By STEVE FREKER

MALDEN — In a swift deliberation with a dearth of discussion, the Malden School Committee on Monday night voted 6-3 to offer the position of Superintendent of Schools to Somerville High School headmaster John Oteri, who also was in contention for the same job in Peabody.

Two candidates from a field of five finalists received all nine votes from the nine-member committee, with Oteri receiving six votes and former 13-year Malden High School principal Dana Brown getting three votes, including one from the chairman of the school board, Mayor Gary Christenson.

Immediately following the vote to offer the position to Oteri, the School Committee went into executive session to discuss a contract offer. After a lengthy period lasting just over two hours, the executive session adjourned without reaching an agreement on an offer. Christenson said negotiations in closed session would continue at another time and if an agreement was reached between the School Committee and Oteri, a contract would be voted on in a public meeting.

Oteri was also one of two finalists for the position of Peabody superintendent with Debra Ruggiero, principal of E.J. Harrington Elementary School in Lynn.  In Peabody, second interviews with each of the two finalists, Oteri and Ruggiero, were planned for Thursday night.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt, the chairman of the Peabody School Committee, said last week a decision and offer could be made following Thursday’s interviews, or perhaps at the next scheduled School Committee meeting next Tuesday, April 11.

Peabody School Committeewoman Beverley Griffin Dunne said it’s impossible to say what will happen next in the process until the board has a chance to meet and take a vote in response. If Oteri enters into a contract with Malden, the board could decide to open up the search to new candidates, or to confirm Ruggiero as the final choice.  

“The biggest challenge about this process is scheduling the interviews and the meetings,” said Dunne, who added there is a critical shortage of qualified superintendent candidates, making for a highly competitive search.

State honor for Malden-Melrose legislator

Oteri was not present at last night’s meeting and could not be reached for comment on the status of the Malden offer versus the situation and status in Peabody.

School Committee member Leonard Iovino made the first  motion to back Oteri’s candidacy. “John Oteri had stood above the other finalists in his interview session,” Iovino said.  Fellow member Jerry Leone seconded the motion.

Mayor Christenson spoke in favor of Brown, as did Committee members Catherine Bordonaro and Tara Beardsley.  “He (Brown) he had done so much for the city of Malden. He knows this city,” the mayor said.

Christenson, Beardsley and Bordonaro all voted Brown.  Iovino, Leone, Silverman, Emmanuel Marsh, Michael Drummey and John Froio all voted for Oteri.

Leah Dearborn of the Item staff contributed to this report.

ITEM PHOTO BY JIM WILSON
A woman passes by the front entrance to the Hollingsworth Street station.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — For the first time since the city settled the firefighters’ contract, several stations have temporarily gone dark because of budget constraints and more cuts are expected.

On Monday, Engine 1 on Hollingsworth Street in the Highlands neighborhood was shuttered, Ladder 4 in the Broadway station was out of service Saturday, while the safety officer’s post at the Fayette Street station went unmanned Sunday night.

“When anything is out of service the city is not as adequately protected as if everything was in service,” said William Murray, deputy chief. “But it all comes down to money. The only easy way to save cash is to take engines out of service.”

This is the first of what could be many brownouts. Starting today, the department expects to shutter two shifts per day at least until June 30, the end of the fiscal year, according to Chief James McDonald.

The Fire Department must cut $1.3 million from the department’s $16.6 million payroll. One way to do that, without laying off a firefighter, is to trim the overtime budget, Murray said.

Swampscott zones in on housing

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said the brownouts stem from the firefighter’s $2.2 million arbitration award to fund retroactive raises and increased pay for this year.

“The money had to come from somewhere,” she said. “We transferred a lot of money from other accounts, but some of the money must come from overtime accounts to keep our budget in shape for the remaining three months of this fiscal year.”

The $2.5 million deal was settled in February by the Joint Labor-Management Committee, a quasi-public agency that negotiates collective bargaining disputes between municipalities and public employees. Under the terms of the agreement, the firefighters will receive a retroactive 2 percent raise for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, a 2.5 percent hike for 2017, another 2 percent for 2018 and on June 30, 2018 they will collect another 1 percent.

Ward 4 City Councilor Richard Colucci said the city has to find some way to pay for fire protection.

“It’s devastating,” he said. “It’s the only fire truck in the Highlands and it’s never been closed in recent memory. I plan to discuss this with the chief.”  

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE
Pictured is murder suspect David Michael Grossack.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — The 47-year-old homeless man accused of killing his 56-year-old girlfriend in December was held without bail following a Lynn District Court appearance on Monday.

David Grossack pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. He is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing on May 4.

Grossack is accused of killing Kathleen Burgess, whose body was found by her daughter. Michelle Valasunas, 37, of Saugus, had not heard from her mother in about 10 days, and went to check on her on Dec. 29, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.

“Her and I were extremely close — have been my entire life,” said Valasunas. “She lived with me up until Oct. 15, 2016. She had the biggest heart. Anybody she knows would tell you the same thing.”

Grossack’s defense attorney, Denise Regan, said she had no comment.

Valasunas said she was just happy that Grossack was finally in custody.

Burgess’ body was found on her apartment floor of 40 Newhall St., covered up with blankets and sheets. Valasunas told responding officers that Grossack had been staying at the apartment with Burgess at times, prosecutors said.

Investigators found Burgess’ body in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating that she had been dead for days. Because of the decomposition, investigators initially couldn’t determine if Burgess had sustained any injuries or trauma. Evidence indicated there may have been a struggle. Blood evidence was collected throughout the studio apartment, according to court documents.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled her death a homicide by blunt force trauma with multiple facial fractures, court documents show.

