Obituaries 11-26-2019

Lawrence Centrella

Boston Globe Retiree

Lawrence H. Centrella, of Boxford, formerly of Revere, passed away Nov. 21 at the age of 74.

Lawrence was a U.S. Army veteran, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War. He was a dedicated pressman for The Boston Globe, retiring after 40 years. An avid golfer, Lawrence was also a member of the Gannon Golf Course.

He was the beloved husband of the late Suzanne (Sozio) Centrella, cherished father of Jason Centrella and his wife, Loredanna of Melrose, Damien Centrella of Revere and Gina Centrella and her husband, Michael O’Hara of Boxford; adored grandfather of Adriana and Sofia Centrella, Nicholas Masucci and Michael and Giana O’Hara and dear bother of David Centrella of Dorchester and Anthony Centrella of Hopkinton.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons ~ Bruno Funeral Home, Revere.   At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lawrence’s memory to the Jordan Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea, 30 Willow St., Chelsea, MA 02150.  For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.

Anthony Buono

Fondly Referred to as ‘Mayor of Revere’

Anthony “Tunney” Buono of Revere died on Nov. 20 at the age of 93. 

Born in East Boston on Sept. 11, 1926 to the late Nicola and Fortuna Buono, he was married in 1954 to the late Mary Fitzgerald Buono with whom he had three children. He was the devoted father of Thomas Buono of Tewksbury, Michele McGinnis and her husband, Chuck of Shrewsbury, and the late Patricia Buono; cherished grandfather of Michael McGinnis and his wife, Jill, Matthew McGinnis and his wife, Emily, Stephen McGinnis and his wife, Michelle, and Jennifer Buono and the adoring great-grandfather of Rose, Norah, Alexandria and Scarlette; dear brother of the late Arthur, Peter, Michael, Joseph, Phyllis and Mildred. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  

Anthony proudly served his country in the United States Army in World War II as a combat medic in the Philippines and received the Asiatic and Pacific Theater Ribbon. 

Growing up, Anthony was an undefeated boxer and was given the nickname “Tunney” named after the great professional boxer Gene Tunney.

In 1943, he graduated from East Boston High School, ranking second in his graduating class.

For the past 40 years, Anthony lived on Revere Beach, a place he truly loved. An avid swimmer, he enjoyed spending his days sitting on the beach wall and engaging in conversations with the many many people he knew throughout the city. He was fondly referred to as the “Mayor of Revere.” Anthony will be sorely missed by his family and the many people he touched throughout his lifetime.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St., Revere on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. (Everyone meet directly at Church).  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. For guest book please visit www.Buonfiglio.com.

Marguerite Belgiorno

Talented Seamstress, Proud Homemaker and Excellent Cook – Her Family Was Her Greatest Achievement

Funeral Services were conducted on Saturday, Nov. 23    in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, Revere for Marguerite P. (Ricciardelli) Belgiorno, who passed away in the serene presence of her God and her loving family in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, Nov. 20 after a very brief illness. She was 96 years old. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Marguerite was born in Glens Falls, New York to Antonio and Mary (Fusco) Ricciardelli. Shortly thereafter, the family moved from New York and settled in East Boston. Marguerite was educated in Boston Schools and was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1940.

She began a career as a seamstress after graduation working in the garment district for several years, specializing as a “Millner” making hats.

On Sept. 6, 1942 she married the love of her life, Ermanno “Al” Belgiorno. The couple moved to Revere in 1954, where they raised their family.

Marguerite continued to work as a seamstress, her work was her passion. She loved to sew and make creations. While she was raising her family, she continued as a seamstress working from home. Her client list grew as everyone would seek her out for their tailoring needs. She never let anything go to waste and she would find various uses for all of her materials. Her talents were endless and so were her limits. She could turn a pair of old drapes into a dress, re-wire a lamp, refinish a piece of furniture, upholster a chair or whatever needed to be repaired.

Marguerite was also a proud homemaker and excellent cook. Her greatest achievement was her family, it was her biggest love and her favorite place to be was with her family. She surrounded herself with her children and grandchildren all the time. She was an active grandmother, always present at her grandchildren’s sporting events, games, recitals or whatever the occasion.

Her love was always present for her family and they demonstrated the same for their beautiful wonderful loving matriarch.

