John Spada
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
John B. Spada of Revere, formerly of East Boston, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 14 at the age of 93.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was the beloved husband of Anna (DePaula) Spada, the loving father of John A. Spada and his wife, Nancy of Peabody and the late Dr. Marianne Spada, PhD; dear brother of the late Sergio, Bartholomeo ‘Bart” and Leo Spada, cherished grandfather of Stephen Spada and caring uncle of Catherine Secatore, Marie Tsandoulas, Louis Spada and the late Frank and Paul Spada.
Family and friends will honor John’s life by gathering Thursday morning, December 21, in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Revere for a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Boston. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the DAV P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. For online guest book and directions: www.vazzafunerals.com
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John Keegan, III
Of Middleton, formerly of Saugus and Everett
John J. Keegan III of Middleton, formerly of Saugus and Everett, passed away unexpectedly December 16 at the age of 20.
He was the loving son of Tiana Luciano of Everett and the late John J Keegan Jr., dear brother of Jasandra, Jaylee and Shawn; beloved grandson of John Sr. and the late Phyllis (‘Rule) Keegan and adored nephew of Toniann, Christine and Russ. He is also survived by his many cousins.
Family and friends will honor John’s life by gathering at Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston today, Wednesday December 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday morning at 9:30 for a service at 10 a.m. in our serenity chapel followed by John being laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gavin Foundation Development Department 675 East 4th Street, PO Box E-15 South Boston, MA 02127.
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Fernando Fernandez
Missionary and Director of Education at Our Lady of the Assumption, East Boston
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, December 14 in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, East Boston for Fernando Fernandez, who passed away at his Revere residence on Tuesday, December 12 following a valiant battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.
Born, raised and educated in Madrid, Spain, Fernando spent most of his life as a missionary. He immigrated to Boston 20 years ago with his wife and children. He was a member of the Neocatechumenal Way both here in the United States and also in Spain, having been sent as a missionary family. Fernando worked for many years with the Archdiocese of Boston as a program director and was the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of the Assumption in East Boston.
He was the beloved husband of Maria Rodriguez and the son of Maria Dolores Rodriguez and the late Fernando Fernandez, devoted father of Juan Fernandez of Revere, Andres Fernandez and his wife, Adrianna of Maynard, Javier Fernandez of Revere, Pablo Fernandez and his wife, Maria of Everett, Manuel Fernandez and Raquel Fernandez, boh of Revere and the cherished grandfather of Jimena Fernandez. He was the dear brother of Maria Dolores Rodriguez and her husband, Giuseppe of Madrid, Spain and the late Javier and Maria Jose Fernandez.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, Revere.
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Catherine Greeley McCarthy
Mercedes of the Blessed Sacrament Dec. 22 1923 – Nov. 21, 2017
Catherine Greeley McCarthy, former East Boston resident, opera singer and Carmelite nun, (Mercedes of the Blessed Sacrament, OCD), died November 21 in Manchester, N.H.
Born December 22, 1923 in East Boston, the daughter of Charles J. McCarthy and Anne T. (Winston) McCarthy, she graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School and Fitton High School.
As a teenager, she was featured singer in Boston on the weekly radio show, “The La Touraine Hour,” hosted by Carl Caruso. She studied opera with Madame Ippolito of East Boston and earned a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music where she was a student of Boris Goldovsky. She performed at various New England venues, including the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, Arthur Fiedler at the piano. Later, in New York , she shared a voice coach with Robert Merrill, Roberta Peters and Patrice Munsel. To further her operatic goals, she went to Rome, Italy. During her time there, she learned Italian and received a music degree from Conservatoria di Musica Santa Cecilia.
After seven years in the “Eternal City” and frustrated with the struggle for “a break,” Catherine sought counsel from the future saint, Padre Pio. In simple terms, he suggested that she “Give it up. Do something for God.”
After intense reflection, she elected to follow Pio’s advice and returned to America and her family home in New Jersey. There Catherine decided to become a religious and began a search of various religious orders. While investigating many orders of nuns, she performed at the Paterson State Opera with, among others, Paul Plishka, later of the Metropolitan Opera.
Feeling that “My voice was a gift from God” Catherine chose to become a Carmelite nun, because “entering the monastery will be the best life for me.”
Catherine entered the Carmelite Monastery in Concord, N.H. In almost 60 years there she never regretted that decision. Mercedes played the organ in the monastery and led the sisters in choir. The life in Carmel was fulfilling and she was happiest when sharing her God given gift.
Sister Mercedes was predeceased by her parents, as well as siblings Marie T. Coveney, Anna McCarthy (Sr. Mary Brian, RMS), Paul J. McCarthy, Charles J. McCarthy, Jr., Edward W. McCarthy and Jean C. Hamilton. She is survived by her brother, Brian McCarthy of San Diego, CA and numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated November 30 at Concord Carmel Monastery followed by internment at the monastery.
Donations in sister’s name may be made to the Carmelite Monastery, 275 Pleasant St., Concord, NH, 03301.