Michael Fonzo
Businessman, Philanthropist and Horse Breeder
Michael A. Fonzo of Gloucester died on September 13.
Born on February 5, 1930 in Boston, ‘Mike’ was raised in the North End of Boston and Chelsea in a family with four sisters and one brother.
He graduated from Chelsea High School with the Class of 1947, went to work and attended night school at Northeastern University where he received an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He married his first wife, Dorothy, and two children were born to that union. Mike worked for C.W. Torngren in Somerville constructing shipping boxes. Using the knowledge and experience he gained there, he moved in to sales and later brought his brother Sal to the company.
In 1972 the brothers purchased Aero Manufacturing, a company making jet engine parts for General Electric. The success of this relationship led them to expand and build a 75 thousand square foot facility in Beverly, realizing 25 million dollars in annual sales. In 1999 Mike retired and sold his share of the company to his brother, Sal and Sal’s son, David.
Retirement allowed Mike and his wife Jane, who he married in 1994, to pursue his great passion for the care and welfare of animals. He worked tirelessly to help establish the new Cape Ann Animal Shelter which opened in 2012. Along with Jane, he joined the Northeast Health and Hospital’s Founders Society and further supported the Addison Gilbert Hospital by playing an important role in the establishment of the Gorton’s Cancer Unit, donating the waiting room. They were also involved in helping the Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston increase awareness and raise funds for expansion.
While Mike was an active and enthusiastic golfer and a regular at the card table at the St. Peter’s Club, he embarked on a new adventure with the president of the Massachusetts Breeders Association, George Brown. With the purchase of a chestnut thoroughbred horse named Sociano, Mike and George began to breed and race a stable of horses, further enabling Mike’s frequent attendance at Suffolk Downs and providing him with even greater enjoyment.
While Mike enjoyed all of his various pursuits, he had no greater joy than gathering friends and family members at his home for long, wonderful dinners prepared by his wife, Jane.
He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Carmela (DiNunzio) Fonzo, his sisters Jennie Fonzo, Flora Foley, and Mary Petrosky. He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Jane (Creighton) Fonzo of Gloucester, his son, Michael A. Fonzo, Jr., of Rochester, New Hampshire, his daughter Lisa Fonzo Lenk of Danvers, and grandson Harrison Michael Lenk. He is also survived by his brother, Salvatore and his wife, Patricia Fonzo of Gloucester, his sister, Eileen Dwyer of Saugus, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and a large host of friends who will dearly miss and remember him.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church, Holy Family Parish, 74 Pleasant St., Gloucester, Thursday, September 20 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Funeral arrangements were by the Campbell-Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly (North Beverly location.) Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Michael’s memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Ln., Gloucester, MA 01930. Information and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
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Jennie Tello
North End Resident
Jennie M. Tello of Boston’s North End died on September 16. She was 89 years old.
The beloved daughter of the late Victoria (Messina) and Joseph Tello, she was the loving sister of the late John, Domenic, James, Anthony, Frank and Joseph Tello, Mary Curreri and Anne Rizzo and is also survived by countless loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Boston Harborside Home, Boston. Burial was at St. Michael Cemetery in Boston. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Sacred Heart Church, 14 N. Bennett St., Boston MA. Boston Harborside Home J.S. Waterman & Sons-Waring-Langone www.bostonharborsidehome.com.
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Pauline Napoli
Of Medford, Formerly of the North End
Pauline (Bono) Napoli of Medford, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on September 19,
She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony Napoli; devoted mother of Lillian Napoli, Pauline Napoli, Gus Napoli and his wife, Donna, all of Medford and the late Lucille Napoli; loving grandmother of Marc Napoli and his wife, Vanessa of Methuen and great grandmother of Leo Napoli of Methuen; sister of the late Nicholas and Frank Bono and Vita Palazzolo.
Funeral arrangements were by the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, Medford. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. For guestbook or obituary dellorusso.net.
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Theresa Rizzari
Boston Resident
Theresa R. Rizzari of Boston died on September 15. She was 89 years old.
The loving wife of 62 years to Nicholas Rizzari, she was the devoted mother of Rose and Nicholas, Jr. of Boston; loving sister of Sam Maduri of Londonderry, NH and Kay Pagliuca of Boston’s North End, as well as the late Mary Pucillo, Joseph Maduri and Helen Ragnetta. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were by the Boston Harborside Home, Boston. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. To leave online condolences, please visit www.bostonharborsidehome.com.