Sr. Mary Francita Zona mfic, of Newton, January 2, 2015. Beloved daughter of the late Philip and Angelina (Arini) Zona. Sister of Jennie DeBenedictis and the late Frank Zona and Concetta Zona Faldetta. Sr. Mary Francita is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, her Missionary Franciscan sisters and many friends.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mount Alvernia Convent Chapel, 790 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458, Wednesday, January 7 at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours at the Chapel Tuesday 4:30 – 7:00 PM, with a Wake Service at 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Donations in Sr. Mary Francita’s  memory may be sent to the Franciscan Sisters Retirement Fund, at the address listed above. Sr. Mary Francita was a longtime educator in NY and NJ and locally at Mt. Alvernia High School in Newton, St. Clare High School in Roslindale and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in East Boston.

William Michael Kearns 93, of Milton, MA suddenly on Thursday, January 1, 2015.Beloved husband of the late Phoebe (Wilson) Kearns, father of Carol Kearns Andrews of Milton and Michael Kearns of Somerville; Grandfather of Isabel Andrews of Milton; Brother and brother-in-law of Catherine Kearns (and the late Daniel Kearns) of Cohasset, Elaine and Thomas Russo of Wayland, and the late Frances Muller and husband Paul of Belmont, Grace Hanley and husband George of Watertown, and Rosemary Kearns and her former husband Robert Nolan, Sr. of Quincy; Godfather of nieces Judith Curtain of Waltham, Ellen Hanley of Watertown, and Siobhan Nolan of Quincy; He leaves many more surviving extended family and friends. He leaves a close, loving family in Ireland, especially in Athenry, Galway, the Kearns family home.  He leaves loving family in England, the Lees, related to his late wife Phoebe, and remains in close contact with them. He was a graduate of Watertown High School and Tufts University, and is in both athletic Halls of Fame, among others. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S Navy in World War II, in the North Atlantic and Pacific. After the war, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a player, and remained in professional baseball for nearly 70 years as a coach and scout. After the Dodgers he worked for the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals and since 1976, with the Seattle Mariners.  Bill also taught math and coached basketball in South Boston, Somerset and Weymouth. He loved his family and his many friends near and far, and his wonderful life in the family of Major League Baseball. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Wollaston Golf Club in Milton, and cherished his friendships there. He was a constant reader, loved words and great writing, and always had a couple of dogs at his side, especially Border Collies.  He lived a full, passionate, and generous life and will be forever missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Agatha’s Church, Mon. Jan. 5, at 10:30 am. Visiting Hours in the Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE, Sun. 2-5pm. Interment Milton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at www.pbsfonline.com

Hersey L. Mitchell Jr. passed away December 28, 2014. Beloved husband of Mary (Beasley) Mitchell. Devoted father of Teresa Petrice, Hersey Cole Mitchell, Joan Cousin, and Bernadette Holder. Loving brother of Jacob, Charlie, Volia, Virginia, and Nancy Mitchell. Caring grandfather to his 8 grandchildren. He is also survived my many other relatives and friends. A visiting hour will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church on Saturday, January 3rd at 10AM. The funeral service will begin immediately after at 11AM.

 Deborah Cannon-Phillips passed away suddenly on December 25, 2014. She leaves behind her loving husband Harvey Cannon and their two children Veronica and Skylor Cannon. She is also survived by her 9 siblings and a host of relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held for Deborah on Saturday, January 3rd in The Holy Tabernacle Church, 70 Washington St. Dorchester. A visiting hour will be held at 10AM at the church. Interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

James P.  Walsh of Milton, died peacefully on the evening of December 31, 2014  at Marian Manor Nursing Home.  Known as Red ,Jamie, James.  James honorably served with the US Navy during WW II, serving in the Pacific on the USS Santa Fe. He was employed by the US Post Office in So. Boston.  He was the  son of the late John and Josephine (McLaughlin) Walsh.  Survived by his sisters, Norma Conley, Claire Hooley, Theresa Madden and Marguerite Freeman and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings  Mary Reardon, John Walsh, Josephine Bennett and Helen Gast.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Marian Manor Nursing Home, 130 Dorchester St. So. Boston on Monday, January 5 at 10:00 AM.  Relatives and friends invited to attend. Visitation 1 hour prior 9:00-10:00AM.  Interment New Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of James may be made to Marian Manor, 130 Dorchester St. So. Boston, MA 02127.

David A. Bosworth,  of Milton, on Tuesday, December 30, 2014.  Beloved husband of Dorothy (Dacey)  Bosworth.  Devoted father of Jane Mazzarella and her husband Joseph,  Jacqueline Driscoll and her husband Paul, David A. Bosworth, Jr., Nancy Bosworth all of Milton, Charles L. Bosworth and his wife Delphine of Canton.  Brother of Mary  Houlahan of Milton, Walter Bosworth and his wife Judy of Harwichport and the late Charles B. Bosworth Jr.,  Anne McCarthy and Ruth McSharry.  Grandfather of Michael, Courtney, Kate, and John Driscoll, Zack  and Jake Mazzarella, Isabelle, Elise and Charlotte Bosworth,  David and Peyton Bosworth.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church,  350 Reedsdale Rd.,  Milton, Saturday, January 3 at 10:00 AM.  Relatives and friends invited.  Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home,  1140 Washington St. DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS,  Friday, 4-8 PM.  Interment Milton Cemetery.  If desired memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box, 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Late Veteran  US Army, Korea & Vietnam.

