415 McClellan Hwy., a 6.2-acre parcel was recently purchased by First Bristol Corp. for $3.75 million, may be ripe for development if and when a casino comes to East Boston. Here shows the parcel and its relation to Suffolk Downs and possible resort-style casino.

With the possibility of a resort-style casino coming to East Boston a Fall River based developer has purchased a large swath of land on McClellan Highway less than a mile from Suffolk Downs.

First Bristol Corp., known for the development of Hotels and high-end residential units in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut recently purchased 415 McClellan Hwy. for $3.75 million.

The 6.2 acre parcel was bought from Sawyer Enterprises, the Boston firm that owns the W Hotel and Residences in the Theater District and is located on the corner of McClellan Highway and Boardman Street.

It is unclear what First Bristol Corporation plans to do with the site but and its CEO James Karam is remaining tight lipped about future plans for 415 McClellan Hwy. Karam did not return the East Boston Times’ request for a comment.

However, First Bristol has compiled an impressive portfolio that includes retail shopping plazas, professional office building like the Bank of America and GE buildings in Warwick, R.I., hotels like the Marriott Residence Inn in Middletown, R.I. which was ranked the number one hotel by Trip Advisor and residential developments that have helped spur a resurgence of Fall River.

While many would assume automatically that First Bristol would be leaning towards a hospitality venture at the site to handle any spill over of guests visiting a possible casino at Suffolk Downs, some in the community wonder if a mixed residential and retail development may better serve the community.

State Representative Carlo Basile said he would favor either just as long as it creates jobs.

“I think there is a great opportunity at the site to have good construction jobs as well as long-term permanent jobs,” said Basile. “Whether it’s a hotel, residential or retail I’d like to see something go there because it has been a blight in the community for too long.”

According to its website, First Bristol Corp prides itself on “developing successful real estate is a complex undertaking that requires a skilled and experienced management team with the insight and knowledge necessary to make the right decisions along the critical path to completion.”

In business for over 30 years the development firm boasts  that it has a depth of knowledge concerning local regulations, permits and procedures, which allows “fast track processing”.

With that said, First Bristol Corp executives have yet to met with local leaders on their intentions and could be surprised at how slow things may go if the neighborhood does not support future plans for the site.

The site of the new cafe that Rino’s Place owners hope to open at 300 Saratoga St. by the summer. The new café, Prima e Dopo, or Before and After, will help the increasing demand at Rino’s by offering its customers a place to have a light appetizer or glass of wine until a table opens up at the restaurant across the street.

The owners of Rino’s Place, the famed Italian restaurant on the corner of Saratoga and Putnam Streets that was recently on the Food Network last year, is days away from opening a new cafe at 300 Saratoga St. across from Rino’s current location.

The café, which will be called Prima e Dopo, Italian for Before and After received its occupancy permit from the city last week and aside from a little fine tuning the highly anticipated addition to Eastie’s food scene should be open in a week or two.

Prima e Dopo will give Rino’s patrons the chance to sit and have a light appetizer or glass of wine until a table opens up at the restaurant across the street. The cafe will also serve deserts and cordials for patrons looking to relax after a filling Rino’s meal.

“We think it’s a great concept,” said Anna DiCenso who owns Rino’s with her husband and celebrity chef, Tony.

DiCenso said the new cafe will be its own separate business from Rino’s but hopes it will compliment the success at the popular restaurant and give people the option to stay in the neighborhood instead of going some place else during the restaurant’s busy hours.

“You can go across the street, have a few appetizers and a drink and then we will call you when your table is ready for dinner,” said DiCenso. “We will still have appetizers and deserts here at Rino’s but this will give our customers, some of whom might have to wait an hour or two for a table on busy nights, an option to begin their evening with some food and drink in a comfortable setting instead of waiting outside.”

In October 2011 Rino’s was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hosted by T.V. personality, cook and restaurateur Guy Fieri.

The segment showed just how fresh and good Tony DiCenso’s food is. Now everyone knows what we in Eastie have know for 20 years.

DiCenso dazzled Fieri with his homemade lobster raviolis. Fieri was amazed at the complexity and work that it takes for DiCenso to produce the dish.

