Robert Mellace
Avid Musician, Animal Lover and Owner/Operator of Pet Express
Robert Mellace of Peabody, formerly of Revere, passed suddenly from a tragic car accident on May 15 at the age of 50.
Robert owned and operated Pet Express, which he started 25 years ago with his two siblings. Robert was known as an avid musician and for his love of animals. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
He was the loving son of Vincenzo and Maria Mellace of Revere, beloved husband of Holly (Hoeppner) Mellace, devoted father to Mariella Mellace, dear brother of Lucia Mellace-Castle and her husband, Blaine of Saugus and John Mellace and his wife, Sveta of Peabody and cherished uncle to Jack, Ella, John and Brielle. He is also survived by many loving extended family members and friends.
Donations can be made in his name to MARE, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, 19 Needham St, Suite 206, Newton, MA 02461. In accordance with the CDC’s current restrictions on gatherings due to Covid-19, all services will be held privately. Entombment Woodlawn Mausoleum. Please visit the online guestbook to leave your condolences or share a memory and for any updated changes in arrangement plans at www.Buonfiglio.com.
Dorothy Marotta
American Biltrite Retiree, Will Be Remembered for Her Kind and Generous Spirit
Dorothy Marotta of Revere died on May 7 at the age 79.
Dorothy was an employee for over 40 years of American Biltrite and retired as payroll supervisor. Dottie’s faith was extremely important to her. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere and a past member of the Lady’s Sodality. She enjoyed bingo and an occasional trip to Las Vegas. Dottie will be remembered for her kind and generous spirit, always one to pick up the tab for both family and friends.
Born in Malden on February 18, 1941 to the late Pasquale and Theresa (Sarni), she was the beloved sister of Virginia Mullen and her late husband, Bill of Revere, adored aunt of Michael Mullen and his wife, Kim Chin of Saugus, Therese Mullen and her partner, Gino Marino of Saugus and Steven Mullen of Revere and cherished great-aunt of Adelina and Anthony. Dorothy also leaves behind her cat, Gypsy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere Street, Revere, MA 02151. In accordance with the CDC’s current restrictions on gatherings due to Covid-19, all services will be held privately. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. For guestbook, please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
Joseph F. Mazur
September 8, 1949 – May 18, 2020
Joseph Frank Mazur of East Boston passed away at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston after a brief illness on May 18, 2020.
Joseph retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He enjoyed cooking and was an avid watch collector.
He leaves behind his son, Joseph H. Mazur and his brother, Stanley J. Mazur. Joseph was the son of the late Stanley Mazure and Concetta Castigloioni Mazure of Boston’s West End.
He will be missed by his friends and family. Services are private.
John Gioioso Sr.
On his 90th Birthday, May 13, 2018, the Mayor of Revere Proclaimed “John Gioso Day”
Funeral Services and Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery will be held privately for John J. Gioioso, 91, and his wife Palmina A. “Pam” Gioioso due to the current restrictions on gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. John passed away on Monday, May 11 following a brief illness at the Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, only two days before his 92nd birthday on, May 13. His dear wife, Palmina A. “Pam” (DiPlacido), passed away on May 15.
A proud son of East Boston and an adopted son of Revere, he was schooled at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. The move to Revere was in 1967 to Eustis St., where he earned the title and honor of “Mayor of Eustis St.”. Until 2019, John could be seen taking his daily frequent walks up and down Eustis St. and Broadway and greeting, by name, his neighbors and soon to be dear friends.
The son of the late Domenic and Mary (DiOrio) Gioioso, he is the last of their eight children.
All forty plus years of his career was spent in men’s dress and casual clothing. He began his career at Robert Hall Fine Clothing which later became the Anderson-Little Company.
John would regale his family with proud stories of his success and the joy of being sought after when customers entered the store. The people of John’s generation created and maintained the fine art of merchandising and trustworthy reputation and he was a master at that aspect of his life.
John was a jazz enthusiast and served as the first president of the Stan Kenton Big Band Fan Club of East Boston.
On his 90th birthday, Revere’s Mayor proclaimed May 13th, “John J. Gioioso Day” in the City of Revere.
He was a Past Member of the former St. Francis Council, Knights of Columbus of Orient Heights, East Boston and a Fourth Degree Member of the Bishop Cheverus, Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree of Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Saugus Lodge, Order of the Moose. John shared a keen interest in local politics and enjoyed a special friendship with many of our local politicians.
