PHOTO COURTESY OF J. BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Lynn native Sheree Dunwell sings up a storm during a recent wedding. She and the band the Free Downloads will appear in the new Robert De Niro film “The Comedian.”

By BILL BROTHERTON

LYNN — When Robert De Niro’s new movie “The Comedian” opens on Feb. 3, filmgoers should be on the lookout for Lynn native Sheree Dunwell.

It’ll be tough to miss her. Dunwell is lead singer for the band The Free Downloads, and her powerful vocals will ring through the theater during an extended wedding scene. The band will be on screen for nearly seven minutes.

“I’m still kind of in shock. It’s one of the most unbelievable experiences I’ve had in my life,” said Dunwell, a 2003 Classical High graduate. “I met and talked with Patti LuPone, one of my favorite singers and one of the biggest Broadway stars of all time. She said I have a wonderful voice. I still can’t believe it.”

Sounds like teen spirit

In “The Comedian,” De Niro plays an aging insult comic who attends his niece’s wedding. During a scene in which he gives a toast, The Free Downloads are the chosen wedding band. Dunwell said the band had 24 hours to learn three songs. “Siman Tov Mazel Tov,” which accompanies the traditional Hora dance, was already in their repertoire. But they had to start from scratch with “(We Want) The Same Thing” by Belinda Carlisle and “Would I Lie to You” by Charles and Eddie.

For The Free Downloads, filming took place in New York City over 36 hours in March, and Dunwell said she and her bandmates have been on cloud nine ever since.

“The cast and crew were invited to a screening in December, and we all got to see the film. It’s a pretty funny movie, slightly vulgar but hilarious,” said Dunwell. “It was wild to sit there, knowing that the scene we filmed was coming up. We watched the film with director Taylor Hackford (“An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Ray,” “The Devil’s Advocate”), De Niro and Danny DeVito, Leslie Mann, Patti LuPone, all the stars. Everyone was so nice. I thought, ‘OK, I’m a girl from Lynn. Is this really happening?’”

The Free Downloads have been together for more than seven years. The seven-piece band performs top 40 hits, dance pop, hip-hop, Motown and classic rock. With a list of some 250 songs, the Rhode Island-based septet plays private events, corporate functions and social gatherings throughout New England and New York. Dunwell estimates she and Neil Letendre (vocals), George Leonard III (guitarist/bandleader), John Wilson (bass), Riccardo Pearlman (drums), Greg Takemoto (saxophone) and Marc Trachtenberg (keyboards) have played more than 200 weddings.

Dunwell knew she had musical talent from about the time she learned to walk. “I’d sing along to the radio; I’d harmonize,” she said. “According to my mom, the rumor was that I was singing along to my great-grandmother, an opera singer.”

The daughter of Kathleen Swanson and Wendell Dunwell said she was supported by her family and encouraged by Classical High teacher Joe Picano — “the music god of Lynn” — who praised her singing talent and helped her join the Wang Center’s Young at Arts program and receive a scholarship from the Handel & Haydn Society to study voice at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Program.

“I never would have been able to afford voice lessons without this,” she said.

After one year of formal voice training, she advanced to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and earned her BFA in Vocal Performance, eventually performing with Michael Feinstein and the Pittsburgh Pops in 2007.

One year later she returned home. ”It was a transitional period. I didn’t have a lot of confidence,” she said. “I wanted to sing opera, but I doubted my abilities. I didn’t think I measured up. … I got stage fright. I cried. I started working at a bank and stopped singing. I thought that was it.”

Then, in 2008, someone needed a singer for a wedding; it was an emergency situation that Dunwell hesitantly filled. Soon after, Greg Coles’ Picante Soul band in Marblehead needed a vocalist and Dunwell landed the gig. She was on her way. Local musician Wayne Jones heard her potential and told her there was a band in Rhode Island that needed a singer.

It was The Free Downloads. She was just what they needed. In 2013, she was crowned North Shore Star at North Shore Music Theatre. She won the Community Auditions TV show championship in 2015.

Music is not quite a full-time job for Dunwell; she works for a Boston-based real estate development company by day. She and her bandmates aren’t sure what’s in store for them once the movie comes out and people start asking, “Who is that band?”

“We have no idea what to expect,” she said. “It was fun for us just to be selected. So anything more will be great. Hopefully, people will like us and want to book us.”

Here’s a link to the movie trailer; The Free Downloads can be heard playing at 1 minute and 28 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALlj3RRF9h8&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Bill Brotherton is the Item’s Features Editor. He can be reached at bbrotherton@itemlive.com.

LYNN — Mrs. Irene R. (Pazyra) Cyr, 90, of Lynn, died peacefully at her home surrounded by loving family, after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Roland J. Cyr, of Lynn, with whom she shared 50 loving years of marriage. Born and raised in Chelsea and Revere, she was the daughter of the late Stanislaus and Apolonia (Hardel) Pazyra. Irene resided in Lynn for more than 65 years. She worked as a housekeeper for the Lynn Public School Department at Pickering Middle School for many years.

She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, and formerly St. Jean Baptiste Parish. Devoted to the blessed mother, she looked forward to her daily rosary prayer. Irene was a marvelous cook, who enjoyed making her favorite dishes for her family to enjoy. She also was an avid BINGO player, and loved to crochet.  

She is survived by her five daughters, Diane Keagle and her husband William Jr. of Maryland, Linda Taylor and her husband Wayne of Lynn, Janice Oliver and Domenic Secondiani of Beverly, Joyce Arsenault of Lynn, and Lisa Manley and her husband Keith of Maryland, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, her sister Helen Vecchiarello of Revere, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Angela Ford, Anna Chaklos, Joseph, Jane and Frank Pazyra.