DiCenso showed how he takes a live lobster, boils it, removed all the meat from the shell, sautés it with oil and shallots, mixes it with fresh imported ricotta, makes the pasta from scratch and then constructs the delicious raviolis. He then showed Fieri how he takes more lobster meat and develops a silky tomato cream sauce to toss with the raviolis.

All Fieri could say after tasting DiCenso’s signature dish was “This is ridiculous!”.

Fieri called DiCenso the ‘real deal’ and was impressed by how DiCenso shops three times a day at local markets to get his meat, fish and produce and said it’s what sets Rino’s apart from the rest.

Fieri also got to sample some of Rino’s signature dishes like frutti di mare, roasted pork tenderloin encrusted with pistachios and topped with a spicy cherry balsamic reduction and the Rino’s special, a mix of chicken, veal and shrimp sauteed in brandy cream and wild mushrooms.

“You taste just how fresh everything is here,” said Fieri. “It really makes the difference.”

There was also a lot of joking around and each time Fieri asked DiCenso where something came from DiCenso’s reply would be “I go out and pick it myself, fresh, it all has to be fresh”. At one point, when DiCenso was adding a bit of salt to a dish, Fieri joked “let me guess, you mine your own salt!”.

Since the airing of the Rino’s segment on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, there has been a line out the door six days a week for lunch and dinner.

The new cafe aims to cater to the people who would otherwise have to wait outside and others who are looking for a light meal.

City Councilor Sal LaMattina is seriously considering leaving his post as Ward I City Councilor to run for Register of Suffolk County’s Probate and Family Court seat vacated by Richard Ianella.

LaMattina, a life-long resident of East Boston, was first elected to the Council in 2006 and serves as the Council’s Vice-President.

LaMattina met with top political advisors Monday to discuss a possible run for the Register of Probate seat.

“Yes, I am currently exploring a possible run for Register of Probate,” said LaMattina Tuesday. “This will not be a decision I take lightly and will talk with family and friends over the next few days to see if this makes sense politically and for my future.”

Already several other candidates have expressed interest in the seat including East Boston’s Patty Campatelli who is currently the Statewide Program Supervisor at Massachusetts Trial Court.

Her experience in the court and prison system (she was the former Assistant Deputy Superintendent at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department) outweighs LaMattina’s experience in the courts but LaMattina political popularity in the District is unparalleled.

Both LaMattina and Campatelli have widespread political allies in the neighborhood and are both close with top fundraisers in the area like former Senate President Robert Travaglini.

Where political allegiances will lie once campaigning for the seat begins is anyone’s guess.

Campatelli could not be reached for comment by press time but has already established a Facebook page announcing her candidacy that had over 250 hits by Tuesday.

On the other hand LaMattina will officially make his decision by the end of the week.

If LaMattina is successful in his bid for Register of Probate Eastie could potentially lose the council seat for the first time since former City Councilor Paul Scapicchio beat incumbent Diane Modica in the 1990s and brought the seat out of the neighborhood for the first time since it was created. Scapicchio was a North Ender when he ran and beat Modica but eventually moved to Eastie in the later part of his political career thus returning the seat to the neighborhood.

With a small bench of potential candidates coming out of Eastie, it would be prime time for Dan Ryan, who lost to LaMattina by only 152 votes in 2006, to take another shot at the seat. Ryan, an aid for U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano who lives in Charlestown would be the biggest opponent for anyone thinking about running from Eastie and would be a formidable opponent in a Ward I City Council race.

Eastie names already being thrown around as potential candidates are Mayoral Liaison Ernani DeAraujo, Businessman Joseph Ruggiero, Mary Berninger (who ran for State Rep against Carlo Basile and Jeff Drago), Representative Basile’s aid Adrian Madaro, Max Tassanari and former Scapicchio staffer Lorene Schettino.

Mayor Kevin White’s death is a moment for all of us to remember him and the days when he managed this city with an iron fist. He was above all, a real Bostonian with his early roots in West Roxbury and his adult life spent on Beacon Hill.

He loved Boston. He loved downtown Boston. He loved the neighborhoods. Above all, he loved the people.

