Obituaries 02-12-2020

Lorraine ‘Lorrie’ Bruno

Ten Year Everett Ward Councilor and Past President of Everett Women’s Volleyball League

Lorraine “Lorrie” Bruno, a lifelong resident of Everett, entered into eternal rest at home on Friday, Feb. 7.

Born in Everett, Lorrie retired from Avco/Textron as an administrative assistant.  She was a past president of the Everett Women’s Volleyball League.  Lorrie also represented the citizens of Everett as a ward councilor for 10 years, serving as their president in 2008.  Lorrie was an avid sports fan both at the local level and professional level.  

She was the beloved daughter of the late Frederick and Mary (Vitukevich) Bruno, dear and devoted sister of Gerri Ravanesi and her late husband, Peter, formerly of Everett, Abby Picano of Tewksbury and the late Paulette Santagate.  Lorrie is also survived by seven loving nieces and nephews and five grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral arrangements were by the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Contributions in Lorrie’s memory to the Animal Rescue League, 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 would be sincerely appreciated.  

Carol Ann Cataldo

Of Revere, formerly of Boston’s North End

Carol Ann (Imperato) Cataldo of Revere, formerly of Boston’s North End, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 4.  

Carol was born in Boston on July 11, 1941.  She was the beloved wife of Daniel A. Cataldo Sr., devoted mother of Daniel A. Cataldo Jr. and his wife, Adele, Christine Marks and her husband, Robert and Tracy D’Elia and her husband, Ralph, all of Revere; dear sister of Joseph Imperato of Everett and the late Denise Kaminski and John Kaminski; cherished grandmother of Daniel A. Cataldo III, Louis Cataldo, Ann Marie Valarese, Robert Marks III, Daniel Marks, Taylor D’Elia, and Jordan D’Elia and adored great grandmother of Capria, Valentina, Adriana and Lorenzo.  She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Arrangements were entrusted to the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, Boston and interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Ste. B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.  For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.

Sheila Barth

Independent Newspaper Group’s Theater Critic and Entertainment Editor

Sheila Lerman Barth, 78, of Beverly, succumbed to complications from pneumonia and peacefully entered into rest on Feb. 2, surrounded by her loving family, her pride and joy. 

Sheila grew up in Portland, Maine, and graduated with a degree in Education from Gorham State Teachers College.  She was an educator at all levels from preschool through adult education for senior citizens. A natural nurturer, the lessons she taught her students went well beyond academia. Sheila brought learning to life with her insurmountable vibrancy and passion.

Following her career as an educator, Sheila spent decades in journalism as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, theater reviewer and critic. She was an esteemed theater critic reviewing more than 150 performances annually in recent years.  As part of IRNE (Independent Reviewers of NE) as both a reviewer and committee member, she fervently supported local theater.  She was also a highly respected critic for all theater from large productions in Boston to the local and regional performances.  She was passionate about using her writing to keep local theater alive. Her writing was her voice to the world and it was a voice that carried far and wide.  Her words had a profound effect on those about whom she wrote.

She was a true force of nature.  Her personality was larger than life.  She was a feisty spitfire.  A fighter and advocate, a champion for whatever or whomever captured her passion. If she pursued something, nothing got in her way.  Her high intellect and insatiable curiosity, coupled with her incredible listening skills made her an agile and intriguing conversationalist. 

When speaking with Sheila she was always completely present.  She was a selfless giver who put the needs of others before her own, always.  She had an incredible ability to connect with people and to make others connect.  It was arguably the strongest of her many superpowers. 

Above all, her most cherished role was that of mother and “Nana.”  Her pride for her family was felt by everyone she knew.  She was never without hundreds of photos to share – of every accomplishment large or small that one of her children, children-in-law or grandchildren achieved.  She made each and every child and grandchild feel special in their own right. She was their greatest cheerleader, providing unending support in every way.   If a grandchild had six performances a weekend, she would make sure that she and her husband, Richard would attend all six! Whether it was sports, theater, dance or music, she would travel any distance to support her family– to California for a ballet performance, to Maryland for a football camp. Distance was simply no object.  In the audience or the stands, there was never a question who she was there to see!

Sheila and her husband, Richard were the true pillars of the family.  Their love for each other was unending, unconditional and unwavering.  Throughout their 56 years of marriage, they shared an unparalleled love, respect and admiration for one another. They were each other’s strength. In life and in death, they remained completely connected.  Their beautiful love story finished this chapter with the comfort that they will never grieve each other but instead enter their next chapter together.

