Stephen J. Tavilla, age 79, of Medford passed away on Thursday, December 7th, in Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. A lifelong Medford resident, he was the son of the late Stephen P. and Anna "Dolly" R. (O'Connell) Tavilla. Stephen attended St. Agnes Elementary School, Christopher Columbus High School in Boston's North End, and later attended Boston College. He worked for many years in the wholesale fruit and produce business with his grandfather, father and uncle at Northern Fruit Company in the New England Produce Center, and also Monticello Potato Shippers in Maine. He was a life-long member of the Medford Boat Club. Stephen enjoyed visits to the casinos with Nancy in Atlantic City, as well as Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and the Encore Casino in Everett. He loved to travel with Nancy, and was happiest at home watching old Westerns.
Stephen was the beloved husband of Nancy (DeMelin) Tavilla, and the brother of the late Anne Lacey and her late husband George, and the late Thomas Tavilla. He was a loving uncle to Courtney and Michael Lacey, Arthur and Isabel Tourkantonis, and Jason and Kristine Tourkantonis, Mark DeMelin and Rachel and Steven Curran. He was the great uncle of Brady and Jackson Tourkantonis, Joshua Brooks, Cole and Maya Tourkantonis and the dear brother in-law of Susan Tourkantonis, and Paul and Elena DeMelin, he is also survived by many cousins and dear friends.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with Stephen's family from 11 AM through 12:30 PM. followed by a funeral service held in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Friday, December 15th, at 12:30 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.