Anthony F. Gucciardi, Passed away peacefully on July 6, 2022 at the admirable age of 93. Anthony was born on November 27, 1928 in Boston to Paul and Gaetana (Gandolfo) Gucciardi. Tony grew up in Boston’s historic North End, and during his childhood he forged loyal friendships that endured for his entire life. After attending the Elliot School and the Michelangelo School, Tony went to Boston English High School, where he excelled at academics and sports, graduating in 1946. Next, he studied structural engineering at Wentworth Institute, graduating in 1950. A first-generation college student, Tony paid for college through part-time jobs, most notably an extensive paper route which took him to dozens of apartment houses and office buildings from Haymarket to Hanover Street - twice a day!
Tony was drafted to the Korean War and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for two years. Until the end of his life, he shared glimpses of his time overseas, describing his duties of mapmaking, road construction and bridge building. Upon his return, Tony began working as a draftsman while attending Northeastern University at night on the GI bill. His career as an engineer was well timed. As the City of Boston was rapidly growing, Tony worked on several major projects like State Street Bank and Center Plaza, as well as dozens of infrastructure projects at UMass Amherst, Brandeis, Harvard University, Suffolk University and more. As a result of his own educational journey and his engineering work at area colleges, Tony developed a deep appreciation for education and embodied the values of life-long learning, leaving a lasting impact on his children and grandchildren.
In 1957, Tony married the love of his life, Mary, his devoted wife for over 65 years. The two settled in Medford, raising their family, forging more friendships, and contributing to the parish community of Saint Francis of Assisi Church. The couple hosted many dinner parties, sharing stories, enjoying great food, and talking about music, books, current events and travel adventures. Their vacations took them across the country as well as faraway locations like Hong Kong, Japan, their beloved Italy, and throughout Europe. On each trip, Tony would insist on exploring neighborhoods on foot, seeking the local fare and small shops that made each destination distinct and special.
Anthony was the beloved husband of Mary Gucciardi (Noe), Anthony is survived by his son, Paul Gucciardi of Medford, his daughter MaryAnne Gucciardi and her husband Richard Waechter of Chapel Hill, NC, and his daughter Jeanne Emanuel and her husband Richard Emanuel of Winchester, as well as four grandchildren, Ted Waechter, Charlotte Waechter, Katherine Emanuel and Audrey Emanuel. He was predeceased by his beloved sister Vita Amari and her husband Richard Amari, and he held a special place in his heart for their children, Richard, Anne and Paula.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday, July 11th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford at 10AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Sunday 3 to 6 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anthony’s memory to The John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Mass General Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston MA 02114 or Wentworth Institute of Technology, 550 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.