MANDARANO, Vincent “Jimmy” of Dedham, MA passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 97 on November 10, 2021. Vinny was born on May 2, 1924 in Gardner, MA. When he was very young, his family moved to Norwood, MA where he was raised with the exception of a few years spent living with his grandparents in Olivadi, Italy. Vincent is preceded in death by his parents Francesco Mandarano and Conchetta Mandarano Lore.
At 17, Vinny volunteered for the United States Navy the day after Pearl Harbor in 1941. After working stateside building military airstrips and defense installations, he was assigned to the PT-Boat fleet and served in the Pacific Theater of WWII. He volunteered to go ashore with the U.S. Marines and fought alongside them in the Battle of Okinawa.
He married Elizabeth Papasodaro in 1946. They made their home in Dedham, MA for 54 years where they raised their four children.
Vinny started and ran two auto and collision repair businesses; one in Boston and the well-known “Freeway Motors” on the auto-mile in Norwood.
Vinny loved to spend the winters of his retirement years at his home in Naples. FL. He enjoyed his later years at Traditions of Dedham where he made many friends.
Vinny was beloved by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His love, generosity, and his example of a life well lived will be dearly missed by all who come after him.
He is survived by his four children; Frank Mandarano Sr. and his wife Teresa of Boca Raton, FL; Kathleen Carey of Plymouth, MA; Vincent Mandarano, Jr. and his wife Sara of Bonita Springs, FL; and Connie DiBona and her husband Anthony of Foxboro, MA.
He was the loving grandfather of nine: Frank Mandarano, Jr. and wife Connie, and Elizabeth Mandarano of Florida; John Carey Jr. (deceased), Mark Carey, and Vincent Carey of Plymouth; Elizabeth Dyer and husband Benjamin of Norton; Vincent Mandarano III of Martha’s Vinyard; Elissa DiBona and husband Andrew of Norwood; Katherine DiBona of Plainville. He was the proud great-grandfather of two; Julia Carey of Plymouth; Grace Dyer of Norton.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., DEDHAM on Monday, Nov. 15 from 5:00-8:00pm. His funeral will take place from the funeral home on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Entombment at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, MA.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Vincent N. Mandarano Sr.