Patrick Catalano
One of the Original Founders of the Catalano Trucking Company
Patrick Catalano, who was 100 years old, died on June 17 in Chelsea. A Boston native who spent his entire life in Chelsea, Patrick breathed his last at the Chelsea Soldiers Home. For the past seven years, he had resided there, benefiting from the exceptional care provided by staff and administration. As one of the original founders of the Catalano Trucking Company—an enterprise that continues operating today—Patrick stepped down from his role in 1973. This decision allowed him to devote himself to spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the numerous friends he accumulated throughout his years.
His surviving family includes his children Patricia McHatton and her husband Leo A., Jr. of Chelsea, along with the memory of his late daughter Marianne deBettencourt. Patrick was the devoted husband of the late Louise (Guarente). His parents, David and Mary (Iantosca) Catalano, predeceased him, as did his siblings Joseph, Andrew, Anthony, Ralph, George Catalano, Marion Fucillo, Jenny Bettencourt and Lillian Varricchio. His grandchildren—Kelli Silva of West Peabody, Nicole Browning and Michelle Bouchard of Manchester, NH, and Colleen McHatton of Boston—survive him. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Michael and Megan Silva, Patrick and Anna Browning, and Sophia, Joseph and Sarah Bouchard, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Today, Thursday, June 20, a Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel on the Campus of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Avenue, Chelsea. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Cardinal Cushing Pavilion. Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford will be the final resting place. The family requests that, rather than flowers, contributions be made in Pat’s memory to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Patient Activity Fund, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. The Smith Funeral Home is directing arrangements. To offer condolences to the family, visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Jeanette ‘Jean’ Francis
Retired Telephone company office clerk
On Tuesday morning June 18, Jeanette D. “Jean” (Waniak) Francis, a retired telephone company office clerk, passed away suddenly in her Reading home. She was 79 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Julia (Wodzenski) Waniak. She attended local schools, graduating from Chelsea High School, and made Chelsea her home for the majority of her life. Her marriage to Joseph W. Francis resulted in a family they raised together in Chelsea. As a dedicated homemaker and working mother, Jean held an early position with New England Tel & Tel in the Chelsea office as an Office Clerk, then continued her career with AT&T in Boston before retiring.
Jean’s husband Joe died in 1972, preceding her in death. She relocated to Melrose in 1993 and subsequently moved near her daughter Susan 15 years ago to Reading, where she spent her final years. Her granddaughter Keri Francis also predeceased her.
Active in her community, Jean participated in the Reading Senior Citizens group and held membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America.
Surviving Jean are her children William Francis and his wife Rose of Littleton, and Susan Cameron and her husband Robert of Reading. She leaves behind grandchildren Brian and Kevin Francis, Keith and Kasey Cameron, and the late Keri Francis, as well as great-grandchild Vincent Francis. Her brother Charles Waniak and his wife Florence of New Jersey also survive her.
The Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, will host her funeral beginning Friday, June 21 at 8:30 a.m., with a Funeral Mass following at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett will conclude services. Today, Thursday, visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home run from 4 to 7 p.m. The facility is fully handicap accessible with ample parking available across the street. In her memory, friends may contribute to the Epilepsy Foundation of New England, 357 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA 01887. For directions or to express sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com