Stames J. Vranas

LEE -- Stames James Vranas, 88, of Cefalo Memorial Complex in Melrose, formerly of Lee, died Sunday at Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center in Medford.

Born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Oct. 15, 1919, son of James and Marion Briggs Vranas, he was educated in Taunton schools. He moved to Lee in 1941 and to Melrose in 2001 to be closer to family.

Mr. Vranas was employed by the former Clark-Aiken Co. as an electrical maintenance supervisor from Oct. 12, 1959, until retiring in 1978. He also owned and operated the Lee Radio Shop, later called Vranas & Bell Radio Shop. The business was sold to Henry's Electric in 1948, where he worked until 1959. From 1941 to 1946, he worked for the former Smith Paper Co. as a laboratory technician. He also lived in New York City for a number of years, where he worked at the Waldorf Astoria in customer service.

He was a member of First Congregational Church of Lee and served on its management committee. He also was a member of the Lee Cable Advisory Commission, past president of the American Institute of Plant Engineers, and a member of the Evening Star Lodge, AM&FM Berkshire Commandery, Berkshire Royal Arch Chapter, Melha Temple and Berkshire Shriners. He enjoyed bowling and golfing. He and his wife, the former Mildred Abele, were members of Greenock Country Club, where they played in the Scotch Foursome and Singles clubs for many years.

The couple celebrated their 65th anniversary June 7.

Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Susan Cinella of Melrose and Diane Vranas of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; a sister, Katrina Vranas Bradley of Pittsburgh; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Service for Stames James Vranas, who died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, with his family by his side, will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. at KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 3 Main St., Lee, by the Rev. Marilyn R. Rossier. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Members of the Evening Star Lodge will meet Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge to proceed to the funeral home for a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Visiting hours will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Gifts in Stames' memory may be made to First Congregation Church of Lee, to Shriners' Hospital for Children in Boston or to Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center in Medford. He also leaves his sons-in-law, Edward Cinella and Ken Kwalik; his grandchildren, Lisa D'Ampolo and her husband, Michael, of Saugus, Denise Kaliris and her husband, William, of Melrose, Steven Cinella and his wife, Mariann, of Medford, and Kelley Piscitelli and her husband, Travis, of Summerville, S.C.; his great-grandchildren, William, Dillon and Matia Kaliris, Edward II and Caitlin Cinella, and Lucas Piscitelli; many nieces and nephews; and his exceptionally caring caregivers at Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center. He was predeceased by his siblings, Vasiliki Vranas Bradley, and Nicholas Elias, Andrea and Joseph Vranas.