Service information: Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home 426 Broadway, (Rt. 129) Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30am in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8 p.m. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

SALEM — Mrs. Elsie C. (Mallett) Ryan, age 94, of Salem, died Saturday in a local rehabilitation center after a recent fall and a brief illness. She was the wife of the late James L. Ryan. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Elwood and Mary (Dowling) Mallett. She lived in Lynn for the greater part of her life, and had resided in Salem for the past 30 years. Elsie was a devoted mother, and her family was her greatest joy. She also enjoyed playing BINGO and her trips to Mohegan Sun. She worked in the retail business and the insurance industry during her younger years. Elsie was also a loving caregiver to many during her life.

She is survived by her daughter; Patti Ryan of Swampscott, and her son; David Ryan of Lynn. She is also survived by Dean, Stephanie and Anthony Tzortzis, all of Topsfield, who considered Elsie their American Yia-Yia; as well as her childhood friends Rita Griffin of Peabody and Marjorie Griffin of Danvers.

Service information: A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 67 Ocean St., (Rt 1A) Lynn. Burial will be in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY DAVID WILSON
A Lynn police van circles into an apartment complex on Hanover Street around 10:15 p.m. Saturday. 

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Lynn Police believe the six shootings throughout the city over the weekend were not random events and some victims may have been targeted. Five men were shot, one fatally, and one woman caught in the crossfire narrowly missed being struck by a bullet that went through the driver’s side window of her car.

“We can’t say these are all linked together,” said Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly. “It’s quite possible some of them are linked. But at this time, we can’t say that and at this time, it’s all under investigation … It doesn’t appear that anything’s random. It appears that it’s targeted individuals. I would say to the public be cautious. We don’t think these are random incidents. We think these people have a plan and know what they’re doing. That’s how it appears to us.”

Donnelly said the shootings occurred between Friday at 2:50 a.m. and Saturday just after 6:30 p.m.

Police responded to Melrose Wakefield Hospital just before 3 a.m. on Friday to find a 21-year-old man from Lynn with non-life-threatening injuries from two bullet wounds. The man told police he had been shot at Austin Square in Lynn near the 7-Eleven.

Later that evening, at 8:13 p.m., police responded to a fatal shooting on Chestnut Street. Hanky Betancourt, 29, of Lynn, was taken to Union Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.

29-year-old fatally shot on Chestnut Street

At 11:17 p.m. that same night, a call came in for shots fired on Hamilton Avenue. Donnelly said several shell casings were recovered and a house on the street was struck with gunfire.

On Saturday, shortly before 4:30 p.m., police responded to a report of gunshots on Neptune Boulevard. Donnelly said several shots were fired and two cars were hit. There were no victims.

About an hour later, police made their way to Goodridge Street and spoke to 51-year-old Lynn native Lorraine Blowers DePietro. Donnelly said she was an innocent bystander at the wrong place at the wrong time, and is lucky to be alive.

DePietro told The Item on Sunday that she was driving her brother-in-law’s gold SUV by Goodridge Street shortly after 5:30 p.m., when a bullet went through her driver’s side window and lodged itself in the leather seat she was sitting in, narrowly missing her body. She was left with a burning mark and a bruising welt from where the bullet whizzed by.

DePietro said police told her the weekend shootings were retaliatory from Betancourt’s fatal shooting, but Donnelly wouldn’t confirm that statement.

Shortly after, police received a call from the Salem Hospital Emergency Room for a 26-year-old shooting victim. The man told police he was walking on Goodridge Street when he was shot. His injuries were non-life-threatening, Donnelly said.

Police then responded to a double shooting on Hanover Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. Authorities found two Lynn men, 17 and 19, who had both been shot in the lower legs. Both were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but Donnelly said they weren’t cooperating with police.

“It appears to be some type of drug deal gone bad,” he said.

City Councilor Brian LaPierre said the Human Rights Commission meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall, room 402, will shift its focus to helping people understand why the violence is happening and also put together some measures to ensure the safety of Lynn’s citizens. He said he thought the meeting would provide an appropriate space for people to come to and hopefully feel some sense of comfort.

LaPierre said the six shootings over the weekend are disturbing.

“We’re on edge to say the least,” LaPierre said. “It’s frightening when it can happen so close by to where you live.”

Half-dozen weekend shootings in Lynn

In response to the shootings, the Stop the Violence Lynn Committee called an emergency meeting on Sunday. Fred Hogan, a member, said the meeting was called by Antonio Anderson. Anderson is one of the new members of the subcommittee that Stop the Violence is putting together, made up of a group of men under 30 who have a better grasp of what’s going on in the city at this time, Hogan said.

Hogan said the younger men have been working to make direct phone calls to people involved in the violence over the weekend, trying to keep heads calm and prevent further action. He said the incidents look like retaliatory gang shootings. Part of the work Stop the Violence does, he said, is trying to educate the younger kids, targeting them before they make the decision to get into gangs.

“This situation that went on, it was just kind of out of control,” Hogan said. “We don’t know if it’s over. Antonio, he’s been making a lot of phone calls and trying to talk (people) down … Sadly, in the way we live now, you never know when something’s going to go off. That’s why we’re so upset when something like this is going on in the city. This city can be so good. You have some things you have no control over.”

Lynn Police Lt. James Shorten said on Sunday one arrest is part of the investigation, and may or may not be related. Matthew Sao, 24, of 121 High Rock St., was arrested Saturday night and charged with firearm-related offenses, drug possession with intent to distribute, violation of the city knife ordinance, receiving stolen property and failure to stop/yield.

Donnelly said the arrest was made after a motor vehicle stop was conducted. Drugs and a gun were found in the car, he said, but declined to provide further details.

“Right now, it’s being investigated 24/7 by the detectives,” Donnelly said of the shootings. “The police are on high alert.”

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.

