Salvatore J. Bertino, 92
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Salvatore J. Bertino, age 92, of Mansfield, formerly of Canton, passed away of natural causes surrounded by his loving family on the morning of July 3rd, 2020.
He was the beloved husband of Serafina F. (Vozzella) Bertino, to whom he was wed on August 7th, 1955. Their nearly 65 years of lifelong love was the bedrock of their tight-knit family.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 10th, 1927, he was a loving son of the late Santo and Pasqua (Pino) Bertino who emigrated from Rometta, Sicily.
In addition to his dedicated wife, Serafina; he is survived by his devoted children Robert A. Bertino and his wife Amy of Duxbury, Carol A. Bertino and her companion Carlos Ventura of Taunton and Paula E. Kershaw and her husband Stephen of Mansfield. He was the dear brother of Josephine Shaughnessy of West Roxbury and the late Natale Bertino of Natick. He was the cherished grandfather of Matthew Kershaw and his wife Stephanie of New York, Ryan Kershaw of New York, Evan Kershaw of Pennsylvania, Tessa Bertino of Duxbury and Ana Bertino of Duxbury, who will forever remember the wisdom and humor imparted to them by their grandfather. He is also survived by his treasured first great-grandchild Penny Kershaw and was anticipating the birth of his first great-grandson. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Navy electrician, government official, and skilled engineer, Salvatore completed 41 years of government service, including his years in the military, before retiring with his wife at the age of 57. Sal was a singular man, stern enough to level you with a single look and warm enough to bring home stray cats from the shipyard. He built enormous model ships with unyielding patience, swam laps in his pool well into his latest years, and brought a green thumb to his and Serafina’s flourishing backyard garden. He loved jazz records, summer barbecues, and, as a diehard Red Sox fan through the era of their greatest struggle, reminded his family to “never bet against the Yankees.” Sal would never say no to going for ice cream—he reveled in spoiling his grandchildren. Long Sunday dinners were sacred and nothing was more important to him than family. In nearly every extended family photo, Salvatore is sharply dressed and in the center — not because he positioned himself there, but because his family always gathered around him.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will begin on Wednesday, July 8th at 9:00 A.M. from the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield, followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, July 7th from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Due to current circumstances, seating is limited, social distancing and a face covering are required, and, the family will not be able to host a reception after the burial.
To send Salvatore’s family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com