Filomena Vivolo
A true family matriarch who filled her home with much love and joy
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours today, Wednesday September 3rd from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for Filomena (Paglia) Vivolo who passed peacefully in her home on Wednesday, August 27th surrounded by the comfort and love of her family, after just celebrating her 98th year. Her funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, September 4, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 133 Beach St., Revere. Interment will immediately follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
Filomena was born on August 15th, 1927, in Trevico, the province of Avellino, Italy to her late parents, Rocco and Generosa (DiMarco) Paglia. She was raised in Trevico along with her three siblings. She was married in Trevico to Louis P. Vivolo on April 22, 1951. At the age of 24, she journeyed to the United States on the MV Volcania to Ellis Island, New York.
The couple began their life together in Boston’s North End in November of 1951. Filomena started working as a seamstress until she and her husband began their family. They left the North End in 1964 and moved to East Boston.
Filomena was a devoted housewife and mother to her three daughters. Her priority was her family and her home. She filled her home with much love and joy. Filomena was happiest when she was cooking and caring for her family.
In 1998 she and her husband moved to Revere to live with their daughter. She cherished watching all of her grandchildren when they were young, it was one of her greatest joys. She enjoyed watching all Boston Sports teams, as well as television, especially game shows. She loved to knit and would knit scarves and blankets for her dear family, extended family and friends. Filomena undoubtedly was a true matriarch of her family. She demonstrated her love and devotion to them on a daily basis and they in turn treated her like the Queen that she was.
She was the beloved wife of 51 years to the late Louis P. Vivolo, World War II veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and “Former Golden Gloves Champion”; the loving mother of Louise V. Hallahan of East Boston, Rosemarie P. Cosgrove of East Boston and her late husband, Richard and Amy A. McGrath and her husband, Chris of Revere; the cherished Nonna of David Hallahan and his wife, Anna of Winthrop, Amanda Cosgrove of East Boston, Alyssa McGrath and Ashley McGrath, both of Revere and the great Nonna of Lucas and Blake; the dear sister of the late Puccio Paglia, Giovanni Paglia and Josephina Paglia. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the DAV – Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.
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.
Michael Edward DeSpirito
He was instrumental in founding the drug court in the East Boston court system; giving a second chance in life to many
Michael Edward DeSpirito, of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was the devoted son of the late Edward and Jennie DeSpirito, and the beloved husband of Jacqueline (Brunelle) DeSpirito. Michael was the loving father of Ellie “Jenna” DeSpirito, Kristina Ventresca and her husband, Michael, Michael Susi and his wife, Kim and Alessandra Susi and her fiancé, Tim Dalton; cherished brother of Karen DeSpirito and proud uncle of Krista Carlson and her husband, Scott, and Kayleigh Carlson. Michael was a proud and adoring grandfather to Michael Ventresca, Grayson Susi, and Theo Susi. He also shared a special bond with his feline pal, Luna. He will be deeply missed by his many cousins, extended family and countless friends. Not only was Michael a pillar of strength to his countless friends and his dear family, he devoted his life to helping numerous people find recovery. He was instrumental in founding the drug court in the East Boston court system; giving a second chance in life to many. No matter what you were going through, Michael would be there with advice and a joke to make you crack a smile just when you thought you couldn’t. While he liked to make up his own lyrics, Michael was a true lover of music and could name off any Beatles song. He was also a big fan of old Westerns and perhaps in another life was the closest an East Boston man could ever get to being a cowboy. Michael lives on in the countless nicknames he has given to anyone lucky enough to cross his path, the stories he has retold enough times that we can all recite them, and his timeless sense of fashion-including Hawaiian shirts. Family and friends will honor Michael’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston, on Friday, September 5th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, East Boston, for a 10 a,m. Funeral Mass. Michael will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Malden. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mchael’s memory may be made to the Meridian House, online at https://web.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?tsid=28869 or checks payable to North Suffolk Community Services may be sent to 301 Broadway, Chelsea MA 02150. Please note the donation should be directed to Meridian House. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.ruggieromh.com.