Mayor Kevin White was this city’s guiding force when it was coming to life, literally coming out of a slumber, during a bygone era when everything about this city was changing and coming to life.

He came to power at a time when rich were pitted against poor. Men against women. Old against young. White against black.

The social revolution rising at this time caused the nation to convulse – and Boston convulsed with it.

The Vietnam War was ripping the nation apart. Busing was destined to do its best to ruin the city’s once proud public school system. The challenges facing White when he took office were extraordinary. He was up for all of it. He was never daunted. He was always looking for the next big push to change the face and the fortune of the city.

He was ready for the challenge.

He was the right man at the right time for this city.

He proved it time and again during a long reign when the city evolved largely into a virtual image of what it is today.

He took Quincy Market Place from a one horse, meat market, decrepit reality and turned it into Boston’s signature tourist stop, drawing millions upon millions and having a profound effect on nearly everything else at the time.

He transformed the waterfront from lazy and dead on arrival into another residential and commercial success story.

His greatest credit goes to remaking the non-existent Boston skyline and by rejuvenating the downtown by doing so and for bringing new life to the city and its neighborhoods in a big, big way.

He was a big picture guy with a big picture reputation who dominated this city’s political life from the time he was 38 until he retired from public life 16 years later.

He was a master at understanding a changing Boston and not standing against it- indeed – he welcomed the future, always. He was the brightest and best to nurture the future here.

He judged men and women by what they brought to the table not by their religion or the color of their skin or by the second language they spoke or by their sexual orientation.

In this respect he was truly a man for all seasons, who always did his best for the city he loved until the day he died.

There are no more Kevin Whites coming up the ladder in Boston today.

Our condolences to his family.

The parade of people that have stopped by Danilchuk Auto Body on Addison Street to take a picture of the auto body’s support for the New England Patriots hasn’t slowed one bit, especially with Super Bowl XLVI set for this Sunday.

Danilchuk has painted one car in the colors of the New York Giants. The mangled car is complete with a life size Eli Manning mannequin in full uniform turning on a spit. At night the car glows with orange flames suggesting that the Patriots will ‘cook’ or ‘roast’ Manning on Super Bowl Sunday.

The larger SUV is painted with the Bruin’s logo and colors. The SUV, in monster truck rally fashion is slamming into the New York team car.

Danilchuk’s tribute this year to the Patriots and other teams over the years has gained the small neighborhood auto body international attention. Already news stations have arrived at the auto body to take pictures and talk to fans outside the auto body that have made the pilgrimage to the Patriots shrine. Last year, when the Bruins beat Vancover in the Stanley Cup finals, Vancover news station in Boston to cover the hockey action stopped by Danilchuk to feature the auto body’s tribute to the Bruins and symbolic desecration of their team’s players.

Danilchuk has historically done similar tributes during Celtic, Red Sox and Patriots playoff games. The cars used in their depiction of local team support are usually donated.

Monday, January 23

Vincent Anthony Durbano a homeless male was arrested and charged with unarmed robbery (purse snatching)

Aida Gomes of 113 Orleans Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with assault & battery.

Tuesday, January 24

Rigoberto Herbert of 276 Chelsea Street, East Boston was arrested on an outstanding default warrant for attempted unarmed robbery.

Aidas Kontautas of 100 Meridian Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with assault & battery dangerous weapon, assault & battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Dayna Janovick of 106 Chelsea Street, East Boston was arrested on two outstanding default warrants and was also charged with possession of Class E drugs.

Wednesday, January 25

Mario Perez of 12 Seaver Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm & ammunition.

Carlo Grifone of 973 Broadway, Everett was arrested and charged with assault & battery dangerous weapon & violation of an existing restraining order.

A juvenile male of East Boston was arrested on numerous outstanding warrants.

Nelson Barbosa of 40 London Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with distribution of Class B drugs within 1000ft of a school zone.

Thursday, January 26

Eufimia Umana of 518 Sumner Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with assault & battery.

Friday, January 27

Nester Mota Diaz of 188 Falcon Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with armed robbery and assault & battery by means of a gun.

Brian Manzo of 140 Saratoga Street, East Boston was arrested on numerous outstanding warrants.

