George O’Brien
Retired UPS Auto Body Technician
George L. O’Brien, a lifelong resident of Winthrop, passed away at the Whidden Hospital in Everett on January 3. He was 78 years old.
Born in Revere, the beloved son of the late Mary (Dobbins) and George M. O’Brien. He enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War reaching the rank of Fireman, Machinery Repairman Striker. After his honorable discharge he worked as an auto body technician for the United Parcel Service.
He was the dear brother of Bobbe O’Brien of North Hampton, Mary Meehan of Natick, David O’ Brien of Winthrop and the late Paul O’Brien; loving uncle of Lauren DiMascio, Tami Meehan and Michael DiMascio and great uncle of Devon DeMascio.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Saturday, January 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 12:30 p.m. Services will conclude with the interment with military honors in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Marie Jackson
Stone and Webster Retiree
Marie A. Jackson of Winthrop passed away in Sarasota, Florida on December 1. She was 91 years old.
Born in East Boston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Frances (Grana) and Leonard DeModena. A longtime resident of Winthrop, she worked as a Senior Administrative Secretary for Stone and Webster. She was also a former senior officer for the Saugus Sons of Italy.
She was the loving mother of Eric Jackson of Florida, Donna Combs of Washington, Lisa Pargoli of Belmont and the late Gilbert Jackson; dear sister of Annette DeModena of California and the late Leonard DeModena and is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Friday, January 6 followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church. Rev. Patrick O’Connor celebrated the Mass and offered prayers at the interment in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Michael Coppola
Of Winthrop, formerly of Rhode Island
Michael Coppola of Winthrop and formerly of North Providence, RI passed away peacefully, holding his sister and husband’s hand as well as being surrounded by his loving family on January 7. He was 40 years old.
Born in Providence, RI he was the beloved son of the Michael R. Coppola and the late Jean (Dandeneau); the devoted husband of Matthew Lucerto, dear brother of Michelle Coppola and her husband, Adam Alfi of New York; beloved step-uncle of Joseph and David Alfi; brother-in-law of Michael Lucerto and his partner, Chelsea Beaudoin of Salem and son-in-law of Paul Lucerto of Reading, cherished grandson of Marie Coppola. He is also survived by his godson Thomas Marsh and many dear friends, cousins, aunts and uncles.
The funeral will be conducted from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop today, Thursday, January 12 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop, at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
Gifts in Michael’s memory may be made to a fund in his name at The Beacon Hill Nursery School, 74 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02114. In memory of Michael as a beloved community member and his passion for supporting teachers, the school is establishing The Michael R. Coppola Professional Development Fund.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Marguerite Yannetty
Active Member of First Congregational Church of Revere, Her Extended Family
Surrounded in love with her daughters at her side, Marguerite E. Yannetty of Winthrop was promoted to glory on January 3. She was 97 years old, or as she liked to say, she was in her “98th year.â€
Born in Boston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Valentina (Machado) and Thomas J. Rose. A resident of Winthrop for over 56 years, she and her late husband, Cesare enjoyed traveling, dancing and trips to the Cape where they enjoyed the company of extended family. Participating in Woman’s Bible Study, child care and volunteering, she was a faithful and active member of the First Congregational Church of Revere, her extended family.
She was the devoted wife of the late Cesare J. Yannetty, loving mother of Noreen Wilbur and her husband, Mark of Mammoth Lakes, CA, Linda Yannetty of Calabasas, CA, Mary Susan Hickman and her late husband, Lloyd of Carver, Christine Bernstein and her husband, Michael of Winthrop, Marguerite Sousa and her husband, Leo of Middleboro; dear sister of the late Isabel Hartel, Marie Eicher and Eileen Krug. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral was conducted from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 10 followed by a funeral service at the First Congregational Church, Revere. Services concluded with the interment in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
Memorial donations can be made to the First Congregational Church or The First Congregational Church Food Pantry, both located at 230 Beach Street, Revere, MA 02151 or to the charity of your choice.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Leslie Ann Moynahan
Graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1972
Leslie “Liza†Ann (Donahue) Moynahan, passed peacefully in the comfort of her home in Meredith, New Hampshire on December 20, 2022.
Born in Boston on May 12, 1954 and raised in the coastal-North Shore town of Winthrop, she was a beautiful woman, the absolute life of the party, a wonderful mother who always made everyone laugh.
Liza graduated from Winthrop High School in 1972. She was popular amongst her peers and the majorette of her marching band. From an early age, she displayed a real passion and talent for the arts. She loved painting, photography, sculpting and holiday crafting to name a few and was accepted to the Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt). However, shortly before graduation, her life was struck by tragedy. Her high school sweetheart, who was also attending college in Boston, died in a car crash shortly after their engagement. She would not let this event define her. Liza’s soul was too bright; she persevered to live a good life and raise three children.
She held many different jobs through her years and early in her career, she worked for the airlines. First as a flight attendant and eventually as a station manager. The benefits of the work provided her with the opportunity to travel the world. She told grand stories of tropical destinations and European adventures. It was also during these years that she had her first children, her two boys. By the early 90’s she had a third child, her daughter, and her family was complete. Like so many other Mothers from the Commonwealth seeking a better location to raise her family, she migrated north to settle in the Granite state. After several stops in Manchester, Raymond, Allenstown, Wakefield, Alton, she eventually landed in her top-destination town: Meredith. Liza loved Lake Winnipesaukee and went through painstaking efforts to ensure her children were raised in, what she believed to be, the absolute best place in the world to do so.