SAUGUS — Frances A. Hurd, 95, of Saugus, died Thursday at her home after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Norman Bradley Hurd, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn she was the daughter of the late James and Hannah (Donovan) Faneuf. She attended Lynn schools and graduated from Lynn English High School, Class of 1941. She was employed at General Electric during WWII, after which she stayed at home to raise her family. Frances enjoyed traveling and walking the beach. She loved her family.

Frances is survived by one son, Lawrence and his wife Holly Hurd of Saugus, two daughters Nancy R. Parra of Saugus, Deborah S. Hurd of Wasilla, Alaska, a daughter-in-law Susan Hurd of Farmington, N.H., six grandchildren Daniel Parra of Maine, Maria Parra of Lynn, Deborah Parra of Lynn, Richard Hurd, Jr. of Exeter, N.H., Thomas Hurd of Alton, N.H., Kaitlyn Hurd of Alton, N.H., three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was also  the mother of the late Thomas and Richard Hurd, and grandmother of the late Matthew G. Scott.

Services information: Frances will be cremated on Tuesday Jan. 17 at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem. Graveside services for Frances, her husband Norman, and her son Richard will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery on Thursday Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. to which relatives and friends are invited to attend, please meet at main entrance on Boston St. Please make memorial donations in Frances’ name to Hallmark Health Visiting Nurse Assoc. and Hospice 178 Savin St. Suite 300 Malden, MA 02148. Guestbook at Parkermemorialfuneralhome.com.

LYNN — Mr. John Anthony Martino Sr., age 67, of Lynn, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Friday Jan. 13, 2017, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Mary (Coolberth) Martino, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Born and raised in Milford, Conn., he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Swisher) Martino. He had lived in Lynn for more than 40 years.

He had worked as a mechanic and driver for U-Haul International for many years. He had also worked as a tow truck driver for many north shore towing firms. Many years ago he had worked as a long distance truck driver.

He was an award winning demolition derby driver, racing throughout the country. He was a member of MRS using call number 228. He most enjoyed spending time with his wife and family.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by seven children; Ronald Murphy, Susan Marie Chambers, Mari Connolly, John Anthony Martino, Michael Martino, Jennifer Mason, and Matthew Martino, a brother; Joseph Martino and his wife Nancy, of Connecticut, 22 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Robin Mendonca and the brother of the late Laura Tiano.

Service information: A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home 426 Broadway, (Rt. 129) Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Memorial visitation prior to the Service 9-11 a.m. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN  38105. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY DAVID WILSON
Fire crews have responded to 26 W. Baltimore St. in Lynn.

The Lynn Fire Department is on scene at 26 W. Baltimore St. a little after 1 a.m. Tuesday. There is no visible fire, and residents are not being evacuated.

The neighboring complex, 22 W. Baltimore St., was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Day.

Continue to follow itemlive.com for any new information.

Sports car slams into Chestnut Street house

ITEM PHOTOS BY DAVID WILSON
A car crashed Monday night into the side of a home at 630 Chestnut Street in Lynn.

By GAYLA CAWLEY and DAVID WILSON

LYNN — One homeowner was shocked to wake up to a car driving through his home Monday night.

Frank Perry, 60, of 630 Chestnut St., said he was sound asleep when a sports car barreled into his single-family home. Also home was his wife, stepson, dog, bird and three ferrets. He said he just bought the house in September 2015.

A car crashed into the side of Frank Perry’s residence at 630 Chestnut St.

Perry said the house was all messed up from the crash. He had just bought all brand-new furniture, he added.

“I got woken up and I thought what the (expletive) is this?” he said. “I’m going to stay here tonight. All I’m thinking is ca-ching, lawsuit.”

Lynn District Fire Chief Tim Collier said the call for the car into the house came in at approximately 10:30 p.m.

“There was a medical issue and the guy was traveling at a high rate of speed,” Collier said.

Collier said the driver was unconscious when he was brought to Union Hospital; the extent of his injuries were not known, he said. There were no injuries to anyone inside the home and the occupants were able to remain there for the night.

The district fire chief said the house had to be shored up before the car could be pulled away from it, because its foundation had been compromised.

Steve Covill, a neighbor, said he was falling asleep when the crash happened, and thought, “What the hell?”

Perry said he’s taking a few days off from work because of the accident. He said he works for a big seafood company. As for the rest of the night, he didn’t see himself getting back to sleep for a while.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. David Wilson can be reached at dwilson@itemlive.com.

NAHANT — Joseph W. Fernald, age 63, of Nahant, formerly of Lynn, died suddenly on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, at his home after a lengthy illness.

Born and raised in Lynn, he was the son of the late Dana and Evelyn “Sugie” (Abernathy) Fernald. He attended Lynn schools and was a graduate of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. Prior to moving to Nahant 13 years ago he had lived in Lynn for the majority of his life.

Joe had worked as a piece work inspector at the GE Riverworks Plant for 42 years until his retirement in 2014.

He was a lovable, kind, funny and generous man. His kids were his world and he loved spending time with them. He enjoyed golf and softball and Candlepin bowling. He had played softball for numerous GE and Lynn Park Department softball teams, and loved studying history, traveling, movies and music.

He is survived by two children, Dayna Rose Fernald of Nahant and Joseph S. Fernald, also of Nahant; a stepson, Michael Edmund Sverker of Manchester, N.H.; two brothers, Dennis Fernald of Lynn and Edward Fernald of Boston; a sister, Kathryn Fernald of Lynn; his godson, Dennis Fernald of Taunton, two grandnieces, Taylor Fernald of Taunton and Jessica Carter of Leominster; the mother of his children, Stacey Montello Sverker of Manchester, N.H., and friends of his family Timothy Eccleston and Lizz Webber.

Service information: His funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

LYNN — Mrs. Olga (Yozura) Mowry, age 85, of Lynn, died on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Concord Hospital after a brief illness. She was surrounded at the time of death, as she was in life, by her loving family. She was the wife of Clarence “Al” Mowry, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage.

