Antonio "Tony" Abruzzese, 87, of East Walpole died March 8 in his home following a long illness. He was the husband of Giuseppina (Ranaudo) Abruzzese.
Born in Grottaminarda, Avilino, Italy, June 14, 1927, the son of the late Antonio and Giovannina (Annese) Abruzzese, Mr. Abruzzese was raised in Italy and had lived in East Walpole since 1947.
Tony had been the caretaker for the Bird family in East Walpole for many years.
He enjoyed gardening and cutting wood in his spare time.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter Monica Zingariello and her husband Vinny of of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and their children Carmine, Sofia and Joseph.
He is also survived by his children, John Abruzzese of Virginia, Anna Sater of Acton, Robert Abruzzese of Norwell and Eva Abruzzese of Quincy and their families.
He is also survived by his sisters, Luigella Abruzzese and Giovannina Abruzzese of Italy and the late Pasqualina, Angelina, Maria, Elvira and Luigi.
He was the loving uncle of Linda Laham and her husband Tony of Norwood and great-granduncle of Anthony Laham, Jr and Casandra Massih and their spouses and many other nieces and nephews.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday March 13 in St. Mary's Church, East Walpole at 10:00.
Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, South Walpole.
Visitation will be on Friday from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 892 Main Street, Walpole.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, Ma 01701.