Joseph A. Turco of Tewksbury passed away peacefully on August 13th. He was 90 years old. Born in Boston, he grew up in Medford and was the cherished son of the late Joseph and Adeline (Bellusci) Turco.
Joe attended Huntington Prep in Boston and graduated from Medford High School in 1952. Following service in the US Army for 2 years, he partnered with his uncle, Anthony Raia, as proprietors of the Tower of Pizza in Allston. It was at this time that he met his future wife Paula (DelBene), as she would deliver meats to the restaurant from her father's North End butcher shop. Joe wed Paula in 1964, and they were married nearly 60 years. He was the former president and co-owner of Turco Brothers Jewelers in Boston, which had been founded by his father and uncle in 1932.
The jewelry store was his vocation for over 30 years - or one of them, at least. He was always very handy and could build, install or repair just about anything around the house. Joe's son, as a child, was once asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and he replied, 'I want to be like Dad - a jeweler during the week, and a carpenter on the weekends'.
Joe's interests were varied. He was a fan of jazz and classical music. He was an avid boater and enjoyed cruising around Boston Harbor and the Weir River in Nantasket, where he and his family would spend the summers in the '70s through the '90s. And as all who knew him could attest, he was very much into all things cars. In his later years he adored spending time with his grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Paula; his three children: Paula D. Turco, Joseph A. Turco, Jr. and his wife Lisa, and Jana DiNapoli; his two grandchildren Alex and Katrina DiNapoli; and his sisters Joan and Pauline Turco. His sister Barbara Dente passed away in 2022.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with Joe’s family at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Wednesday, August 21st, from 4 to 7 PM. There will be a Mass of Christian burial in St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury, on Thursday, August 22nd, at 11:30 AM. There will be no gathering at the funeral home on Thursday morning please go directly to St. Williams Church. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.