Obituaries 06-26-2013

Irene Myrna McCormick

Distinguished resident of West Virginia, formerly of Revere 

Irene Myrna McCormick died on April 22 at Hubbard Hospice Home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.

She was born on March 7, 1940 to the late Goodman and Fanny Gordon in Boston. She grew up in Revere and resided here with her first husband, the late Jacob Isbitsky. She eventually moved to Charleston, West Virginia with her second husband, the late Charles McCormick.

She worked at many jobs throughout her lifetime, most notably as a security guard at One Valley Square, as a CNA in a nursing home for Genesis Health Care, as a caregiver at a group home for disabled adults and as a poll worker. She proudly served for eight years on the board of directors of the Family Care Health Center, most recently as their secretary. The conference room at their Patrick Street facility in Charleston, WV was recently dedicated to her.

She taught knitting and crocheting at the Tiskelwah Senior Center and participated in activities for seniors at the East End Family Resource Center.  She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose and was a former member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary. She attended local crime watch meetings and served on the West Virginia Silver Haired Legislature for six years, advocating for senior and women’s rights.

She was proclaimed a Distinguished Mountaineer by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and was also honored by Senator Joe Manchin III for her political endeavors, her service to the community and her love of life. She had an artistic nature and enjoyed music, dancing, knitting, crocheting and making jewelry.

She is survived by her daughter, Natalie A. Isbitsky of East Boston; her brothers Lawrence Gordon of Deerfield, Florida and Martin Gordon and his wife, Anna Gordon of Saugus; her sisters-in law, Benita McCormick of Niantic CT and Barbara Mitchell, of Dunbar WV; her  step-son, Michael McCormick and his wife, Annette and her step-daughter, Kelly Carpenter and her husband, Randy and their families in West Virginia. In addition, she is survived by many loving friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She generously donated her body to West Virginia University. A memorial service will be held on June 30 at 3 p.m. at Zumix,  260 Sumner St., East Boston. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mountain Mission, 1620 Seventh Ave., Charleston, WV 25387.

Charlotte DeSimone

Longtime Suffolk Downs Employee

Charlotte M. (Gallo) DeSimone of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on June 22.

The past president of EBARC, a member of the Winthrop Ladies Bowling League and a longtime employee of Suffolk Downs, she was the beloved wife of Frederick DeSimone, Jr.; devoted mother of Liza Internicola and her husband, Daniel of Winthrop, Erica Capogreco and her husband, Robert “Chicky” of East Boston and Frederick DeSimone III of Revere; dear sister of Elizabeth Catanese and her companion, Michael Chalmers of Revere and cherished grammy of Michalena, Lola and Antonio. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her Funeral will be held from the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., (Orient Heights) East Boston on Thursday, June 27 at 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Celebration of her life in St. Joseph- St. Lazarus Church, Ashley Street at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with Charlotte being laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Visiting Hours are today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. For complimentary transportation to and from the funeral home, please call 617 569 0990. For more information, please visit: www.ruggieromh.com

Joseph Simili

Member of the “Greatest Generation”

Joseph Similie, a 42 year resident of Revere and an East Boston native, died at the Golden Living Center of Malden following a long illness. He was 94 years old. Joe returned home to God on June 20, only seven days after the Feast of St. Anthony and within the octave of the celebration of St. Anthony’s Day. That fact would have pleased him immensely since the entire Simili family shared a common devotion to St. Anthony.

Although Joe remained a bachelor, he was most fond of children and his generosity to them is legendary. Again, another gentleman from the “Greatest Generation” has departed from this world to begin enjoying his well earned reward of peace and perfect love. May “Joe” and all the other paragons of virtue and genuiness find a very special place of refreshment and joy…

Mr. Simili was born in East Boston on May 31, 1919. He attended East Boston Schools and was a 1937 alumnus of East Boston High School. He entered the US Army and served from July of 1943 through January of 1946 as a Sergeant.

