthony and her son in law, Scott Caldwell. Additionally, she leaves 14 loving grandchildren: Brandon and Alexander Ossinger, Austin Santana, Wes Caldwell, Andres Gautreau-Santana, Anthony Vozzella Jr., Tia Caldwell, Stephen Vozzella, Grace Santana, Camilo and Gianna Vozzella, Ava Nola, Dominic Vozzella, and Leo Nola. Juana also leaves behind countless relatives and friends.
Relatives and Friends are invited to Juana’s Memorial Mass on Saturday, February 17th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley Street, East Boston, and immediately following, a celebration of her life at Winthrop Elks Lodge, 191 Washington Street, Winthrop.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Hospice House at 210 Naticook Road, Merrimack, NH 03054-4601.
John P. Papa
He Will Be Remembered for His Kindness, Big Smile, Quick Wit and Deep Booming Laugh
John P. Papa, 65, of Boston died peacefully surrounded by his family after a brief fight with cancer.
John was born in Boston to Vincent and Dorothea Papa on November 27, 1958. He grew up on White Street in East Boston alongside his four loving siblings. John was a talented football player who loved to relive his successes on the field and as an avid fan could be found yelling advice at Coach Belichick on Sundays to make sure his beloved Patriots won – he never did get the coaching paycheck his wife told him he deserved.
John was incredibly intelligent and attended Suffolk University while concurrently attending East Boston High School his senior year. Later in life, he found a love of gardening and was an amazing gardener with the greenest thumb out there. He always seemed to know how to do things and what he didn’t know how to do innately, he always figured out. His “knowing” and ability to patiently teach those around him will be missed.
John and Joan knew each other their whole lives and in 2013 something changed, and a beautiful love bloomed. They shared a deep connection and could often be found making each other laugh. Despite finding one another later in life they loved one another deeply and set a beautiful example for everyone around them. Joan’s love changed John and brought his heart peace, giving his kids and grandkids an even more loving and compassionate dad and grandpa. John loved the sun, he often joked that it was female and “she loves me,” which is why his children grew up traveling the islands.
He loved to sit outside and smoke his cigars and make people feel loved and welcome. He told terrible dad jokes and lived to make people laugh. He never met a stranger and quietly helped more people than could be counted over the years. He will be remembered for his kindness, big smile, quick wit, and deep booming laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Joan (Capone) Papa, daughters: Alana (Papa) Goodman and her husband, Samuel Goodman of Norfolk and Alicia (Papa) de Oliveira and her husband, Vinicius de Oliveira of Hopedale; his son, Anthony Papa and his wife, Bethany (Mohr) Papa of Chicago and his son by marriage, Gerald Sarro of East Boston. John is also survived by his grandchildren: Sophia, Gabriella, Benjamin, Jacob, Nathanael, Caleb, and Hayden who were the light of his life; his siblings: Diana (Papa) Deeran and her husband, William Morton of Tucson, Linda (Papa) Scalfani and her partner, Eddie Lombardo of Fort Myers, Vincent J. Papa and his wife, Hildy Papa of Revere and Dorothy (Papa) DiMille of East Boston and dozens of nieces and nephews he adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent J. Papa and Dorothea M. (Diorio) Papa and his brothers in law: James “Buster” Scalfani and East Boston’s #1 DJ, John M. DiMille.
Relatives and friends will be invited to attend a celebration of life in Boston at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to John’s favorite charity, St. Judes in his honor. Donate now to St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)
Maureen Baggs-McGunigle
Retired Executive Secretary to Jack Cradock MD, Head of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Maureen F. (O’Keefe) Baggs-McGunigle of Andover, formerly of East Boston and Mesa, AZ, died on February 8.
The beloved wife of the late John F. McGunigle and the late Walter H. Baggs, she was the loving mother of Audrey Marinelli and her husband, John, Timothy Baggs and his wife, Hollie, Kori A. Moses and her husband, Brock and grandmother of Paige, Ava and Liv Marinelli, Haley, Torin and William Baggs, Kayla and Brennan Moses. She is also survived by her nephews, Robert and John Baggs.
Maureen worked for many years as the executive secretary to Jack Cradock MD, head of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Maureen lived a full and vibrant life, always seeking out new experiences and she loved spending time with her friends and loved ones. In her 88 years, she remained active and engaged; never content to sit still for long. Sledding at the age of 80 and riding on the back of her grandchildren’s four-wheeler at 85 are examples of her desire to live her best life. She cherished her daily meetups with friends at McDonald’s for morning coffee (friendships she made while living in Mesa, Arizona and, most recently, Andover.)
Maureen loved returning to East Boston to get her hair done and to visit with friends or relatives. She loved reading romance novels and would often finish a good book in a week. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting creating beautiful blankets, sweaters, and scarves that she gifted to her family and friends. She was tech savvy and loved posting pictures and staying connected with her Facebook friends.
Maureen always held on to her passion for driving and took many cross-country road trips (most recently at the age of 84 driving solo from Arizona to Massachusetts in her 2004 VW Jetta); creating wonderful memories. She was an avid sports fan, who loved rooting for her beloved Bruins, Red Sox and New England Patriots and found joy and camaraderie in the spirit of the game (she was a true “80 for Brady” fan). Maureen lived life her way. She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by all her family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass in the Most Holy Redeemer Church, 72 Maverick St, East Boston on Friday morning, February 16, at 10:30 a.m. Committal of ashes will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Maureen’s memory to Susan G. Komen for the Cure would be appreciated. Please leave messages of condolence for her family on Maureen’s Tribute at MagrathFuneralHome.com.
James T. Doyle
1942 – 2024
James (Jim) T. Doyle of Agawam, 81, passed away peacefully Sunday surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in East Boston, the son of the late Ralph and Marion (Webb) Doyle. He grew up in East Boston and has lived in Agawam for the past 30 years.
A 1959 graduate of East Boston High School, he attended Mass Bay Community College, graduated from Westfield State College and received his Master of Education from Westfield State College in 1971. Jim was a 33-year veteran of the West Springfield Public Schools and was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of Underprivileged Children in 1969. He proudly served as principal of Main St. School, John Ashley School, Tatham School and Cowing/Coburn School. He was a member, and past president of the West Springfield Teacher’s Association, member of the Massachusetts and National Teacher’s Association and the Massachusetts Principal’s Association.
At 17, Jim enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. He was a longtime member of the West Springfield Lion’s Club, Tatham Social Club, Dante Club, St. Mary’s Men’s Club, the Sons of Erin, Powers Four O’clock Club and various golf, bowling and softball leagues, as well as the Society of American Baseball Research.
While in High School, he lettered in Baseball, Football, Basketball and Track. He was the Boston District League Champion in the Indoor 175-yard dash and outdoor 50-yard dash and participated in the State Track Relays at the Old Boston Garden. At EBHS, Jim played as a Baseball All Star Game at Fenway Park. He also played Semi-Pro Baseball and Football in the Boston Area.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Kate Doyle, his beloved partner, Christina Rini; two grandsons, Nick and Sam Florek, his former wives, Mary O’Neil and Gene Doyle, two sisters. Maureen and Kathleen and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by two sisters, Patty and Christine, and a brother, Father Tom Doyle.
For online condolences, please visit curranjones.com. Donations may be made to a scholarship fund for Nick and Sam c/o Freedom Credit Union, 58 Union Street, West Springfield MA 01089 or to the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, 615 Main Street, West Springfield, MA 01089.