Dr. Domenic G. Amara, PhD
Educator and Newspaper Publisher
Dr. Domenic G. Amara, PhD., a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and respected international educator, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11 2025, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, from a cancerous lymphoma, he was 85 years old.
Dom was born on February 6, 1940 in Boston, the beloved son of the late Philip and Domenica (Imprescia) Amara of East Boston and an inspiration, mentor and a model representative of the Italian culture and community. Domenic’s life was the embodiment of dedication, hard work, commitment, and respect in all he strived to achieve. His passion and love for education was reflected in numerous positions he held throughout his career. His educational achievements, civic and community awards, and the many accolades he received were a true testament to his love of learning and trying to improve the quality of life of young people through education.
Dom lived nearly his entire life, all 85 years, in East Boston. He was educated at Christopher Columbus High School, Boston University with a BS in Biology and Chemistry. He worked nights as an EMT at Boston City Hospital, while he was a student at BU. He earned his MS degree at UMass Boston; he went on to Boston College where he earned his Doctorate in Science Curriculum Development.
He was a science teacher at East Boston High School, then later the Mario Umana School of Technology, also in East Boston as Vice Principal. He became Principal at the Edison School in Brighton, and the Umana-Barnes School in East Boston. He ended a long successful career as Principal at the Warren Prescott School in Charlestown which he held for 21 years. He was also a captain in the Massachusetts Guard and publisher of the Regional Review, a biweekly newspaper in East Boston, Charlestown, and North End.
Dom fostered partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, MGH, The Community Center, Hammond Real Estate, The U.S. Navy, Courageous Sailing, Bunker Hill C.C., Zelma Lacey, Charlestown H.S., MIT MASS, The Italian Consulate, and many other organizations.
His involvement and dedication to the mission of United Planet of Education culminated as the Co-Founder of the Neme Aissatou Diallo School and Medical Clinic located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa.
His community, civic and Italian cultural involvement and awards include President of Pirandello Lyceum and Chairman of the Italian American Alliance, and many more.
He was the beloved husband of 58 years to Frances M. (Giuffrida) Amara of East Boston; the loving father of Philip D. Amara and his wife, Hiroko of Swampscott; the cherished grandfather of his pride and joy, Hana Amara; the treasured brother of James Amara and his wife Nancy of Georgia. He is also lovingly survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
On behalf of the Amara family, they would like to acknowledge a special thank you to Dr. David Avigan and the staff at Beth Israel for the wonderful AL care, respect, dignity, and encouragement over the years.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, July 17th from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 18th at 12 noon in the Sacred Heart Church, 45 Brooks St., East Boston.
Please go directly to church. Interment will immediately follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers please honor Dom by making a donation in his memory to Warren Prescott Foundation Inc., 50 School St., Charlestown, MA 02129.
For online condolences please visit: www.vertucciosmithvazza.com.
Joseph “Pinuccio” Aresco, Sr.
Owned J. Aresco Trucking Co.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Thursday, July 17 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for Joseph “Pinuccio” Aresco, Sr., who died at the Massachusetts General Hospital on Thursday, July 10 following a brief illness. He was 68 years old. His Funeral Service will be conducted in the Funeral Home at 1 p.m. immediately followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Joe, who was also known as “Joe Tomatoes” and “Pinuccio” was born in Catania, Sicily on September 11, 1956. He along with his family immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. The family lived in the West End of Boston and later moved to East Boston.
Joe was educated in Boston Public Schools. At a young age, Joe had a very strong work ethic. He began working with his older brothers at their business, The Matarazzo Brothers Co. in Chelsea. Joe also worked the family Pushcarts in Haymarket in Boston for many years. He worked very hard and hustled to earn a living.
Joe eventually opened his own trucking company named J. Aresco Trucking Co., which he recently retired from. Joe could always be heard singing either Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley songs. He was a man who enjoyed working and he loved his family.
He was the beloved son of the late Vittorio Aresco and Vincenza (Rosa) Aresco; the father of Diana Aresco and Joseph Aresco, Jr., cherished brother of Angelo, the late Sebastiano “Yano”, Antonio “Anthony”, the late Salvatore, Carmelo, the late Augustine, Joseph, William, John, Frank, Richard, the late Robert, and his only sister, Anna Pisaturo. He also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Joe’s Name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.
