Obituaries 11-30-2010

Benedict Lentini

Had 25-year career at Mass State Lottery

Benedict C. “Ben” Lentini, a 60 year resident of Everett, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on November 18 following a brief battle with cancer at Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital. He was 82 years old.

He was an alumnus of the Franciscan Seminary School at Andover, Boston English High School and Bentley College and had a 20 year career with LSE Electronics prior to a 25-year career at the Mass. State Lottery. A devout Catholic, he was a member of Council 97 Everett Knights of Columbus. For more than 50 years, he was the owner of the “Floral Studio.”

He was an inspiration for his family, often heard teaching the children and grandchildren the importance of family and encouraging each of the strength through the love of family. He enjoyed spending his days traveling about with his “whole life” and constant companion, his wife, Marie. He enjoyed dancing to swing music with the love of his life every Saturday evening. He thrived at spending the summers at the lake house with his whole family where they patiently waited for his arrival each Saturday morning. “Ben” can be credited with never missing a dance recital, baseball, football or basketball game, cheerleading competition, prom or graduation. His loud whistle told everyone present how proud he was of his family. His constant smile was infectious and his genuine soul touched every person he ever met. If you knew Ben Lentini you were better because of it. Indeed, he was the definition of class. He made everyone around him feel the love as part of his very own family.

He was the beloved husband of 60 years of Revere native Marie A. (Taibi), sister of the late Joseph Taibi. He has many Revere relatives. He was the devoted father of Margaret M. Lentini-Cook and her husband, Terry, of N. Andover and Paula A. Lentini-Delmonte and her husband, James, of Methuen; cherished grandfather of Atty. Nicole M. Cook-Gallant and her husband, Christopher, of Methuen, Justin C. Cook and his wife, Marcie, of N. Andover, Michael J. and Matthew P. Delmonte, both of Methuen. He is also lovingly survived by his great grandson Aidan Cook of N. Andover, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development & the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Pl, Brookline, MA 02445-9924.

William Judge

Of Missouri, formerly of  the North End

William L. Judge of Springfield, Missouri, formerly of the North End of Boston, died suddenly on November 20. He was 56 years old.

“Bill” served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was a contractor by profession. He loved to cook, draw and read and will be deeply missed by his family.

He was the beloved husband of Melcar Tolo; loving father of Michael Judge, Lisa Judge and Jesi Foster and her husband, Jonathan Foster; loving grandfather to Aiden and Zoey Marie Foster; devoted son of Anna Judge and Lee Judge; brother of Catherine Judge, Stephen Judge and his wife, Joyce, and Shirley Barry and her partner, Ken Casale. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

His service was held in Missouri and a memorial service will be held in Boston at a future date. Arrangements were by Herman H. Lohmeyer, 500 E. Walnut Street, Springfield, MO 65806

Dolores Zankowski

Life revolved her family

Dolores A.  (Cecere) Zankowski died unexpectedly on November 21 at the Peabody home of her daughter, Darlene Z. O’Keefe. She was 81 years old.

She attended Boston and Cambridge schools and graduated from Dorchester Daly High School, with all 12 years of school taught by Boston’s Sisters of St. Joseph.  After high school, she attended nursing school and then Mansfield Academy, where she became a licensed hairdresser.

She married her beloved husband, Anthony, in 1951.  With more than 120 family and friends in attendance, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a golden jubilee party in Nahant in 2001.  Together with her husband, who died in 2004, the couple raised four children.  A stay-at-home mother, she was a prolific cook, often producing large batches of Italian “gravy” simmered all day, complete with meatballs, sausages, pork, and bresaola.  At Christmas time, she baked hundreds of Christmas cookies, which she shared with friends and family.   Family celebrations centered around food and good conversation at her home in Revere for more than 50 years. Her life revolved around her family.

Because family was so important to Dolores and Anthony, they made the decision in the early 1960s to keep their son John, who is autistic, home with the family.  She was a fierce advocate for John, often taking him to doctors’ appointments at Boston’s Children’s Hospital via multiple bus and subway rides.  She fought to get John placed at the prestigious May School in Chatham, where he received state-of-the art care and schooling for several years.  John lives with Denise and Edward Winter in Revere.

Mrs. Zankowski is survived by her daughter, Denise Winter and her husband, Edward, of Revere, Darlene and Detective Thomas O’Keefe of Peabody, Doreen M. Zankowski, Esq. and her partner, Billie Jean Potter, of Boxford, and her son, John A. Zankowski.  She was born in Boston’s North End, the daughter of Lucia (DiGiulio) and Alberto Cecere, she had 10 siblings:  her late brothers, Joseph, Albert, Carmen, Michael, Rocco, Thomas, and John.  She is survived by her sisters, Rose Marie Arguin of Berlin, New Hampshire, Anne Costarelli of Saugus, and Jennie Gulino Covotta of Milford.  “Auntie Dottie” is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Zankowski was immensely proud of her four grandchildren:  Kimberly Winter and Daniel Winter of Revere, Tara Diefenbach and husband, Paul, and Tina O’Keefe, all of Peabody.  She was also the proud great-grandmother of Mia Rose McLean, whose parents Kim Winter and John McLean live in Revere.

She was also deeply religious and was a communicant for more than 60 years at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere.   She supported the church and many missions throughout the world through donations and prayers.  Her daily prayer list was composed of the names of many friends and family, who believed that her prayers miraculously were sent straight to God’s ear.  She rests with God now.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.

Maria Teresa Santini

Of Italy, formerly of the North End

Maria Teresa (Indovina) Santini of Rome, Italy died on October 23 in Rome, Italy. She was 56 years old.

The daughter of the late Mario and Maria Santini, former residents of the North End in Boston, she received her PhD from Boston University and was employed by the Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome, Italy.

She leaves her husband, Pietro Indovina; her brother, Peter Santini and two nephews Justin and his wife, Bella, and Jonathan Santini.

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