The beloved husband of almost 65 years to the late Palmina A. “Pam” (DiPlacido) Gioioso, he was the cherished father to John J. Gioioso, Jr. and his wife, Colleen of Lynnfield, Donna M. Lapointe and her husband, Gerard of North Berwick, Maine and Laura J. Belmonte and her husband, Frank A. Belmonte, Jr. of Londonderry, New Hampshire. He is the devoted grandfather of Ashley L. Burbank and her husband, Adam of Berwick, Maine, Gregory A. Lapointe and his wife, Moriah of Wells, Maine, Frank A. Belmonte, III of Londonderry, New Hampshire and Genna R.
Gioioso of Lynnfield. He is also lovingly survived by two great-grandsons, Zachary and Jackson. John was the brother of the late Pasquale “Pat” Gioioso, Joseph, James A.K.A. Vincent, Edward and Anthony Gioioso and Mary Morse and Rose DiCicco. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews also survive him.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.
Palmina Gioioso
Succumbed to COVID-19 on May 17, Six Days after her Husband
Palmina “Pam” A. Gioioso, 89, East Boston native and Revere resident for 53 years, succumbed to COVID-19 on May 17, six days following the death of her husband, John J. Gioioso “… thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven … “and so, from the Prayer of the “Our Father,” comes the events of the life that the Gioioso family has experienced especially from May 11, 2020 thru May 17, 2020.
Palmina “Pam” passed as a result of complications arising from the Coronavirus at the Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence only six days following the passing of her faithful loving husband of 65 years from the same insidious virus.
Palmina A. (DiPlacido) Gioioso was born on March 29, 1931 in East Boston to Bernardino and Maria (Tecce) DiPlacido. She attended Our Lady of the Assumption Grammar School and was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1949.
She began her working career following high school graduation at Filene’s Basement Store of Downtown Boston in the gift-wrapping department, a position made for “Pam” — a woman made for the position. To say that she loved her work is an understatement. She gave Filene’s six years of service. However, from that time on, she was the Matriarch of Giftwrapping for her entire family. Whatever the occasion, a Birthday, Wedding, Graduation, Christmas, Easter or whatever, “Pam” had the gift of artistry in her hands.
She married John in 1954, continue to live in East Boston and in 1967, moved to Eustis Street, Revere. They had three devoted children: John J. Gioioso, Jr. and his wife, Colleen of Lynnfield, Donna M. Lapointe and her husband, Gerard of North Berwick, Maine and Laura J. Belmonte and her husband, Frank A. Belmonte of Londonderry, New Hampshire.
She returned to the working world in the early seventies at Bradlees Department Store of Chelsea as a salesclerk and cashier. She retired in 1993 after twenty (20) years of service.
When her children were in school, “Pam” was mostactive in the Revere Parents Club. Nothing gave her more joy or pleasure than to be with her children; whether at home or elsewhere, teaching them, playing with them or thoroughly reading to them. Pam had a voracious appetite for reading and continued to the end to thrive on that appetite.
When grandchildren began happening, she was renewed in the art of “mothering.” Her grandchildren loved and thrived on spending time with their “Nonnie”. She did all the activities plus, as when she raised her own children. The grandchildren were taken to movies, museum trips, picnics etc. The combined time with her children and grandchildren remain to be the hallmark of her life—caring and giving. Her cherished grandchildren are Ashley L. Burbank and her husband, Adam of Berwick, Maine, Gregory A. Lapoint and his wife, Moriah of Wells, Maine, Frank A. Belmonte, III of Londonderry, NH and Genna R. Gioioso of Lynnfield. She is also the dear sister to John DiPlacido and his late wife, Frances (Corozza) DiPlacido of West Palm Beach, FL and the late Clara Kennedy and her late husband, Joseph. She is also lovingly survived by her two great-grandsons, Zachary and Jackson and by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Pam was also the faithful cousin to the late Mario DiBacco.
For many years of Saturday nights, both Pam and John, who were long-time members of the Malden Moose Lodge, would take thorough advantage of the celebrations on Saturday nights and holiday specials, dressed to the nines, side-by-side.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com
Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.
Leila Celona
Retired Seamstress
Leila (Marabello) Celona, a lifelong resident of East Boston, died on May 15 at the age of 100.