A juvenile male of East Boston was arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Adnan Abdullah Albusaysi of 3 Sumner Place, East Boston was arrested and charged with assault & battery.

Saturday, January 28

Leonel Solano of 65 Maverick Square, East Boston was arrested and charged with assault & battery by means of a dangerous weapon and also two outstanding default warrants.

Louis Disciullo of 88 Maverick Street, East Boston was arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Sunday, January 29

No Arrest.

Charles Kitchell

Of Burlington, formerly of East Boston

Charles A. Kitchell of Burlington, formerly of East Boston and North Reading, died recently. He was in his 95th year.

A US Navy veteran of World War II, he was an honorary member of the Jeffries Yacht Club. He was the beloved husband of the late Jennie T. (Cibitoso); devoted father of Gladys J. Kitchell of Burlington and Edward Lally; brother of the late Gladys “Mae” Maher, Edith Lord and Elaine Iannelli; grandfather of Jennifer Bent-Gledhill and her husband, Michael, Jaclyn Bent and her fiancé, William Forbes and Joelle Bent, all of Burlington and is also survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Funeral Services will be held in the Magrath Funeral Home, 325 Chelsea St. (at Day Square) East Boston today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m.  Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Recreation Fund, 91 Crest Ave, Chelsea MA 02150 would be appreciated.

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Lena Luciano

Resident of Beachmont Revere

Lena M. Luciano of Beachmont Revere, formerly of the North End of Boston, died on January 30.

She was the loving daughter of the late Peter and Anita (Luongo) Luciano;  beloved sister of Joseph Luciano and Katherine Lucacio, both of Revere and the late Carmen and Dominic Luciano and Theresa Brunco; loving companion of John DelPirore of the North End and is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass in Celebration of her life will be held in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere Street. Revere on Thursday, February 2 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours prior to the Mass will be helkd in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston starting at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  Services will conclude with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. For more information: www.ruggieromh.com

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Antonino Di Maggio

Antonino Di Maggio of Chelsea died on January 27.

He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Rosmarinofski) Di Maggio of Chelsea; devoted father of Ginett Di Maggio of Revere, Salvatore Di Maggio of Wakefield, RI and Debra O’Brien of Burlington; cherished grandfather of Brianna and Caitlyn Costa, Jordan Brady Di Maggio and Miguel Angel Marin; loving son of the late Salvatore and Crocifissa (Lemba) Di Maggio. Dear nephew of Anna and Leno Giovannucci and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral will be held from the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea today, Wednesday, February 1 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 770 Salem St., Malden at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend. For directions or to send expressions of sympathy, please visit www.WelshFuneralHome.com

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Carol Vasapolli

Credit Union Officer

Carol A. (Dieso) Vasapolli of Stoneham, formerly of Revere, died on January 29 after a brief illness.

An officer of the Metropolitan and River Works Credit Union, Lynn, she was the beloved wife of Michael J. Vasapolli with whom she shared 37 years of marriage; cherished daughter of Lena (Zani) Dieso of Revere and the late John Dieso; dear sister of Jeanne Young and her husband, Colin of Wakefield; daughter-in-law of Phyllis (Falzone) Vasapolli of Revere and the late Joseph Vasapolli; fond aunt of Kristine Robison and Lauren Young and many other nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere, today, Wednesday at 8 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, at 9 a.m. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For directions and guest book, please visit: www.vazzafunerals.com

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Pauline Paolini-Anastasio

Past President of East Boston Ladies Lodge Sempre Avanti

Pauline (Chiodi) Paolini-Anastasio of Revere, formerly of East Boston, died on January 28.

The Past President of the East Boston Ladies Lodge 1600 Sempre Avanti and the Ladies Garment Workers Union, she was the loving mother of Vincent Anastasio and his wife, Mary and Joseph Anastasio Jr., all of Byfield and Roseann Micciulla of Revere. She was the dear sister of Antonette Smith, Catherine Spagnola and Andrew Chiodi, all of Revere, Eleanor LaMonica, Rose Woodside, Ann Magner, and Salvatore Chiodi, all of East Boston, Lawrence Chiodi of Plymouth and the late Frances Imbrescia and Anthony Chiodi and former wife of the late Joseph Anastasio. She was the cherished grandmother of John Vincent Anastasio and Richard and Christine Micciulla.