By the late 90’s, she was left a single mother with three kids and a mortgage. How she handled this adversity is another defining moment of her life. When it comes to earning a living and supporting a family in the Lakes Region, the summers can be fun and prosperous. But winters in the White Mountains are cold and tough. When the going got tough, Liza was a warrior. She was resilient that way. Soft is not a word used to describe her as she was the very definition of a hard worker who for years, consistently held two jobs and, at times, had as many as three. She did whatever it took to support and feed her family. Not to mention, the many friends of her children who would frequently visit her home on Mudgett Avenue. Despite the tough times, she never once turned anyone away. Liza always kept her home open to friends.
Later in life, after all her children had grown up and left the nest, she served as a foster-care mother and provided a safe and caring environment to several less fortunate children.
Liza had a tough, New England exterior but underneath was a kind and gentle soul. Her love for animals was evident in how she cared for her pets, her children’s pets, the charitable donations she made to animal-rights groups as well as her inability to watch TV ads from PETA without breaking into tears. Of all the jobs she worked in her life, nothing gave her more joy and satisfaction than her time working with people with special needs. She wasn’t just driving a bus nor was it just a job. As a member of the Teamsters Union Local 633, Liza found great purpose in safely transporting people of need all over New Hampshire. During her time, she formed many close relationships.
Throughout the entirety of her life, Liza held a strong social network. With her heavy-Boston accent and outspoken, outgoing, and charismatic personality she won the hearts of many. She was the kind of person who maintained her childhood relationships from Winthrop. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Liza assimilated herself into the local community and she loved her summer trips to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. The characteristics that earned her so many friends have been reciprocated through the actions of those close to her since her passing. She was loyal and true, a Lakes Region legend.
As a mother, she will be remembered as the cool mom who loved her children greatly. She was overly generous, sometimes to a fault, and did whatever it took to get the job done. Liza sacrificed herself in just about every way you can imagine for the betterment of her children and despite all the adversity she faced in life, when all the odds were stacked against her, she succeeded and in doing so, became a great mom.
She is survived by her three children: Christopher Boyd, Shawn Boyd and Megan Moynahan, her niece, Tammy Salisbury and her grandson, Ollie Demers.
Liza will be missed greatly by her children and everyone who knew her.
Her Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Post 33 in Meredith, NH at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 14. In true Liza fashion, party go-ers are encouraged to wear pink and bling.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Camp Sno-Mo at Easterseals New Hampshire, Attn: Development Department, 555 Auburn St, Manchester NH 03103 https://www.easterseals.com/nh/ways-to-give/donate.htmlv
Richard Santoro
Of Winthrop
Richard M. Santoro of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston, passed away on January 9.
Loving son of the late Angelo and Ida (Laurano) Santoro, he was the beloved husband of 50 years of Judith (Austin) Santoro and the loving father of Alyssa Santoro of Winthrop and Meghan Santoro of Revere, he was the dear brother of John Santoro and his wife, Maria, Steve Santoro and his wife, Delia, Carol Santoro, Paul Santoro OFM, Anthony Santoro and his wife, Sharon, Michael Santoro and his wife, Sara and Angela Kelleher and her husband, Joe; cherished brother in law of Beatrice (Austin) Leo, Patti (Austin) and her husband, Steve Maruzzi and Adored Nicholas, Cameron Paradis, Michael, Zaliah Chaves.
Family and friends will honor Richard’s life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street (Orient Heights), East Boston, on Thursday, January 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church in East Boston. Services will conclude with Richard being laid to rest at Winthrop Cemetery, Belle Isle Section. To leave an online condolence visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Francis Davis, Jr.
Past President of Winthrop Jay Cees
Francis R. Davis, Jr. of Winthrop, formerly of Jamaica Plain, passed away on January 9.
Francis was a past member and president of the Jay Cees Winthrop and was a part of Winthrop High School Class of 1966.
The loving son of Mildred Emmett, beloved husband of Roberta (Esposito) Davis, devoted step father of Alicemarie Delao and dear brother of James Davis and his wife, Diane, Darlene Ferrara and her husband, Frank, he is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Saturday, January 14 from 12 Noon to 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Francis’s name can be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. To leave an online condolence visit www.ruggieromh.com.
Clara Rose Hellmuth
Of Winthrop
Clara Rose (Griffiths) Hellmuth, 92, of Winthrop passed away Friday, January 6 at the Courtyard Nursing Center in Medford.
Clara was born June 19,1930 in Chelsea to the late John J. Griffiths and Delia (Forde) Griffiths . Clara lived most of her life in Winthrop and graduated from Saint Rose High School Chelsea.
She is survived by her daughter, Jane Kelly and son in-law, Sean of Stockton Springs, Maine, her son Paul Hellmuth and daughter in-law, Lisa of Quincy and her two grandchildren, Eric and Amanda Hellmuth.
Memorial Visiting Hours will be held at the Hamel-Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock St., Quincy, on Friday, January 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A Catholic Prayer Service will follow immediately after the visiting hours at noon.
The burial will be private.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hamel-Lydon Chapel. For information and online condolences, please visit hamellydon.com