Investigators couldn’t find Grossack, but later learned he had been staying at various homeless shelters in the Boston area. He had been providing the shelters with different aliases from fraudulent identification cards, according to court documents.

Grossack was arrested on outstanding unrelated warrants by the Pittsfield Police Department March 28. While he was being booked, he told police that he had attempted to kill himself months ago after he had killed his girlfriend, court documents said.

Lynn fire stations burned by budget cuts

During an interview with Pittsfield police, Grossack allegedly admitted to killing Burgess and provided a detailed description of how he assaulted and killed her, which was consistent with evidence at the scene. He described a stressful relationship with Burgess and stated that he stayed at the apartment for a few days after killing her.

Grossack is also accused of killing a man in Everett in February, and was ordered held without bail following a Malden District Court appearance last week. The body of Francis Brescia, 65, of Everett, was also found in an advanced state of decomposition at 25 Oakland Ave., on Feb. 25. The building’s landlord had found Brescia following a well-being check, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.

Grossack allegedly fatally assaulted Brescia in his home on or around Feb. 10. Brescia suffered a fractured skull and was stabbed at least 14 times, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the homicide and he was later arrested by Pittsfield police.

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

LYNN — Gunshots were reported on Grant Street on Sunday.

Police responded shortly before 11 p.m. and recovered three shell casings in the area of 29 Grant St., Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.

Several calls were received from the area and police were told that three gunshots were fired from a car, which fled the scene, Kmiec said.

Police ID woman killed by her vehicle in Saugus

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Police are investigating a bank robbery that took place Friday afternoon at Santander Bank.

Police responded to the location at 39 Exchange St. shortly before 3:30 p.m.

Police were told that a suspect, described as a dark-skinned man, handed over a note to a female teller, but didn’t show a weapon. The suspect made off with at least $2,000 in cash, Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.

Police are reviewing surveillance video, with assistance from the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force, Kmiec said.

Three shots fired on Grant Street

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

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Police responding to gunshots on Pine Grove Cemetery on Sunday night recovered numerous shell casings and arrested a man on firearm charges.

Yared Rios, 45, of Lynn, was charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building or dwelling, trespassing with a firearm, unlawful possession of ammo without a firearm identification card, firearm violation with one prior violent crime and violation of the city knife ordinance.

Numerous officers on patrol heard shots fired and tracked them to the cemetery area on Boston Street, responding there shortly after 7:30 p.m., Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.

After a brief foot pursuit, police took Rios into custody on Locust Street. A 9mm handgun and several magazines were found at the cemetery, along with 25 shell casings. A knife was also found on Rios, Kmiec said.

There were no victims.

Man makes off with $2K from Santander Bank

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

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — A man was robbed at gunpoint on Laurel Street early Sunday morning.

The victim, a man in his 20s, told police that he thought he was going to a party at 4 Laurel St. around 2 a.m., when he was approached by the suspect, who showed a gun and demanded that he empty his pockets, Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.

The suspect, described as a skinny, tall, black or Hispanic male wearing a mask, made off with a phone, jewelry and some cash. He then got into the passenger’s side of a car and took off, Kmiec said.

Weapons charges after shots fired at cemetery

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

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Five months after the state threatened to withhold millions in school funds, the city is on the hook again as they face a spending shortfall, The Item has learned.

On Thursday, the Department of Education is expected to tell Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy that following a review of the city’s finances, school spending is off by about $826,000. As a result, the state may withhold that amount from Lynn’s $11 million monthly allocation of Chapter 70 school payments in June.

Peter Caron, Lynn’s chief financial officer, said the city is again working to get school spending back on track.

“It’s challenging,” he said. “We are trying to guess how much money we will spend on schools, but the state doesn’t do the accounting until six months after the fiscal year is over. It all goes back to the health insurance; we don’t know in May how much we will spend on it. It’s a crap shoot.”

Kennedy said she expects the school spending issue to be resolved, but she’s not sure how.

“Overall, net school spending has been a thorn in our side for a number of years,” she said. “When you increase the number of students in the schools by nearly 20 percent over the last six years, it causes problems on how to pay for it.”

Harbormaster files lawsuit to save job

Lynn is the fifth largest district in the Bay State with more than 16,000 students.

“Until we can slow the increase in school population or look to possible federal assistance, we will not be able to meet the threshold spending for the foreseeable future,” she said.

The city’s finances came into focus last year when the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the mayor that the city’s contribution to school funding was short by $7.5 million and the state threatened to withhold its $11 million November payment in school funds until City Hall came up with more cash.

Since then, the school deficit has been reduced to less than $1 million and the state money was released to the city.

John J. Sullivan, DOE’s associate commissioner, declined to comment until the letter is issued to the mayor.

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.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

Kendall Bridges, 28, was arrested and charged with trespassing at 4:05 p.m. Monday.

Timothy Brulotte, of 15 Chandler Terrace, was arrested on a warrant charge of Class A drug possession at 2:31 p.m. Monday.

Elizabeth Burns, 27, of 29 Washington St., Beverly, was arrested and charged with daytime breaking and entering for a felony, larceny from a building and trespassing at 9:36 a.m. Tuesday.

Brian Chandler, 53, of 41 Light St., was arrested and charged with assault and battery and on a warrant at 11:43 p.m. Monday.

Rachael Kennedy, 28, of 78 Sweetwater St., Saugus, was arrested and charged with trespassing at 4:03 p.m. Monday.

Deng Monykuc, 27, of 498 Essex St., was arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting arrest at 6:53 p.m. Monday.

