Gloucester: Florence M. Lane, 91, died Monday evening, April 29, 2013, at the Golden Living Center. Her funeral service will be held on Friday morning in the Trinity Congregational Church at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 10 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
View Full Notice → Florence M. Lane 4/29/2013 Gloucester, MA
GLOUCESTER: Capt. John W. “Johnny Boy” Randazza, 81, died unexpectedly Wednesday, April 24, at the Bethesda West Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was the husband of Rosalie (Mineo) Randazza. Born in Gloucester on October 20, 1931, he was the son of the late Salvatore “Tootsie” and Anna Randazza. Johnny, a veteran fisherman, started his profession at the early age of 13. He fished aboard several boats, such as the f/v Antonina, Blue Waters, Olympia and Nancy F as a crew member & engineer and skippered the Mia Madre. John was the captain and owner of the fishing vessel Debbie Rose and worked several years managing his own crew before his retirement in 1988. He never outgrew his love for fishing. He could often be found on the backshore with reel in hand. He served in the United States Army from October 1952 to October 1954. He was a Private First Class during the Korean War, where he worked for the Chaplain. He was stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland for 8 months and overseas in France for 14 months. John was also a member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion, AMVETS and Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892. An incredible cook, John was well known to his family, friends and neighbors for his delicious recipes, genuine love for food and generosity to share his cooking creations with others. He was a handy man who enjoyed working on home projects and tending his garden. He loved playing cards, pets and spending time with his grandchildren. He will be forever treasured for giving his family life long traditions and values that they will continue to share for many generations. They will remain not only in their hearts but in the hearts of their children. In addition to his loving wife of 61 unforgettable years of marriage, he is also survived by their five children; John Randazza and his wife of Alabama, Ann-Marie Malloch, Annette Randazza both of Gloucester, Anthony and his wife Beverly Randazza of Wakefield and Deborah and her husband Tony Frontiero of Florida; eight grandchildren, Shawn, Noelle, Jason, Jessica, Brianna, Julianna, Nicholas and Gianna; his sister, Nina and her husband Sophie Frontiero and also his beloved former daughter-in-law, Lauren Antia, as well as many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother Salvatore and his wife Virginia Randazza. His funeral service will be held on Thursday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.
View Full Notice → Capt. John W. “Johnny Boy” Randazza 4/24/2013 Boynton Beach, FL / Gloucester, MA
Salem, MA — Henry C. Baber, 53, of Salem, Mass., passed away at his home unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Henry was the son of the late Henry Hamilton Baber and Dorothy (Colbath) Miller. He had attended and graduated from Pottstown High School in Pennsylvania.
manchester-by-the-Sea — Christopher R. Perry, a reclusive bear of a man whose shyness and strength were matched by his kindness, candor, generosity, and wit, died unexpectedly, April 28, at his Manchester home. He was 44 years old.
Gloucester — Florence May Lane, 91, died Monday, April 29, 2013, in the Golden Living Center, Gloucester.
Rockport MA — Gottfried O. Berger passed peacefully at home in Rockport, Mass., on April 29, 2013, with his wife, Karen, of 32 years at his side.
Rockport, MA — John Embury Lane, educator and historian, was born in Rockport, December 14, 1918, son of the late Charles P. Lane and Mary McGeoch Lane.
Danvers — Mrs. Winifred Ann (McCann) Dodge, 86, of Danvers, beloved wife of Albert S. Dodge of Danvers, died April 30, 2013, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center surrounded by her family.
Gloucester, MA — Capt. Joseph J. Agrusso, 84, died early Sunday morning, April 28, 2013 at the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Rose M. (Zanelli) Agrusso.
Santa Rosa, NM — Samuel M. Hopkins, age 66, passed away on April, 6, 2013, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., following a brief illness. Samuel was born on March 20, 1947, in Salem, Mass., son of Jerome and Janet (Ingalls) Hopkins.
