Ernest ‘Ernie’ Fobert
Past Commodore of Cottage Park Yacht Club and Boston Duck Tours Captain
Ernest M. “Ernie†Fobert of Winthrop passed away on April 18. He was 72 years old.
Ernie was a member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club where he was a Past Commodore and a past member of the Board of Directors. He was employed as a captain for Boston Duck Tours. Ernie was devoted to Charlotte, his wife of nearly 50 years and they loved their annual cruise from Boston to Bermuda. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family, especially his son (and best pal) Matt and all their close friends. He and his daughter Lauren cherished their time in the sun by the pool where they would listen to their favorite music, laugh, and tell stories. He adored his four grandchildren and loved talking about all the funny things they’d do and say. But his greatest passion was boating. Whether reliving all the fantastic times he spent aboard his boat, the nuArk, or tinkering around on his more recent vessel, the Largo, boating made him complete. He loved just sitting in the slip listening to his little radio and enjoying a cold beer as much as cruising around Winthrop or Boston Harbor with family and friends. If Ern was floating on the water and soaking up the sun, he was a happy man. We believe that’s what’s he’s doing now.
Born in Winthrop, he was the son of the late Leo and Helen (Higgins) Fobert; the beloved husband of Charlotte A. (Smith) Fobert; devoted father of Matthew E. Fobert and his wife, Eileen and Lauren M. (Fobert) Craig and her husband, Derek all of Winthrop; adored grandfather of Jack Matthew and Caitlin Grace Fobert and Ryan Joseph and Declan Ernest Craig; dear brother of Virginia LeClair and her husband, Lee and Tom Fobert and his wife, Pat, all of Easton, Paula Gately of Massachusetts and the late Leona LaFranchise and Leo J. Fobert. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Donations in his name can be made to the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA, 02284-9168.
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Joseph Di Gregorio
Of Melrose, formerly of East Boston
Joseph A. Di Gregorio of Melrose, formerly of Malden and East Boston, died on April 23.
He was the beloved husband of Janette A. (Fiore); loving father of Rosemarie DiGregorio of Winthrop, Michelle DiGregorio of Revere and Angela D’Amato and her husband, Mark of Westford; dear brother of Pat DiGregorio and his wife, Loreen of South Easton and the late John and his wife, Regina of Malden. He is also survived by three loving grandchildren: Anissa, Emma and Alex and by many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood†Funeral Home, 262 Beach St., Revere at 9 a.m. Friday 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, Everett. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation of MA, 85 Astor Ave., Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062. For directions and guestbook: www.vazafunerals.com.
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Mary Ann Mele
Of Winthrop
Mary Ann Mele of Prospect Avenue, Winthrop passed away at the Aviv Center for Living in Peabody on April 18 after a prolonged illness. She was 90 years old.
Born in New York City, the beloved daughter of the late Marietta (Gargiulo) and Alfonso Marra, she lived in the West End of Boston before moving to Winthrop more than 60 years ago.
She was the devoted wife of the late Ralph F. Mele and the loving mother Salvatore Mele and his wife, Linda of Salem, NH, Madeline Keogh and her husband, Robert of Winthrop, Marietta DeGiovanni and her husband, Vincent of Westford and Alfonse Mele and his wife, Linda of Holyoke; dear sister of Angelo Marra of Belmont, Grace Petraglia of Malden and the late David Marra; loving sister in law of Josephine Mele, Norma Mele and Marion Driscoll; cherished grandmother of Tina Marie Talvi, Laura Freeman, Aimee DeGiovanni, Julia Paquette, Victoria Hopkins, Karen Lukeman and Sarah McCready. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Maley Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery. For memorial donations or to sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com or www.cremationsbycaggianofh.com.
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Elizabeth Griffin
Bookkeeper, Worked Age 90
Elizabeth Griffin of Paine Street, Winthrop passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital on April 8 after a brief illness. She was 94 years old.
Born in East Boston, the beloved daughter of the late Anna (Rebello) and Alfred Stanwood, she was a lifetime resident of Winthrop and a graduate of Winthrop High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for Knapp & Schenck Insurance until she recently retired at the age of 90. She loved puzzles, reading, crocheting and cats.
She was the devoted wife of the late William H. Griffin and the dedicated and loving mother of Catherine Holt and her husband, Richard of Florida, Stephen Griffin and his wife, Kathryn of Lowell, Patricia Smith and her late husband, Richard of Medford, Jeanne Fanning and her late husband, Thomas of Alabama, Sean Griffin and his wife, Christine of Billerica and the late Richard and William Griffin; dear sister of the late Catherine Ballard and Mary Smith; mother in law of Mary Anne “Annie” Griffin of Florida and is also survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A private committal service will be held at a later date. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com or www.cremationsbycaggianofh.com
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Nicholas Gallese
Optician
Nicholas, M. Gallese of Winthrop, born February 25, 1948, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2013, with his wife Laurie J. (Skanks) Gallese by his side.