Brianna Nardone, 21, of 21 Springvale Ave., was arrested and charged with motor vehicle lights violation and on warrant charges of OUI liquor, license not in possession and marked lanes violation at 11:05 p.m. Monday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:21 p.m. Monday at 1 Market St.; at 3:45 p.m. Monday at 48 Lafayette Park; at 4:21 p.m. Monday at B Street and Parkland Avenue; at 5:18 p.m. Monday at Boston and Franklin streets; at 5:21 p.m. Monday at Allen Avenue and Chestnut Street; at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Broad and Green streets; at 7:45 p.m. Monday at 123 Green St.; at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday at Market and State streets.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 1:43 p.m. Monday at 20 Wheeler St.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 10:03 p.m. Monday on Light Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 1:24 p.m. Monday at 84 Adams St.; at 7:59 p.m. Monday at 287 Walnut St.

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 6:32 p.m. Monday at 18 Holland Ave.; at 8:51 a.m. Tuesday at 5 Libby Court.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:45 p.m. Monday at 27 Essex Court; at 7:35 p.m. Monday at 500 Lynnfield St.; at 8:05 p.m. Monday at 48 Friend St.; at 1:14 a.m. Tuesday at 45 Thistle St.; at 9:24 a.m. Tuesday at Taco Bell at 124 Boston St.; at 10:01 a.m. Tuesday at 214 Ocean St.; at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday at 409 Lynnway; at 10:56 a.m. Tuesday at 14 Holland Ave.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 6:52 p.m. Monday on Boston Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 3:31 p.m. Monday at 170 South Common St.; at 4:44 p.m. Monday at 250 Maple St.

A report of a robbery at 3:39 p.m. Monday at Boston and Congress streets.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday at 24 Hamilton Ave.

Police log: 4-4-2017

LYNNFIELD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 6:22 p.m. Saturday on Condon Circle; at 1:08 p.m. Monday on Main Street.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 1:27 p.m. Sunday on Route 128 Southbound. Two people were taken to Lahey Clinic.

Complaints

A report of a suspicious person at 12:10 a.m. Saturday at 15 Atherton Circle. A man wearing a white coat heading to Glenn Meadow was reportedly walking down the street yelling. Police checked the surrounding area and were unable to find the man; at 11:34 a.m. Tuesday at 7 Jensen St. A caller reported a suspicious man knocked on her door. Police reported a man with a disabled vehicle called for a tow truck.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 9:43 p.m. Monday at 344 Pillings Pond Road. A caller reported a stolen bicycle.

MARBLEHEAD

Arrests

Jay Lafromboise, 37, of 10 Garden Road, was arrested on a warrant at 9:16 a.m. Monday.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 7:52 a.m. Monday on Washington Street.

An employee from the shop stated at 12:01 p.m. Monday on Barnard Street that a juvenile had been skateboarding and grinding on the steps. The employee went out and confronted the individual, who then made inappropriate gestures and took off.

A report of an egging incident at 1:44 p.m. Monday on Washington Street. A caller reported she was leaving her house that morning and someone had thrown eggs at her.

NAHANT

Arrests

Christopher Delrosario, 19, of 49 Harbor St., Apt. 2, Salem, was arrested and charged with failure to drive in the right lane, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and Class A drug possession at 11:07 a.m. Friday.

PEABODY

Arrests

Sebastiao Souza, 43, of 10 Johnson St., was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license subsequent offense at 4:41 p.m. Monday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:26 p.m. Monday at 2 Clement Ave. and  96 Washington St.; at 2:54 p.m. Monday at 27 Putnam St. A caller reported her house may have been damaged in a motor vehicle accident that morning. Police reported the building department was installing supports for the house. Michail Qyrasi, 35, of 25 Aborn St., was summoned for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to use care in start/stop/turn/back. Betim Qyrasi, 68, of 94 Birch St., was summoned for allowing an unlicensed person to operate a motor vehicle; at 4:02 p.m. Monday at 35 County St. A three-car accident was reported. Police reported one driver was taken to Union Hospital; at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday at 132 Newbury St. and 2 Winona St.; at 6:51 a.m. Tuesday at 11 Pound Lane and 11 Andover St.; at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday at 82 Lowell St. and 2 Perkins St. A two-car accident was reported. One of the drivers was cited for failure to yield; at 12:31 p.m. Tuesday at Outback Steakhouse at 300 Andover St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 11:16 p.m. Monday at Community Outreach Center at 210O Andover St.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 5:41 p.m. Monday at 22 Hancock St. A caller reported a break that occurred earlier in the day via the front door. Police reported the caller was unsure what, if anything, was taken.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:18 p.m. Monday at Carraba’s Restaurant at 1A Newbury St. An employee requested a group smoking weed be dispersed from the front of the restaurant. An officer reported the group had left prior to his arrival; at 4:10 p.m. Monday at 116 Foster St.; at 7:02 p.m. Monday at 116 Foster St. A caller reported a male made threats to her. An officer reported no threats to harm were made and advised the man to stay away from the caller; at 7:45 p.m. Monday at 12 Anthony Road. A caller reported her son was assaulted while at James Street Park earlier in the day; at 11:03 p.m. Monday at 116 Shore Drive; at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at 114 Shore Drive.

Fire

A report of a fire at 5:01 p.m. Monday at 39 Wallis St. and 23 Upton St. A caller from Boston Bounce reported she saw smoke from her place of business. The Peabody Fire Department extinguished a small trash fire that was in the rear of the property behind the building.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 6 p.m. Monday at Paddy Kelley’s at 154 Washington St. The owner wanted to report employee theft.

