Philip Tanzella, 96, died Friday morning, February 19, 2010 following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of the late Beatrice K. (Harrica) Tanzella, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.
Born in Beverly on Apr. 8, 1913, he was the son of the late Nicola and Palma (Sapanaro) Tanzella. He was raised and educated in Beverly and was a graduate of Beverly High School, Class of 1930. He went on to Northeastern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1935.
An honorably discharged veteran, Mr. Tanzella served as an officer in the US Navy during World War II.
For over twenty years, he was employed as a civil engineer with Charles T. Main of Boston. His specialization in structural engineering brought him to projects all over the globe.
A longtime Beverly resident, he was also a member of the Danvers Fish & Game Club for many years.
He is survived by his children, Della Beaulieu of Arlington, VA, Phyllis Gillespie and her husband Robert of Waterboro, ME, and Frank Tanzella of Danvers, 8 grandchildren, Andrew, Alan, and Don Beaulieu, Suzanne Williams, Joshua Gillespie, Amanda Bray, Philip D. Tanzella, and Kely Coburn, and 10 great-grandchildren, Drew and Risa Williams, Alex, Samantha, Michelle, and Nicole Beaulieu, Kayla Tanzella, and Riley, James, and Shannon Coburn, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Karen R. Tanzella, and his sisters and brothers, Madeline Boniface, Anna Tillson, and John, James, Joseph, and Frank Tanzella.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 9AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Tanzella’s memory may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. www.LyonsFuneral.com.