GLOUCESTER: On July 23, 1925, Katherine Helen Williams was born in Gloucester, MA. She was the third child born to Uriah Lloyd “Red” and Gertrude Mina (Blake) Williams, following Red’s near death fishing excursion. The wheels of destiny started to turn in the summer of 1924 when a storm kicked up in the Northeast corner of the Atlantic known as George’s Bank. Uriah, a Grand Banks fisherman originally from Shelborne County, Nova Scotia, married the beautiful Gertrude and made his home in Gloucester and fished on her schooners. During the storm he and his dory-mate were reported lost at sea. On a crisp autumn day after his funeral, Red returned home with a scruffy red beard and his sea bag over his shoulder to the delight of his wife and two children, Ginny and Bumpsy. The next summer Helen was welcomed into the world and would retell this story of her birth. Helen grew up shielded from the great depression by her parents in a loving home. She played with her friends, loved her kitty, Smokey and was doted on by her parents and older siblings. On many occasions the Williams family would travel back to Nova Scotia to visit her father’s family. She attended several public schools including Babson, Collins, Central Grammar and then graduated from Gloucester High School with honors in 1943. She later graduated from Wilfred Academy in Boston. During her formative years Helen, a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, sang in the youth choir and because of her remarkable voice was repeatedly asked to sing solos; this led to professional voice lessons and a passion for music and singing throughout her life. As a young lady she sang in many public venues. She even sang with a “big band” in Boston. However, her love was musical theater and she sang solos in local area performances of Show Boat, South Pacific and many others. Her love of music and singing was impressed upon her children and grandchildren as she sang to them and taught them songs of the 1940’s and 50’s. Another passion that Helen shared with her daughters was the Masonic affiliated organization of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. This fraternal order guided young women in a spiritual life that emphasized service to others, social graces and lifelong friendships. Helen, a natural leader, was elected Worthy Advisor of Gloucester Assembly #41 and later watched proudly as both her daughters were elected to the same office. Helen was a member of the Mother’s Circle and Advisory Board of Rainbow. Once again she helped with the musical shows the organization put on as fund raisers by offering her voice and stage knowledge. Helen also earned the “Grand Cross of Color”, their highest award for her dedicated service, and became a life member of Eastern Star. After graduation from Wilfred Academy, Helen set out to work as a hair stylist for the international Frank L. Smith & Co. in W.G. Brown Department Store. She also worked for the Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator and later was part of the “Pioneer Club”. During this time she and her girlfriends would attend musicals, Bruins games, and take the Friday night “Snow Train” from Gloucester to N.H. for ski trips. Summers were spent on the beaches, walking the boulevard, and at Dun Fudgin for evening picnics with family and friends. In 1953 Helen married Thomas N. Hodge, Jr. and became a homemaker and mother of two daughters. Dani and Judi changed her life and as a devoted loving mother she took pride in everything they did. She brought them to art, ballet, piano, and horseback riding lessons. She was a member of the Beeman School PTA as well as a volunteer in the school library. She was always there to help her girls with Riverdale Drum and Bugle Corps, Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4 -H Club, Rainbow Girls and grand assembly trips, homework assignments, GHS Girls’ Drill Team and all the proms. She planned birthdays, Halloween and Christmas parties for them and their friends. There was always something happening at her home; like the time Judi surprised her with a handful of baby frogs on the kitchen table and just let them go, or when she begrudgingly signed the permission slip so that Dani could have a chance to win the class hamster and won him! Always at her side was Barney, the family dog, and she couldn’t