REVERE

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:02 a.m. Monday on Vane Street; at 3:40 p.m. Monday at Wonderland Train Station on North Shore Road. Wellida Machado, 33, of 237 Lantern Road, Apt 20, was summoned for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Geraldo Magelo Paulino, 30, of 187 Gladstone St., Apt. 1, Boston, was summoned for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; at 4:12 p.m. Monday at Wonderland Marketplace on VFW Parkway; at 7:40 p.m. Monday on Brown Circle; at 8:52 p.m. Monday at Master Auto Sales on Broadway.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 1:56 a.m. Monday at Bill Ash’s Lounge on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 9:58 a.m. Monday on Orchard Street; at 1:59 p.m. Monday at Youth in Motion on Broadway; at 7:28 p.m. Monday at 7-Eleven on Shirley Avenue; at 10:57 p.m. Monday at Caruso Northgate Apartments on Lantern Road.

Overdose

A report of a possible overdose at 5:53 p.m. Monday on South Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 12:28 a.m. Monday on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 12:39 a.m. Monday at IHOP on Squire Road; at 5:58 p.m. Monday at Dollar Tree on Furlong Drive.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 11:55 a.m. Monday on Dawes Street; at 8:14 p.m. Monday on Franklin Avenue.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 11:18 a.m. Monday at 190 Broadway. One person was taken to Union Hospital.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 5:46 p.m. Monday at 21 Foster St. A woman reported two one dollar bills were turned in at an Eastern Bank in Peabody with her personal information printed on them. She was told by the bank that the bills were taken out of circulation and set to be destroyed.

A report of a disturbance at 6:42 p.m. Monday at 59 Denver St.

Fire

A report of an outside fire at 5:38 p.m. Monday at 24 Curtis Road. A caller reported her neighbor was burning leaves in the backyard.

A report of a building fire at 10:37 p.m. Monday at 11 Davis St. A caller reported a porch on fire.

SWAMPSCOTT

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 10:08 a.m. Monday at 10 Bay View Ave.

LYNN — Claire J. (Crighton) Dunnigan, age 93, of Lynn, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2017, at the Abbott House while surrounded by her loving family.

Claire was the eighth child born to the late Walter J. and Mary C. (O’Callaghan) Crighton and resided in the city of Lynn most of her life. She was a graduate of the Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Mary’s High School.

Claire quickly learned to fend for herself at the age of 18 when her father died at a young age. She and her mother, who had come over from Ireland at the age of 16, ran the house together and supported the seven siblings. Her three sisters, Mary, Ann and Laurie, went off to work at GE while her four brothers, Wally, Danny, Johnny and Brendy, all fought in World War II. Claire kept everyone strong as news poured in about Wally’s ship being torpedoed and Brendy being wounded and MIA for several months. All four boys made it home safe and the Crightons remained extremely close.

Claire married the love of her life, George J. “Tona” Dunnigan, a Naval chief warrant officer and Pearl Harbor survivor who was also born and raised in West Lynn. They traveled the world together and were stationed at many ports of call during his U.S. Naval career. The two eventually took over the Crighton homestead on Temple Place in West Lynn and began to raise a family of their own.

Once their seventh child was born on Temple Place, Claire and Tona decided they needed more room and purchased a bigger home near Flax Pond in East Lynn. Claire and her family settled in nicely on Carter Road as she and her husband added an eighth child to the mix. Claire established many fond memories and lifelong friendships with the other families on Carter Road.

Claire’s home was always open to anyone who stopped by to visit. She loved to cook big meals, she loved parades, loved to walk, she loved to dance, adored her grandchildren and she loved to make people happy. Claire never complained, was always optimistic and had an unconditional love for everyone she met.  

In addition to raising her eight children, Claire worked several years as a lunch monitor in the Lynn School Department and took on several jobs as a baby-sitter. She put all of her earnings back into the family and was able to help several of her children attend college.

Claire was predeceased by her husband George J. “Tona” Dunnigan, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage and two of her daughters, Joyce C. Petrucelli and Patricia L. Dunnigan.

She is survived by her six children, George J. Dunnigan and his wife Lorene of Salem, Garry J. Dunnigan and his wife Patricia of Lynn, Gregory J. Dunnigan and his wife Cathy of Salem, Glenn J. Dunnigan and his wife Elizabeth of Lynn, Barbara J. Ruggiero and her husband Richard of Nashua, N.H., and Gail M. Rowe and her husband Don of Marblehead. Claire is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Claire will finally be reunited with her four brothers, Walter, John, Daniel and Brendan Crighton and her three sisters, Mary Hingston, Ann Kennedy and Laurie Desrosier.

The Dunnigan Family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff of the Abbott House for their endless love, compassion and support of Claire during her time there. The Abbott House staff exemplifies the true meaning of kindness in this world.

Service information: A funeral will be held on Monday, April 10, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Pius V Church, Lynn, at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s memory may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1 Bulfinch Place, Boston, MA  02114 or at www.mass.wish.org.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Directions and online guestbook at Solimine.com.

PEABODY — Henry J. Fournier Jr., 85, of Peabody and formerly of Danvers and Lynn, died Saturday evening at the Continuing Care at Brooksby Village in Peabody. He was the devoted husband of Gail (Latham) Fournier, with whom he shared over 60 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late Henry J. Fournier Sr. and Hazel (Carpenter) Fournier. He was raised and educated in Lynn, later lived in Danvers for 12 years and has spent the last 2 years living in Peabody.

Henry was a veteran of the Korean War who served with the United States Marines before being honorably discharged in 1954. Upon his discharge, he was employed for numerous glass companies on the North Shore, and retired after 30 years as a glazier with Salem Glass Company.

Henry enjoyed ball room dancing and was a member of the American Legion. He also enjoyed working on projects inside and outside the home and was a skilled carpenter helping family and friends with many home improvement projects throughout his life.  

