William Tarzia, a long-time Somerville resident died Saturday at Courtyard Nursing Care Center. He was 91.
Mr. Tarzia was born and raised in East Boston, the son of the late Domenico and the late Palma (Mezzanotte) Tarzia. He served as a Sergeant in the US Army Air Force during World War II in the Pacific with the Headquarters Squadron of the Far East Service Command. He worked for many years with Colonial Provisions Company of Boston. A Somerville resident for most of his life, he was a member of American Legion Post 19, Somerville. He was a coin collector and a versatile musician, playing drums, violin and mandolin. He achieved much notoriety as a mandolin player. Throughout the years, he and his wife of 65 years, Tillie, entertained hundreds of beach goers each day at Revere. They were featured in the Boston Globe and William appeared on Dave Maynard’s Community Auditions.
He was the beloved husband for 65 years, of the late Mafalda A. “Tillie” (Mattola) Tarzia, who died last week. He was a devoted father to Domenic Tarzia of Pembroke, William A. Tarzia of Northboro, and Gale Fanciullo of Medford. He is also survived by 6 loving grandchildren and 3 loving great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Wednesday, May 21, at 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family Wednesday morning, from 8:30 to 9:30. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.