Joseph Fermano, 75, of Winchester, MA, formerly of Melrose, MA, passed away suddenly at home on September 18th.
Born on February 3, 1948, he was the son of the late Giuseppe and Anita Fermano. He graduated from Malden High School, where he was a leader on the football field and elected as co-captain his senior year. Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Suffolk University in Boston, MA graduating in 1970 and was the first in the Fermano family to graduate from college. He subsequently received his Master in Business Administration from Suffolk in 1982. He also served in the United States Army Reserves and received an Honorable Discharge in 1976.
Joe worked as a senior executive in the healthcare insurance industry for over 40 years, culminating in his role as the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. His work in the Boston healthcare industry was pivotal in merging Blue Cross with Blue Shield of Massachsetetts. He was also a key architect in the design and implementation of the uncompensated care program in Massachusetts.
He was a loving husband to his late wife Rita Fermano and proud father to his son Vincent, daughter-in-law Lindsay and grandsons Max and Oliver Fermano of Melrose, MA; and his son Nick, daughter-in-law Jennifer and granddaughter Felicia and grandson Nico Fermano of Melrose, MA.
Joe is survived today by his wife Nancy Kiely Fermano and was the proud step-father to Cammy Froude and son-in-law Salman Saghafi of San Francisco, CA; to Andrew Froude and daughter-in-law Kelly and grandson Jack and granddaughter Alice Froude of Rye, NY. Joe is also survived by his brothers Dominic and his wife Sheila of Malden, MA; and Anthony Fermano and his wife Nancy of Peabody, MA. He was also a loving brother to his late sister Lucey Fermano.
Joe was never more in his element than when he was surrounded by his family and friends whether it be on the course at his beloved Bellevue Golf Club; doting on his children and grandchildren; or starting his day early to make sauce from scratch for his sacred Sunday family dinners. Joe's loyalty, quiet guidance, wisdom, humor, generosity and love will be remembered by all.
Funeral from the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden on Friday Sept. 22nd at 9:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 46 Myrtle Street, Melrose at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Interment Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers the family would sincerely appreciate that donations be made to St. Mary of the Annunciation School, Melrose MA. https://www.stmaryschoolmelrose.org/