Vincent J. "Vinny” Tonello, 89, longtime resident of Whitman, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, June 1st after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Ann L. (Mahoney) Tonello.
He was born in Quincy, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Frola) Tonello, grew up in Sagamore and Whitman.
Vinny served his country in the United States Navy from 1945-1946, after the Navy he worked for Randall’s and Tonello’s Garage, then for Campanella & Cardi and Capaldi Brothers Construction Companies for many years as a mechanic. After his retirement he became the superintendent of the St. James Cemetery where he has worked, for the past 27 years. He was a communicant of the Holy Ghost Church.
He enjoyed his winter time in Florida, working at his son Joe’s liquor store, as well as fixing lawnmowers, but he most loved his time being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Vinny was an avid football fan and was a Patriot season ticket holder for over 30 years.
He is survived by his nine loving children Stephan Tonello of Florida, Thomas Tonello and his wife Susan of Sandwich, Robert Tonello and his wife Jolene of Whitman, Susan LaPierre of Brockton, Jane Arena and her husband Dennis of Plymouth, Joseph Tonello and his wife Tina of Halifax, Ann-Marie Dunne and her husband Eric of Hanson, Paul Tonello of Whitman and Julie Whitmore and her husband Cary of East Bridgewater, brother of Mario Tonello of Sagamore and Louise Meuse of Sandwich, his brother-in-law Robert Mahoney and his wife Frances of Whitman and his dear companion Dottie Conlon of Whitman. He is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Grady and John Tonello, Valia Smith, Lena Marchetti, Albina Messer, Clara Smith and Edna Isabell.
His funeral service will be held Monday June 5th at 10:15AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00AM in Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Sunday June 4th from 3-6 PM.
Donations may be made in his name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 Main St., Suite 1, Natick, MA 01760 or to the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation,P.O. Box 22468, Baltimore, MD 21203