Her Funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere today, Wednesday, at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere at 10:30 a.m. For directions and guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com

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Teresa Liberato

Married for 77 Years

Teresa (Gulla) Liberato of Revere, formerly East Boston, died on January 27. She was in her 97th year.

The beloved wife of Nicholas Liberato with whom she shared 77 years of marriage, she was the loving mother of James Liberato of Saugus and his late wife, Charline, Nicholas Liberato and his wife, Carol of Revere, Virginia Stewart and her husband, Eugene of Peabody and Angelie Graham and her husband, Thomas of Washington; dear sister of Josephine Renda of Peabody, Frank Gulla of Florida, James “Skiboo” Gulla of Tennessee and the late Mary Mustone, Leo, William and John Gulla; cherished grandmother of Daniel and Tina Liberato, Rebecca Comier, Wendy Spinelli, Mark and Steven Stewart, John and Thomas Graham, Jr. and the late Charline and James Liberato and Christine Stewart. She also leaves 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.

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Nancy Turco

East Boston Resident

Nancy J. (Buonopane) Turco of East Boston died on January 25.

The beloved mother of Denise and Joseph Hickey of East Boston and Joseph Turco and Michelle of Beverly, she was the cherished grandmother of Tiana, Nicholas, Lauren and Joseph; loving sister of Elena Baer of Topsfield, William Buonopane of Saugus and the late Ralph, Michael, Robert and Philomena Buonopane, Assunta and Mary Ciccone, Jeanette LoConte and Phyllis Gallo. She is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Entombment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. For guest book www.vazzafunerals.com
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Patrick Dana Donnelly

Expert Horseman

Patrick Dana Donnelly of Milford, formerly of Natick, died January 20 at the Lahey Clinic, Burlington. He was 52 years old.

He was the fiance of Lisa Jones of Milford and they were together for 14 years. He worked at Suffolk Downs racing as a valet for 30 years. His keen eye and strong hands along with his innate sense of horse behavior made him an accomplished rider. His reputation evolved into being asked to work with unruly and hard to train horses many times. After many accidents and broken bones he left riding and took up his profession as a valet.

Patrick was a loyal friend, a caring man and had an incredible sense of humor, he will be truly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his mother and fiancée, he is survived by his Aunt Patricia Ellis of Sudbury.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. At the family’s request there will be no funeral home visiting hours. Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St, Framingham. www.nortonfuneralhome.com, In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the Lahey Clinic Philanthropy Department, Liver Transplant Fund, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805

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Thomas McKenna

East Boston Resident

Thomas E. McKenna of East Boston died on January 26.

A US Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was the beloved husband of more than 51 years of Patricia (Cawston) McKenna, the devoted father of Sherrie Flynn and her husband, Charles of Rutland, Patricia Howard and her husband, Daniel of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Thomas McKenna and his wife, Jenine of Concord; dear brother of William McKenna of East Boston, Kenneth McKenna of Milton, Janice Capozzi of Brockton and the late Marlene DiFlumeri and Ann Buckley and the cherished grandfather of Andrew, Ryan, Colleen, Shannon, Erin, Daniel, Thomas and Riley. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home (Orient Heights) East Boston. He was buried with his military family in the Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne. May he rest in peace. In honoring Mr. McKenna, memorial donations may be made to Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program at Spaulding Rehababilitation Hospital, 125 Nashua St. Boston, Ma.02114

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Stephen Ciulla

Wakefield resident

Stephen B. Ciulla of Wakefield died on January 23.

He was the husband of Dorothy T. (Lima) Ciulla; father of Stephanie and Gregory Ciulla, both of Wakefield; brother of Katherine Culver of Wisconsin, Jeanette McCarthy of Melrose, John Ciulla of East Boston, Vincent and Charles Ciulla of Florida and the late Leonard, Joseph, and Leo Ciulla and Jenny Garavante and the grandfather of Amy and Jeffrey.