Besides his loving wife of 60 years, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Bonnie Fournier of Lynn; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Stacey and David Eccleston of Swampscott and Sharon and Ernie Stavropoulos of Lynn; his sister, Shirley Nordstrom of Lynn; his beloved seven grandchildren, Nicole Coughlin of Danvers, Brian and his wife Danielle Fournier of Lynn, Keith Fournier of Easton, Natalie Eccleston of Brooklyn, N.Y., Timothy Eccleston of Swampscott and Katherine and Jessica Stavropoulos of Lynn; his three great-grandsons, Christopher Wheeler and Evan and Chase Fournier; his sister-in-law, Sharon and her husband George Beeler of Lynn and dear family friend Jeanne Hillios of Salem. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Rita Nestor and Claire Shipman.  

Service information: Following cremation, his family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4 until 8 p.m. at the CONWAY, CAHILL-BRODEUR Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His family will gather at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m., which will be followed by a graveside service at 11:15 at St. Jean’s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Parkinson Disease research at www.parkinson.org.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss For directions and online obituary, visit Ccbfuneral.com.

PHOTO BY DALIA SHILAS
Dr. Eleanor Ruth Fisher’s art adorns the walls of her Lynn home and studio.

By DALIA SHILAS

BOSTON — The first thing you see as you enter the Canvas Fine Arts exhibit on the fifth floor of City Hall is “Red Sky In The Morning,“ a glass shard painting by longtime Lynn resident Dr. Eleanor Ruth Fisher. Three of her glass shards paintings are displayed here.

Her mentor, Georgia O’Keeffe, once said: “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else.” I first met Fisher, a joyful woman with blue eyes that shine like glass shards, at an art fair in Nahant. She explained her creations. “Glass shards and mixed media over acrylic on canvas, it’s unique.”

She’s unique as well, and it’s somewhat remarkable that Fisher’s art talents have come to light.

Fisher’s brain tumor had been growing since childhood. She knew she was limited in what she could do. “I loved to dance, yet my coordination was completely off in sports. Precise movements and activities seemed to escape me. I never knew why, until after my brain surgery, that I was capable of learning everything. It is amazing how the brain compensates. I went on to get a doctorate in psychology. I had a full-time private psychotherapist’s practice, became a supervisor and consultant, while continuing my education as a lifelong learner.“

Her physical deterioration started happening quickly. She began losing her ability to speak in January 1991. By that August, she had to place her hands on the chair arms to lift herself up when her patients left the office. That October, the brain tumor was removed. In four weeks, she returned to her psychotherapy practice fully recovered.

With brain trauma, strange behaviors started developing. One thought kept recurring: Paint. She bought art supplies and began to paint. After the brain surgery, the process of expressing other forms of creativity started. “When I think back, it was almost like an explosion of what I had tucked inside that needed to emerge. The art has a life of its own and is like one of the elements of my high-test gasoline. The other element is my husband, Dennis, who is my partner in all that we do.”

“Thoughts are energy and represent the energy force of the universe,” her husband, Dennis Patrick Treece, former director of Security for Massport, quotes Fisher in his recently published book, “A Million Monkeys.”

“What do you want to be known as?” I asked. “A lover and an artist who paints the voices and pictures that communicate with me,” Fisher quickly answered.

“I have two goals in life. As an artist, I may be able to influence people to develop their unique creativity without looking for others for approval. I tell people, ‘I bestow approval upon you. You do not need anybody else’s approval. Celebrate your creativity, no matter what it is.’ Through my art and therapy, I help people identify and develop step by step. What inspires me in other people, is their journey, their courage to place one foot in front of the other and show up, speak up and be counted. Everyone hits the wall at some time, and each person chooses what is intolerable and finally says ‘No’ because the cost of going along to get along kills their soul. Many of my paintings have stairs in them. Stairs represent enlightenment. I realized that each painting is me, how I feel about my life. For many years I was unable to express me.”

Afterschool program a social space for girls

Fisher lives in a grand Victorian house in the Diamond District of Lynn. It has two names: “Garden by the Sea“ and “Deer Cove Light.“ Her maternal grandparents came from Lithuania and the family, Fisher and her parents included, settled in a two-family house on Commercial Street in Lynn’s Brickyard section.

Her art subjects are mostly women, strong, confident, romantic, erotic and free-spirited. “I don’t do men very often,” she said. “I don’t understand them the way I know women. Look at the ‘Mermaid Princess.’ She is a mermaid, deciding to be a woman, and everybody says ‘No no no!’ Stay a mermaid. You don’t know what it’s like here!’ ”

Fisher’s pastel pink studio, with its ocean view, natural light, easels and boxes of glass, jewelry and seashells, is where art is born. She puts on safety glasses, a long work shirt, an apron and gloves, and turns on a machine to show how she slices Murano glass. Here, she explains the process of creating one glass shard painting that takes about 720 hours to complete.

“Each piece of glass that I carve is pointed at both ends,” she said. “Then I take them in my hand and cut several curves on each side. No lines are straight. The shaping and carving of each piece of glass are why the glass shard paintings feel alive and beautiful, and evoke emotions.”

Glass shards wound hands, bring back memories and magnify the pain of the past. Sometimes, like a vase shattered into pieces, we feel like there is no hope. What we do with the broken pieces, that’s what matters.

The work of Canvas Fine Arts artists Eleanor Fisher, Winifred Breines, Tally Forbes, Sidhartha Pani and Janice Williams can be seen at Boston City Hall, 5th floor, through May 30. For more info: suzanne@canvasfinearts.com.

Dalia Shilas, a freelance journalist and photographer from Nahant, can be reached at daliafoto@gmail.com.

ITEM FILE PHOTO
Don Castle motions at the “no-vote” victory party in this March file photo.

The founder of the “no new schools” movement pledged following the March 21 referendum vote to reach out and work with school officials.

