Wakefield Obituaries

Harvard Management Company partner famous for “Mitch-isms”

Published in the October 19, 2016 edition

WAKEFIELD — Mitchell Descoteaux, 80, of Wakefield died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Cecilia Descoteaux.
He is survived by his wife Diane of…

Published in the October 18, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Nanci LaSpina Ruehrwein, 61, of Wakefield passed away on Saturday, Oct. 15, surrounded by her loving family at her childhood home. Nanci fought courageously after being diagnosed with lung cancer just nine months prior on Jan. 15. She fought until the bitter end, demonstrating her spirit…

Published in the October 18, 2016 edition.

LOWELL — Michael James Sweezey, 45, of Lowell and formerly of Wakefield, died Saturday, Oct. 15.

Born in Saugus on May 7, 1971, he was the son of Barbara J. (Foley) Sweezey of Londonderry, N.H. and Joseph D. Sweezey and his wife Carmen of Penacook, N.H.

Michael was…

Published in the October 18, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — William H. “Bill” McDonald of Wakefield died on Friday, Sept. 30.

Bill was a member of the North Shore Model Railroad Club in Wakefield and the 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps of Revere.

He was the husband of Anna (DeSimone). He was the father of…

Published in the October 18, 2016 edition.

MEREDITH, N.H. — Frank H. Banks, of Meredith, N.H. and formerly a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully at Forestview Manor in Meredith on Sunday, Oct. 16, at age 89.

Frank was born in Melrose on July 22, 1927, son of the late Joseph M. and Ruth…

Published in the October 17, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Thomas H. Melanson, 53, of Wakefield died Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Kaplan House in Danvers after a courageous battle against cancer.

Born in Winchester on Dec. 7, 1962, he was the son of the late Howard E. Sr. and Elaine M. (Meuse) Melanson.

Tom was…

Published in the October 17, 2016 edition.

LYNNFIELD — Giulio “Gino” Pellegrini, 73, of Lynnfield and formerly of Medford, died on Oct. 14.

Mr. Pellegrini was the founder and owner of The Farmland in Wakefield.

He was the beloved husband of Maria (Tortora) Pellegrini. He was the devoted father of Caterina Benitez and her husband…

Published in the October 17, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Victor P. Finos, 94, of Wakefield entered into rest on Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Prodolone, San Vito, Italy, Victor resided in Everett for many years. He graduated from Everett High School where he played various varsity sports.

Victor…

Published in the October 17, 2016 edition.

STONEHAM — Randall P. McDonnell, 69, of Stoneham, died Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Salem Hospital.

Born in New Haven, Conn. on Nov. 16, 1946, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Elizabeth M. (Curnen) McDonnell.

Mr. McDonnell was raised in New Haven and Milford…

Published in the October 13, 2016 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Mary J. Iosua, 90, a Wakefield resident for the past 75 years, died suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Boston on Nov. 14, 1925, she was the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Lanza) Riccelli.

Mrs. Iosua…

Published in the October 11, 2016 edition.

MIDDLETON — David M. Burgess, 83, of Middleton and formerly of Lynnfield, passed away Saturday, Oct. 8.

Born in Lynn on Oct. 4, 1933, he was a son of the late Merle and Gertrude (Jeungling) Burgess.

David graduated from Swampscott High School in the Class of 1952. He…

Published in the October 10, 2016 edition

NEW YORK CITY — Paul E. Zappala, 72, of New York City, passed away on Thursday, July 21, in New York.

Born in Melrose on May 27, 1944, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Anna May (McLaughlin) Zappala of Wakefield. He was also the stepson…