Obituaries 11-03-2011

John Hetherton Sr. 

Honorary Life Member and Secretary of Winthrop Elks

John J. Hetherton, Sr. of Winthrop died on October 28 after a long illness. He was 71 years old,

Born in New York City, he was the loving son of the late Vincent Hetherton and Alice Story. He attended the New York City Schools and graduated from high school there. He later attended Northeastern University.

He served in the US Navy for four years and was employed at General Electric’s Glyptol Paints as a plant manager for more than 35 years until his retirement nine years ago. He was the Secretary and an honorary life member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (DeNapoli) of Winthrop and three sons, Patrick Hetherton and his wife, Ellen of Winthrop, William Hetherton of East Boston and John Hetherton Jr. and his wife, Dawn of Beverly; loving brother of Raymond Hetherton, Ilene Hetherton and Marilyn Story, all of New York and dear grandfather of nine.

Funeral arrangements were by the Joseph R. Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was at the Belle Isle Section of the Winthrop Cemetery. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in in his memory be donated to the John J. Hetherton Sr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Winthrop Lodge of Elks, 191 Washington Avenue, Winthrop, MA 02152.

Clayton Granger 

Of California, formerly of Winthrop

Clayton A. Granger of California, formerly of Winthrop, died on October 27, surrounded by his four children as he succumbed to heart failure.

Although he was born in Sharon Pennsylvania, his childhood home was in Winthrop. He was a graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1939, where he ran track and where his mentor was then Winthrop High School teacher Edward Rose Snow who later became a prominent New England Lecturer and Historian.

As a young boy he developed a life long fascination with aviation. This led to work for Lockhead in 1939. He then joined the US Army Air Force and flew B-25’s. After World War II, he worked for McDonald Douglas for 30 years. During retirement, he continued to enjoy air shows and Army Air Corp Reunions.

In addition to his four children, Carolyn, Clay, Christine, and Curtis, he is also survived by eight grandchildren, Gena, Erin, Camile, Joseph, Mary, Karly, Kathleen, and Dana, as well as his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Neff.

Services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Long Beach, California at 2 p.m. Friday, November 5.

Ida Meoli 

Of Saugus, formerly of Winthrop

Ida (Vellante) Meoli of Saugus, formerly of East Boston and Winthrop, died on October 29 surrounded by her family. She was 88 years old.

Mrs. Meoli pursued a successful career in the hospitality industry hosting and managing several restaurants including the Boston 1800 in East Boston and La Gondola Ristorante in Newton. She was also awarded the top salesperson in the New England Region for Electrolux.

She was the former wife and friend of the late Vito Meoli; loving mother of Terri Balas of Winthrop and Catherine Seo of Somerville; cherished daughter of the late Gustino and Teresa (Bosco) Vellante; dear sister of the late Joseph, Frank and Albert Vellante and Anne Saggesse; treasured grandmother of Eric Balas and his wife, Natalia Cheruenko of Arlington and dear aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of her Life on Monday morning, November 7 at 10 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, Brooks Street, East Boston. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Hospice of the North Shore & Great Boston, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com. Arrangements entrusted to Vazza Funeral Home, Revere.

Edward Wallis Schmidt 

American Airlines retiree

Edward W. Schmidt, a longtime resident of Winthrop, died after a brief illness on October 29. He was 94 years old.

Born in Danville, PA, the loving son of the late Henry A. Schmidt and Lilly Wells, he was a graduate of Columbia University. He was employed for many years at American Airlines as an office manager and was the President of American Airlines Three Diamonds Society and American Airlines Vanguards, the Past President of the Winthrop Band Parents Association and a Life Member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078.

He is survived by a grandson, Jason and his wife, Marcie and two great grandchildren, Jared and Madeline.

A Memorial Visitation will be conducted today, November 3 at the Joseph R. Frazier Funeral Home, 174 Winthrop St., Winthrop from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be donated to the Winthrop Senior Center, 35 Harvard St., Winthrop, MA 02152.

David Francis Mei 

Sports enthusiast

David Francis Mei of Lynn died suddenly on October 6. He was 57 years old.

Born in Winthrop and raised in East Boston, he worked as a mason, a school bus driver and a cook. He loved his Red Sox and Patriots, and played sports when he was younger.

He was the husband of Dawn Marie Mei and was very loved by her. He is also survived by two brothers, Eric and his wife, Julie Mei of Winthrop and John Mei of Rhode Island; his nephew John Eric Mei of Winthrop; four step children, Chris, James, Michael and Julie, and several cousins.

A private service will be held in St. Mary’s Church, 8 Common St., Lynn on November 5 at 9 a.m. Memorial donations may be sent c/o Goodrich Funeral Home 128 Washington St., Lynn, MA 01902.

James Baker 

Of Westford, formerly of Winthrop

James E. Baker of Westford, MA, formerly of Winthrop, died unexpectedly on October 26. He was 70 years old.

Mr. Baker graduated from Hyde Park High School with the Class of 1959. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force on February 18, 1959, serving with the 2868th Ground Engineering and Installation Squadron as an Airman First Class, during the Vietnam War. He received the Good Conduct Medal and was Honorably Discharged on October 9, 1962.

Mr. Baker was as a kind, generous man, with a great sense of humor. A dedicated grandfather, he loved spending time with his cherished granddaughters, attending many activities as their Number One fan.

He was born in Boston on July 10, 1941, the son of the late Charles E. and Edna M. (Laws) Baker and was the beloved husband of Anne (Harvey) Baker, devoted father of Patricia A. Baker, adoring grandfather of Jennifer A. Baker and Amanda J. Baker, loving brother of Paul F. Baker and his wife, Jane of Canton, brother-in-law of Mary A. Carlo and her husband, Robert of Townsend, and Brian J. Harvey and his wife, Rhonda of Florida. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and was a brother of the late Charles Baker and brother-in-law of the late Charles R. Harvey.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, Lowell. Burial was at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Condolences to the family at morsebaylissfuneralhome.com.

Cynthia Citron 

Of Maine, formerly of Winthrop

Cynthia Citron, formerly of Winthrop and Chelsea, died in Maine on October 25 after a long illness. She was 70 years old.

She is survived by her son John, brother Norman Blanchard, sisters Beverly and Angela, and four grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Barbara, mother of the late Timothy and wife of the late Tilden.

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