Born and raised in Woonsocket, R.I., she was the daughter of the late Paul and Anastacia (Sewchuk) Yozura. She had lived in Lynn for the past 60 years.

For more than 25 years Olga had worked as a dietary aide at Lynn and Union hospitals, she retired in 1996.

A communicant of Sacred Heart Church, she enjoyed reading, spending time with her family, especially her great grandchildren, and crocheting blankets for them. She enjoyed following her family and friends on Facebook.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Stephen Mowry and his wife Claire of Peabody, Robin Gage and her husband Jason of Reading, Linda Janowicz of Hillsborough, N.H., and Michael Mowry of Alabama; a brother, Vincent Yozura of Woonsocket, R.I.; 11 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Paul, George and Michael Yozura and Stephanie Juszczszyn.

Service information: Her funeral will be held on Friday at 8 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA  02472. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

Douglas R. Fernald, age 74, died at Salem Hospital after being stricken at home Jan. 11, 2017.

Born in Lynn, the son of the late Roy and Mabel (Staples) Fernald and husband of Jean E. (Hagerty) Fernald, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. Doug was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School and was employed by Phillips Company on the Lynnway and retired from North Shore Community College where he was in maintenance.

Besides his wife Jean, he is survived by his brother, Paul Fernald and his wife Janice of New Bedford; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Hagerty and her late husband William of Lynn, Nancie Hagerty and her late husband Ronald of Andover, nephews, Chris Hagerty and his wife Lisa of Lynn, Brian Hagerty and his wife Erin of Atkinson, N.H., Gary Hagerty and his wife Michele of Lynn, Patrick, Timothy, Michael and niece Kerry Danielson.  

Service information: Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service Saturday at the NADWORNY Funeral Home, 798 Western Ave., Lynn at 3 p.m. Visiting hours will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Road, #301 Framingham, MA 01701. For guest book and directions please visit Nadwornyfuneralhome.com.

LYNN — Elizabeth A. Sweeney, 84, of Lynn, died Jan. 16 at Union Hospital.

Born in Lynn, the daughter of the late Eugene and Catherine (Burke) Sweeney. She was raised and educated in West Lynn and attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and St. Mary’s Girls High School.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s and a member of St. Patrick’s Sodality. After graduating from high school she went on to work for Shawmut Bank in banking operations for more than 40 years, working her way up to vice president.

In her spare time Liz enjoyed working on her family tree. She was an avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox. She was also an avid bingo player. She was a caring aunt and will be dearly missed by all.

She is survived by her nephews, Jack Skalski of Lynn, Rick Skalski and his wife Shirley of Chesterfield, Mo., her niece, Susan Hall and her husband Warren and several great nieces and nephews and great great-nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister Catherine Skalski and her brother Eugene Sweeney.

Service information: Relative and friends are invited to attend her funeral from the NADWORNY Funeral Home,798 Western Ave., Lynn, Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by her Mass of Christian burial in St. Pius V Church, Lynn, at 11 a.m. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. For directions and guest book please visit Nadwornyfuneralhome.com.

LYNN — Mr. Anthony S. Cieszka, 95 years, of Lynn, died on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Salem Hospital after a brief illness. He is the husband of Mrs. Blanche A. (Ostrowski) Cieszka.

He was born in Lynn, the son of the late John and Julia Cieszka. He was raised in Lynn, attended St. Michaels School and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School. He has lived in Lynn all of his life.

Mr. Cieszka was an Army veteran of WWII and served overseas. He served in the European, African and Middle Eastern theatres of operation. He enjoyed sports, particularly football, baseball and basketball. Mr. Cieszka was an individual who would help anyone, he was a very giving person of himself. He loved his two daughters, his wife and his grandchildren unconditionally and he was equally loved back. He was a hard worker who was blessed with a long and fruitful life.

He was the owner of Atlantic Cutting and Die, and later worked for Northeast Cutting and Die.

In addition to his wife, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage, he leaves two daughters, Linda Russo and her partner Joseph Morales of Swampscott and Gale Rawding and her husband Steven of Lynnfield; his grandchildren, Merissa Russo of Lynn, Bryan Rawding and his wife Terri of Sharon, Nathan Rawding and his wife Kerri of Lynnfield, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is the grandfather of the late Michael Russo III and brother of the late Ann Gorski, John and Joseph Cieszka.

Service information: His funeral will be held on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 at 12 p.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn. Visiting hours are on Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to his funeral. Burial will be private. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

LYNN — Gum Gee “Jenny” Yuu, a longtime resident of Lynn and former co-owner and operator of Yee’s Laundry, formerly of Lynn, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers at the age of 91.

Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Fuke Wah Chin and Chew-Shee Chin. Jenny was raised and educated in Boston and was a graduate of Girls’ High School in Boston. She married her sweetheart, Sun King “Ken” Yuu and the couple settled in Lynn to raise and care for their family. Ken and Jenny spent many years in love and marriage together until Ken’s passing in June of 2007.

Jenny worked for well over 30 years as a dedicated employee and tax examiner with the IRS in Andover until her retirement in February of 2008.

Jenny was a committed matriarch of her family. Her family meant everything to her and she would do anything for them. She relished the opportunity to cook and feed her large and loving family. Sunday dinners were common and often found her cooking her specialties: roasted chicken and turkey for her children and grandchildren. Jenny was devoted to her family and stressed that education was extremely important. One of her biggest accomplishments was ensuring and pushing her nine children to all attend and graduate from college.

