James Arsenault
Longtime Verizon Telephone Operator
James “Jim” M. Arsenault of East Boston passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21 at 79 years of age.
James was a longtime telephone operator for Verizon.
The dear brother of Arthur Arsenault of East Boston, Yvonne Ghilardi of Florida, Debra Menard of Michigan and the late Philip, Albert and Paul Arsenault and Patricia Tinkham, he was the honorary grandpa of Aaliyah, Aliana and Austin and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends honored James’ life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Sunday, March 27. Committal services will be private.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com
Diane Abcunas
Chief Court Officer at East Boston District Court
Diane M. Abcunas, 68, of Lynn died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 26.
Born in Lynn, the daughter of Mary (Mercurio) Abcunas and the late James Abcunas, she lived in Lynn for the greater part of her life and was a graduate of St. Patrick’s School and St. Chretienne Academy in Salem. She also attended Salem State University.
Diane was the Chief Court Officer at East Boston District Court, a career she enjoyed for the past 37 years. She was well-respected by her colleagues and will be remembered for her work ethic.
Growing up, Diane helped at her family business, Bill’s Lunch, in Lynn for many years. She enjoyed yoga and running and was a proud volunteer at the Boston Marathon for over 20 years. Above all, Diane was the heart and soul of her family and her family meant the world to her. She went to her mother’s home every weekend morning and the two would venture to whatever North Shore breakfast spot her mother had decided on for that day before bringing doughnuts to her nieces and nephews and shopping at Market Basket and Marshalls.
“Auntie” never missed a family gathering or child’s sports game and she was the favorite babysitter of all her nieces and nephews. Diane always put everyone else before herself, and she was happiest when giving to others.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her brothers, Kevin Abcunas and his wife, Chasity and Billy Abcunas and his wife, Kellie; her nephew and nieces: Brian Abcunas and his wife, Colleen, Lindsay West and her husband, Derek, Stella and Addy Abcunas; her great nieces and nephews: Sam, Harry, Teddy, Mira and Brooke; as well as her three beloved cats.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Solimine Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt 129), Lynn, with a funeral service beginning at 6 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301.
Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com.
Wilma Short
February 10, 1938 ~ March 26, 2022
Wilma M. (Lantz) Short, 84, of Winthrop, formerly of Everett, passed away on March 26.
The beloved mother of David and his wife, Patty Short, Lynne (Short) and her husband, Ramon Alveres, Gary and his wife, Susan Short and Kevin and his wife, Sheila Short, she was the loving grandmother of 12, great grandmother of nine and great great grandmother of three. Wilma is also survived by her sister, Audrey Berardino of Everett and Roy Lantz of Sun City, CA, nieces, nephews and good friends.
Funeral from the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett on Friday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 133 Beach St., Revere at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Complimentary valet parking Thursday at the Main Street entrance. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701
For more information, please visit www.roccofuneralhomes.com.
Michael “Spanky” Straccia
Of Revere
Michael “Spanky” Straccia of Revere passed away on Friday, March 25.
The loving son of the late Jerry and Patricia (Hancock) Straccia, he was the dear brother of Paula Czernetsky of Everett, Ann Gayhart of Saugus, Joseph Straccia and his wife, Sandra of Nahant, Jerry Straccia and his wife, Angela and Janine Straccia, all of Revere and the beloved canine father of Benz. He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Michael’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Thursday, March 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. A prayer service will follow in our Serenity Chapel at 7 p.m. Committal services will be private. In lieu of flowers, in honoring Michael’s love for animals and his canine companion, donations may be made to MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02130. To leave an online condolence please visit www.ruggieromh.com.