sit down without one of the cats jumping up in her lap. She loved dressing her daughters in the latest fashions and enjoyed the shopping trips to buy them new things. Summer vacations on Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains of N.H. were cherished family times. She also enjoyed the family boat and evening cruses on the Annisquam River. Thursdays was her “club” day. She and her sister were joined by a group of ladies who shared lunch and worked on their projects together at each others’ homes. As a group they learned to knit, needlepoint, make hooked and braided rugs, and designed stained glass pieces. They also had outings to galleries and museums and shopping. Often they went to the Wenham Tea House for shopping and naturally a cup of tea. The time went by too quickly, the girls grew into women and Helen was once again single. Her next career was that of a hostess at Dexter’s Hearthside Restaurant in Essex. There she was adored by co-workers and customers alike. It was during this time that she was reacquainted with a childhood friend and the “love of her life” John B. Auditore. Poni, as everyone knew him, was a marine biologist and widower with three adult sons. She and Poni happened upon each other two days before Christmas and soon started dating and married in August of 1981. They lived happily, traveling and enjoying life with their dog Macgregor and their two Siamese cats. They loved their vacations to all the New England states, Washington DC, Maryland, upstate New York and to her ancestral home of Nova Scotia. Holidays were always a joyous time when the families joined together. It was a time for Poni to tell his stories and Helen to get everyone to sing and help with the cooking. It ended too soon with the untimely death of Poni in June of 1987. Helen became a grandmother after her daughter Judi married and had three beautiful children. Kathi, Tyler and Trevor became the center of her universe. As the tender, doting Nana, she sang lullabies, read stories and listened very carefully to each of them. They shared cookouts at the pool and she watched as they marched in most of the 4th of July Horribles Parades. She delighted in hearing about school and sports, going to recitals, playing games and watching them grow into the beautiful young adults they are today. She would always smile with pride at just the mention of their names. St. John’s Episcopal Church was always a very important part of her entire life from singing in the choir to the Altar Guild later. She and her friends were always at the Sunday 8 am service and then out to coffee afterwards. Many of them were her childhood friends. Helen’s lengthy illness confined her to Seacoast Nursing Facility where the wonderful staff cared for her. We cannot possibly thank them enough for all they did for Helen and her entire family. Helen was known for her wonderful sense of humor, always with a warm smile for everyone. She was courageous, kind and an animal lover. Helen taught love, patience, and understanding. This is her legacy that will live forever in her daughters and grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters, H. Diane (Hodge) and her husband David Stotzer, Judith Ann (Hodge) and her husband David Bergeron; grandchildren Katherine Florence, Tyler John, and Trevor Williams Kaity, and their father Steven P. Kaity; nieces, Challis (Martin) and her husband David Williams, Patricia (Williams) and her husband Mark Natti, Sheila (Williams) and her husband Robert Boudrow; nephews, Walter and his wife Winnie Martin and Alvin Williams; stepsons, Salvatore and his wife Carol Auditore, John Auditore and many grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to her husband, John B. “Poni” Auditore she was also predeceased by a sister Gertrude “Ginny” and her husband F. Walt Martin, a brother Alvin L. “Bumpsy” and his wife Dorothy Williams. Her funeral service will be held on Thursday morning in the St. John’s Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Beechbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Friends of Seacoast c/o Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 298 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 or to the Eastern Star Scholarship Fund – Heard Chapter No. 94 O.E.S. c/o Miss Kathryn E. Olmsted, P.O. Box 604, Rowley, MA 01969-3604.
