Obituaries 02-20-2019

John McCarthy

Served six terms (12 years) as Mayor of Everett

John R. McCarthy, passed away on Friday, Feb. 15 at Lowell General Hospital, in Lowell surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

John is survived by his loving wife Priscilla (Josephson) McCarthy, of Dracut; his children, Robert McCarthy, of Wakefield, John McCarthy, of Dallas, TX, Darren McCarthy and his wife, Michelle McCarthy of Winchester and Kristin McAuliffe and her husband, Jason McAuliffe of Malden and his brother, George McCarthy and his wife, Charlotte McCarthy of Hamilton.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren.

John was born on June 7, 1939 in Everett to John and Madelyn McCarthy.  He was one of four children and the brother of Bob, George and Connie.  He graduated from Everett High School, attended Newman Preparatory School and Suffolk University. 

He spent the first 60 years of his life in Everett, where he raised his four children with his wife Priscilla.  John and Priscilla McCarthy were married on September 30, 1967 in Woburn and spent over 51 years together until John’s passing.

John started his career with New England Telephone, where he spent 25 years helping develop and expand the telecommunications network throughout New England and New York.  John retired from NYNEX as a Director of Technical Planning where he was responsible for the NYNEX regional area. 

He is better remembered for his career in local politics, serving on Everett’s Board of Aldermen for four years before being elected Mayor of Everett in 1985.  His 12-year tenure as Mayor resulted in a legacy of accomplishments that still benefit the city to this day, including the establishment of the city’s first Conservation Commission, the first Disability Commission, the first curb side recycling program and the countless renovations of schools, parks and public buildings, including the Everett Armory, and the award winning renovation of the Parlin Library in Everett Square.  His leadership in office also resulted in the re-purposing of a large portion of the Monsanto Chemical Company site into what today is known as the Gateway Shopping Center.  These accomplishments were all achieved while reducing Everett’s residential tax rate to the lowest among all surrounding cities. 

John was passionate about his hometown, and was proud to have served six terms as its mayor, paving the path for years of future prosperity.  

As Mayor of Everett, John developed longstanding relationships with Mayor Tom Menino of Boston, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator John Kerry, Speaker George Keverian, Congressman Ed Markey, Governor Michael Dukakis, and Speaker Tip O’Neil, and had the opportunity to meet President and Mrs. Clinton to discuss the impact of federal policy on local communities.  He was elected President of the Massachusetts Mayor’s association in 1992, and the Massachusetts Municipal Board of Directors from 1986-1992. 

John was also an active participant in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which influenced local government nationwide.  John was elected to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Board from 1993-1997 and served on several subcommittees, including Health Reform, Health Care Financing, Health Insurance, and the subcommittee on Aging.

John had a deep connection to the residents of Everett and the Italian and Irish heritage that many residents shared. He established a sister city relationship with Orsogna, Italy and led a delegation that traveled to Italy to formally recognize the relationship, and later hosted a group from Orsogna when they visited Everett.

After leaving office in 1998, John and his wife, Priscilla remained in Everett until 1999 when they retired to their lake house in Dracut where they had spent summers while raising their family.  John and Priscilla spent the next several years traveling the country, visiting with old friends and making new ones, while maintaining their residence in Dracut.

In true snow-bird fashion, they spent their winters in Florida, either in New Smyrna, Del Ray Beach or the Villages. At home in Dracut, John was the proud “Grampy” to nine grandchildren:  Connor (18), Brendan (15), Kayla (13), Dillon (11), Sloane (11), Caroline (10), Michael (8), Sinead (8), and Sean (7).  John and Priscilla had an open invitation for all of their children and grandchildren to visit Dracut and enjoy time on Long Pond.

A wake is scheduled at Murphy & O’Hara Funeral Home on Broadway in Everett on Friday, Feb. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, on Broadway in Everett.   All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center in honor of John (https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/?utm_expid=.DReKwjqCSk-Uu-TNuhzIkw.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.massgeneral.org%2Fheartcenter%2F).