Sheila was loved by so many people. She was the devoted wife of Richard  Barth, who passed away five days after Sheila;  the proud mother of Lisa Wolowacki and her husband, Bill, Elana Turchon and her husband, Dennis, Gary Barth and his wife, Michelle and Sara Kelley and her husband, Peter; adored Nana of Cameron and Jacob Wolowacki, Gisele Turchon, Jacquie and Jamie Barth, Eli and Anja Kelley; cherished daughter of the late Sara and Paul Lerman, loving sister of Ruth Cohen and the late Barbara Burd and Stuart Lerman; and the cherished aunt, cousin and friend of an infinite number of people her life touched significantly.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Temple B’Nai Abraham in Beverly. Interment was at Newburyport Hebrew Cemetery, Salisbury. 

In accordance with the traditions of the Jewish faith, and given her passion for teaching and nurturing, we ask that you please not send flowers. Instead you may make a donation to an education-based charity in her name.

In addition, to honor her memory, we ask that everyone please conduct one intentional selfless act of kindness.

For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit www.stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.

Richard Barth

Aug. 31, 1938 – Feb. 7, 2020

Richard Barth, 81, of Beverly succumbed to complications from pneumonia and peacefully entered into rest, surrounded by his loving family on Feb. 7.

Richard was born in Haverhill and spent most of his youth in Newburyport, Lynn and Portland, Maine.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Statistics at Boston University. Richard was a gentle, caring individual with a mischievous personality who could catch you off guard with his witty sense of humor.

A natural with numbers and logic, he worked for the U.S. Census Bureau before becoming one of the first computer programmers.  After 27 years with American Mutual Insurance Company, he took a role with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts spearheading a project for the DOT which catapulted the driver’s license into the modern age by introducing digital imaging, holograms and satellite kiosks throughout the state.

As successful as he was in his career, Richard was first and foremost a husband and father.  He was devoted to his wife, Sheila, to whom he was married for 56 years, and supported her as her career simultaneously flourished — no small feat with four children. He actively accompanied her to nearly 150 theater performances per year, contributing to and editing her newspaper reviews. In addition, they fervently watched and supported their grandchildren who starred in theater and dance performances. He made sure to spend focused time with each child sharing his many passions, but also embracing theirs.

An avid sports fan, Richard followed Boston professional sports faithfully – with a particular affinity for football and baseball.  He loved to attend Red Sox games, especially taking his children to Fenway Park one on one. During those games he taught each child how to properly and meticulously score every at-bat.  He readily volunteered to do the statistics for his children’s sports teams.  He also loyally followed Newburyport High School football – a very special tradition he maintained with his father and children.  His love of sports reached a pinnacle when his grandchildren began to play soccer, softball, basketball, football, baseball, rugby,  field hockey and track-and-field. He took such pride and great joy watching and discussing every last play or element with each grandchild.

Music was also an important part of Richard’s life. He loved to entertain by playing piano and melodica. He took great pride in watching the tradition continue with his children and grandchildren as they pursued music in their own individual ways. Another favorite personal hobby was detailed trip-planning. Long before the days of personal GPS navigators and Waze, he meticulously mapped out vacation itineraries and routes to the specific minute and mile, the old-school way for family and friends.

Richard enjoyed gardening.  He grew vibrantly colored flowers including super-sized prize-winning dahlias.  His claim-to-fame were his cherry tomato plants, which grew higher than the roofline.  Each year he tracked his extraordinary tomato yield, always trying to outdo his prior year performance. Richard loved sharing them with family and friends.

Richard and his wife, Sheila were the true pillars of the family.  Their love for each other was unending, unconditional and unwavering.  Throughout their 56 years of marriage, they shared an unparalleled love, respect and admiration for one another. They were each other’s strength. In life and in death, they remained completely connected.  Their beautiful love story finished this chapter with the comfort that they will never grieve each other but instead enter their next chapter together.

Richard was loved by so many people. He was the devoted husband of Sheila F. (Lerman) Barth who predeceased him by five days;  the proud father of Lisa Wolowacki and her husband, Bill, Elana Turchon and her husband, Dennis, Gary Barth and his wife, Michelle and Sara Kelley and her husband, Peter; adored Papa of Cameron and Jacob Wolowacki, Gisele Turchon, Jacquie and Jamie Barth, Eli and Anja Kelley; cherished son of the late David and Jennie Barth, and the cherished uncle, cousin and friend of an infinite number of people his life touched significantly.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, Feb. 9 at at Temple B’Nai Abraham in Beverly. Interment immediately followed the service at Newburyport Hebrew Cemetery, 10 Toll Road, Salisbury.

In accordance with the traditions of the Jewish faith, and given his passion for teaching and nurturing, we ask that you please not send flowers. Instead you may make a donation to an education-based charity in his name.

In addition, to honor his memory, we ask that everyone please conduct one intentional selfless act of kindness.

For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit www.stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.

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