John Gerace
Devoted husband and father
On Thursday, July 28, John J. Gerace of Acton died peacefully at UMass Medical Center. His family was at his side. He was 56 years old and had been ill for a brief time.
Born on April 30, 1960 at a military hospital located at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, John attended Chelsea High School. For 18 years, he worked as a delivery truck driver for Office Source in Burlington. John had a passion for movies, particularly military films, and maintained a strong interest in military history and literature. He spent his leisure time fishing and building a comic book collection. As a devoted husband and father, he will be fondly remembered.
John leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Rita M. (McAleavey) Gerace; his daughter, Jillian A. Gerace of Acton; his parents, Harry L. Gerace, Sr. of Bedford and Ruth M. (McCarthy) Gerace of Jacksonville, NC. His siblings include Francis X. Gerace and his wife, Martina of Winchendon; Harry L. Gerace, Jr. and his wife, Mercy of East Boston; Brian K. Gerace and his wife, Donna of Attleboro; Helen A. Gerace of Acton; Joseph A. Gerace and his wife, Ute of Jacksonville, NC; and Marion R. Jones and her husband, Anthony of Wakefield. His godmother, Jane Benduzek of Weymouth, also survives him, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held. A celebration of John’s life is planned for a future date. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester assisted the family with arrangements. Those wishing to honor his memory may send contributions to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Avenue, Waltham, MA 01701 (www.heart.org) in lieu of flowers.
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Thomas Cromwell
Chef
Thomas R. Cromwell, formerly of Chelsea and most recently of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away early Saturday morning, July 30. He was 58 years old.
A Chelsea native who lived here before relocating to Virginia in 1992, Thomas worked as a chef at several local restaurants, including Bennigans and Houlihans.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Maureen K. Lee of Lynn; his children, Thomas Richard Henry Cromwell of Lynn and Keturah Joan Jackson of Washington, DC; and his siblings, Doreen Hornbeak and her husband, Steven of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Beverly Martin-Ross and her husband, Larry of Chelsea, Charlie Martin of Lynn, Maurice Cromwell of Chelsea, John Cromwell of Hubbardston, Paula Cromwell of Chelsea, John Martin and his wife, Delia of Chelsea, Richelle Cromwell and her husband, Larry of Chelsea, Joan Cromwell and her husband, Kenneth Umemba of Chelsea, Darren Cromwell and his wife, Sue of Lincoln, and Gregory Carter of Medford, as well as the late Andrea Martin. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea. To send condolences to his family, visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com