Known as "The King of Pizza"
Don Michele Caruso died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on May ll. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Caruso was born in Bellona, Italy to the late Angelo and Anna (Candiello) Caruso. He was raised in Bellona and joined the Federal Police where he served for over 25 years in Italy.
He came to the United Stated in 1961 and settled in Malden in 1963 with his wife of 50 years, Ines (Della Cioppa) Caruso. He started Caruso Pizzeria & Ristorante in Melrose in 1963 and had been the owner for the last 47 years. He also owned more 15 restaurants in East Boston, Wakefield, Woburn and the surrounding communities.
Don Michele was known as "The King of Pizza." "Mike" could be seen flipping dough for the pizzas in his picture window from the sidewalk. He had been an icon of Melrose with his restaurant on Main Street serving many dignitaries, mayors, relatives and friends throughout the years.
Mr. Caruso was extremely generous to the community and helped out many a person in need. He did it in a quiet, dignified manner. Mike helped out people that needed major operations as well as local families in need. He will be extremely missed by all that knew him.
He was the husband of 50 years to the late Ines (Della Cioppa) Caruso; brother of Salvatore Caruso and his wife, Rosanna, Filomena Fusco and her husband, Carmine, all of Stoneham and Pasquale Caruso and his wife, Genoeffa, of Bellona, Italy; uncle of Luigi and Anna Fusco of Andover, Maurizio and Annamaria Fusco of Westwood, Morena and Rocco Calamonici of Wakefield, Angelo and Antonia Caruso of Stoneham, Anna & Paul Carta of England and Anna & Gigino Venoso of Italy. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and friends.
Richard A. Gordon of East Boston, formerly of Chelsea, died recently.
A US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was the beloved husband of Susan (Sacco) Gordon of East Boston and former husband of Joann (Russo) Gordon of Winthrop; loving father of Michael Gordon, Michele Tauro and Richard Gordon, all of East Boston and cherished papa of Steven, Matthew, Isabella and Joseph.
His Funeral will be held from Vazza's "Beechwood" Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere, Thursday morning at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Sacred Heart Church, East Boston, at 10 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. At the family's request, floral contributions are respectfully omitted. For directions and guest book, www.vazzafunerals.com.
Michelle Florence Smiddy of Hillsborough, NC, died recently. She was 43 years old.
Born and raised in East Boston, she was the daughter of the late Marcella and William A. McDonald.
She was class president of East Boston High, Class of 1985 and attended Bentley College School of Business. She worked for Fidelity Investments for 20 years and as Principal Financial for the last two years.
She was a loving and cherished wife, mother, and friend who left a legacy for her family that will shape the way they live. A member of Newhope Church in Durham and a devoted Christian, she lived life to the fullest to please God. She was a volunteer for numerous charities and was always ready to lend support when needed. Her smile could light up the room and she was extremely kind and gracious. She could always make you laugh or lift your spirits if you were having a bad day. She was a self-less person who wanted to help and make others happy. Those traits are invaluable in life and have surely touched countless hearts. She will be missed greatly by her family and friends and her memory will surely live on in our hearts forever.
Surviving are her husband, Joseph D. Smiddy, Jr.; two daughters: Kayla E. Smiddy and Morgan B. Smiddy; one son, Conor J. Smiddy; three sisters: Anna Pierce and her husband, Kenneth, and Nancy McCreedy and her husband, Daniel, both of Winthrop and Patricia McDonald of East Boston and two brothers, Michael Demeo and his wife, Maureen, of Kissimmee, FL and William McDonald, Jr. of Winthrop.
Funeral arrangements were by Walker's Funeral Home, Hillsborough, NC. In lieu of flowers, donate or help someone in need and you may touch or change their life forever.
Natalie B. (Baker) Prendergast of East Boston, formerly of Quincy, died recently.
She was the wife of the late George; sister of Walter and Robert Baker; cherished friend of Michael and Helen Gaeta and family of East Boston.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Ruggiero Mazzarella Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston.
Gilda (Memmolo) Moscato of Cape Coral, FL, formerly of East Boston, died on May 11.
She was the beloved wife of Prisco Moscato; loving mother of Thomas Moscato and his wife, Rosalie, of Raynham; cherished grandmother of Laura Spedaliere, Christine Narayana and Sandra Moscato; great-grandmother of three; dear sister of Norina Memmolo of Italy and the late Maria Memmolo.
Richard P. Bruno of Revere, formerly of Chelsea and Orient Heights, East Boston, died on May 13.
A US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was the cherished son of the late Pasquale and Libera (Picinisco) Bruno; loving brother of Antonetta Famolare and her husband, Philip, of Peabody, Rose Mozzetta of Revere and Christine Sale and her husband, Manuel, of Everett and the late Anne DeMatteo; the fond uncle of nine nieces and nephews and 11 grand nieces and grand nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza's "Beechwood" Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in the VA National Cemetery in Bourne. For guestbook, please visit: www.vazzafunerals.com.
Diane G. (Malerba) Amaral of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston, died on May 12.
She was the beloved mother of David, Everett, Anthony and Joseph Amaral; sister of Georgette Farren and the late Angela Langis and Anthony Malerba; daughter of the late Arline (Anzalone) and Anthony Malerba; step-daughter of Lois (Pagliarulo) Malerba. She is also survived by five grandchildren. The companion of Peter Zirpolo, she was the former wife of David Amaral and is also survived by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Magrath Funeral Home, East Boston.