Jenny leaves her children, Douglas Yuu and his wife Alice of Reading, Kerwin Yuu of Lynn, Karen Yuu of Maryland, Colleen Cusson and her husband John of Brookline, Candace Lee and her husband, Tum of New Jersey, Denise Yuu of Connecticut, Deborah Yuu of Pennsylvania, Cheryl Yuu of Lynn and Diane Yee and her husband Peter of California; her grandchildren, Melinda Baumann, Jonathan Lee, Rebecca Vaccarelli, Elizabeth Yuu, Christina Yuu, Cynthia Yee and Sondra Yuu, her two great-grandchildren, Penelope Baumann and Anthony Vaccarelli. Jenny also leaves her sister, Helen Sing of Maryland. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Frank Chin, Katherine Wong, Hazel Sing, Edward Chin, Lilly Chin and Anna Chin.

Service information: At the family’s request, all immediate services will be held privately. A Celebration of Life open house will take place on Saturday, Jan 21, Washington Street Baptist Church, 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jenny’s memory may be made to either the Washington Street Baptist Church c/o Memorial Trust, 256 Washington St., Lynn, MA 01902 or the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Floor #1, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements are under the direction of CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn. For online guest book, please visit Cuffemcginn.com.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to The Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Samnang Kuy, of 14 John St., Worcester, was arrested on a warrant charge of armed robbery at 9:33 a.m. Monday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 12:36 p.m. Sunday at 57 Franklin St.; at 2:35 p.m. Sunday at 44 Western Ave.; at 2:47 p.m. Sunday at 780 Lynnway; at 10:27 p.m. Sunday at 630 Chestnut St.; at 11:02 a.m. Monday at Washington Street and Western Avenue; at 11:44 a.m. Monday at PriceRite at 395 Lynnway; at 12:53 p.m. Monday at 7-Eleven at 3 Lynnfield St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 5:47 p.m. Sunday at Arlington Street and Western Avenue; at 5:54 p.m. Sunday at Chatham and Essex streets.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 8:56 a.m. Monday at 71 Fernwood Ave.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 1:34 p.m. Sunday at 66 Harwood St.; at 8:34 a.m. Monday at 160 Neptune Blvd.

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 8:03 a.m. Monday at 47 Flint St.; at 10:44 a.m. Monday at 29 Northern Ave.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:43 p.m. Sunday at 1 Brightwood Terrace; at 3:47 p.m. Sunday at 66 Harwood St.; at 9:37 p.m. Sunday at 12 Fortesque Terrace; at 7:35 a.m. Monday at 1 Kingsley Terrace; at 2:12 p.m. Monday at Eutaw Avenue and Goodridge Street.

A report of a gunshot at 2:51 a.m. Monday on N Common Street.

A report of an injured police officer at 7:02 a.m. Monday at 55 Kevill Road.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 6:21 p.m. Sunday at 60 Adams St.; at 1:35 a.m. Monday at 171 Lewis St.; at 10:25 a.m. Monday at 279 Union St.; at 11:30 a.m. Monday at 152 Holyoke St.; at 12:02 p.m. Monday at 7 Southside Ave.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 12:29 p.m. Monday at 32 Rogers Ave.

Police log: 1-17-2017

LYNNFIELD

Arrests

Charlie Ramos, 35, of 1 Bellevue Island, was arrested and charged with indecent assault and battery on a person 14 and over at 3:29 p.m. Friday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 10:08 a.m. Monday on Condon Circle.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:57 p.m. Monday at Route 128 Southbound, Exit 43; at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday at 846 Salem St. and 39 Munroe St. A car into a pole was reported.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 8:38 p.m. Friday at 2 Thomas Road; at 9:12 p.m. Friday at CMCS at 23 Center Village.

A report of a suspicious person at 10:03 p.m. Saturday at Route 128, Exit 41. A caller reported a person walking down the off ramp at Exit 41. Police were unable to find the person.

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A caller reported the nursing home was pumping out water onto the street at 9:12 a.m. Monday on Lafayette Street. The caller thought the water would freeze over and create unsafe conditions.

A caller reported a truck dropped a load of sheet rock into the street art 11:08 a.m. Monday at Pleasant and Smith streets.

A caller reported finding a knife while in Chandler Hovey Park near the entrance at 12:36 p.m. Monday on Lighthouse Lane. The knife was turned in.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 12:21 a.m. Tuesday at Dunkin’ Donuts at 3 Central Ave.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:56 a.m. Tuesday on Shamrock Street; at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday at Sprint at 232 Andover St.; at 12:56 p.m. Tuesday at 309 Lowell St. and 2 Northshore Road.

Complaints

A report of threats at 5:47 p.m. Monday at 14 Farm Ave. A caller reported that a man was banging on his door with threats. David S. Delauri, 24, of 154 Newbury St., Apt. 9, was summoned for threat to commit a crime and assault.

A report of a disturbance at 10:04 p.m. Monday at 19 Sherman St.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 3:23 p.m. Monday at 98 Central St. A caller reported someone keyed her car. Police reported the damage looked like it came from a door hitting the vehicle.

REVERE

Arrests

Anaeli Carrillo, 19, of 50 Brookvale Ave., Lynnfield, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise at 8:25 p.m. Friday.

Lex Chamblin, 19, of 82 Adams St., Malden, was arrested on warrants at 5:47 p.m. Friday.

Sabrina Crayton, 19, of 3 Norton St., Lynnfield, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise at 8:25 p.m. Friday.

Nicole O. Drummey, 19, of 47 Longbow Road, Danvers, was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, buying/receiving a motor vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of a child at 7:27 p.m. Monday.

Scott C. Mehlinger, 29, of 193 Rice Ave., was arrested on warrants at 2:13 a.m. Monday.

William Morsh, 51, of 80 Revere Beach Parkway, was arrested on a warrant at 10:52 a.m. Saturday.

Christina Soares, 48, of 966 Shirley St., Apt. 1, Winthrop, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise and trespassing at 10:47 p.m. Friday.  