Almost three weeks have passed and that conversation between Donald Castle and the officials he wants to speak with has yet to take place.

Mr. Castle and his Protect Our Reservoir — Preserve Pine Grove campaign defeated the city’s request to fund an $188.5 million plan for a middle school on Parkland Avenue and a second one on McManus Field.

Give Mr. Castle credit; he tapped into voter anger over taxes and tallied a 64 percent to 36 percent win.

He told The Item’s editorial board before the March 21 special election that he opposed construction of the Parkland Avenue school because the city’s forefathers wanted the 44-acre site to be reserved to expand the Pine Grove Cemetery.

He argued that the parcel is too close to Breeds Pond Reservoir, the buildings were too expensive, and the process failed to be inclusive.

Insisting his group is not anti-education or anti-new schools, Mr. Castle said he would reach out to city officials after the school vote and say, “We want to work with you.”

He kept up that refrain the day after the election, saying, “I extended an olive branch to the mayor and the committee to pick another site.”

Schools out in Lynn

Mr. Castle and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, a school construction supporter, each say they made post-election efforts to reach out and meet, but missed each other’s post-election calls. Castle got a chance to state his case last week during the Pickering Middle School Building Committee meeting. Kennedy made a motion to suspend the rules and allow Mr. Castle to speak.

He declined.

“It was a bag job,” he said following the meeting, “They wanted to pick a fight with me, I’m not going to get into an argument with the superintendent that would make me look dumb. The proponents never sat down with us or called us once. I feel bad for the kids, but now they want to talk to us in the 11th hour. No thanks.”

Sorry, Mr. Castle, you can’t have it both ways. Protect-Preserve won a stunning election victory. But the middle-school enrollment tidal wave threat still looms.

Maybe Mr. Castle wants to hold on to that no new-schools anger and see if it converts into a possible City Council bid.

Maybe he got tongue tied when the opportunity came to actually present city decision makers with his school construction suggestions.

Or maybe it’s time for Mr. Castle and Protect-Preserve to make good on his pre-election statement and offer specific and positive ideas for solving the city’s school space crunch.

Unless they never had any ideas to begin with.

ITEM FILE PHOTO
Mayor Judith Flanagan is pictured in this March file photo.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, who is expected to announce her candidacy for a third term next Wednesday night, can expect a spirited campaign this year with the entry of state Sen. Thomas McGee.

The 61-year-old Lynn Democrat declared his intention last month. Without mentioning the Republican mayor by name, McGee said he will make a difference for the city.

James Smith, a Boston attorney who served as a Lynn state representative, said it will be a close race.

“She is not perceived as a big spender and taxes are relatively affordable,” he said. “But the mayor has a very strong challenger in McGee. He’s not your average opponent. He has built up lots of loyalty. This is a very good race.”

If the election were held today, Smith said it would be a toss-up.

“The shelf life of a Lynn mayor can be very short, but I’m not sure hers is over,” he said. “She doesn’t have huge negatives, which mayors tend to build up because it’s the nature of the job. You can’t please everybody and sometimes you can’t please anybody. It’s a very tough job.”

Weighing in on possible Kennedy v. McGee race

Former Mayor Edward J. “Chip” Clancy Jr., who lost to Kennedy in 2009 by fewer than three dozen votes out of more than 16,000 cast, said he’d put his money on McGee.

“I think McGee, the Democrat wins,” he said. “Look at the referendum on building two new schools that lost; all the no-voters will turn out against her.”

Former Mayor Albert DiVirgilio said it’s too soon to handicap the race.  

“Competition is great and that’s what’s missing in this country,” he said.

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.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

Kayla Agresti, 24, of 15 Newcastle St., Saugus, was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license and on warrant charges of sexual conduct for a fee and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle at 11:34 p.m. Tuesday.

Isaiah Gonzalez was arrested on warrant charges of three counts of trespassing, shoplifting by concealing merchandise and destruction of property at 12:08 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:27 p.m. Tuesday on Wyoma Square; at 2:32 p.m. Tuesday at Boston and Flint streets; at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday at Minot Street and Western Avenue; at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday on Casco Road; at 4:37 p.m. Tuesday at Boston and Hamilton streets; at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday at Lynnway and Shepard Street; at 9:21 p.m. Tuesday at Cumberland Farms at 668 Chestnut St.; at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway and Mansfield St.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 5:29 p.m. Tuesday at 290 Broadway.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 6:09 p.m. Tuesday at 315R Lynnway; at 8:54 p.m. Tuesday at 86 Lewis St.

Complaints

A report of a bomb threat at 11:41 a.m. Tuesday at 70 Conomo Ave.

A report of a disturbance at 1:11 p.m. Tuesday at 10 Camden St.; at 3 p.m. Tuesday at 35 Fiske Ave.; at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday at 25 Hamilton Ave.; at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday at 8 Chase St.; at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at 160 Neptune Blvd.; at 8:12 a.m. Wednesday at 500 Walnut St.; at 12:22 p.m. Tuesday at 112 Market St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 1:47 p.m. Tuesday at 5 North Common St.; at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 73 Waterhill St.; at 9:54 p.m. Tuesday at 66 Rockaway St.; at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at 166 Washington St.; at 10:25 a.m. Tuesday at 127 Washington St.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at 25 Exchange St.; at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 116 Adams St.

Police log: 4-5-2017

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A report of runners in the road at 6 a.m. Wednesday on Leggs Hill Road. A caller complained about runners in the boot camp program at the YMCA. He stated that they ran in front of his car , and have done the same several times. He stated that he stopped one runner and suggested that they wear reflective clothing and that they not dart in front of cars. One of the runners then swore at him. He said he nearly struck them as they ran. Police spoke to a YMCA representative who said that he would speak to the instructors about using more caution.