Leila was employed as a seamstress in the clothing industry for Philips Sportswear in East Boston before her retirement in 1982.
The devoted wife of the late Stephen “Steve” Celona Sr. with whom she shared 64 years of marriage, she was the loving mother of Nunzio “Nunny” Celona and his wife. Geraldine of Wakefield, Josephine Pullo and her husband, Dave of Tewksbury and Stephen Celona Jr. of Winthrop. She was the cherished grandmother of four and the great grandmother of six.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, services will be private for the imidiate family. Messages of condolence can be placed on our memory wall.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, MA. For online guestbook, visit: www.vazzafunerals.com Vazza Funeral Home.
Gerry Federico Giugliano
Heavy Equipment Operator
Funeral Services and Interment will be held privately due to the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic for Gerry Federico Giugliano who died on Saturday, May 9 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a long illness, He was 71 years old.
Gerry was born in Grottaminarda, Avellino, Italy and came to the United States in 1965. The family settled in East Boston and Jerry remained here for the rest of his life.
He was married for 47 years to Claudia (DiGirolamo) Giugliano. They had five children and raised them in the family home on Saratoga Street.
Gerry worked as a heavy equipment operator for all of his working career. He had an innate work ethic and worked very hard to support his family. He was forced to retire early due to declining health issues.
The devoted husband of Claudia (DiGirolamo) Giugliano of East Boston, he was the loving father of Freddy Giugliano, Anthony A. Giugliano, Jerry Giugliano, Joseph Giugliano and Antonetta Giugliano, all of East Boston; cherished papa of Bryan, Mevayla, Danny, Anthony, Alissa, Joe, Joann and Joselyn; the beloved son of the late Andrea and Antonetta (Falcucci) Giugliano; dear brother of Giuseppe Giugliano and his late wife, Alfonsina of Boxford, Salvatore Giugliano and his wife, Gilfroia “Jill” of Lynnfield and the late Dora Ragucci. He is also lovingly survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
At the family’s request, please omit flowers. To send online condolences, please visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.
Paul Caponigro
Retired Boston School Teacher, Died at the Age of 107
Private Funeral Services and Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, were held for Paul S. “Salvi” Caponigro, who passed on Wednesday, May 13 following a brief illness at the Jeanne Jugan Residence of Somerville.
Mr. Caponigro observed his 107th birthday on March 24th with the presence and love of the nuns at the facility in an attempt to help ease the absence of his most devoted family due to the ongoing pandemic mandates.
Born and raised in East Boston, Mr. Caponigro was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1931 and was a 1935 graduate of Boston University.
Early in his working career, he was with Special Services and the Peace Corps in Japan. After leaving Special Services, he began 25 years of service as a Boston School Teacher of the Arts and Ceramics. He was proud to be the only “Ceramics” Teacher registered to the City of Boston.
A man of deep and devout faith, his goal was to serve the Roman Catholic Church as an ordained priest. However, being a victim and survivor of Polio, he was denied admission to the seminary. Although, the good and Excelsior mode of his life served his students, family and friends with a hallmark to follow in their own lives. His knowledge of art and the many, many vistas that the study of art allows us to partake was genuine and complete. His humility and integrity were life-long attributes that saw him to the completion of his 107 years.
He was a member of several art associations, the Winthrop Art Association, being one and a long-standing member of the Boston Retired Teachers’ Association.
He was the beloved son of the late Angelo and Carmella (Luongo) Caponigro who together parented seven children and Paul was the youngest. His late siblings were: Aida I. Caponigro, Eugene Caponigro, Joseph, Americo and Liberto Caponigro and Robert Cappy. He was the cherished uncle
to Philip A. Caponigro, Joseph S. Caponigro and his wife, Kelly and Carlo E. Caponigro and his wife, Francesca and Janice Marcinkowski and her late husband, Joseph. Many grandnieces and grandnephews also survive him. He is also lovingly survived by his faithful caring sister-in-law, Margaret “Margie” (Bagley) Caponigro-Chiaraluce.
A Celebration of Life/Memorial Funeral Mass will be announced at a later date on social media and our website ( www.vertuccioandsmith.com).
In grateful recognition of the extraordinary care rendered Paul, his family asks that, in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to the “Little Sisters of the Poor,” 186 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. To send online condolences, please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com. Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals.