...retired Army Master Sergeant and 3 War Veteran; 93
TEWKSBURY - Frank "Cris" Criscitello, 93, of Endwell, NY, died peacefully on January 1, 2015. He was born in Binghamton, NY, on September 29, 1921, to the late Frank C. and Monarca (Matias) Criscitello. After serving 26 years in the US Army during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Cris retired as a Master Sergeant.
While living in Tewksbury, he was very active in the community. He held every elected position in the Tewksbury Lions Club, was named Lion of the Year, and was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Cris was a charter member of the Fr. Coppen's Knights of Columbus and the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks. He was Commander of VFW Post 8164 twice and Commander of the Billerica DAV Post 46 three times. He was a member of the Tewksbury DAV Post 110, served as the Massachusetts State Junior Vice-Commander of the DAV, and was a member of the Am Vets and the American Legion. Cris also served 12 years on the board of the Tewksbury Council on Aging. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he genuinely loved people, his family, and his country.
Cris was predeceased by Elsa A. (Mozgo) Criscitello, his wife of 56 years; his sisters, Pauline Criscitello and Jane Hannon; his brother James Criscitello; and his grandson Ryan Criste.
He is survived by his sisters: Antoinette (Harold) Schaffer and Nancy (Fred) Booth; his brother: Joseph (Darlene) Criscitello; brother-in-law: his children: Sharon (Bill) Francis-Bennett, Elsa Marsh, Frances Herr, Mary (Edmund) Dorazio, Frank Criscitello, Paula (Joseph) Criste, Carol Criscitello, Pamela Criscitello, and Susan (Kevin) Criste; 14 grandchildren; 11great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; a "son" and friend, Jeffrey Lambert; as well as many close friends.
Cris is also survived by his present wife, Marie Laura (Damato) Criscitello, of Endwell, NY; children: Ralph (Sandra) Damato; Deborah (Tim) Waterman; Robert (Gail) Damato; Mark (Tracy) Damato; and Maria (John) Hasenauer; and numerous grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, from 4 to 7pm at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey corner of 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Friday, Jan. 9, at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury, MA. Burial with Army Honors will follow in Tewksbury cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lion's Club Eye Research, P.O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742.