Geraldine Piva
Devout Catholic; Retiree of the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment
On March 11, Geraldine L. (Doucette) Piva of Chelsea, formerly of East Boston, died peacefully at home at the age of 100.
She was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Doucette, having been born and raised in East Boston. After graduating from East Boston High, she experienced the great depression as a young woman. In the mid-1930’s, she wed Joseph S. Piva, and the couple had one son, Alan. Following Joseph’s death in 1950, she continued as a single mother and widow.
For many years, Geraldine served as an Administrative Secretary at the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment’s Chelsea Office before her 1977 retirement. She persevered through her years as a young widow raising her family.
For more than 50 years, she made Chelsea her home and belonged to St. Stanislaus Parish as a longtime parishioner and communicant. Her Catholic faith was profound and central to her life. An ordained member of the Third Order of St. Francis and a member of the Seven Daughters of the Holy Eucharist, she embodied the spirit of St. Francis, believing “fblikebutton_button”That by giving, we receive”fblikebutton_button” as she gave generously to many charities and missions.
Her parents, her husband Joseph Piva, and her only son, Alan Piva, preceded her in death. Her grandchildren include Paul Piva and his wife, Mary Ellen of West Roxbury and Michelle Cook and her husband, Dean of Southbridge. Also surviving are her daughter-in-law Marguerite Piva of Beverly, her sister Arlene Lelos of Chelsea, her brother Arnold Doucette of Beverly, and great-grandchildren Mary Angeline and Edward Alan Piva and Cassandra and Morganne Cook. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
The Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea handled the arrangements. Interment took place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. For sympathy expressions, please visit:
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Edith Levine
Of Peabody, formerly of Chelsea
Edith (Pollen) Levine, formerly of Chelsea and Saugus and lately of Peabody, passed away Monday, March 23.
She was the devoted mother of Dr. Jerrold Steven Levine of Chicago, Rhonda Ann Marks and her husband, Scott of Peabody and the loving wife of Melvin Levine. Her sister Jean Zafran and brother Abraham Pollen predeceased her. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Dr. Eric Marks and his wife, Amanda and Jesse Marks.
The Torf Funeral Chapel, Chelsea managed the arrangements. Holy Cross Cemetery, Everett received her remains, with interment at Congregation Tifereth Israel Cemetery. Following the burial, Memorial Observance convened at the home of Rhonda and Scott Marks. Gifts in memory of Edith may be directed to Care Dimensions, 25 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923 and Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for the guest book.
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Andre Gonzalez
Founder of the Transplant Survivors Support Group
On January 23, Andre Gonzalez died following a sudden brief medical setback at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina. He was 54 years old.
Over seven years, Andre survived two liver transplants and, several months before his death, the loss of a leg. Throughout his struggle, he held fast to a positive outlook and genuine passion for living.
The son of the late Ana and Juan Gonzalez of Boston, Andre was born in Boston, completed Boston High, and attended some college. He founded the Transplant Survivors Support Group in 2007, an organization that grew to encompass over 5,000 members at the time of his passing and continues expanding. For more than 15 years, Andre worked as a director of environmental services.
Music on his computer, his guitar, wild storytelling, teasing his sisters, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the outdoors brought him joy. He was devoted to Boston sports. His cherished expressions reflected his nature: “fblikebutton_button”IT IS WHAT IT IS, and NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR HOW BAD I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.”fblikebutton_button”
His wife of 21 years, Diane (Doucette) Gonzalez, survives him. His children include Drew Gonzalez of Easley, SC, AJ Hannon Gonzalez of Connecticut, and James Repici with daughter-in-law Linda Repici. Grandchildren Khristina and Rocco Repici of Saugus also survive him. His siblings are Hipolito Gonzalez of Easley, SC, Miguel Gonzalez of Florida, Domingo Pantoja and Juan Pantoja of Puerto Rico, Ana Collozo and her husband, Rico of Florida, and Juan Gonzalez of Boston. His in-laws include Ellen and John Grungo of Middleboro, Barbara and Scott Bessette of Lakeville, Pat and Bob Doucette of Chelsea, Maryanne Beck and Richard Doucette of Bridgewater, Steven Gibbons of Everett, Frank Grungo of Middleboro, Connie McGill of Chelsea, and Deb and Jim Mahoney of Lynn. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles also survive.
A memorial celebration of Andre’s life is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea. The facility offers full handicap accessibility and ample parking opposite.
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Paul Hurton
Retiree of both US Postal Service and Mass Electric
Paul J. Hurton of Melrose, formerly of Chelsea and Malden, died on March 22 at the Chelsea Soldiers Home, where he had been receiving care for various health conditions since May 2011. He was 79 years old.
A 43-year employee of Massachusetts Electric who retired, he also served the United States Post Office-South Postal Annex for 20 years before retiring. He held membership in IBEW Local 104, Postal Workers Local 301, the Irish American Club, and was enshrined in Golden Tornado’s Hall of Fame.
Paul was born in Malden and graduated from Malden High School, Class of 1953, where he played football and basketball. He attended Boston University and subsequently enlisted in the US Army. Upon completing military service, he pursued studies and earned an Associate Degree in Business from Newbury Junior College. His career at Massachusetts Electric, which lasted 43 years until the mid-90’s, involved servicing the Malden, Melrose and Medford area. Concurrently, until 1987, he worked as a mail handler at the South Postal Annex in South Boston.
For over 40 years, he resided in Chelsea before moving to Melrose 10 years prior to his death. Passion for football and bowling defined his leisure time. He treasured his family, especially his grandchildren, and loved spending time outdoors in the sun.
He was the devoted husband for 56 years of Joan M. (Sullivan) and beloved father of Paul M. Hurton and his wife, Jane of North Andover, Brian J. Hurton and his wife, Doreen of Peabody, Daniel J. Hurton of Revere, Nancy J. Caggiano and her husband, Robert of Nahant, and Janet Bright and her husband, Robert of Melrose. His siblings William Hurton, Arlene Kellogg, and Marion Bransfield predeceased him. His brother-in-law James Bransfield of Wilmington, sister-in-law Priscilla Hurton of Tewksbury, and the late William Kellogg also survive. His cherished grandchildren are Brian C., Abigail, Rebecca, Michael, Ashley, Paul Henry, Emma, Erin, Molly and Bridget. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
His funeral service takes place today, Thursday, March 26, at 9 a.m. from the Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street, (Maplewood Square) Malden, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel on the campus of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea. Services conclude with interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Patient Activity Fund, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. To send condolences, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com