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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024 Page 17 OBITUARIES Lillian M. (Maniscalco) Conti O f Revere, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in the Massachusetts General Hospital after a very brief illness. She was 93 years old. Lillian was born in the North End section of Boston and lived in Revere for many years. She worked very closely with her late husband, Bob at Everett Aluminum for many years. A devout Catholic, Lillian was very active in her parish, St. Mary’s Church. She would be there to help in any way possible. She was the daughter of the late Filomena Ragusa and Mario Maniscalco; beloved wife of the late Robert Conti; dear and devoted mother of Mary Lynn Sully and her husband, Richard of Lynnfi eld, Peter R. Conti and his wife, Kathleen of Saugus, John Conti and his wife, Michele of Everett, Steven Conti and his fi - anc?, Anne Rochon of Gloucester and the late Paul R. Conti; sister of Josephine Gasdia and her husband, Anthony of Somerville and the late Accurzia “Lucy” Ciulla and her husband, Vincenzo “Jimmy”, Anna Palazzolo and her husband, Marty, Margaret Aiello and husband, Pino, and Vincenzo “Jimmy” Maniscalco and wife, Mal. Loving grandmother of Christopher Conti, and his wife Tanya, Jillian Sheehan, and her husband, Colin, Joseph Conti and his wife, Natalie, Robert Conti and his wife, Caitlin, Kimberly Conti and her companion, Devon Lopez, Maria Sully and her fi anc?’, Patrick Slavin, Kelsey Conti and Michaela Conti; and loving great-grandmother of Rory Sheehan, Bobby Conti, Graham Sheehan, Matthew Conti and Thomas Conti. Lillian is also survived by her loving Goddaughter, Miranda Mugford and many dear relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Lillian’s visitation in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday morning, October 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary ‘s Church, 670 Washington St., Revere at 11 a.m. Interment in the family lot at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers, contributions in Lillian’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Walk for Bob” (www.alz. org) or mail to 320 Nevada St. Ste. 201, Newton, MA 02460 would be sincerely appreciated. Parking with attendants on duty. Robert A. Calo Sr. O f Revere. Passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on October 8, 2024, at the age of 78. Born in Everett to the late Bejamin Calo and Amelia (DeAngelis). As a civil engineer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 27 dedicated years, Robert was well known for his strong will and meticulous skill in his profession. He also worked for over 20 years at the Wonderland dog track in Revere. Robert enjoyed watching sports with his favorites being the New England sports teams. His love for sports was only surpassed by his fondness for coin collecting, a hobby that showcased his keen eye for detail and appreciation for history. Robert’s collection, like the man himself, was both diverse and captivating. Beloved husband of 52 years to Karen (Morrison). They spent their lives together in joyous companionship, their bond only growing stronger with time. Devoted father of Robert A. Calo Jr. and his wife Andrea of Revere. Adored grandfather of Kathryn and Krystina Calo. Dear brother of Denise Sao Pedro and her husband Carlos of Revere, and the late Roberta Ciampa and her surviving husband Anthony Ciampa of Saugus. Caring uncle of Michael Sao Pedro and his husband Christopher, Nikki Welch and her husband Niles, Anthony Coughlin, and the late Caroline Coughlin and her surviving husband Michael. Also survived by many loving family members and friends. Funeral from the Paul Buonfi glio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Revere. Relatives and friends were kindly invited. A Visitation was held on Monday. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of fl owers donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Steven R. MacDonald O f Lynn, formerly of Revere. Steven, a Ret. Revere Special Education Teacher, died peacefully at his home on Monday, October 14th following a long illness, he would have celebrated his 68th birthday on October 20th. Steven was born and raised in Revere. He was one of three sons of Frank & Gloria MacDonald. He was educated in Revere Schools and was an alumnus of Revere High School Class of 1974. Steven then furthered his education at the college level fi rst at Boston State College, then transferred to Salem State College, where he earned his degree in Special education. He then went on to earn a master’s in education and later went to Fitchburg State where he earned another Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. He would pursue a teaching career in Revere. He fi rst began in the elementary schools, then