John Ferlisi, a lifelong resident of Woburn passed away peacefully April 5, 2016, at the Winchester Hospital after a short period of declining health. He was 88 years of age. John was the beloved husband of Elena (Calderone) Ferlisi and together they shared sixty years of marriage. Born in Woburn he was one of eight children of the late Vincenzo and Carmella (Conte) Ferlisi.
John was raised and educated in Woburn and attended Woburn Schools. He was true "Jack of all Trades". He worked for several years as a contractor, and then worked as a talented barber in Boston at the Prudential Center where many of his customers were Boston celebrities and professional athletes. He later worked for many years as a baker at the Stop & Shop commissary prior to the stores having their own bakeries and he eventually retired from the Houghton - Mifflin Publishing Company of Burlington where he was a manager in the shipping and receiving department. John could build, fix or repair anything. He was very proud of the fact he built his own home. He was a talented finish carpenter and was meticulous about his work.
When not working, John enjoyed gardening, tending to his flowers, fruits and vegetables. He also enjoyed dancing, taking walks, hanging out in the neighborhood during the warm weather, watching the children play. Together with his wife Elena, they enjoyed some traveling with family and friends over the years to places such as Sicily, Las Vegas, and Canada to name a few favorite destinations. John also loved music and was a talented musician able to play the accordion and the piano.
However, John's greatest joy was his family. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to see his grandchildren grow to young adults. While they were growing up he never missed any event that his grandchildren were involved with. He was always there to support them and was their number one fan. John also took great comfort in his strong Catholic faith and was an active parishioner of St. Charles Church for the majority of his life.
In addition to his beloved wife, John is survived by his son; Vincent A. Ferlisi and his wife Janet of Woburn. He was the loving and cherished grandfather of Kathryn Ferlisi and Vincent A. Ferlisi Jr., both of Woburn. Brother of Marion Amescua and her husband Al of California, the late Virginia Duffy, Tina Calderone, Louis, Anthony, Carmen and Ralph Ferlisi. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Monday, April 11th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m... Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home will be held Sunday from 3 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in John's memory to the St. Charles Playground Fund, 280 Main St., Woburn, MA 01801.