Funeral arrangements were by the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Residence, 186 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. For obit and guestbook, www.mcdonaldfs.com

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Audry Salvi

Orient Heights Resident

Audrey A. Salvi of Orient Heights, East Boston died on January 24.

She was the beloved daughter of Myra (Colarossi) and the late Romano Salvi; loving sister of Robert Salvi and his wife, Tracy of Groveland and Mark Salvi and his wife, Janine of East Boston; cherished aunt of Daniel, Nicholas, Joseph, Romano, Dante, Ava and Tasia.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. For guest book www.vazzafunerals.com
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Josephine Adinolfi

Lynnfield Resident

Josephine B. (Bramante) Adinolfi of Lynnfield died on January 24.

She was the beloved wife of P. Arthur Adinolfi; mother of Julia A. Adinolfi of Newburyport, JoAnne and Paul Adinolfi, both of Peabody; grandmother of Jason and Joseph Upham and is also survived by her sisters Mary Bramante and Rose Fitzmaurice.

Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 311 Arsenal St. Watertwown, MA 02472. For obit and guestbook, www.mcdonaldfs.com

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John ‘John the Painter’ Bouvier

Owned Capital City Painting

John M. “John the Painter” Bouvier of East Boston died on January 22.

The owner of Capital City Painting, he was the beloved husband of 38 years of Patricia C. (Emmett); brother of Clark and the late Robert Bouvier; brother-in-law of Teresa LaPointe, Francis Emmett, Maureen Graves, Kathleen Hanlon, Judith Masterson, Paul “Buddy” Cheney and the late Robert Emmett, Sharon Millerick, Frances Keith and Michelle “Sugie” Emmett and is also survived by three generations of nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to The Magrath Funeral Home, Boston. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to ZUMIX, 260 Sumner St., East Boston, MA 02128 would be appreciated. MagrathFuneralHome.com
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Antonia Cheffro

Of East Boston, formerly of Lynn

Antonia (Orlandino) Cheffro of East Boston, formerly of Lynn, died on January 23.

She was the beloved wife of Sylvester “Jake” Cheffro with whom she shared 43 years of marriage; loving mother of Julie Sanseverino and her husband, Louis, Rose Gonzales and her husband, Hector, Paul Pari and Josephine Martinelli and her husband, Sylvester Cheffro III, all of East Boston, Virginia Lindy and her husband, Phil, Mark Cheffro and his wife, Stephanie, all of Wakefield and the late Katherine Cheffro Snider; dear sister of Nicholas Orlandino and the late Gerald and Anita Orlandino; cherished grandmother of 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Committal was private. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.

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Susan Comeau

Of Boxford, formerly of Revere

Susan F. (Falzarano) Comeau of Boxford, formerly of Revere, died unexpectedly on January 22.

She was the beloved wife of Gerald A. “Gerry” Comeau with whom she shared 28 years of marriage; loving mother of Jason J., Jessica J., and Jonathan J. Comeau, all at home; dear sister of Sandra Masiello and her husband, Eric of Lynnfield and the late James Falzarano Jr. and his wife, Susan Falzarano of Revere; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Committal was private. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com

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Thomas Ferretti

Of North Reading, formerly of East Boston

Thomas F. Ferretti of North Reading, formerly of East Boston, died on January 23. He was 84 years old.

He was the beloved husband of Joanne (Currier) Ferretti and the late Angelina (Montello) Ferretti; loving father of Annette Fitzgerald and her husband, Richard of Andover and Ann Marie Doucette and her husband, James of Wilmington; brother of Mary Moynihan of Malden; grandfather of Megan (Fitzgerald) DeSanty and her husband, David, Andrew Fitzgerald, David and Stephen Doucette. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice or the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Back row, from left, East Boston YMCA Capital Campaign Chair Derek Brodin, YMCA Executive Di­rector Joey Cuzzi, Massport Interim CEo Dave Mackey and Senator Anthony Petruccelli celebrate with Y preschoolers Massport’s donation of $25,000 to the Y to kick off the Y’s annual fundraising campaign.

