John ‘Jack’ Halas
US Postal Service retiree; Member of Dominic Savio Athletic Hall of Fame; active coach for Chelsea youth and high school leagues
John M. “Jack” Halas, formerly of Chelsea and a resident of Chelmsford, died unexpectedly late Friday evening, April 17 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston from stroke complications that developed three days prior. He was 66 years old.
Jack was a Dominic Savio High School graduate from the Class of 1966 and attended St. Rose Elementary School. He joined the United States Air Force in 1968, completing basic training in Monterey, California, followed by Chinese language school at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. He was then stationed at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan with the 6988th Security Squadron, where he participated in intercepting communications during flights over China. Following his honorable discharge in 1972 with the rank of Sergeant, he worked at Barry Controls for 20 years. Beginning in 1996, he joined the United States Postal Service as a clerk at the South Postal Annex in Boston, where he remained until his retirement in 2011 after 15 years of service.
Recognized for his athletic prowess during and after his high school years, Jack was part of the Chelsea Fast Pitch Softball League and earned induction into the Dominic Savio Hall of Fame in 1998. He devoted considerable time to Chelsea’s young people, coaching Little League baseball, youth baseball and basketball, and serving as an assistant basketball coach at Chelsea High School alongside Jack Niven. Family was central to his life, particularly his grandchildren, and he was a passionate Boston sports enthusiast.
He was the devoted husband of Amelia (Lopez); beloved son of Clara B. (Kanclerowicz) of Chelmsford and the late John I. Halas; loving father of Jennifer D’Amico and her husband, Mark of Bedford, NH and John V. Halas of Malden; brother of Diane Halas of Temple, NH, Dorothy Crone of Billerica and Elizabeth Ashley of Chelmsford and is also lovingly survived by his grandchildren: Victoria, Richard, William and Eva D’Amico as well as by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Smith Funeral Home, Chelsea handled arrangements. Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett was the site of interment. Those wishing to honor Jack’s memory may direct sympathy gifts to the Jimmy Fund-Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. Jack’s family welcomes condolences through www.smithfuneralhomes.com
–
Kenneth Williams
Lifelong Chelsea resident
Kenneth L. Williams, a lifelong Chelsea resident, passed away on March 2 following a brief illness. He was 74 years old.
He is survived by two sisters, Claire Kubarsky of Tewksbury and Charlotte Caron of Chelsea; a son, Kenneth Williams, Jr. of Peabody and many nieces and nephews.
Farmer & Dee of Tewksbury oversaw funeral arrangements. Internment took place at Tewksbury Cemetery, Tewksbury.
–
Ruth MacInnes
Retired Registered Nurse
Ruth E. MacInnes, formerly of Beachmont, Revere and a Chelsea resident, died on April 23.
As a Registered Nurse at Cambridge Hospital for many years before her retirement, Ruth dedicated her career to healthcare. She filled her leisure time with reading, crocheting and crafting beautiful afghans. Walks along Revere Beach were also among her favorite pastimes.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Martin and Violet (Wonstall); special aunt to Linda Baxter of Idaho and grandmother to Linda’s children Marshall and Mikayla Baxter; dear sister of the late Paul MacInnes, Donald MacInnes, Johnny MacInnes, Bobby MacInnes, Ernest MacInnes, Dorothy Magnell, Ginger Corsin and Beverly Palmer and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Per her wishes, services remain private. Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St. Revere managed arrangements. The family’s guest book may be accessed at www.Buonfiglio.com