Obituaries 06-11-2014

Lena ‘Lee’ Pallozzi

Retired Filene’s Executive

Lena G. “Lee” Pallozzi, an 80 year resident of East Boston and 60 year executive with Filene’s Department Store of Boston, died following a brief illness on June 7 at the Southeast Health Care Center of Easton, MA. She was 91 years old.

Born in Clinton on November 11, 1922, the fourth child of Ralph and Josephine (Tarullo) Pellozzi, the family moved to East Boston in 1934 and “Lee” proudly called East Boston home ever since.

She began working part time in the Filene’s Department Store of Downtown Boston as a Christmas wrapper and bundle person. She was rehired in 1940 and remained with Filene’s for 60 years. For many years, she was the Executive Accounts Manager within the Credit Department. Her awards and citations from Filene’s are many. Filene’s was a second home to Lee and it is where she nutured many, many friendships and close relationships.

Her stories of her times at Filene’s were rich and entertaining — from meeting Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant, to the glamour of the patrons of the “French Shop,” to the hustle and bustle of Christmas and – sometimes – even the chaos of the infamous Filene’s Basement.

Not satisfied to sit at home, when Lee reitred in her mid-70s, she volunteered at the former St. Mary-Star of the Sea Parish School, founding their library. After the closure of St. Mary’s, she began a more intense time of volunteering with the East Boston Central High School.

Lee was a devotee of the former St. Mary’s Star of the Sea and, more recently, St. Joseph’s/St. Lazarus Church of Orient Heights. She was an avid reader, a movie buff and loved the theatre, ballet and opera. She travelled to Europe several times including Greece, Italy, France and Hungary. She also took many a road trip in her V-8 Coupes to visit her friends in New Hampshire, Florida and Cape Cod.

Lee was a beloved member of her family – a loving daughter, loyal sister and generous aunt. Her wit and humor will be long remembered and sorely missed, not only by her family, but by her large and loving extended family.

She was the cherished sister of Margaret Ann Smith of Waltham and the late Dora Impeduglia, Victor Pallozzi and Anna Dolan; the devoted aunt to: Marianne Principe of York, Maine, Barbara A. Buccigross and her husband, James of South Boston, and Lisa M. Smith of Sudbury. She is also lovingly survived by five great grand nieces and nephews and by the large extended members the DelMuto, Corea, Ciampa, McLean and Laurano family.

Family and friends are invited to attend her funeral in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere today, Wednesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph/St. Lazarus Church, Orient Heights, East Boston at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the family lot in St. John Cemetery of Lancaster, Mass. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the East Boston Central Catholic High School, 69 London St., East Boston 02126. For more information, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com

Joseph ‘Bart’ ‘Rick’ Bartoli

Former Owner of Bart Oil Co. of Revere

Joseph A “Bart” “Rick” Bartoli of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died unexpectedly on June 5.

A US Navy Vietnam veteran, he was a past member of the N.R.A and the former owner Bart Oil Co. of Revere.

He was the devoted brother of Barbara Mooney Prader of East Boston; loving uncle of Richard R. Prader, Jr of East Boston, Leah Prader Quigley and her fiance David Mack of Revere and is also survived by many cherished great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor Joe’s life by gathering on Thursday, June 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., (Orient Heights) East Boston followed by a prayer service at 8 p.m. In accordance with his wishes, burial services are private. In his honor and in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to Voluntary Services, VA Medical Center, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA 01730. For complimentary transportation to and from the funeral home, please call 617 569 0990.

Sherid Peterson Basile

Secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Cuban Missle Crisis

Sherid Peterson Basile of Stoneham and Lincoln, NH, formerly of East Boston, Westford and Washington, DC, died on June 5.

Sherid was a graduate of Westford Academy where she co-captained the undefeated girls’ basketball team to the division championship. Early in life, she was a secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was attached to the White House detail during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The holder of M.Ed and MSW, Sheri taught English at St. Clement High School in Somerville for five years and later worked for the MA Dept of Social Service, retiring as a supervisor after 28 years of service. More recently Sheri worked as a self-employed investigator for the Juvenile Court Department. She is best remembered by all who knew her as a warm and loving individual, who exemplified a fine combination of poise and humor who loved gardening, reading, sports and travel. Vibrant and outgoing, yet proud and private, she never disclosed how ill she was.

For nearly 49 years, Sherid was the adored wife and partner of Vincent D. Basile. She was the loving mother of Jennifer and her husband, Dan Jenkins of Marblehead and Matthew Basile and his partner, Nicole of Billerica and the caring and doting grandmother of Nicholas Basile, Skyla Holmes, Mercedes Basile, Jake and Emma Jenkins and Madison Basile. She was the daughter of the late Edgar and Phyllis (Haynes) Peterson; faithful sister of Gregory Peterson of Tyngsboro, Linnea Westberg of Nashua, NH and the late 1st Lt. Jeffery Peterson (USA). She is also survived by two generations of loving nieces and nephews and a host of dear and close friends.

Sheri’s Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Patrick Church, Stoneham on Monday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sheri’s memory to the St. Patrick Church “One Voice Campaign”, 9 Pomeworth St., Stoneham, MA 02180 or to the Lt. Jeffery Haynes Peterson Memorial Scholarship, Westford Academy, Westford, MA 01886 would be appreciated. For more information, visit:MagrathFuneralHome.com

Jason Brogna

Of Westwood

Jason A. Brogna of Westwood’s brief journey ended on Friday May 23 with his family at his side. He was 23 years old.

Jason graduated from Westwood High School in 2009 and attended Mass Bay Community College.

He was the beloved son of Joseph A. Brogna, who was born and raised in East Boston and Mary Beth (Swan) Brogna of Westwood (formerly of Dorchester). Jason leaves behind his loving brother and best friend, Derek J. Brogna, of Westwood and his loving sister, Noel R. Brogna, and niece, Ashley J. Nistendirk, both of Foxboro. He was the loving grandson of the late Rose (DiChiara) Brogna and the late Joseph Brogna, both of East Boston. Jason also leaves behind his dear and beautiful grandmother, Mary (Bellew) Swan. He was the grandson of the late Thomas M. Swan, both of South Weymouth (formerly of Dorchester). Jason will be remembered by his loving aunts, Susan Swan, Janice (Brogna) DeStefano and the late Netta (Brogna) DeCrescenzo and by his many loving cousins. A special love and affection is sent to Elaine (Powers) Napolitano. Funeral arrangements were by the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home in Westwood. Interment was at New Westwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MSPCA in Jason’s name at 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 or online at http://support.mspca.org/goto/JasonBrogna

Florence Serafini

Of East Boston

Florence R. Serafini of East Boston died recently.

She was the mother of Daniel and his wife, Karen of Nashville TN and the late Richard and Rhonda Serafini; dear sister of Ann Belmonte and the late, Al and Tony Visco; cherished grandmother of Chad and Alyana, adored great grandmother of Jonah, Jaime and Lukas and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. For more information: www.ruggieromh,.com

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