George J. “Boopa” Iannuzzo 75, a member of a well known Tewksbury family, passed away on Wednesday, March 10 unexpectedly at his home, after a brief illness with his family by his side. He was the husband and soulmate of Mary Iannuzzo.
George was born on December 13, 1945, in Lynn MA, and was the son of the late Gerlando and Rosaria (Meli) Iannuzzo. He was raised and educated in Lowell attending Immaculate Conception School and St. Joseph's High School. A proud veteran, he enlisted with the United States Army and served in the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam era until his honorable discharge.
He worked many years at the Volkswagen of America’s regional office in Wilmington in the shipping and receiving department as well as National RX (Merck-Medco), where he was the local Union President of OCAW. George was also a Grand Knight for the Lowell Knights of Columbus serving as a 4th Degree Faithful Navigator. Additionally, he was a member of the Billerica Elks. In his spare time he volunteered at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley in Lawrence.
Mr. Iannuzzo was the past president and co-founder of the Tewksbury Sons of Italy, leader and co-founder of the Together We Thrive Support Group at Lowell General Hospital-Saints Campus, and past president of the Tewksbury Lions.
He enjoyed playing cards, especially rummy cube with his granddaughter, Chiara. He also loved watching his granddaughter, Jenna play soccer. He was her biggest fan. Georges grandchildren were the light of his life they were his pride and joy. George enjoyed playing bocce with the Methuen Son’s of Italy on Saturday mornings. In his late teens he traveled across the country along Route 66, spent vacation in Sicily, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Casinos in Ct, but his favorite place was the Nubble Light House in York, Maine, with his wife Mary. He enjoyed the company of his loving pets especially his cats and his grand doggies, Mickey and Teddy.
George sadly leaves his loving wife, Mary (Bongiorno) Iannuzzo of Tewksbury; his daughters, Valerie Lowell and her husband, Bruce (who was the son he never had) of Lowell; and his daughter, Rose Iannuzzo of Nashua. "Boopa" also leaves his four beloved grandchildren, Chiara and Jenna Lowell of Lowell, Dominic Iannuzzo of Tewksbury, Gianna Iannuzzo-Christie of Haverhill. He also leaves his great grandson, Dominic Iannuzzo, Jr. of Nashua.; and his mother -in -law, brother-in-law, and sister-in law of Sicily.
He was predeceased by his first wife, the late Antonina (Papia) Iannuzzo who passed away in 1976.
While following social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, all are welcome to attend his calling hours on Saturday, March 13, 2021 from 3-5 p.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 978-851-2061. His funeral service, including military honors, will be held in the funeral home at 5 p.m. Arrangements by Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in his name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 OR The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516