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:20 a.m. Friday at Revere Street and American Legion Highway; at 12:24 p.m. Friday at Beachmont Train Station on Winthrop Avenue; at 1:08 p.m. Friday on Copeland Circle. Anthony Michael Ferullo, 27, of 14 Union Ave., Everett, was summoned for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and unregistered motor vehicle; at 3:15 p.m. Friday at Augusta Heights Condo on Lee Burbank Highway; at 5:17 p.m. Friday at Barn Car Wash on Squire Road; at 5:38 p.m. Friday on Broadway; at 5:53 p.m. Friday at Fenno on Borden Street; at 5:56 p.m. Friday on Broadway; at 5:56 p.m. Friday at Wendy’s on Squire Road; at 7:21 p.m. Friday on Proctor Avenue. A 17-year-old juvenile was summoned for operating a motor vehicle without a license; at 11 p.m. Friday at Squire Road and Copeland Circle; at 1:10 p.m. Saturday at IHOP on Squire Road; at 7:57 p.m. Saturday on Sigourney Street; at 2:55 a.m. Sunday on American Legion Highway; at 7:32 a.m. Sunday at Salem Street and Overlook Ridge Drive; at 2:56 p.m. Sunday on Mountain Avenue; at 9:03 a.m. Monday at Sagamore Street and Beachland Avenue; at 4:48 p.m. Monday at Furlong Drive and Revere Beach Parkway.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 5:56 p.m. Friday at Rite Aid on Broadway.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 11:55 a.m. Saturday on Brown Circle.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 10:05 p.m. Saturday at Exeter House on Charger Street; at 10:10 a.m. Sunday at Speedway on Lee Burbank Highway.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 11:07 a.m. Friday on Ocean Avenue; at 12:03 p.m. Friday at 7-Eleven on North Shore Road; at 5:11 p.m. Friday at West Revere Health Center on Salem Street; at 10:20 p.m. Friday on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 11:41 p.m. Friday on Wave Avenue; at 12:45 p.m. Saturday on Broadway; at 1:39 p.m. Saturday at Sammy’s Patio on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 2:26 p.m. Saturday on Dix Street; at 2:47 p.m. Saturday at 7-Eleven on Shirley Avenue; at 4:09 p.m. Saturday at Gasco Oil on Broadway; at 11:55 p.m. Saturday on Standish Road; at 3:26 a.m. Sunday at Revere Housing Authority on Cooledge Street; at 7:23 p.m. Sunday at Cronin Rink on Revere Beach Parkway; at 8:04 p.m. Sunday at Adams Court and Adams Street; at 10:02 p.m. Sunday on Yeamans Street; at 10:25 p.m. Sunday at Bark & Purr Grooming on Revere Street; at 4:03 a.m. Monday on Thornton Street; at 4:51 a.m. Monday on Ellerton Street; at 11:20 a.m. Monday on Glendale Street; at 1:31 p.m. Monday on Bixby Street; at 1:31 p.m. Monday on Kimball Avenue; at 6:08 p.m. Monday on Shirley Avenue; at 7:24 p.m. Monday on E Mountain Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 2:05 p.m. Friday on Revere Street; at 9:59 a.m. Saturday on Beach Street; at 3:50 p.m. Saturday at 7-Eleven on North Shore Road; at 2:56 a.m. Sunday at Walgreens on Broadway.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 8:14 a.m. Friday on Harris Street; at 9:56 a.m. Saturday at Exeter House on Charger Street; at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Haddon Street; at 3:54 a.m. Monday on Madison Street; at 7:35 a.m. Monday on Amasa Street.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Burrill Street and Middlesex Avenue.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:16 p.m. Monday at Danvers Road and Essex Street.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 12 a.m. Sunday at 330 Paradise Road.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 5:42 p.m. Friday at 8 Sheridan Terrace; at 2:40 p.m. Saturday at 90 Galloupes Point Road.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 3:03 p.m. Saturday at 199 Burrill St.

ITEM PHOTO BY DAVID WILSON
A sports car crashed Monday night into the side of Frank Perry’s home at 630 Chestnut St.

By GAYLA CAWLEY and DAVID WILSON

LYNN — The 38-year-old Lynn driver who drove into a Chestnut Street home Monday night was administered Narcan at the scene of the accident after an apparent opioid overdose, according to police.

Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said the call for the car into the 630 Chestnut St. home came in shortly before 10:30 p.m. The male driver, whom he declined to identify, was issued a citation for heroin possession, OUI drugs, marked lanes violation and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Officers found a bag of heroin in the front seat of his car, Donnelly said. The driver was unresponsive when the police and firefighters arrived. After he was given Narcan, or Naloxone, the overdose drug, he was able to walk himself to the ambulance. He was taken to Union Hospital with no apparent injuries, Donnelly said.

“There was a medical issue and the guy was traveling at a high rate of speed,” said Lynn District Fire Chief Tim Collier.

Collier said there were no injuries to anyone inside the home and the occupants were able to stay there for the night. But he said the house had to be shored up before the car could be pulled away from it, because its foundation had been compromised.

Homeowner Frank Perry, 60, said he was sound asleep and shocked when the sports car barreled into his single-family home. Also home was his wife, stepson, dog, bird and three ferrets. He said he just bought the house in September 2015.

Perry said the house was all messed up from the crash. He had just bought all brand-new furniture, he added.

“I got woken up and I thought what the (expletive) is this?” he said. “I’m going to stay here tonight. All I’m thinking is ka-ching, lawsuit.”

Neighbor Steve Covill said he was falling asleep when the crash happened, and thought, “What the hell?”

Perry, who works for a big seafood company, said he’s taking a few days off from work because of the accident.

Car strikes Fernwood Avenue home

The next morning police responded another car into a house, this time at 71 Fernwood Ave. The 85-year-old male driver told police someone had cut him off, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and hit the home just before 9 a.m. He wasn’t cited and was taken to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Donnelly said.

