Major Steven Ellsworth McLeod
USAF (Retired); Travel Agent and
Hosta Enthusiast
Major Steven Ellsworth McLeod of Williamsburg, Virginia, formerly of Yorktown, Virginia and Winthrop, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 31.
Born on November 10, 1945 in Boston to Robert Crofton McLeod and Doris Eugene Skedd McLeod, he graduated from Winthrop High School in 1963 and from the University of Maine-Orono in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology.
Upon graduation, Major McLeod was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment as an Air Weapons Director was in Udorn, Thailand. He spent the rest of his career facilitating his love of travel by choosing assignments based on location rather than promotion potential. His most memorable assignment was as an Advisor to the Iranian Air Force; however, the Iranian Revolution precipitated his evacuation from Iran in 1980. He was then assigned to Langley AFB where he met his future wife. Other duty locations included Berlin, Kindsbach and Borfink, Germany; Washington state; Florida; Michigan; Massachusetts; California and Mississippi. He retired from the Air Force in 1987 after 20 years of service. He then enjoyed a second career as a travel agent.
Major McLeod was a kind and loving husband and father, a loyal and enduring friend, and a lifelong Red Sox fan. He will be remembered as a gentle and courteous man who saw the positive in everyone and everything. He was a voracious reader and had a lifelong interest in military history, especially World Wars I and II and the Civil War. He enjoyed gardening and took great pride in tending his 50 varieties of hostas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Doris McLeod, and his brother Robert Randall McLeod. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Sarah R. Elseman of Williamsburg, Virginia, his son Tyler C. McLeod of Williamsburg, Virginia, and his wife’s extended family. He is also survived by his beloved cats, Otto and Schneea.
The family will receive friends today, Thursday, September 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. Services will be held at Chapel of the Centurion in Fort Monroe, Virginia on Friday, September 6 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial with full military honors will be at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Major McLeod’s memory to the American Hosta Society or any charity that supports stroke and/or traumatic brain injury.
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Angelo Petruzzelli
MBTA Retiree, Former Rome Policeman
Angelo Petruzzelli of East Boston, formerly of Pratola Serra, Avellino, Italy, died on August 27.
Angelo was an Italian Army veteran, a policeman in Rome and a millworker for the MBTA for more than 23 years.
He was the beloved husband of Maria M. (Tranquillino) Petruzzelli with whom he shared 61 years of marriage; loving father of Angela Puccini and her husband, Paul, Anthony Petruzzelli and his wife, Irene, all of Winthrop and Anita Davis and her husband, Brian of Revere; dear brother of Antonio and Gerardo Petruzziello, Maria Morlando and Luigi Petruzzelli and the late Pasqualina DeFalco and Domenico Petruzziello. He was the cherished grandfather of Angela Maria and Marisa Puccini and Michael and Alexa Davis.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood†Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.
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Richard Martel
Massport Heavy Equipment Operator
Richard P. Martel of Winthrop died unexpectedly on August 30 at the Lahey Medical Center in Peabody. He was 69 years old.
Born and raised in Revere, he was the son of the late Berchman and Louise (LeBlanc) Martel and was currently working at Massport as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and also enjoyed playing golf.
Mr. Martel is survived by his son Andrew Martel and his wife, Sarah of Lynn, his daughter, Mariah MacDonald-Martel of Billerica and his grandchildren Maxwell and Dylan. He was the brother of Paul of Boxboro, David and his wife, Jane of Revere, Charles and his wife, Barbara of Melrose, Leonard of Florida, James and his wife, Sheila of Winthrop and John and his wife, Barbara of Scituate. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Porcella Funeral Home, Revere. Interment was at Winthrop Cemetery, Winthop. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. For condolences www.BisbeePorcella.com.