John Robert Nicolas
Marine Biologist
John Robert Nicolas of Cotuit, formerly of Winthrop, died suddenly on July 30 while at sea aboard the research vessel Marcus G. Langseth. He was 62 years old.
Born in Winthrop on December 22, 1947 to Arthur Joseph Nicolas and Mary Stephens Nicolas, he was one of five children. He attended Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield Maine and upon graduation, he served in the US Navy during the Viet Nam war years. He graduated from Cape Fear Technical Institute in North Carolina in 1975 and moved to Osterville, Massachusetts.
He enjoyed a long career as a marine biologist with National Marine Fisheries in Woods Hole, specializing in whale research and census. He retired after 33 years and then accepted the position as marine biologist on the research vessel Marcus G. Langseth with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University where he monitored the presence of marine mammals.
He found great pleasure being on and around the sea. He was a recreational sailor who enjoyed shell fishing in the bays around Cotuit. He was happy to call Cotuit his home and with his companion, Alexis Burns, enjoyed the village as a year round resident. Both on land and sea, John was known for his sense of humor and warmth.
He is survived by his son, Benjamin, his daughter Katherine and his four sisters; Marilyn Kitson, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Peabody, Dorothy Mael,and Margaret (Peggy) Cronin.
Visiting hours will be on Friday August 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St. Hyannis. Burial will be private. Donations in his name may be sent to: Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 549, Hyannis, MA 02601 or US Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 123 Washington DC 2004
Paul Monahan Sr.
Of Scituate, formerly of Winthrop
Paul C. Monahan Sr. of Scituate, formerly of Winthrop, died on August 14 at the Carney Hospital, Dorchester. He was 76 years old.
He was born and raised in Winthrop, graduated from Malden Catholic High School, enjoyed sailing and was past President of the Scituate Beach Association.
He was the loving husband of Mary M. (O’Brien); devoted father of Ellen Holly of Elkhorn, WI, Paul C. Jr. and his wife, Terry, of Franklin, Patricia Sheerin of Hingham, Susan Monahan of Scituate and Mary Marckini of Whitman. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late George F. Monahan.
Arrangements were by the Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, Scituate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scituate Etrusco, 1 Common St, Scituate, MA 02066 and/or Scituate Animal Shelter, 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate, MA 02066. For online guest register and information please visit www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com.
Mary Denehy
North Reading resident
Mary (Yannetty) Denehy of North Reading formerly of Lynn, East Boston and Chelsea, died on August 14.
Mrs. Denehy was a member of the Lynn Senior Citizens YMCA Group, a volunteer at Union Hospital for years, attended Spectrum from 2004 to 2007 and was a member of the Red Hats Society of Spectrum.
She was the wife of Francis Denehy; mother of Jane Blake arid her husband, Richard, of North Reading and Fran King and her husband, Henry, of Danvers; daughter of the late Ceasar and Michelina Yannetty; beloved nonna of Christine MacNevin and her husband, Ryan, Gabriel Finocchietti and his wife, Elicia, Emily Blake, 1st Lt. US Army William King, James Blake and Lisa Finocchietti; sister of the late Ceasar and Edward Yannetty; sister in law of Rosemary Yannetty of East Boston, Margueritte Yannetty of Winthrop and Lorraine Dockerty of Peabody. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral will be hed from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St. (corner of Park St. and Rte. 28), North Reading at Reading line today, Thursday, August 19 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St .(Rte 62), North Reading at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to either the Spectrum Adult Day Health Program, 600 Cummings Center, Suite 176X, Beverly, MA 01915 or Angel Flight NE, 492 Sutton St., North Andover, MA 01845. www.cotafuneralhomes.com.
Anthony Williams
Revere resident
Anthony Williams of Revere died on August 16.
He was the cherished son of Claire (Calderone), formerly of East Boston, and the late Daniel Williams; dear brother of Daniel Williams and his wife, Lisa, of Florida and the late Edward Williams; loving nephews of Phyllis Varricchio of Chelsea, Gloria Calderone of Revere, Mary Cavaleri, Joseph Calderone and George Calderone, all of East Boston; fond uncle of Michelle and Nick. He also leaves many cousins.
His Funeral will be held from Vazza’s "Beechwood" Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere, Friday at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, at 10 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. For directions and guest book, www.vazzafunerals.com.
Helen Burgin
Retired Nurse
Helen E. (Grant) Burgin of Winthrop, formerly of Virginia, died on August 14 at the Don Orione Nursing Home, East Boston after a long illness. She was 88 years old.
Born in Old Fort, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Elsie G. (Harmen) and Hicks Grant, she was a nurse employed by the Hopewell Nursing Home in Virginia for many years. After her retirement, she moved to Winthrop.
She was the beloved wife of the late Columbus S. Burgin, devoted mother of Mary G. and Vincenzo Vitiello of Winthrop, Margaret and Thomas Smith of Colonial Heights, VA and Michael and Sandra Burgin of Virginia Beach, VA; dear sister of William Grant and Jimmy Grant, both of Virginia, and is also survived by six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
She was a member of the Order of Rebekahs and a Rebekah Service was conducted and services were held at the Ernest P. Caggiano & Son Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in the Belle Isle Section of Winthrop Cemetery. _For online condolences go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
James ‘Jay’ Vaccaro
NASA Appreciation Award recipient
James A. "Jay" Of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, died on August 12.
A US Army veteran of the Korean War and a NASA Appreciation Award recipient, he was the beloved husband of Rose ( Dattoli) Vaccaro; loving father of Grace Vaccaro of Revere, Roseann Vaccaro of Lawrence and James Vaccaro of Winthrop; dear brother of Frank Vaccaro and his wife, Barbara, of Brockton; cherished grandfather of Vincent and John Forlizzi and Nicholas Vaccaro.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s "Beechwood" Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in the VA National Cemetery, Bourne. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.
Bernadette Webb
Of Winthrop, formerly of the North End
Bernadette E. Webb of Winthrop, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on August 10. She was 56 years old.
The beloved daughter of the late Domenica (Cerullo) and William J. Webb Sr., she was the cherished mother of Gabriella Webb-Durham of Winthrop and her fiancé, Max Martelli; loving sister of Anthony Webb and his wife, Louise, of Beverly and William Webb Jr. and his wife, Louise, of Lynn. She is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements were by the Boston Harborside Home, Boston. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. To leave online condolences please visit www.bostonharborsidehome.com.