By Josh Resnek
Fiorindo “Fred” Antonelli died at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston August 4 with his family by his bedside following a stubborn 13 month battle with cancer.
Mr. Antonelli, who lived here much of his life, and who raised his family here, since immigrating from Orsonga, Italy when he was a very young man, was 74.
‘He fought the cancer for 13 months. He never complained to any of us. Not a word about his suffering,” said his son, well-known local businessman Greg Antonelli.
“That’s the kind of man he was. He never wanted to burden his family with his difficulties,” he added.
Mr. Antonelli was born in Orsogna, Italy in the ancient and historic East coast region known as Abruzzo on April 5, 1943.
He came to America and settled in Everett with his parents and two sisters in 1956.
His parents, Anna Camille Tenaglia and Filippo settled into a three family home at 425 Ferry Street. His father was a union construction laborer. His mother worked in Malden in the knitting mills, stitching materials.
“They were seeking a better life for themselves,” said son Greg. “My father always had a tenacious work ethic. He worked three jobs all his life. He instilled in all of us that same work ethic,” he said.
Mr. Antonelli grew up here in humble circumstances, in a simple working class home.
When he was 17, he joined the US Army, ultimately serving in the Army for 23 years and reaching the rank of Sgt. First Class.
He served two combat tours in Vietnam, serving with distinction as a medic.
Mr. Antonelli received his GED in 1956. He never excelled as a student but he understood the ways of the world, according to son Greg.
“He knew how to make friends, and how to keep them. He was always generous and always a great provider to all of us. He taught us by example how to make something of our lives,” added son Greg.
For much of his adult life Mr. Antonelli his wife Maryann and his children lived in the family home at 46 Windsor Street.
For many years he worked as a barber in Lexington, coming to be known as Fred the Barber. The cutting hair era was followed by his employment with the Everett Cooperative Bank as the bank’s director of facilities.
“My father worked three jobs his entire life. He cut hair. He worked for the bank. He did his time in the Army Reserves,” said son Greg.
Speaking for his siblings, Greg said his father was always there for them, that they all shared great respect and love for him and he for them and that he was a strong force in shaping their lives.
He said his father’s death would not deter the family from always moving forward and facing the future.
“We will pick up the pieces and move on. That’s what he would have wanted. We will take care of our mother and sister and continue working hard as he would have liked,” said son Greg.
Above all, Mr. Antonelli loved his garden and gardening and sharing the vegetables always with neighbors and friends.
He was an avid Red Sox fan.
Most of all, according to son Greg, he was a proud father and an extremely proud grandfather and that the love of his life was his wife, Maryann.
He leaves behind his wife, and his four children, Philip, Christopher, Greg and Lisa.
He also leaves behind his grandchildren Alessandra and Nicolas, Kaigo and Adriana, and Guliana, Gabriela and Genaro.
The Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Kindly refer to Mr. Antonelli’s obit on the obit page for full details and for the complete survivors list.