he later moved to Revere High School. Steven dedicated his life to working with special need students and he loved it. His passion for teaching made him a success and it showed. He always put his students fi rst and they were better for it. His career spanned 34 years in Revere public schools. During this time, Steven would marry his best friend and wife Wendy (Walfi eld). They married on April 15, 1989. Steven and Wendy later relocated to Lynn where they made their home and would have one daughter, Meredith. Steven coached girls’ varsity soccer for the High School and also coached the girls annual Powder Puff Game. He would volunteer and chaperone for any event and was always there if the school or the kids needed anything. He retired after many wonderful years due to his health. He continued to love the City of Revere, watched his favorite Boston sports teams, especially the Patriots and the Bruins. He was a car enthusiast and some of his family would say that he was a Mass Lottery enthusiast as well. Steven was truly a gentle man who tried to make a diff erence and supported his community in every way. He is the beloved husband of 35 years to Wendy S. (Walfi eld) MacDonald of Lynn. The loving and proud father of Meredith N. MacDonald of Lynn. The devoted son of the late Frank “Mac” & Gloria E. (Delena) Mac Donald. The cherished brother of Ret. US Army Lt. Col. Charles R. MacDonald & wife Stephanie of Hampton, VA. and the late David R. MacDonald. Also lovingly survived by several nieces and nephews. Family & friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, October 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of fl owers, remembrances may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or by visiting www.kidney.org/donate. GIBNEY VS. HOSSACK SJC CASE T his was a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) case decided in April of this year regarding words used in the Last Will and Testament of Heather Hossack. In this case, the testator, Heather Hossack used the words in a devise to her mother “if she survives me”. the SJC in this case took the position that the phrase “if she survives me”, together with other provisions in her Will, demonstrated, as a matter of law, the testator’s intent to avoid application of the anti-lapse statute under Mass General Laws, Chapter 190B, Section 2-603, which provides that where a devisee falls within a class of specifi c familial relatives of the testator and where the devisee predeceases the testator, the devise does not lapse but falls to the living issue of the predeceased devisee. The anti-lapse statute is based on a judgment about the typical testator’s probable intent to preserve the devise for the predeceased devisee’s lineal descendants, thereby keeping the devise in the family. A testator can avoid the default presumption by indicating a contrary intention shown by the terms of the Will. This case presented the question of whether a testator’s choice to make a devise to an individual “if she survives me”, demonstrates a contrary intention to avoid the application of the antilapse statute. The SJC in this case answered this question in the positive, and the devise then fell into the residuary clause of the Will. Thomas Gibney was the residuary benefi ciary of the Will and he therefore was entitled to the devise. Heather left cash assets to her 85 year-old mother, Ethel Wyman, “if she survives me”. Ethel died before Heather. Heather’s brother John Hossack fi led the action in court claiming that he should have received the cash assets as a lineal descendant of his mother Ethel Wyman. The SJC found that the devise of the cash assets to Ethel Wyman lapsed and the cash assets fell into the residuary estate thereby rightfully belonging to Thomas Gibney. He was a caretaker neighbor of Heather and her health care agent. The SJC found that Heather Hossack intended to avoid the anti-lapse statute by including the words “if she survives me”. A devise, other than a residuary devise, that fails for any reason becomes part of the residuary estate. When a Will imposes no survivorship condition or alternate disposition on a devise if the devisee predeceases the testator, there is no indication in the terms of the Will that the testator contemplated the possibility that the devisee might predecease her. As such, the anti-lapse statute fi lls in the testator’s missing intent with a presumption against disinheritance of certain lineal descendants, allowing the devisee’s living issue (i.e. children or grandchildren) to take in the devisee’s stead. Courts will always review the Will as a whole in order to determine the testator’s intent. That is precisely how the SJC decided this very important case. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net

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