Henry J. “Buddy” Collari, 83, of Natick, formerly of Wellesley, died Friday, February 9, 2018, surrounded by loving family at his home. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Shea) Hopkins Collari, sharing 38 years of marriage.
A Natick resident for 40 years he was born in Newton, the son of the late Delmo and Regina (Sostilio) Collari.
Buddy was employed by the Town of Wellesley as an Engineer in the Public Works Department for 38 years retiring in 1994. In later years he took great joy in driving children to school as a bus driver for Connolly Transportation in Natick.
He was a member of the Natick Elks and honored with the Lodges “Life Member” award. At the club he was known as an accomplished card player and member of the Elks golf league for many years. Buddy was a faithful blood donor throughout his adult life and an avid reader. Patty and Buddy especially enjoyed travel to Myrtle Beach and Wells Beach, Maine with their life long late friends Barbara and Joe Casey. Buddy cherished his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and large extended family.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his children William Collari, Paul Collari both of Southbridge, Steven Collari and his wife Eda of Millis, Kathryn Hopkins of Framingham, Anne Marie Grassey and her husband John of Natick, Lori Hopkins Amado of Framingham, Thomas Hopkins and his wife Kathleen of Natick, Timothy Hopkins and his wife Melinda of Natick, grandchildren Anthony Seariac, Jacqui Villa, John Grassey Jr, Thomas Grassey, Andrew Grassey, Megan Amado, Elizabeth Hopkins, Sean Beaulieu, Jason Conetta, Brianna Hopkins, Justin Hopkins, Julia Hopkins, Nikki Collari, Kimberly Collari, Christopher Collari, Great-grandchildren, David Villa, Ayla Villa, Abby Villa, Luke Seariac, Jack Seariac, and many nieces and nephews,
He was also the brother of the late Arthur Collari, John Collari, Marie Schofield, and Alice Walsh. He is survived by his in-laws Thomas and Carolyn Shea, Robert and Maureen Pipe, Eunice Collari and Ruth Collari.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral on Tuesday, February 13th at 9:00 A.M from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Church, Natick at 10:00 A.M.
Visiting hours are Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Interment St Patrick Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Buddy’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.