Alphonso J. Citrano, a longtime Medford resident, formerly of Boston's North End passed away peacefully, March 24, 2021. He was 98. Alfonso was born in Boston to Italian immigrants Gaetano and Amelia (Santanicola) Citrano.
Alfonso was raised and educated in Boston's North End and remained there till his later years. As a young man in his 20's, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was stationed in Europe where he was on active duty defending his country with the greatest of honor and respect which he carried through to his death. Following his return home from the service, he worked for many years in the garment industry as a presser until his retirement. During those years, he could be found at the Paris St. Gym in East Boston playing handball or racquetball several times a week. In addition to the hand sports, he had a great love for swimming in the ocean, or doing laps at his nephew Richard's pool. He was obsessed with staying in shape and looking good. He remained a bachelor all his life.... so needless to say...he was quite the lady’s man, and a very good looking one, at that.
Although he never had children of his own, he tried to play the father figure to many of his sibling's children. Even though he could seldom outwardly show his feelings, he loved his family and was often very generous to many of them.
He is survived by his youngest sister, Lucy Bramante of Burlington, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his three brothers, the late Alfred, John, and Albert Citrano, and two sisters, Anna Calabro and Josephine Arria.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to gather at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Tuesday, March 30th, for an hour of visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service with military honors at 11 a.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Alfonso's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516