Roger Morello

Owner and Operator of R. J. Morello Plumbing Co. Inc. and member of E Club of Everett

Roger J. Morello of Lynnfield, formerly of Everett, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 15 surrounded by his loving family in the Massachusetts General Hospital after a period of failing health.  He was 72 years old. 

Born in Malden, Roger lived in Everett for most of his life before settling in Lynnfield for s short while.  He was a Master Plumber by profession having been the owner and operator of the R.J. Morello Plumbing Co., Inc. for over 30 years and a member of the E Club of Everett.

The beloved husband of Anna P. (Casas) Morello for nearly 50 years, he was the dear and devoted father of Alyssa A. Glennon and her husband, Timothy of Wakefield and Michael T. Morello and his wife, Danielle of Lynnfield; brother of Thomas Morello of Stoneham, Richard Morello and his wife, Jean of Eastham, Janice Cutone of Reading and John Morello of Peabody and loving “Papa” of Nicholas, Daniella, Hallie and Michael Glennon and Madison and Alivia Morello.  

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral from the Cafasso& Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett today, Wednesday, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church, 38 Oakes St., Everett at 10 a.m.  Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Contributions in Roger’s memory to the MGH Cancer Center, 125 Nashua St., Ste. 540, Boston, MA 02114 would be sincerely appreciated.

Filippo Mastracola

Founding member of the Sons of Orsogna Club of Everett

Filippo Mastracola of Everett died on Feb.13.

Filippo was a founding and still active member of the Sons of Orsogna Club of Everett. He also served in the Italian Army, and was a prisoner of war, held in Greece. Filippo was a very resourceful person and lived by the motto that, “We made the trains run without coal.” 

Born in Orsogna, Abruzzo, Italy, he was the beloved husband of the late Angela (Carulli), father of Antonio and his wife, Serafina and Aldo, all of Everett; brother of the late Rocco, Nicola, Filomena Auriti and Angela D’Angelo and is also survived by two grandchildren, Filippo and his wife, Marguerite and Angela and five great-grandchildren, AJ, Alexander, Corey, Abby, and Colin.

Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco and Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Entombment was in the Holy Cross Mausoleum in Malden. In lieu of flowers, donations in Filippo’s memory may be made to 2019 Mass General Emergency Response Team,www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/mgh-emergency-response-team/filippomastrocola. For more information visit:  www.RoccoFuneralHomes.com or 1-877-71-ROCCO. 

Joseph Barile

Boston Edison retiree

Joseph “Joe” Barile of Everett died on Feb. 13.

Joe was a three year U.S. Army veteran and was employed by Boston Edison for over 30 years.

He was the brother of Robert and his wife, Betty of Lynnfield, Emma Freni and her late husband, Joseph of Malden, the late Pasquale “Pat” and his wife, Lorraine, Palma Lucas, Irma Zullo and her husband, Jerry and Albert “Dickie” and is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital, Attn: Patient Care, 401 Park Dr., Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.

For guestbook and more information, please visit:www.roccofuneralhomes.com or 1-877-71-Rocco.

Anna Iamelli

Of Woburn, formerly of Everett

Anna C. (Butare) Iamelli of Woburn, formerly of Everett, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 15 in the Winchester Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  She was 92 years old. 

Born in East Boston, Anna lived in Everett for many years before settling in Woburn the last few years. 

She was the beloved and devoted wife of Albert Iamelli for over 68 years, dear and devoted mother of Linda Nicotera and her husband, Joseph of Peabody, Gail Iamelli of Tewksbury and Angela Flagg and her late husband, Raymond of Malden; sister of the late Louis, Angelo, Joseph, John and Anthony Butare and Helen Perry, Jenny Hatch and Mary Amato; loving grandmother of Joseph and Kimberly Nicotera, Michael Monteforte and his wife, Jill, Kristen Smith and her husband, Joseph, Lindsay Monteforte, Robyn Flagg and Christopher Flagg and his wife, Breanna and great grandmother of Gabriella, Michael, Evan, Tyler, Cameron,  Liam and Owen.  

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Anna’s visiting hours in the Cafasso& Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Thursday, Feb. 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church,  670 Washington St., Revere at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. Contributions in Anna’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, would be sincerely appreciated.  

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