She was the devoted wife of 74 years to the late Ermanno A. “Al” Belgiorno, who passed on Jan. 19, 2017; loving and proud mother of Paula M. DeSimone and her husband, Christopher of Pepperell, Stephen P. Belgiorno and his, wife Taryn of Danvers and Denise C. Belgiorno and her fiancé, Zino Amato of Revere; cherished grandmother of Pamela C. Jeffre and her husband, Daniel of Clearwater, Fla., David M. DeSimone and his wife, Tierney Bianconi of Somerville, Diana M. Belgiorno of Danvers and Leanne R. Belgiorno of Manhattan, N.Y.; adored great-grandmother of Elias C. and Isaac D. Jeffre of Clearwater, Fla.; dear sister of Robert Ricciardelli and his wife, Alice of Melrose and the late Joseph,  Eugene A. “Al”, Albert, Angelo and  Anthony Ricciardelli. She is also lovingly survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and wonderful neighbors who became extended family.

Remembrances may be made to Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial St., Ste 19, Malden, MA 02148. To send online condolences, please visit  www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.

Edna Dankens

An Intelligent Woman of Faith and Giving

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, Nov. 22 in Immaculate Conception Church, Revere for Edna M. (Matthews) Dankens who died on Monday, Nov. 18 at her home in Andover surrounded by her family. She was 93 years old. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Edna was born and raised in East Boston. She attended Boston Public Schools and was a graduate of Girls High in Roxbury, Class of 1943.

Edna was married in 1956 to Charles P. Dankens. The couple settled in Revere and it was there where they made their home.

Edna was a very proud housewife and mother of her only child, Peter. She raised her son and maintained a beautiful home for her family.

During this time, Edna remained quite close with all of her siblings. She always put her family above all and was a woman of faith and a woman of giving. Her charitable giving was always done in a quiet manner and anonymously never looking for credit or accolades. She gave from her heart and was always generous when doing so, whether it was a church event, fundraiser, a person in need or just a little something for the busboy at a restaurant. Her giving and caring ways demonstrated her character and her graceful persona.

In her later years, Edna returned to work as an Administrative Assistant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy and Resources. During her time working there, she longed to further her education and so she enrolled in Boston University as a student while working full time and tending to her responsibilities as mother and wife.

In 2000, Edna became a proud Alumna of Boston University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Art and Art History. She was very proud of this personal accomplishment due to her deep passion for Art & Art History.

Edna was an avid traveler to Europe, Canada and other parts of the world and would always frequent museums to learn and view artwork on exhibit. She was also an avid reader of all types of books and novels.

In her later years, she moved to Andover to be closer to her son and daughter-in -law, Maria and her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved being around them.

She was a gracious witty, articulate and very intelligent woman who her family truly cherished and loved.

She was the devoted wife of the late Charles P. Dankens, the loving mother of Peter C. Dankens and his wife, Maria of Andover; cherished grandmother of Charles J., Catherine M. and Claire E. Dankens, all of Andover; dear sister of George J. Matthews and his wife, Kathleen of Manchester by the Sea, Ann Regan and her late husband, Thomas of Belmont, Dr. Wallace J. Matthews, Jr. and his wife, Sherry Loo of Honolulu, Hawaii, and the late Alicia F. Matthews and Joan Peterson. She is also lovingly survived by her caring aide, Olga Garcia and by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Remembrances may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 260 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843. Attn. Development Office. To send online condolences, please visit  www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, Revere.

John Crisostamo

Past Massport Employee

John “Butchie” Crisostamo of Salem, NH passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 20 at the age of 64.

Butchie was born in Boston on Oct. 18,1955 to John P. and Lena (Accomando) Crisostamo. He grew up in East Boston before moving to Salem, N.H. He was a past employee of more than 37 years of Massport.

The beloved husband of Rosemary (Cannon), he was the devoted father of Gina Crisostamo and her fiancé, Jeff Moore of New Hampshire and Johnny Crisostamo; dear brother of Ann Marie Kulda of Revere, Joanne Amsden of Florida, Richard Crisostamo of Revere and the late Nicholas and Anthony Crisostamo. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to offset funeral expenses. For more information, please visit ruggieromh.com.

Joseph Gulla

A Gentle Man Who Will Be Missed by All

Joseph A. Gulla, a lifelong resident of Revere, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 20 at the age of 73.

Joseph’s parents were the late William J. Gulla and the late Mary (Puopolo) both of Revere. He leaves his devoted spouse, Linda (Tempesta) with whom he shared 54 years of marriage; his loving son, William “Billy” Gulla and his longtime companion, Marisa Birritteri and his cherished granddaughters, Jayla and Gianna Gulla. Joseph also leaves his dear sister, Teresa Marchese and her spouse, James of Saugus, his brother-in-law, Richard Tempesta and Bernice, his sisters in law, Janice Renda and her late spouse, Joseph and Darlene Troisi and her spouse, Robert as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Joseph was a gentle man who will be missed by all.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home,  128 Revere St., Revere  today, Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association  309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. 

For guest book please visit  www.Buonfiglio.com.

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