The family moved to Revere in 1971 where he remained until his death. For more than 30 years, he owned and operated “The Crossing Fruit Store” on Cambridge Street in Cambridge. After selling the business, he went into semi-retirement for a couple of years before accepting a position with the former “Liberty Market” of East Boston where he spent 10 years, finally retiring in 1985.

Joe was a devout Catholic and was devoted to his church and the many charitable organizations it supported. He was a long time member of the Anthonian Club of St. Anthony’s Parish.

He was the son of the late Lorenzo and Marianna (Chiuve) Simili and the devoted brother of Martha Simili of Revere and the late Mary Simili. He is also survived by several dear cousins.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. A Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere was followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your favorite charity. For additional information, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Joseph ‘Bob’ Catanese

Retired Massachusetts National Guard Master Sergeant

Joseph R. “Bob” Catanese of West Peabody, formerly of East Boston, a retired Master Sergeant in the Massachusetts National Guard, died on June 10.

He was the beloved husband of the late Elena R. (Bosco); loving father of Darlene Guarino and her husband, Augie of West Peabody and Leah Jameson and her husband, Kelly of Saugus; dear brother of the late Anthony Catanese and is also survived by four loving grandchildren: Daniella and Michael Guarino and Kevin and Melissa Jameson.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church. Entombment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com

Helen Cammisa-Gueli

Of New Hampshire, formerly of East Boston

Helen C. (Paoletti) Cammisa-Gueli of Bedford, NH, formerly of East Boston, died on June 14. She was in her 95th year.

She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony “Tee” Cammisa with whom she shared 45 years of marriage; loving mother of John Gueli and his fiancé, Judith Green of New Hampshire and Teresa Walwyn of New Hampshire and her late husband, Marvin; dear sister of the late Elsie Simione, Amelia Christen, Gilda Ranieri, Margaret Scopa, Arthur, Albert and Americo “Red” Paoletti; cherished grandmother of Mia Ricci Dickson, Joya Walwyn Shaheen and great grandmother of Chase R. Baroody, Gianna L. Shaheen, Ivy Grace Dickson and Helena W. Shaheen. She was cared for by special family friend Diana Tassinari.

Her Funeral was held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com

Eleanor Gugliotti

Clerk at Filene’s and Almy’s Department Stores

Eleanor (Panzini) Gugliotti of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on June 12.

A department store clerk who worked at both Filene’s and Almy’s, she was the cherished daughter of the late Domenic and Mary (Balestrino) Panzini; loving sister of Louis Panzini and his wife, Josephine of Revere, William Panzini and his wife, Edna of Salem and the late Patrick Panzini and his wife, Regina of Revere, the late Alfred Panzini and his wife, Marie of Revere and the late Joseph Panzini. She was the fond aunt of 10 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and grand nephews.

Funeral and services were held in Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com

Philomena Giagonelli

Retired Stitcher and Hairdresser

Philomena Giagonelli of Bremen Street, East Boston passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on June 13 after a brief illness. She was 88 years old.

Born in Boston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Rosaria (Pennachio) and Giovanni Rinaldi. A resident of Bedford for over 32 years, she has resided in East Boston for the past 25 years. For many years she was employed as a stitcher as well as a hairdresser.

She was the devoted wife of James Giagonelli and the dear sister of Josephine Cioffi of East Boston, Sister Domenica Rinaldi, Sisters of the Good Shepherd of Marlboro and the late Domenic Rinaldi, Michael Rinaldi and Mary Arena and the cherished aunt of the Cioffi, Rinaldi and Arena children. She is also survived by many great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews.
Funeral services were conducted from the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Maley Funeral Home, Winthrop. Memorial donations may be made to the Salesian Missions, 2 Lafevre Lane, New Rochelle, New York 10801-5710 Attn: Noelle. To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com or www.cremationsbycaggianofh.com.

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