Overdose

A report of an opioid overdose at 5:13 p.m. Tuesday on Ocean Avenue.

PEABODY

Arrest

Samuel E. Wango, 22, of 3322 Crane Brook Way, was arrested on a warrant at 11:39 a.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4 p.m. Tuesday at 412 Lynnfield St. and 2 Elmwood Circle. Wittly Jourdan, 35, of 11 Uphams St., Apt. 1, Malden, was summoned for uninsured motor vehicle and unregistered motor vehicle; at 7:57 a.m. Wednesday at Catholic Charities at 13 Pulaski St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 9:01 p.m. Tuesday at 93 Walnut St. and 29 Howley St.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 4:41 p.m. Tuesday at 346 Lowell St. Someone reported that a truck pulled into their driveway, turned around after crossing the brook, and a man exited his vehicle, walked over to the brook, close to the culvert and threw something in. He then returned to the vehicle and left the property. Police checked the area and brook, and reported that everything was in order.

A report of a disturbance at 10:09 p.m. Tuesday at Azorean Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost at 20 Howley St.; at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday at 111 Foster St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 8:36 p.m. Tuesday at 45 Washington St. A past robbery was reported; at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday at 2 Greene Road. A caller reported a magnetic construction sign, worth $225, was stolen off his truck during the night.

REVERE

Arrests

Batilus J. Gabriel, 34, of 41 Highland St., Apt. 12, was arrested and charged with Class B drug possession with intent to distribute at 6:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Melissa A. Pellegrini, 31, of 41 Highland St., Apt. 12, was arrested on a warrant at 6:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:51 a.m. Tuesday at Rumney Marsh Middle School on American Legion Highway; at 12:32 p.m. Tuesday at Revere Street and North Shore Road; at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday at Hill School on Park Avenue; at 9:11 p.m. Tuesday on Brown Circle; at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday at Bridge Pizzeria on Washington Avenue.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 11:34 a.m. Tuesday on Kingman Avenue; at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday at Karla’s Market on Shirley Avenue; at 9:36 p.m. Tuesday at Wendy’s on Furlong Drive.

Overdose

A report of a possible overdose at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on Eliot Road.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 9:59 a.m. Tuesday at McDonald’s on Squire Road; at 11:17 a.m. Tuesday at St. Jean Credit Union on Shirley Avenue; at 6:38 p.m. Tuesday at Market Basket on Squire Road.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday on Beach Street.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at Stop & Shop at 164 Main St.; at 2:03 p.m. Tuesday at Adams Avenue and Vine Street. A caller reported a vehicle struck a tree; at 3:17 p.m. Tuesday on Walnut Street. A two-car accident was reported. One person was taken to Melrose Wakefield Hospital.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday on Jasper Street.

Complaints

A report of a suspicious motor vehicle at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday on Broadway. A caller reported an MBTA bus with a flashing sign that said “call the police.” Police reporting it was a malfunctioning sign on the bus.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 10:08 a.m. Tuesday at 179 Aspen Road; at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday at Humphrey Street and Phillips Avenue; at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday at 1 Paradise Road.

By BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — The Lynn Public Library will offer special programming throughout April in recognition of National Library Week and school vacation week.

National Library Week will be observed April 9-15. Children’s librarian Susan Cronin said beginning Monday, a banner will be laid out in the Children’s Room for youths to decorate with comments about what the library means to them. Cronin will also facilitate spring-themed crafts every day after school except Friday.

“It’s a week to celebrate the library and the system,” she said. “I don’t think people realize how important the library is. They don’t know what’s available to them. The landscape of the library is ever changing. We have computers, ESL materials, DVDs, CDs, and of course books. It’s free and accessible to all.”

Storyteller Mark Binder will visit the library to tell silly stories on Wednesday, April 12 at 3 p.m.

During April vacation week, April 17-21, the younger children can enjoy board games, coloring pages, and puzzles will be on hand each day. The QuaranTEEN Tech Room, which houses an Xbox, and iPads, will be open Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20 for grades 6 through 12.

“It’s really a space where teens can use the technology how they would like,” said Young Adult librarian Katelyn Cole. “The computers have different programs and games. They can be used for photo editing or video editing. The iPads have a ton of apps they can use, including Minecraft. There are Xbox games they can play with friends.”

Kennedy expected to announce third run

Maker Time will be Wednesday April 19 from 1 to 4 p.m.. Teens can use 3D pens; Sphero and Ollie robots, which are easily programmable with an iPad; make jewelry and key chains using thread and beads, build with Legos, and other activities.

“(Sphero and Ollie) are really a good introduction for teens to robots without it being too intimidating,” Cole said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS BARRY
Fire crews extinguish a burning car on Western Avenue.

By LEAH DEARBORN

LYNN — Flames engulfed a car parked in front of Dunkin’ Donuts, 50 Western Ave., shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to Item readers.

Police and fire crews responded to the scene, according to video and photos shared by readers Cassandra Delgado and Diana McEvoy.

Lynn District Fire Chief Michael McBride said he was not aware of any injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
A dead rat is seen on pavement of Union Street.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — There’s a reason the downtown isn’t looking its best: The city’s street sweeper is in the shop.

“The downtown is a mess,” said Andrew Hall, commissioner of the Department of Public Works.  “Our sweeper has been broken for a week and we’re waiting on parts.”

A walk through Central Square and up Union Street takes a little effort to avoid the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cups, potato chip bags, candy wrappers and even a dead rat near North Shore Furniture. It wasn’t much better at Caruso’s Pizza or Aaron’s where an assortment of trash was strewn on the streets.  

