Francesco “Frank” DeLeo, age 97, of Medford passed away on Monday, December 21st, at Winchester Hospital. Born and raised in San Sossio Baronia, Italy, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Angela (Raduazzo) DeLeo.
To seek opportunity in America, Frank immigrated from Italy at the age of 30 as a trained master carpenter in the family business. Through hard work and devotion he was able to provide, along with his wife Anna of 63 years, a beautiful home and college educations to all four children. As a master carpenter and a 30 year employee of Stop & Shop’s facilities’’ department, he was a proud member of the South Shore local of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Frank loved Italian soccer and he was a crossword puzzle and Sudoku master. In his early years he made delicious homemade wine and grew a bountiful vegetable garden. He also made beautiful kitchen cabinets and furniture for his family as well as help to remodel his children’s homes. He also was trained as a barber so he cut the hair of all the males in the family as well as all his grandchildren’s.
Frank was the beloved husband of the late Anna (Franzosa) DeLeo, and the devoted father of Pasquale "Pat" DeLeo and his fiancée Jane Johnedis-Woodbury of Medford, Angela Musi and her former husband Michael, Joseph DeLeo and his wife MaryBeth, all of Belmont, and Anna Laskey and her husband Mark of Medford. Called the name “Papa”, he was the loving grandfather of Cristina and her husband Justin, Julianne, Anthony, Michael Jr., Joseph, Emilia, Frankie, Gina, and P.J., and the loving great grandfather of Benjamin and William. Frank was the dear brother of John DeLeo and his late wife Vincenza, and Rose Andreottola and her late husband Antonio, all of Medford, and is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High St, Medford on Wednesday, December 30th at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with family from 10:30 through 11:30 AM in the church. Due to new limitations at the cemetery, interment will be private. Social distancing protocols will be followed throughout the services.
As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Frank’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.