Donnelly said the homeowner, a 66-year-old woman, was home at the time of the crash, and was uninjured.

There was structural damage to the house from the crash, and Lynn Inspectional Services determined the building had to be stabilized before the car could be towed away. The woman was able to go back inside afterward, Donnelly said.

Donnelly said the car caused extensive damage to the screen porch, with columns to the roof compromised. The foundation to the dwelling was also damaged, as well as shrubs and trash barrels.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. David Wilson can be reached at dwilson@itemlive.com.

PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Michael Victoriano of Lynn talks about cleaning up the playgrounds so children have safe places to go.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — After six weekend shootings left five people shot, one fatally, and one woman caught in the crossfire who narrowly avoided being hit by a bullet that went through the driver’s side window of her car, about 40 residents and elected officials gathered at City Hall on Tuesday to try to come up with ways to stop the violence.

City Councilor Brian LaPierre, City Councilor and member of Stop the Violence Lynn Committee Peter Capano, and Interim Police Chief Lenny Desmarais fielded questions at the forum.

Capano said a few years ago, there was lots of gang activity in the city, which prompted a group of local citizens to come together and form Stop the Violence.

“The point is, I think the most constructive use of the time is if we can talk about prevention because we can’t stop what happens day to day,” Capano told the gathered residents. “We try. We do the best we can but I think working together to reach out to some of these kids getting into trouble is what we need to do. We need to do a better job of it.”

Leife Martin said he’s lived in Lynn for a couple of years, but his wife was born and raised in the city.

“When I bought the house here, I was told by family — I have a ton of family in Lynn — I was told that all of this gang violence was gone. A lot of these gangs were gone. So, I was kind of surprised when I read this weekend that there’s gang wars … Are gangs a bigger problem than we’re led to believe?”

Desmarais said gang violence and gangs are an issue in Lynn, but couldn’t say at this time if the shootings over the weekend are gang-related.

“We do believe all of the violence was targeted,” he said. “We can’t say at this time, this gang member went after that gang member.”

Before the meeting, Desmarais told The Item that several of the shootings that followed the Chestnut Street fatal shooting on Friday night that killed 29-year-old Hanky Betancourt, could be connected to that homicide. He said police are under the opinion that several of the incidents are related, and people doing the shooting or getting shot knew each other.

“It’s not random violence,” Desmarais said. “There’s an ongoing dispute between some groups.”

Desmarais said police don’t believe the Austin Square shooting that occurred before the Chestnut Street homicide or the Hanover Street shooting are related. Police responded to Melrose Wakefield Hospital just before 3 a.m. on Friday to find a 21-year-old man from Lynn with non-life-threatening injuries from two bullet wounds. The man told police he had been shot at Austin Square near the 7-Eleven. Police responded to a double shooting on Hanover Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and found two Lynn men, 17 and 19, who had been shot in the lower legs. Police think that incident was a drug deal gone bad.

“At this time, my opinion would be that the ones that followed the Chestnut Street (fatality), with the exception of Hanover Street, might quite possibly be related, Desmarais said. “We’re working hard with State Police to investigate every one of the shootings.”

He said Lynn District Court Probation is reaching out to people who may or may not have knowledge of the incidents to warn them to not get involved in retaliation.

The other shootings included a shots-fired incident on Hamilton Avenue Friday night at 11:17 p.m. Several shell casings were recovered, and a house on the street was struck with gunfire. Police responded to gunshots on Neptune Boulevard on Saturday shortly before 4:30 p.m to find two cars hit, but no victims.

About an hour later, police spoke to 51-year-old Lynn native Lorraine Blowers DePietro, who told The Item on Sunday she was driving her brother-in-law’s gold SUV on Goodridge Street shortly before 5:30 p.m. when a bullet narrowly missed her after going through the driver’s side window, lodging itself in the leather seat she was sitting in. Police later responded to Salem Hospital to find a 26-year-old male shooting victim, who told them he was shot while walking on Goodridge Street.

DePietro’s sister, Kristin Blowers Melendez, spoke at the forum on Tuesday. She said she’s just thankful her sister is alive.

“How can we help end some of this violence?” Melendez asked. “There’s some people that are afraid to go out during the day, and some that are afraid to drive at night now. Why let somebody else dictate your life and keep you hidden?”

Some of the options floated for preventing violence included starting a neighborhood crime watch, providing after-school resources to help youth stay out of trouble, and securing grants to pay for those programs.

Tony Seaforth spoke about opening up the schools at night to give kids somewhere to go.

“Let’s educate the youth now so we can stop them from becoming violent offenders or ending up in the paper for the wrong reason,” he said. “I would be labeled a gang member if you would have known me 15, 16 years ago. But I think we’re throwing that term around a little too loosely when you think about the violence. From when I grew up, there’s been a huge shift. My mom lives in the Highlands. I’m not afraid to walk the streets of the Highlands. I’m not afraid to get shot. I think a lot of this was isolated incidents. There’s so many great things going on … I spent the weekend in Washington D.C. and that’s so much more dangerous than Lynn, Massachusetts.”

Michael Victoriano also spoke about the importance of resources.

“I think what we’re dealing with is a lack of self-worth when it comes to the perpetrators of these crimes,” he said. “So, I can only speak on what I know. I do believe that resources are what’s actually important, opportunities or resources for our youth, in order to keep them from feeling so bad about themselves that they don’t value their own lives anymore (that) they put themselves in these positions or situations.”

Brian Castellanos spoke about a fundraiser he ran over the weekend, where friends only wanted to talk about the shootings.

“And for me, I was broken, because I’m a true Lynner and in my mind, these are isolated incidents. And this is something that bothered me, because in the end, there are so many good people in this city that try to reach out every day to stop this stuff and somebody had to ruin it.”

