Nicholas Martinez-Romero
Fitness enthusiast
At Novant Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, Nicholas Melvin Martinez-Romero succumbed to an aggressive cancer illness on July 13. He had reached 50 years of age.
Apastepeque, San Vicente, El Salvador was both his birthplace and childhood home. His parents, Antonio A. Martinez and Josefa Romero de Martinez, remain in El Salvador. Coming to this area as a young man 20 years ago, Nicolas established himself in East Boston. For the majority of those two decades, he worked as an environmental specialist at Spaulding Hospital/North End Rehabilitation in Boston. Nicolas maintained a strong commitment to physical fitness and enjoyed soccer. To his many nieces and nephews, he served as a devoted uncle and second father figure.
Surviving him are his brothers Yany Martinez-Romero and Francisco Martinez-Romero of Chelsea, Jesus Martinez-Romero of East Boston, and Alberto Martinez-Romero of North Carolina. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
The Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home in Chelsea oversaw the arrangements. Nicolas will be repatriated to El Salvador for services and burial in his hometown of Apastepeque.
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Virginia ‘Ginny’ Grayson
Administrative Assistant at Everett Board of Health
Virginia M. “Ginny” Grayson, of Chelsea, formerly of Everett, passed away unexpectedly in her Chelsea home on July 17. She was 58 years old.
Born and raised in Chelsea, she was a beloved daughter of Virginia M. (Garrity) Grayson of Salem and the late Bernard T. Grayson, Sr. Ginny attended local schools and graduated from St. Rose High School, Class of 1977. She made her home in Everett for most of her life, working and raising two sons. She has resided in Chelsea for the past two years.
As a young mother and homemaker she began her career as an office administrator with the Massachusetts General Hospital. For the past 13 years she was employed at Everett City Hall working at various departments there but primarily she was an Administrative Assistant with the Everett Board of Health. She was an athletic person who enjoyed playing high school basketball, racquetball, other sports and was a member of a women’s softball leagueplaying for team “NE Tel” in Boston.
Her memory is defined by her compassionate nature—someone who consistently prioritized the needs of others, volunteering at blood drives, fundraisers, and other initiatives to support those in need.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sons: Christopher Pothier of Somerville and Matthew Pothier of Stafford, VA. Her siblings include William Grayson, Dorothy Grayson and her husband William Papa of Salem, Bernie Grayson, Jr. and his wife Cathy of Tewksbury, and John Grayson and his wife Laurie of Reading. Many loving nieces and nephews also survive her.
The Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home in Chelsea arranged the services. Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Thomas A. Rosa
Of Wakefield, formerly of Chelsea
Thomas A. Rosa, age 72, a longtime Wakefield resident and former Chelsea resident, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, July 11.
Born in Everett on April 21, 1945, he was the son of the late Albert and Jessica (Szczepankowski) Rosa.
Chelsea provided his formative years, and he graduated from Chelsea High School before attending Saint John’s Seminary. At the Chelsea Soldiers Home, where he served as Director of Human Resources, Mr. Rosa worked until his retirement. For 12 years he had been a Wakefield resident and maintained devoted participation in St. Joseph Church.
Mr. Rosa was the beloved husband of Nancy A. (Canty) Rosa and the loving father of Wendy Quatieri and her husband John of Peabody, Kristin Zimini and her husband John of Abington, and Jennifer Rosa of Wakefield. He was the brother of the late Joyce Rosa. Five grandchildren survive him: Nicholas and his fiancée Alexandra, Michael, Anthony, Alyssa and her husband Michael, and Kasie.
Services will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday at 9am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield at 10am. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. Relatives and friends are invited to visit the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8pm.