They shared a very close relationship with many close friends calling them “The Lovebirds,†Peas and Carrots. They very much enjoyed their hobbies together whether it be gardening, fishing, cooking, reading, or helping others — But most of all, being together.
Nick attended Wentworth College and went on to become an Optician for 30 plus years. In addition to the couple enjoying their home garden, the most favorite place they found peace, friends and solitude was at the Danvers Fish and Game Club. Nick was a member for over 40 years (our second home). He gladly shared his intense knowledge of all things. I hope there is a range up there, and until we meet again, We Will/Do Miss You Nicky/Pop!
A Graveside Service was held at the Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section), Winthrop on April 11. Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. For guestbook, please visit www.mauricekirbyfh.com.
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Barbara Fucillo
Of Winthrop
Barbara A. (Daly) Fucillo of Winthrop passed away at the Whidden Hospital in Everett on April 18. She was 74 years old.
The beloved wife of George L. Fucillo, she was born in Winthrop, the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Gaddis) Daly. She was the devoted mother of Deborah M. Fucillo and Cheri Fucillo, both of Winthrop; adored grandmother of Steven and Domenic DeMasi and Carissa and Mikayla Fucillo; dear sister of John “Jack†Daly and his wife, Joan of Malden, Alice Lally and her husband, Tom of Winthrop, and the late Richard Daly of Lynn, Dorothy “Jean†Calello-Lynch and Arline Mason of Winthrop. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section). Donations in her name can be made to Autism Speaks 1060 State Rd. 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ, 08540 or to the American Cancer Society 43 Nagog Pk. Ste. 110, Acton, MA. 01720. For guestbook, please visit www.mauricekirbyfh.com.
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Yvonne Pettengill
17 Year Employee of Dig Safe and Longtime Everett Scout Leader
Yvonne B. (Trahan) Pettengill of Everett passed away at her home unexpectedly on April 16. She was 67 years old.
A 17 year former employee of Dig Safe, she was a life member of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and a longtime Scout Leader.
She was the beloved wife of the late James G. Pettengill, Jr.; the loving daughter of the late Effie and Bill Trahan; loving mother of Keith J. Pettengill and his wife, Jeanie of Tewksbury and Michelle L. Pettengill and her fiancé, Greg Vonusa of Virginia; loving sister of Paul Trahan and his wife, Evelyn of Winthrop, Richard Trahan of Braintree, and Donald Trahan and his wife, Anne of Maryland and cherished grandmother of Lauren and Lyndsey Pettengill. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the JF Ward Funeral Home, Everett. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. For online guest book visit jfwardfuneralhome.com
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John Hardy
Decorated Lt. Col. US Army (Retired)
John W. Hardy of Hampton, Virginia, formerly of Winthrop, died at his home surrounded by his family, his loving wife, Sara (Townsley) Hardy and his former wife, Sandra (Vaughn) Hardy on April 15. He was 68 years old.
Mr. Hardy was born November 3, 1944 in Winthrop to Ernest E. and Evelyn W. Hardy, Sr. A member of St John’s Episcopal Church, he served as acolyte and crucifer and was a member of the men and boy’s choirs at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Trinity Church, Boston.
As an avid sailor, he began competitive sailing at age eight at Cottage Park Yacht Club. He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1962 and from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1967.
Mr. Hardy served in the United States Army in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Retiring in 1989 as a Lieutenant Colonel, he worked for Riverside Health as a Marketing Director at Patriot’s Colony in Williamsburg, VA.
He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Hampton, VA, served as senior and junior warden, vestry member, stewardship chair, and choir member. He was also a member of the Virginia Choral Society.
He is survived by his wife, Sara; brother and sister in law, Ernest and Sue Hardy of Winthrop; son and daughter in law, Christopher and Kimberly Hardy of Easthampton, NJ; son and daughter in law, Geoffrey and Sarah Hardy of Leesburg, VA; son and daughter in law, Gregory and Tiffany Hardy of Hampton, VA; stepsons, Robert and Brent Van Aman of Hampton, VA; grandchildren Jordan, CJ, Courtney, Kayleigh, Zach, Victoria, Tristan, Sebastian, Evan, Emma, Lily, and Madilynn; niece/god-daughter Kimberly (Hardy) Kennedy, her husband, David and their sons, Hunter and Hayes of Winthrop.
A service was held at Emmanuel Church on April 19 followed by Inurnment with full military honors. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Riverside Cancer Society or Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Hampton, VA.
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Henry ‘Billy’ Keating, Jr.
Of Charlestown
Henry W. “Billy†Keating, Jr. of Charlestown died on April 14.
A US Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he was the father of Billy of Brighton and Maureen of Winthrop; son of the late Henry William, Sr. and Lillian (Campbell); brother of James “Buddy†of Andover, Mary Jo, Tommy and Donny, all of Charlestown and Patricia Machado of Everett and is also survived by one granddaughter, Rachel Farley and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Services were private. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements were by Rocco-Carr-Henderson Funeral Service 1-877-71-rocco www.roccofuneralhomes.com