Christopher Rudolph Zarba, Sr.
Gifted composer, pianist and music educator; first conductor of the Boston Ballet Orchestra; accomplished portrait and landscape painter;
lost son on 9/11
Christopher Rudolph Zarba, Sr. of Winthrop, previously of Medford and East Boston, passed away peacefully at home on December 21 at age 92 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in East Boston to Giuseppe “Joseph” Alfonso Zarba and Elvira Battaglia Zarba, Mr. Zarba was a graduate of the New England Conservatory, where he received bachelors and masters degrees in music composition in the early 1950s. He also completed graduate work in art history at Boston University in the late 1950s.
A gifted composer and pianist, as well as a talented and devoted music educator, Maestro Zarba was the first conductor of the Boston Ballet orchestra. In 1954, he conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra in the premiere of one of his compositions, a symphony entitled Palm Sunday. His other works include Sinfonia de Camera, Ballade for Orchestra, Trojan Women, and Symphonies I, II, III and IV. His compositions have been performed by orchestras in the United States and Europe.
A sought-after bandleader for such prominent performers as Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Vic Damone, Sergio Franchi, and Al Martino, Mr. Zarba served for five years as music director of the Ice Capades at Boston Garden. With his brother, Franklin Zarba, singer and bassist, he performed regularly at venues throughout the Boston area, and was well-known for his mastery of a wide range of music styles and genres.
As a music teacher in the Watertown schools for nearly thirty years, spanning the late 1950s to the mid-80s, Mr. Zarba was beloved and admired by countless former students. In 2004, he received the Italian American Lifetime Achievement Award from the local organization Italia Unita for his many contributions to music. He was also an accomplished and prolific portrait and landscape painter.
An Army Sergeant in World War II stationed in England and Italy, Mr. Zarba served with the 296th Combat Engineers unit in Normandy after D-Day.
Mr. Zarba was pre-deceased by his devoted wife of 49 years, Catherine “Kitty” De Angelis Zarba, and his loving son, Christopher R. Zarba, Jr., who was killed in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
Mr. Zarba will be remembered with great love and affection by many extended family members, including his son Joseph Zarba (Helen), brothers Joseph Zarba (Tessie) and Franklin Zarba (Jeanne), sister Rina Zarba, and grandchildren Chris, Laura, and Charlotte Zarba.
The funeral was conducted from the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Maley Funeral Home, Winthrop on Monday, December 28 followed by a Funeral Mass in the Most Holy Redeemer Church, East Boston. Services concluded with the interment in the St. Michael’s Cemetery, Boston.
To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
–
William Louis Maradei
Retired teacher and coach at Joseph Barnes Junior High School in East Boston
William Louis Maradei of Revere died on December 27.
A US Navy veteran of World War II, he was a teacher and coach at Joseph Barnes Jr. High School in East Boston. His teams won numerous championships while he was coaching there. He was an avid walker of Revere Beach and follower of Austin Prep Football.
He was the beloved husband of the late Angela (Staffier); devoted father of Coach Bill Maradei of Reading, Linda Bruno and her husband, Anthony of Revere and Christine Tavilla of Reading; cherished grandfather of Michele Brewer, Janelle Bruno, Pamela Furfure, Jenna Edwards, William Maradei and Mark Maradei and great-grandfather of Haylee Brewer, Kelsey Brewer and Thomas Furfure.
His funeral will be held from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons~Bruno Funeral Home 128 Revere St., Revere on Thursday, December 31 at 8 am. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Church at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. today. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. For online guestbook and memorial please visit: www.Buonfiglio.com
–
Julio Torres, Jr.
Of Chelsea
Julio Torres, Jr. of Chelsea passed away unexpectedly in his home on December 26. He was 46 years old.
He was the devoted husband of Tina (McKoy) Torres; beloved son of Julio Torres Sr. of Chelsea and Gloria Camacho of Puerto Rico; loving step father to Quentin Mina and Terrance McKoy; dear brother to Marysol and her husband, Enrique Garcia, both of Chelsea and Janet Torres of Kissimmee, Florida; loving uncle to Sabrina Williams, Jordenn White, Brianna Toro, Jarred Frizzell, Sariana Toro and Deanalee Romero and is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Family and friends will honor Julio by gathering on Friday, January 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston with a memorial service to be held in our Serenity Chapel at 7 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.ruggieromh.com
–
Maria ‘Kandie’ Molloy
Of Revere, formerly of East Boston
Maria J (DeLuca) “Kandie” Molloy of Revere, formerly of East Boston, passed away after a brief illness peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25 with her loving family by her bedside.
She was the beloved wife of Mark F. Molloy, devoted mother of Gina DiRocco and her husband, Lawrence, Jr., Roberta LePage and her husband, David, all of Revere and the late Mark E Molloy; dear sister of Corrine DeVasto and Ginnine Ippilito, both of Brockton; cherished grandmother of David, Larry, Ganelle and Candace and adored great grandmother of David, Jr. She is also survived by loving aunts, nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor Maria’s life by gathering in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston today, Wednesday, at 8:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to St Joseph-St Lazarus Church for a Funeral Mass celebrating her life at 10 a.m. Services will conclude in the chapel of Woodlawn Cemetery. In honor of Maria and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown 02472. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com
–
Albert A. “Alby” Lombardi, Jr.
Past Commodore of Orient Heights Yacht Club
Albert A. “Alby” Lombardi, Jr. of East Boston died peacefully on December 22.
The Past Commodore and member of the Orient Heights Yacht Club, he was also a member of the NRA and Teamsters Local 25.
He was the devoted father of Bonnie Tardugno and her husband, Neil, Debra L Lombardi and the late John and Michael Souza; loving companion for over 25 years to Carol Bridges; cherished grandfather of Anthony S. Vetere and Victoria L Tardugno and former hasband of Susan Shields.
Family and friends will honor “Alby’s life by gathering today, Wednesday, December 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. (Orient Heights) East Boston for a memorial celebration of his life sharing stories and memories. In honor of “Alby” and in lieu of flowers,, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston 02241. The Funeral home is handicapped accessible, children’s lounge available, courtesy valet parking front entrance ample off street parking with attendant in parking lots. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com