Obituaries 02-03-2022

Kenneth “K.O.” O’Neil

Graduate of Winthrop HS, Class of 1966

Funeral Services were conducted in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, Revere on January 28 for Kenneth C. “K.O.” O’Neil who passed away following a brief illness on Monday, January 24 at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Kenny was a native of Winthrop, where he was born and raised. He was a proud graduate of Winthrop High School,  Class of 1967 and a long-time employee at Eastern Airlines, where he worked as a baggage handler for 25 years. When he retired, he held various jobs with his larger-than-life personality, including as a bartender at the “Shipwreck Lounge” on Revere Beach. Kenny made many friendships there and anywhere he went. Kenny also owned and operated his own business called “The Good Samaritan,” where he was a liquor distributor.

Kenny was a lover of the beach and he lived on Revere Beach with his longtime love, Despena “Dee” Baletsa. The couple shared 20 years of happiness and an abundance of wonderful memories. Kenny was undoubtedly a “people person” and he made sure that when you were with him, you were going to have a good time. He had a witty sense of humor, enjoyed sharing his colorful stories, and offered unmatched generosity to all  those around him. If you were a friend to Kenny, you were a friend for life and you could always count on him to be there for you.

Kenny enjoyed music very much, beginning with his trumpet playing in the Winthrop High School band. Kenny was also a member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1357.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was the longtime fiancée of Despena “Dee” Baletsa of Revere with whom he shared his home for 20 years. He was also the former partner of the late Stephanie M. Ciampa, the beloved son of the late Francis J. and Claire N. (McGough) O’Neil, the cherished brother of Karen Daly and her husband, James of Stoneham. He was the treasured uncle of Kevin Daly and his son, Chase of Wilmington, James Daly and his wife, Erin of New Hampshire, and Janet Daly of Stoneham. He is also lovingly survived by Gregory Nigro and his fiancé, Sindia Taylor and their daughter, Madeline of Quincy and Nicholas Nigro and his wife, Jessica and their daughter, Nata of Washington, D.C. And no one could forget Kenny’s beloved canine companion the late “Callie” along with his many loving and dear friends.

Remembrances may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. 

The staff at Vertuccio & Smith are most honored to have assisted the family in completing funeral arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

Major Michael Mucci

Member of the BC Athletic Hall of Fame and 33 Year Veteran of the Massachusetts State Police

Major Michael C. Mucci (Retired) of Revere and Winthrop passed away on Friday, January 28 after a long battle with cancer. 

Michael was the son of the late Alfred and Gemma Mucci.  He was a loving and devoted husband and proud father and grandfather and is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen and his children: Michael Mucci Jr. (Erin) of Adams, Gregory Mucci (Kristen) of Arlington and Kristen Mucci of North Andover and his stepson, Gregory Hamilton of Osterville.  He was the cherished grandfather of Jake and Griffin Mucci, Dennis and Sammy Sherlock, Brooklyn, Luke and Logan Mucci and Austin and Dylan Hamilton.  He was one of five children: Guy, Mary Lou, Alfred and Richard (all deceased).  He leaves behind many nieces and nephews. 

Michael was born in East Boston and moved to Revere at an early age where he spent over 50 years before moving to Winthrop.  He graduated from Revere High School and went on to attend Boston College where he graduated in 1972 from the Carroll School of Management. Michael earned his M.S. in Public Administration from Suffolk University Graduate School of Administration in 1976. While at BC, he played football and earned all-New England, All East and honorable mention All-American awards.  He was the first president of the BC Gridiron Club, past president of the BC Varsity Club and was inducted into the BC Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Michael was a 33 year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, joining the force in June of 1974 as a proud member of the 58th RTT and began his career as a Road Trooper in Troops “A” and “E.”  From 1979 through 1982, he served on the staff of Governor Edward J. King in the Executive Protection Unit.  Michael then served in the State Police Detective Unit and was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and later the rank of Sergeant, assigned to Troops “A”, “GHQ” and “F” in 1989. 

As a Lieutenant, he became the first Station Commander from the Old State Police to take command of the “A-4,” SP Medford Station from 1994 – 1996.  In 2000 Michael was promoted to Captain and then in 2002, he was promoted to Major, Commanding Troop E, assigned to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.  As an additional duty he was also the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Central Artery, Harbor Tunnel Project (The Big Dig)! Major Mucci was the principal architect of the Massachusetts Turnpike Incident Response Plan, the Traffic Division Plan for the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and an Incident Commander for Boston Bio in 2007.  From 1980 to 1990, Michael was the Field Director of the Revere Pop Warner Youth Football Program and an assistant football coach at Revere High School through 1992.  He coached girls softball teams from 1990 – 1998.  Michael also enjoyed his years as an ice hockey referee in the American Hockey League and Hockey East and in 1990 he refereed the Division 2 National Collegiate Ice Hockey Final.  Michael was a member of the Winthrop Golf Club and a member of a number of Police Associations. 

A Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Friday, February 4 from 3 to 7 p.m.  At the request of the family, masks must be worn upon entrance into the funeral home and please refrain from hugging and hand shaking.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church 250 Revere St, Revere on Saturday at 12 Noon (everyone to meet directly at church).  Private Interment.  

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations  be made in memory of Michael Mucci to support the Caring for a Cure Fund at the Mass General Cancer Center. https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/.  Please select “I am making this gift in honor or memory of someone” and indicate “Michael Mucci”.  Checks made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital can be mailed to: MGH Development Office C/o Megan Daniels, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114-1101.  For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com. 

Herbert “Herbie” Maggio

Retired Jeweler

Herbert “Herbie” Maggio of Winthrop passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on January 27. He was 70 years old.

Born in Chelsea, the beloved son of Ruth (Burgo) and the late Herbert Maggio, Sr., he grew up in Medford and has been a resident of Winthrop for over 15 years. He worked as a jeweler for many years prior to his retirement. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks.

He was the devoted husband of Lynda (Gaudette) and the loving father of Herbert Maggio, III of Medford, Christine Maggio of Andover, Danielle Penta Mullin of Sudbury, Deanna Penta Faretra of Winthrop and Elizabeth Penta Mullin; dear brother of Mark Maggio, Jimmy Maggio, Lisa Smith and the late Paul Maggio and cherished grandfather of James, Andrew, Emma, Alessandra, Alexander, Evelyn, Elle and Emily. He is also survived by his best friend, Timmy, many loving cousins and his former wife, Kathy (Raymond).

A funeral service was held in the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home on Monday, January 31 and celebrated by Deacon Jim Leo. Committal was private.

Memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts General Cancer Center at www.massgeneral.org/cancer.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

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