None of the merchants would talk to The Item when asked to comment on the state of the downtown’s cleanliness. Pedestrians were a little more willing to offer their take on it.

Rodney Garcia, who just had soup at Pho Minh Ky Restaurant, said he’s used to the litter and hardly notices it anymore.

“I know it’s there, but I just don’t think about it,” he said. “I have bigger things to worry about.”

Rosemarie Gonsalves and her daughter, who were en route to pick up a prescription at Eaton Apothecary, said now that the snow’s melted she’s noticing the litter.

“It doesn’t look like the most inviting part of the city,” she said. “They could do a better job keeping it clean since there are so many businesses.”

Car burns up on Western Avenue

Hall said the city’s street sweeper usually cleans the downtown streets five nights a week. But it has been out of service since last Wednesday.

The citywide street sweeping program began Monday. DPW contracts with a firm to sweep, weather permitting.

The twice yearly project started in West Lynn’s Ward 7 in West Lynn and will end in Ward 1. In the fall, it will be reversed and they will start in Ward 1.

Typically, it takes a week to complete the sweep in each ward, weather permitting, Hall said.

“It was canceled on Tuesday because it poured and we expect it to be canceled on Thursday for rain,” he said.

Sweeping operations are conducted from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Illegally parked cars will receive a $15 ticket.

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Debra Ruggiero answers questions during her finial interview.

By ADAM SWIFT

PEABODY — The school committee is down to its final candidate for superintendent, but Debra Ruggiero will have to wait until at least Tuesday to see if she is offered the position.

Ruggiero, principal of the Harrington Elementary School in Lynn, fielded questions from the School Committee for 90 minutes Wednesday night. At the conclusion of the interview, the committee voted to table any discussion on making a decision on the position until its next meeting April 11.

Ruggiero was one of three finalists to replace Interim Superintendent Herb Levine, but over the past week, the other two finalists accepted positions in other districts and withdrew their names from consideration.

School Committee member Joseph Amico said the process has shown how there is a critical shortage of qualified candidates for top administrative positions in the state.

“We had five or six competitive candidates,” he said. “But the two other finalists did go to strong districts.”

Gloucester assistant superintendent Arthur Unobskey took the top job in Wayland, while on Monday, Somerville High School Headmaster John Oteri was offered the superintendent position in Malden.

“I have accepted the (Malden superintendent’s post), pending successful contract negotiations which I am confident will take place,” Oteri said.

On Wednesday night at the Wiggin Auditorium at Peabody City Hall, Ruggiero had the spotlight to herself, answering questions about her leadership style, experience, and how she would handle contract negotiations.

Ruggiero characterized herself as a collaborative leader who puts the needs of the students first and uses data to help achieve the best outcomes for students and teachers.

New restaurants on the mall menu

School Committee member Brandi Carpenter noted that Ruggiero has handled budgets at the school building level but that the district budget for Peabody reaches $70 million and asked her how she would make the jump to handling such a large budget.

“I’ve always included the senior leadership team at the school level,” said Ruggiero, adding that any requests that come before her required data to back up the need. “I don’t want to make a decision just because we think we need something.”

Ruggiero, a Peabody resident, was asked her thoughts on potentially working and living in the same community by Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.

“Connections make a difference,” said Ruggiero. “If you live in the town where you work, the parents feel like you are more approachable, and the parents and teachers feel like you are more invested in the school system. It is absolutely a positive to be a presence in the city and to be involved in the community.”

In her closing remarks to the school committee, Ruggiero acknowledged that it is a big jump from building principal to superintendent, but said she has the skills, experience, and passion to succeed in the job.

“It’s been a pleasure to go through the process,” she said. “It’s been quite a journey and I’ve learned a lot about myself and how people see me and who I am as a leader. I do have the experience I can draw on for this position and I do have the drive and passion. I’m reaching for the stars, and Peabody is my star.”

Steve Frecker contributed to this report.

LYNN — Philip P. Nicoletti of Lynn, formerly of Medford, peacefully passed away at the age of 68 on March 28, 2017. Beloved son of the late Philip and Jean (Izzo) Nicoletti. Loving and devoted father of Amanda Jean Nicoletti Izzo-Alessandrini, her husband Ian, and Philip Nicoletti. Longtime companion of Dorothy Mah. Beloved brother of Richard Nicoletti and his wife Mariann, Jeanne Nicoletti-Ayer and her husband Michael, John “Jack” Nicoletti and his wife Susan, Donna Nicoletti and Toni Nicoletti. Beloved grandfather of Aiden, Ella and Mia and several nieces and nephews. Also, his forever faithful dog Carmella.

Mr. Nicoletti was a graduate of Medford High School and went on to contracting school in California. Mr. Nicoletti was a general contractor and worked at Everett Aluminum for many years, as well as for the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a federal disaster inspector. He enjoyed volunteering for many years at his son’s baseball and hockey leagues, but his greatest passion was to watch his son “take the mound.” He also greatly enjoyed watching his daughter’s gymnastics meets and horse shows. Mr Nicoletti was known for giving names to those whom he held dear to him: “blubby angel, footsie, the boy, yard bird, marko, baby balooga, wally, stack fish, krish-tin, wilks, cc-montero, loo-loo bird, and guido.” Phil was well known in his community as the guy who walked miles a day with his dogs Lucy and Carmella, and will be sadly missed.

Service information: Visiting hours will be held at the DELLO RUSSO Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following in the funeral home. Interment services will be private.

At the family’s request, flowers are respectfully omitted. Donations can be made in memory of Philip P. Nicoletti c/o Richard Nicoletti, East Boston Savings Bank, 15 Bartlett Road, Winthrop MA 02152. To leave a message of condolence visit Dellorusso.net.