Mayor Thomas Menino and operation Warm founder Richard Sanford help a young Maverick Landing resident put on her new coat as part of a coat give away at the housing Development Saturday sponsored by operation Warm, the Boston Foundation and the City.

In 1998 Richard Sanford read a story in his hometown paper in Pennsylvania that both angered and inspired him.

“I learned that children in my town were freezing while waiting for their school bus, because they had no winter coats,” said Sanford at Maverick Landing in East Boston Saturday.

Sanford said he was puzzled how this could occur in a relatively affluent Pennsylvania community. Sanford said he then began paying closer attention to the children in his neighborhood as they were on their way to school.

“I noticed it was true and many of these children were in fact not wearing winter coats,” said Sanford.

With his own money, Sanford went to a local department store and bought 58 coats. With the help of the Longwood Rotary Club, they distributed the coats to local children who did not have them.

As they say, the rest is history.

In his annual State of the City address last Thursday at Faneuil Hall, Mayor Thomas Menino, as he did in his annual Chamber of Commerce Speech two months back, pointed to East Boston as a neighborhood full of opportunity for development and job growth.

While the Chamber speech focused on Eastie idle waterfront development projects, this time around Menino mentioned Suffolk Downs and the possibility of a resort-style casino there as a way to spark job creation and his desire to have a transparent community process on the issue.

“We also need to stick together when it comes to job creation,” said Menino. “Too many of our neighbors remain unemployed. Together, we will move forward on our investments in the neighborhoods and on the waterfronts and we will support big and small businesses alike.”

Menino said this year another important job-creation project will take shape in the form of a resort casino proposal in Eastie.

“Boston must do this in a way that improves our city and enhances our reputation,” said Menino. “Therefore, even before the State Gaming Commission is put together, I will create a Boston Gaming Advisory Board with leaders from outside city government. It will have a two-part mandate: Maximize job creation for Bostonians and provide transparency for residents into the process of casino review.”

Another pledge in his speech that is sure to be music to many parents’ ears in Eastie is Menino’s plan to overhaul the Boston Public School’s school assignment process.

“The Boston Public Schools have come a long way in the last twenty years,” said Menino. “When I became mayor, many parents considered sending their children to only a handful of schools. Today, more than 100 of our schools have waiting lists because they are so popular with parents.”

In Eastie schools like the Bradley and the few schools that offer parents a pre-kindergarten program typically have long waitlists and are almost impossible to get into. For many parents this means having to send their children across the neighborhood to another school because the school in their area may be filled.

“Something stands in the way of taking our system to the next level–a student assignment process that ships our kids to schools across our city,” said Menino. “Pick any street. A dozen children probably attend a dozen different schools. Parents might not know each other; children might not play together. They can’t carpool, or study for the same tests. We won’t have the schools our kids deserve until we build school communities that serve them well.”

Menino said that one year from now Boston will have adopted a radically different student assignment plan – one that puts a priority on children attending schools closer to their homes.

“I am directing Superintendent Johnson to appoint a citywide group of dedicated individuals,” said Menino. “They will help design the plan to get us there and engage the community on this transition. I know I have talked about changing the student assignment plan before. We have made many improvements over the years. 2012 will be the year to finish the job.”

City Councilor Sal LaMattina applauded Menino’s effort to return the city and neighborhoods to community schools.

“The one way you can stabilize schools in the city is go back to a community school model,” said LaMattina. “First, all schools should be performing the same and the amount of money we spend on transportation can be redirected to making all schools better.  Returning to a community school model would allow more parents to become involved in their neighborhood school and I think you will see more parents taking ownership of the school and forming parent groups to help the school succeed.”

LaMattina said when he was a student in BPS the schools he attended were made up of all his neighbors.

“All the kids knew each other, we were all friends because we went to school together and played together after school,” said LaMattina. “All of our parents knew each other and were involved in the school because when there was a meeting it was a quick walk around the block and not a drive to the other end of the neighborhood or to another neighborhood.”

LaMattina called the student assignment process the number one issue among young families in his district.

“I hear it all the time from parents that if their child does not get into their first choice school they are leaving the city,” said LaMattina. “That does not help stabilize the neighborhoods or schools because we are losing people that want to be involved.”