Santa C. Zona of Quincy, Dec. 29, Santa grew up in Dorchester and became a hairdresser in her family’s beauty shop, where, as one client wrote in a poem about her, she “made people look better than perhaps they deserved to look”.  She later moved to Quincy where she lived for over 60 years.  Santa was also an accomplished artist, working in many media and selling paintings at her shop.  She was a member of the Braintree and Quincy Art Associations, enjoyed singing and playing the piano and accordion, maintained flower and vegetable gardens at her home, and was an avid ballroom dancer.  She swam year round and loved to travel with friends.  She was also an excellent cook and baker, well-known for her tasty pizzelle and cannoli.  Santa loved being with her friends and family, and especially delighted in the presence of young children.  A warm and caring person, Santa, known by her family simply as “Auntie”, was quick to give a compliment and express gratitude, and always looked on the bright side, which no doubt contributed to her longevity.  Her family and friends benefitted greatly from her kind spirit and will deeply miss the love she so freely gave.

Sister-in-law of Alice Zona of Sandwich, Aunt of Jacqueline Coffman and her husband Steven of Sandwich, Joseph Zona and his wife Meredith of Arlington and Clifford Martin of Stow.  Also survived by 4 grand-nephews.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Agatha’s Church, Sat., Jan. 3, at 10:30 am. Visiting Hours in the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave., EAST MILTON SQUARE, Fri., 3-6 pm. Internment at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. If desired contributions in Santa’s name may be sent to South Shore Elder Services, 1515 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Robert E. Ritchie, of So. Weymouth, formerly of Milton on December 25, 2014.  Beloved husband of Shirley (Bliss) Ritchie.  Loving father of Kenneth E. Ritchie of Newfield,  ME, Donna L. Wolfe of Weymouth, Debra A. Hemingway of Weymouth, Ronald A. Ritchie of Jacksonville, FL and Ralph G. Ritchie of Weymouth. Brother of Elizabeth Ritchie of Dorchester.  Also survived by 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  Funeral service at Dolan – Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., MILTON VILLAGE on Monday, December 29 at 1:00 PM,  Rev. Kathy McAdams, officiating.  Visitation prior to service at noon. Relatives and friends invited to attend.  Interment Milton Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to Milton Animal League Shelter, 181  Governor Stoughton Lane, Milton, MA 02186. Former member Local 470 UAW. Veteran  WW II  US Navy Submarine Service,  serving on U.S.S. Shad, SS-235.  

Paul Joseph Kelley, of Westwood, formerly of Mattapan, December 23, 2014. Beloved husband of Patricia E. (Brennan) Kelley. Loving father of Paul G. and his wife Patrice Kelley of Hanover, Theresa M. and her husband Robert Owens of Westwood, Sheila A. and her husband Kevin Roake of Norfolk, Thomas J. and his wife Michelle Kelley of Walpole and Kevin M. and his wife Karen Kelley of Dorchester. Father-in-law of the late Noreen (Cahill) Kelley. Loving Papa of Julianne Kelley, Mary Theresa Kelley, Rachel Owens, Kevin Roake, Christian Kelley, Shane Kelley, Niall Kelley and Mabel J. Kelley. Brother of John and his late wife Christine Kelley of Milton and the late Claire and her late husband Charles Bell, William J. Kelley, Edward P. and his late wife Dorothy Kelley and James G. Kelley. Brother-in-law of Margaret Kelley, Barbara Kelley, Peter and his wife Patricia Brennan, John and his wife Ellen Brennan, Margaret and her late husband Jack Esperian and the late Edward Brennan. Paul is survived by many loving nieces and nephews and his longtime friend Thomas Whitey O’Hara. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory Church, 2215 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, Tuesday December 30 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Monday 4-8 PM. Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Tuesday 1:45 PM. Due to floral restrictions at the cemetery, please make donations in Paul’s memory to Juvenile Diabetes Research, 60 Walnut St., Wellesley, MA 02481. Paul was a Navy veteran of WWII, serving aboard the USS St. Paul CA73, Life Member of Dorchester Lower Mills VFW Post 8699, retired MBTA trackman for over 20 years, and a former member of Teamsters Local 25 and Carmen’s Local 589.

Ian Valentino Bodden, December 14, Service in Faith Christian Church, 310 Harvard St., Dorchester, Saturday,  December 27 at 10:30 am. Visitation at the church,  9:30 – 10:30 am. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.