View Full Notice → Helen Williams Auditore 5/6/2013 Gloucester, MA
GLOUCESTER: Virginia Anne “Ginny” Jeffery, 87, died Thursday, May 3, 2013 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. Born in Gloucester in August 1, 1925, Ginny was the daughter of the late James C. and Etta (DeCoste) Jeffery. She was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1943. Ginny was employed as an administrative assistant in the veteran affairs office for the City of Gloucester for over twenty years. She had also worked at the former Connor’s Pharmacy for many years. Ginny led a very active social life and had a number of life-long friends. She and her friends could often be seen taking day trips, or out for lunch or dinner together. She was also very active in the social activities at the Central Grammar Apartments. But Ginny’s real passion in life was her family. Her family had one branch in Gloucester, another in Milton, MA and a third in California. Ginny was the glue that bound the family together. Ginny always made sure that she knew what each family member was up to, and communicated this information throughout the family. Whenever family get-togethers were being planned, Ginny was always one of the prime movers. Ginny was especially close with her nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, never forgetting to send a birthday card and gift. She was a treasured guest at all birthday and holiday celebrations. Ginny was one of the most positive people you could ever meet, and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Ginny is survived by her brother, James C. Jeffery, Jr.; a sister-in-law, Julia E. Jeffery; eight nieces and nephews, James Jeffery, III, Kathryn Charters, Richard Jeffery, Jr., William Jeffery, Diane Lapworth Jones, Thor Jeffery, David Jeffery and Denise Jeffery; ten great-nieces and nephews, Jeffery Charters, Christopher Charters, Gregory Jeffery, Sean Jeffery, Scott Lapworth, Emily Lapworth and her two children, Elle and Mae Ryan, Nicholas Jeffery, Robert Jeffery, Elizabeth Jeffery and Kathryn Irwin. She was also predeceased by two brothers, Robert Jeffery and Richard Jeffery, Sr., a niece, Leah Jeffery and a nephew, Michael Jeffery. At Ginny’s request, there will be no funeral service or visiting hours. A memorial gathering will be held for family and friends at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Friends of Seacoast, 292 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
View Full Notice → Virginia Ann “Ginny” Jeffery 5/3/2013 Gloucester, MA
Gloucester — On July 23, 1925, Katherine Helen Williams was born in Gloucester, Mass. She was the third child born to Uriah Lloyd “Red” and Gertrude Mina (Blake) Williams, following Red’s near-death fishing excursion. The wheels of destiny started to turn in the summer of 1924 when a storm kicked up in the Northeast corner of the Atlantic known as George’s Bank. Uriah, a Grand Banks fisherman originally from Shelborne County, Nova Scotia, married the beautiful Gertrude and made his home in Gloucester and fished on her schooners. During the storm, he and his dory-mate were reported lost at sea. On a crisp autumn day after his funeral, Red returned home with a scruffy red beard and his sea bag over his shoulder to the delight of his wife and two children, Ginny and Bumpsy. The next summer Helen was welcomed into the world and would retell this story of her birth.
Peabody — Stanley A. “Sonny” Dzielnik, 73, beloved husband of Marcia J. (Patrican) Dzielnik, died peacefully on Monday May 6, 2013, at the Aviv Centers for Living in Peabody with the comforting presence of his family at his side.
Gloucester — Virginia Anne “Ginny” Jeffery, 87, died Thursday, May 3, 2013, in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness.
Essex — William M. Lundy, 70, longtime resident of Pond Street, Essex, and husband of Elizabeth “Betty” L. (Goody) Lundy, died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in the Beverly Hospital following his long illness.
Manchester by the Sea, MA — Mrs. Barbara (Lawrence) Forsley, 80, beloved wife of Richard J. Forsley, died Monday May 6, 2013, at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers, Mass. Born in Nashua, N.H.; she was the daughter of the late Theodore P. and Frances (Kane) Lawrence. She was raised and educated in Hollis, N.H., and she attended Boston University.
North Reading, MA — Mary C. (Smith) Baird, 94, of North Reading, formerly of Readville, died at her home on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. She was the loving wife of the late Edward T. Baird.
Freedom, N.H. — Norman passed away in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on May 8 with his family by his side. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Anita; four children, Rick Allen of Berwick, Maine, Beth Rutherfurd and her husband, William of Norfolk, Va., Tammy Fletchall of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Cheyenne Allen of Freedom, N.H. He also leaves his special niece, Julie Behsman, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and her husband, Marty; his two nephews, Corey and Chris Moody of Gloucester, Mass.; his eight grandchildren; and finally, his best friend, and sister, KiKi (Allen) Moody of Gloucester Mass., now residing in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Beverly — Helen Mary (Avedisian) Powers, 90, died May 3, 2013. She was born June 22, 1922, in Lawrence, Mass., to Ruth (Parks) and George Avedisian. When she was 10, she moved to her mother’s home city of Gloucester. She graduated from Gloucester High School, Class of 1939.