Paolo J. “Paul” LaRosa
Owned “Paul’s Reptile Circus”
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours on Saturday, July 19th, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere, for Paolo J. “Paul” LaRosa, who died on Sunday July 13th following an 8-month battle with Pancreatic Cancer, he was 56 years old. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated following the visitation in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 11 a.m. Entombment will immediately follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery – Chapel Hill Mausoleum, Malden.
Paul was born in Winthrop Hospital on September 24th, 1968. He was raised in East Boston along with his brother and two sisters. He was a graduate of St. Dominic Savio Preparatory High School in East Boston, Class of 1987.
Paul was a man who truly followed his passions in life. His biggest passion and fascination were reptiles. Paul worked around these animals, becoming as knowledgeable about every detail, species, habitat, herpetology, and eating habits, that he could have taught a college class. He traveled all over to learn about and to purchase various reptiles. He eventually collected enough to open his very own reptile business “Paul’s Reptile Circus,” which he proudly owned and operated for 20 + years. Paul’s modo was “connecting kids with reptiles.” He would travel all throughout New England putting on shows and birthday parties. At times, his travels even led him to the Hamptons. He enjoyed going to Zoos and taking trips to the Florida Everglades. Many people dream of working their dream job; Paul lived it! Although he was passionate about his animals, his family and friends were where he truly enjoyed spending his time. His children were the center of his heart.
He was the loving father of Mollie Allen of Winchester, Johnathan Allen of Swampscott and Jenna Allen of Burlington and the proud grandfather of J.J.; the devoted son of the late Angelo and Carmela (Pastore) LaRosa, the cherished brother of Antonietta Mario and her husband, Martin of Winchester, Antonio LaRosa of Revere and Teresa Rossetti and her husband, Robert of Tewksbury; treasured uncle of Christy, Angelo, Martin, Sofia, Nicholas and Robert.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Paul’s memory to New England Herpetological Society, 500 Columbian St., Weymouth, MA 02190. For online condolences please visit us at www.vertucciosmithvazza.com
Steven James Rich
He will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, deep love for his family, and the warmth and laughter he shared with everyone who knew him.
Steven James Rich, a lifelong resident of East Boston, passed away suddenly on July 11, 2025, at the age of 70.
Born at Chelsea Hospital on September 17, 1954, Steven was the beloved son of the late Phyllis Buono (Spano) and the devoted husband of Donna Rich (Luongo) with whom he shared a beautiful life and nearly 50 years of marriage. He was the proud and loving father of Brian Rich and his wife, Michelle, Lauren Rich, Jordan Rich and Stephen Rich and his fiancée, Tanya. Steven was a cherished “Papa” to his granddaughters, Sadie James Rich and Tessa Joy Rich, who brought endless laughter and joy to his life. He was the dear brother of Larry Rich and his wife Jady, David Buono, Richie Buono, and the late Clyde Rich. He was also the beloved son-in-law of the late Anna “Edna” and Gerard “Jerry” Luongo, and brother-in-law of Gail and Richie Marotta and Denise and Jack Baglio. Steven is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews.
A hardworking man from a young age, Steven attended East Boston Public Schools and began his career as a die maker at just 14 years old. His dedication and work ethic led him to establish and operate his own die cutting and finishing business, proudly continuing the family trade. Work was not just a job for Steven—it was his passion and purpose. Though deeply committed to his profession, Steven’s greatest pride was his family. He took immense joy in his children’s accomplishments and was especially proud of being “Papa” to his granddaughters, whose laughter never failed to bring a smile to his face. He loved spending time on Cape Cod, socializing with friends, sneaking food to his granddog Moose, and in recent years, found a quiet joy in completing puzzles.
Family and friends will honor Steven’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston, on Thursday, July 17th, from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. before proceeding to Sacred Heart Parish for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass. Steven will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, deep love for his family, and the warmth and laughter he shared with everyone who knew him.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.ruggieromh.com.