Genevieve M. Pelrine of Waltham died on May 13. She was 86 years old.
She was born in East Boston on February 23, 1924. She was raised in East Boston and graduated from Central High School. She later lived in Medford before moving to Waltham 37 years ago. She worked for Honeywell Corporation in Brighton and later for the former Bank of New England in Boston before retiring in 1986.
She was the daughter of the late Edwin A. and Agnes (Hale) Pelrine; sister of Theresa M. Pelrine of Waltham and Eleanor R. Goldsack of West Medford and the late John E. Pelrine and William J. Pelrine. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.
Funeral arrangements were by The Joyce Funeral Home, Waltham. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary's Church, Restoration Fund, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451. To share a memory and to offer condolences online please visit www.joycefuneralhome.com.
Josephine L. (Salamone) Lacorazza of Kentucky, formerly of East Boston, died on May 11. She was 67 years old.
She was the beloved wife of Frank Lacorazza; devoted mother of Marie Elaina Jessee and her husband, Craig, of Tewksbury and Michael Lacorazza and his wife, Marina, of Melrose; cherished grandmother of Janelle, Craig Jr., Justin and Cameron; loving daughter of the late Josephine (D'Errico) Salamone and Rocco Salamone; dear sister of Marie Caiazzo and her husband, Peter, of Stoneham; beloved aunt of Joseph and Christina and many other loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Barile Family Funeral Home, Stoneham. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. To send a memorial condolence www.barilefuneral.com.
Mary (Rapino) Mazzarino of Saugus, formerly of East Boston, died on May 9.
The beloved wife of the late Joseph "Muzzy" Mazzarino, together they owned and operated Muzzy's Day Square Florist in East Boston for 63 years.
She was the loving daughter of the late Patsy and Michelina Rapino; loving mother of Robert P. Mazzarino and his wife, Martha, of Danvers and Joseph "Muzzy" Mazzarino Jr. of Saugus; cherished grandmother of Tasney Mazzarino, Robyn Mazzarino, Jodi Howes, Tina Mazzarino and Bobby Mazzarino, all of Danvers; great-grandmother of Jonah and Molly Howes; dear sister of the late Jimmy and Anthony Rapino, Carmella Bonnano, Lucy Magnasco and Nana Fucillo. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Michael A. Schifino of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on May 11.
He was the father of Amanda Gardner and her husband, William, of Lynnfield, Michelle Auger and her husband, Timothy, of Revere and Michael R. Schifino of Lynnfield. He is also survived by Nancy Schifino of Lynnfield and Anna Schifino of Revere. He was the dear brother of Gerard Schiino and his wife, Sheila, of Maine and Allen Schifino of New Hampshire; cherished grandfather of Liam Gardner.
Mark Robinson of East Boston died at the Tufts Medical Center on May 5 as the result of an accident that took place in Connecticut on April 3. He was 48 years old.
A US Army veteran, he was born in Shirley, MA, the son of the late Erika (Brauner) and Curtis E. Robinson. A graduate of Bunker Hill Community College, he was a basket ball coach in Orient Heights for more than 10 years and was employed by the BRA as a computer analyst.
He was the beloved husband of Maria (Castiello), the devoted father of Mark Robinson, Jr., Albert D. Diaz and Dino M. DiBennedetto, the loving grandfather of Alby D. Diaz and brother of Dianna Robinson of Boston, Heidi Robinson of Spring Lake, NC, Sonja Robinson of Leominster, Renate Robinson of Alpharetta, GA and the late Mildred Robinson and Joanna Robinson. He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and six grand nieces and grand nephews.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Caggiano Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. To sign his online book of condolences go to www.caggianofiuneralhome.com.
Anna (Ricupero) Ruggiero, a resident of Winthrop for more than 70 years, formerly of East Boston, died at the Beverly Hospital on May 10. She 96 years old.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Jennie (Gilesta) and Nicola Ricupero. She was the beloved wife of the late Angelo Ruggiero, the devoted mother of Angelo Ruggiero of Andover and Nicholas and his wife, Joanna, of Lynnfield. She was the sister of Joseph Ricupero of Louisiana and the loving grandmother of Lisa, Greg, Nicholas, Jr. and Marie.
Funeral arrangements were by the Caggiano Funeral Home, Winthrop. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. To sign her online book of condolences go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Rosemarie H. (Palladino) Zona of Orient Heights East Boston died on May 11.
The beloved wife of the late Andrew F. Zona Sr. with whom she shared 45 years of marriage, she was the loving mother of Andrew T. Zona Jr. and his wife, Jane, of Peabody; cherished Nana of Marisa Zona of Winthrop and Alexandra Zona of Peabody; daughter of the late Anthony and Alfonsina "Alice" (DeVito) Palladino.
Funeral arrangements were by Vazza's "Beechwood" Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For guestbook, visit: www.vazzafuneral.com.
Cheryl Ann Mastrangelo, of Peabody, formerly of East Boston, died on May 8. She was 53 years old.
A Financial Analyst for Partners Health Care, Charlestown, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Margaret (Ahern) Mastrangelo; best friend of Mark Anthony Uva of Peabody and cousin of Judy Morin of Florida.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Solimine Landergan and Richardson Funeral Home, Lynn. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association , 330 Congress St., 5th Flr, Boston, MA 02210 www.diabetes.org. For guestbook: www.solimine.com.