Ronald ‘Ronnie’ ‘The Bear’ C. Hayes, Sr.
Decorated Veteran, Past President and Life Member of Winthrop Golf Club, Life member of Winthrop Elks Â
Ronald C. “Ronnie” “The Bear” Hayes, Sr. of Atlantic Street, Winthrop died at the Lighthouse Nursing Home in Revere on February 6 after a long fulfilling life. He was 86 years old.
Born in North Dighton, he was the loving son of the late Helen (Sheppard) and Carleton Hayes. Originally a native of Taunton, “The Bear” settled in Winthrop after meeting his loving wife Barbie at the Chelsea Naval Hospital while enduring numerous operations there as a result of injuries sustained in World War II.
“The Bear” was a proud U.S. Navy WWII veteran, bravely serving and fighting aboard the U.S.S Witchita earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a kamikaze attack off the shores of Okinawa in May of 1945. “Ronnie†was a proud life member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks and a past president and proud life member of the Winthrop Golf Club where he still holds the single round course record.
He worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a senior civil engineer before he retired to do what he loved best – spending time with his family. A summer resident of White Horse Beach, Plymouth, MA for nearly 80 years, “The Bear” loved all times spent at the “Rondenbri.” Ronnie and Barbie also spent the last 20 years wintering at the residence in  Bradenton, Florida where he also spent some of the greatest times of his life with his brother Allen who lived next door.
Ronnie “The Bear” lived the life of 10 men, always lived on his own terms and will be missed sorely by all those who knew him.
He was the devoted husband of 64 years to Barbara (MacDonald) and the beloved father of Ronald C. Hayes Jr. and his wife, Mickey of Winthrop, Dennis Hayes and his wife, De De of Winthrop and Brian Hayes and his wife, Terri of Melrose. He was the dear brother of the late Allen Hayes, Jimmy Hayes and Amanda “Tillie” Joyce; cherished grandfather of Brian, Megan, Matt, Christine, Joe, Lauren and Rachel and great grandfather of Jack and Emily.
His Funeral will be held from the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Maley Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Friday, February 10 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service in St. John Episcopal Church (corner of Bowdoin and Buchananan St.) Winthrop at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation on Thursday, February 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. Committal private. Memorial donations may be made to WINARC On The Road.
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Thomas Cerulli
Retired Heavy Equipment Operator
Thomas Cerulli of Belcher Street, Winthrop died at the Pilgrim Rehabilitation Center in Peabody on February 5 after a brief illness. He was 79 years old.
Born in Boston, he was the loving son of the late Nancy (Pappelo) and Thomas Cerulli Sr. He was a resident of East Boston for several years before moving to Winthrop more than 58 years ago and was employed as a heavy equipment operator, working for Union Local #4. He was also a former member of the Winthrop Golf Club.
He was beloved husband of the late Janice C. (Porter) and the devoted father of Robbin Cerulli of Winthrop, Lisa LaVigueur and her husband, Robert of Winthrop, Kellie Daniels and her husband, Melvin of Lynn, Thomas Cerulli III of New Hampshire and Meghan Corkhum and her husband, Kenneth of Lynn; loving and cherished grandfather of Selene, Janese, Walter, Thomas, Cassie and Jared and great grandfather of Emma.
Services and committal are private. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association PO Box 41705 Boston MA 02241-7005. To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
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Edward Cox
Retired Mass. DPW Civil Engineer
Edward J. Cox of Winthrop died at the Lighthouse Nursing Home in Revere on February 5. He was 88 years old.
A US Coast Guard veteran of World War II, prior to his retirement, he was employed as a Civil Engineer for the Mass. Highway Dept. of Public Works.
Born in Boston, he was the beloved husband of Barbara L. (Mahoney) Cox; the son of the late George L. and Estelle (Griner) Cox; devoted father of Sheila A. Cox and David E. Cox, both of Winthrop; dear brother of George L. Cox and his wife, Louise of Danville, Kentucky, Robert T. Cox and his wife, Lorraine of Newtonville, the late Margaret “Pat†Skane and her husband, George of Winthrop, the late Estelle LeBel and the late Thelma F. Fitzgerald and her husband, Edward of East Boston. He was the brother-in-law of Allan Lilgehult of West Hartford, CT and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Winthrop Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Lighthouse Nursing Care Center c/o the Activities Fund Acct. 204, Proctor Ave. Revere, 02151. For guestbook, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com
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Louise Marchionda
Of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston
Louise (D’Errico) Marchionda of Winthrop, formerly of East Boston and North Reading, died on February 3.