Desmarais said it’s been several years since there was a similar spree of violence. He said there’s been no arrests definitely related to the shootings.

“I understand people are going to be concerned,” he said. “We do believe that most of these incidents, that these people were specifically looking for each other. They’re not random. We’re working very hard. It’s very concerning to us. We don’t like the negative attention that it draws to the city. It’s a very small percentage of people, but these are the types of incidents that do draw a lot of attention. We’re upset as anyone when there’s a spate of violence like this one.”

Police: Weekend shootings appear ‘targeted’

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — The city council is set to put a question on the ballot in March that asks taxpayers to fund two new schools.

Voters will be asked to pony up an estimated $75 million, or $200 annually for the next 25 years on their tax bills for a pair of schools that would serve students in the Pickering Middle School district and West Lynn.

The school committee voted last week to request the council take the action. Under the city charter, the 11-member council is obligated to put the question on the ballot, according to James Lamanna, the city’s attorney. Voter consent is required for any bond in excess of $4 million. A special election is expected to be held Tuesday, March 14.

If approved, a 652-student school would be built near Breeds Pond Reservoir off Parkland Avenue and a second facility to serve 1,008 students would be constructed on McManus Field on Commercial Street.

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Officials say the $188 million project is needed to accommodate the growing enrollment. Today, there are about 16,000 students in the Lynn Public Schools. But it has been increasing at a rate of 3 percent, or 500 new students annually, according to Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.

“Enrollment continues to grow and we are out of space,” said Thomas Iarrobino, secretary of the Lynn School Committee.

“If voters reject the bond, we could be at a point where we were many years ago when we offered only a half-day kindergarten. Public schools are everyone’s right and everyone’s tax responsibility.”

The other factor in play is the contribution from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the quasi-independent state agency that funds school projects. The department would contribute about 60 percent or $113 million of the project’s total cost. But if voters reject the bond authorization, the city stands to lose the state money.

The proposed construction has been controversial. Dozens of Pine Hill residents have expressed their opposition to the potential new middle school near Breeds Pond Reservoir citing traffic concerns. They have threatened a lawsuit.

But last month, the Pickering Middle School Building Committee reaffirmed its decision to locate the school off Parkland Avenue.

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.

PHOTO BY ALENA KUZUB
A group gathers at the Sanctuary Movement event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn in Swampscott.

By MICHELE DURGIN

SWAMPSCOTT — Being an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal offense, but rather an administrative violation and should be treated as such.

Dr. Alexandra Pineros Shields, the guest speaker at Thursday night’s Sanctuary Movement event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn in Swampscott, delivered those words to an audience of about 125 at the event sponsored by the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO).

The Sanctuary Movement, which began in the 1980s, is a religious and political campaign that addresses the concerns of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Members of the movement promise to protect immigrant families who face discrimination and deportation issues. Many faith-based organizations are part of the movement.

Dr. Victoria Weinstein, pastor of the church, delivered the opening reflection on the eve of the presidential inauguration, saying, “We’re not here to debate, but rather to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

Shields delivered a 45-minute presentation on the causes of migration, along with policy changes through the years.

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Lynn Councilor-At-Large Brian La Pierre said he thought the meeting was important and the discussion needs to continue.

“As a teacher, leader and elected official in Lynn, I see the connection between educational justice and racial justice, and now, more than ever, we need to come together as one community and face the issue of undocumented immigrants,” he said. “We must have a school system that serves as a safe center of support and learning for all those we serve in the community.”

With the incoming administration’s campaign promises of building walls and deporting undocumented immigrants still fresh in people’s minds, the evening’s agenda also included testimonies on creating sanctuaries for immigrants, immigration policy analysis and sanctuary cities and congregations. Participants were invited to go online at sanctuarynotdeportation.org to support the movement.

Lisa Day-Copeland, 57, of Gloucester was in the audience. “I am here because I believe it’s important to offer help and protection to the vulnerable members of society and I would like to see Gloucester become a sanctuary city,” she said.  

Jenney Harkness, 61, of Essex, added, “I grew up in the inner city and I am concerned about the homelessness issue. I truly fear for immigrants, both documented and undocumented, who aren’t welcomed into our cities and towns.”

LYNN — Linda (Boverini) Hurley, age 82, of Lynn, passed away peacefully at Grosvenor Park Nursing Home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

She was born on Aug. 13, 1934 in Lynn, the daughter of the late Attilio and Louisa (Francia) Boverini. She was raised and educated in Lynn and graduated from Lynn Classical High School.

Linda was a homemaker for many years, prior to returning to the work place. She then worked for more than 20 years as a court officer in the Lynn District Court House on Essex Street.

Linda enjoyed being outside and spending time in her garden. Linda’s family would like to thank Kath Manuppelli and Tom Pelham at Grosvenor Park Nursing Home for making Linda’s transition into the nursing home as smooth as possible. They would also like to thank the nursing supervisor, Lorraine, for the loving care provided to Linda during her stay there.

She is survived by her brother, Stelio R. “Babe” Boverini and his wife Sandra of Lynn, her nieces and nephews, James Boverini, Margaret Haraka and Judi Kolk, all of New Jersey, Dr. Luisa Heit of Marblehead and Maria Spates of Lynn and her sister-in-law, Christine Boverini of Lynn. Her close friends, Dr. Jeff Gold, John Gold and Susan Gold of Swampscott also survive her. Linda was predeceased by her siblings Ennio Boverini, Sen. Walter Boverini, Dr. Manlio Boverini and Delia Boverini.

Service information: Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 from 12-1 p.m. at CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, MA 01904. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Burial will follow the service in St. Joseph Cemetery on Broadway in Lynn. Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice in Linda’s memory. Please visit Cuffemcginn.com for directions, or to sign the online guest book.