Nicola Crugnale
Of Medford, formerly of the North End
Nicola Crugnale of Medford, formerly of the North End, died on September 13.
He was the beloved husband of Claurinda (Crugnale); devoted father of Euliana Cardone of Medford; loving grandfather of Alfredo Cardone and his wife, Nicolina and Claudia and her husband, Italo; brother of Donato Crugnale, Ninetta Crugnale, both of Italy and the late Antonio Crugnale.
Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Funeral Home, Medford. Entombment was at Woodlawn Community Mausoleum, Everett. For obituary and guestbook visit: dellorusso.net
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Philip Cantino
Garment Industry Retiree
Philip Cantino died unexpectedly on September 10 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. He was 85 years old.
Mr. Cantino has been a resident of the Chelsea Soldiers Home for the past three years because of declining health. He was born in Messina, Italy and came to the United States with his family as a young boy settling in Boston’s North End. He lived in the North End for several years before moving to Quincy where he lived for nearly 50 years.
He attended school in Boston’s North End and entered the US Army in January of 1945 serving until January of 1946.
Most of his working career was as a presser for Boston’s Garment Industry. He also worked in the construction field. He was a member of the Amalgamated Garment Workers Union of America.
The husband of the late Jane L. (Russell), he was the cherished brother of Anthony P. Cantino of Revere, Salvatore Cantino and his wife, Marie of Bedford and the late Carmela Caputo. He was the devoted uncle of Angela J. Tabb and her husband, Robert and Joseph A. Caputo, Jr. and his wife, Mary-Lou, all of Florida, Camille M. Punch and her husband, William A. of Boston’s Back Bay, Joanne T. Caputo-Carfagna and her husband, Alfred of Revere; John J. Connolly and his wife, Anna of Peabody and he is also the grand uncle of several nieces and nephews.
Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Patients Recreation Fund, Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150.
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Lena ‘Benedetta’ DeFrancesco
Filene’s retiree
Lena “Benedetta” DeFrancesco was born in the North End of Boston on March 12, 1915. She was 96 years old.
She was the third eldest of 10 children. A younger sister, Maria died at the age of two of the Great Influenza, sometime between 1918 and 1920. Her five sisters and three brothers knew Lena to be strong, loving and generous to a fault. As a girl Lena was responsible for the cleaning chores in the family and was meticulous to a fault! She worked in a candy factory while studying for her high school diploma. She was quickly promoted to supervisor and took care to help others along with their work.
Later she worked at the hosiery counter in Filene’s Basement in Boston for more than 30 years and was the top salesgirl in that department. She married in 1944 and lived with her husband, Jimmy until his death in 1967. After his passing, she got her driver’s license and continued to work and spend time with her family and friends.
She loved to shop for a bargain and would then give everything away to those she loved. She never came to visit without bundles of food, clothing or beautiful things for everyone. Her wit was unmatchable and she was even known to dance on a table or two at family celebrations. She was a strong woman and you always knew where you stood with Lena, she did not mince words. Her faith in God was strong and she went to church every Sunday until she became ill earlier this year.
She lived alone in her condo until the last few months of her life where she continued to concern herself with what she could do for her family and good friends. She was so grateful to her brothers for their love and support after the loss of her husband, Jimmy.
We believed that Lena would be the last surviving sibling but God decided to take her home this week. She died quietly at the Lighthouse Nursing Care Home in Revere on September 7 where she had the staff on the run day and night. She will be missed by all that loved her and remain in our hearts forever.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Filippo and Rocca Bordonaro of East Boston; loving wife of the late Jim DeFrancesco; dear sister to the late Teresa, Katie, Lucy, Jeannie, Mary and Angelo. She is survived by her loving brothers Vincenzo (Jim) and Michael and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass was at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere.
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James Peter Anastasi
Architect
James Peter Anastasi of Londonderry, NH, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on September 8. He was 71 years old.
He earned a degree in architecture and worked for many years at engineering firms in Massachusetts before moving to New Hampshire in 2004. He was an avid hobbyist with interests ranging from restoring his ’55 T-Bird to woodworking, photography and building and flying model airplanes.
The cherished son of the late Peter and Jenny (Raduazzo) Anastasi, he leaves his son James T. Anastasi and his wife, Jessica of Londonderry, NH, his daughter Allison Anastasi White and her husband, William of Weymouth, and four adoring grandchildren, Joseph White and Rachel, Nicholas and Morgan Anastasi.
Arrangements were by the Boston Harborside Home (Langone). Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Boston. Please visit www.bostonharborsidehome.com to leave condolences.