She was the beloved wife of the late Guido; cherished daughter of the late Savino and Antonia (DiPaola) D’Errico; loving mother of Diann Anzalone and her husband, John of Winthrop, Paul Marchionda and his wife, Sharon of Lynnfield and daughter-in-law of Denise Marchionda of Dracut, wife of the late Robert Marchionda; dear sister of Ann DiNocco of Melrose, Domenic D’Errico of West Peabody, Savino D’Errico of Malden and the late Michael, Vincenza DiFiore and Josephine Salamone. She is also survived by eight loving grandchildren; Andrea, Danielle, Jon, Stacy, Karl, Adam, Craig, Guido and the late Jessica and Theresa and six adoring great-grandchildren; Robert, Jordyn, Gabriella, Jared, Michael, Cooper and the late Ryder.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Boston Office, 330 Congress St. 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210. For directions and guest book www.vazzafunerals.com
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Carmela Canzano
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Carmela (Pericolo) Canzano of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on February 2.
She was the beloved wife of the late Jospeh F. Canzano, Sr.; devoted mother of Ann Canzano, Richard Canzano and his wife, Carolyn and Joseph F Canzano, Jr., all of Revere; dear sister of Anthony Casso of Saugus and the late Virgilio, Peter, Mario, Carmine Pericolo and Jennie Testa; cherished grandmother of Kasey, Nicholas and Ava and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston. Burial with her beloved husband was in Woodlawn Cemetery. May they Rest in Peace. For more information or to send online condolences: www.ruggieromh.com
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Joseph Cambria
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Joseph Cambria of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on February 4.
A US Army veteran, he was the beloved husband of the late Josephine (Amato) Cambria with whom he shared 60 years of marriage; loving father of Paul Cambria of Arizona; dear brother of the late Josephine Gano, Beatrice Scarino, Grace Giuffre, Nicholas and Pasquale D’Angelo and Salvatore Cambria; grandfather of Paul Cambria of Peabody and Ronny Cambria of Lynn. He also leaves three great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.
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John ‘Johnny Boy’ Festa
East Boston Resident
John L. “Johnny Boy” Festa of East Boston died unexpectedly on February 2.
He was the beloved husband of Jodi (Nolan) Festa with whom he shared 12 years of marriage; loving father of Nicole Currier and her husband, Daniel of Florida, Jacqulyn Festa, Krysten Hunt, John and Nicholas Festa, all of East Boston; dear brother of Marie Vaccari and her husband, Dido of Reading and the late Josephine “Fina” Frisardi.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made in his name to the John and Nicholas Festa Trust Fund, East Boston Savings Bank, 10 Meridian Street, East Boston, MA 02128. For guestbook: www.vazzafunerals.com.
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Frances Gilleo
Retired Switchboard Operator
Frances B. (Bucci) Gilleo of Winthrop died at the East Pointe Nursing Home in Chelsea on January 31. She was 93 years old.
Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Gilleo worked for the Hilton Hotels as a switchboard operator.
The beloved wife of the late Joseph F. Gilleo, she was born in Boston, the daughter of the late James and Anna (Grant) Bucci; devoted mother of Joseph F. Gilleo Jr. and his wife, Nancy of Laughlin, NV and Daniel J. Gilleo and his late wife, Peggy of Winthrop; dear sister of Mary Williams and Grace Nugent, both of Winthrop and the late Charles Grant and Vincent Bucci; adored grandmother of Michael, Jodee, Daniel Jr. and Darcy Gilleo; loving great-grandmother of Brayden and Brynn and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Winthrop Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX, 75265. For guestbook, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.
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Ruth Katz
Of Framingham, formerly of Winthrop
Ruth (Weiner)Katz of Framingham, formerly of Winthrop, died on Tuesday, February 7. She was 84 years old.
The beloved wife of the late George Katz, she was the devoted mother of Sandra and Armand Cardello and Joan and John Marsh of Framingham; loving nana of Lauren Cardello, Greg and Laura Cardello and Nick and Kristina Cardello; adored great-grandmother of Anna and Anthony Cardello; sister of Marilyn Dropkin of Winthrop and of the late Albert and Estelle Weiner. Services will be held at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Str., Brookline today, Thursday, February 9 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Temple Tifereth Israel Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity one’s choice. Memorial observance will be at the home of Sandra and Armand Cardello through Saturday evening.
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Thomas DiLorenzo
Past Commodore of Orient Heights Yacht Club
Thomas M. DiLorenzo of Orient Heights East Boston died on February 7.
A US Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he was Past Commodore of the Orient Heights Yacht Club and a Plant Engineer for the City of Boston for over 35 years.
He was the beloved husband of Margaret (Camarda) DiLorenzo with whom he shared 66 years of marriage; loving father of John T. DiLorenzo of East Boston and the late Thomas J. DiLorenzo; dear brother of the late Alda Folio, Rose, Jerry and Lawrence DiLorenzo and cherished grandfather of Nicole, John, Thomas and Adam DiLorenzo.
His Funeral will be from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere Friday at 9 a.m. followed by a service in Our Chapel of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial with his fellow comrades in the VA. National Cemetery, Bourne will be Friday at 1:30 p.m. For directions and guest book. www.vazzafunerals.com.