…retired Pharmacist; 89
TEWKSBURY – Gino L. Porzio, age 89, a retired Pharmacist and WWII Veteran, died Thursday afternoon, August 2, at Saints Medical Center in Lowell following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Irene E. (McKeown) Porzio, with whom he had celebrated a 57th wedding anniversary this past September 26th.
He was born in Boston, December 5, 1922, one of five children of the late Nicola and Nora Porzio. He was raised in East Boston and graduated from Boston English High School. He went on to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and earned his Certification as Registered Pharmacist. He retired from the Lawrence Memorial Hospital after more than 20 years of service.
He was a veteran of WWII, and served in the U.S. Army. He spent most of his enlistment aboard a hospital ship, and sailed in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, to the Pacific Ocean and several Asiatic Seas.
He was a member of the Winchester Italian American Club, loved to travel, and looked for any excuse to get on an airplane. He was also a huge fan of the New England Patriots professional football team.
Besides his wife, he is survived by eight children, William Hall of Tewksbury, Robert Porzio of Alaska, Thomas Porzio and his wife Charlene (Parker) of Tewksbury, Ronald Porzio of Chelsea, Larry Porzio of Tewksbury, Gary Porzio of East Boston, Linda Porzio of Maryland, Gene Porzio of Revere; a former daughters-in-law, Louise (Hoffman) Porzio of Malden; a sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Joseph Ippolito of Melrose; ten grandchildren, Cheryl Hall of Peabody, Alina and Aria Porzio of Tewksbury, Larry Jr., Karina, Kristopher, and Nikolas Porzio all of Malden, Anthony Porzio of Millis, Gene and Erica Porzio of Revere, and many nieces and nephews.
He was also brother of the late Mary Durante, Alfonso Porzio and Guido Porzio.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, August 7, in St. William’s Church, Tewksbury. Burial with Army Honors was in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 170 Governors Avenue, Medford, MA 02155 or visit www.hallmarkhealth.org/lawrence.html