John R. MacDonald Jr.
Retired Funds Management Officer at Brown Brothers & Harriman
John R MacDonald Jr, 93, formerly of Bradford, MA entered peacefully into eternal rest on April 10th, 2025 at the Oswego Hospital in Oswego, NY. He was born in Jamaica Plain November 2nd, 1931 to the late John and Irene (Verry) MacDonald.
After attending Winthrop Public Schools as a boy, he graduated from Boston College High School and then Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Only a few years after earning his Bachelor’s Degree, John went to work for Brown Brothers & Harriman in funds management for nearly 35 years attaining a position as an officer of the company.
John enjoyed traveling by road through the US, visiting family in Florida and California, and exploring his MacDonald Scottish heritage in the Atlantic Maritimes.
He had a passion for eating out, his favorite venue being the Village Restaurant in Essex. John also had a certain fondness for collecting N & HO Scale trains, and Matchbox cars. He loved all of the Boston sports teams and was often heard shouting at the TV, “pass the puck” or “hit it out of the park.”
John never married and he is survived by several nieces and nephews, and their families, and a cousin in California. He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers William (Bill), Peter, and Robert (Bob). John was also predeceased by his best friend and golfing buddy, Thomas L O’Brien of Winthrop.
Family and friends may call on Friday, April 25th, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, North Andover, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26th at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church. Burial will follow in Ridgewood Cemetery.
For directions or to offer online condolences, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com.
Saul Stick
Retired CPA
Saul Stick of Winthrop passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on March 31, 2025. He was 85 years old.
Born in Lynn, the beloved son of the late Cecelia (Dipperstein) and Harry Stick, he grew up in Mattapan and attended Boston Latin where he played baseball and pitched for the team. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps reaching the rank of Corporal. He trained at Camp Lejeune and then went on to serve in the 29 Palms and in Okinawa. After his honorable discharge, he went on to become a certified public accountant until his retirement. Saul was an avid reader, loved baseball and traveling. He especially loved playing with his grandchildren. He will be missed so much.;
He was married to the late Phyllis Stick and was the father of Lisa Friedman and Dumont, Corey and Susan Stick, Meredith Stick and Wendy and John Caple; cherished grandfather of Parker Friedman, Carley Friedman and her fiancé. Lyle Bienstock, Joshua Mendelson, Zachary Mendelson, Trevor Stick, Ian Stick, Hailey Caple and Chase Caple; beloved husband to Patty Murray-Stick, stepfather of Jimmy and Michelle Murray and Chris and Val Murray; grandfather of Samantha Bracy, James Murray, Erin Murray, Cee Murray and Emma Murray and great grandfather of Autumn Bracy, Leila Bracy and Kingston Bracy.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 12 noon. Services will conclude with the interment in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Richard Skobeleff
Retiree of Delta Airlines and East Boston Savings Bank in Winthrop
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard P. Skobeleff of Winthrop, who left this world on April 12, 2025. He was 81 years old. Born in Boston, Richard valiantly served his country as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of SP5.
In his civilian life, Richard found satisfaction and purpose in his work at Delta Airlines, where he dedicated over 30 years to the company in the reservations department. Following his retirement from Delta, he continued to contribute to the community as an employee of East Boston Savings Bank in Winthrop, where he served diligently for over 20 years.
Richard’s commitment to service extended beyond his professional life as well. He was a proud former member of the Winthrop Jaycees and a lifelong member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks, embodying the values of community and camaraderie. An avid sports enthusiast, Richard had a special place in his heart for the New England Patriots.
He was the devoted husband of Jeanne (Molloy) and the loving father of Stephen Skobeleff and his wife Susan, Denise Finamore and her companion, William Hauser and Thomas Skobeleff and his companion, Holly Hanlon, dear brother of Dolores MacMillen and Phyllis Murphy and cherished grandfather of Kayla and her husband, Alex, Samantha and Matthew.
The funeral was held from the Caggiano-O’maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 followed by a funeral mass in St. John the Evangelist Church. The interment followed with military honors in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Charlene Murphy
Devoted nurse at Bayview Nursing Home and aide at Bright Beginnings Learning Center in Winthrop
Charlene J. Murphy of Winthrop passed away on April 11, 2025, after a 3+ year battle with cancer. She was 79 years old.
Charlene was an accomplished and devoted nurse for over 30 years at the Bayview Nursing Home and was an aide at Bright Beginnings Learning Center in Winthrop.
The beloved wife of the late Thomas Murphy, she was the devoted mother of Vicki K. Russo (Ferraro) of Winthrop and her husband, David P. Russo; adored grandmother of Kayla Russo and her fiancé, John Wheeler, Kelly, and Jonathan Russo.
Born in Chelsea, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Kathryn (Barrett) Allen; cherished sister of Cynthia K. O’Connell, Douglas Allen and his wife, Shirley of San Diego, CA., Barry Allen and the late Valerie LeBlanc of Winthrop; beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16 in St. John the Evangelist Church-Winthrop. Interment was private. Arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston, MA, In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to The Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Dana-Faber.org.