John F. Zamparelli, a life-long resident of Medford and beloved husband of Betty (Doane) Zamparelli, died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, following a lengthy illness, on Saturday evening, January 15, 2011. He was 88 years old. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 13, 1922, he was the beloved son of the late Mario and Grace (Zuccaro) Zamparelli. Mr. Zamparelli was a Navy officer and veteran of WWII who took the first Landing Craft Tank across the Pacific Ocean on its own power. A graduate of Tufts University and Boston College Law School, he was a prominent attorney-at-law whose awards, titles, and honors are too numerous to list. Known as "Mr. Democrat," he was active in politics all his life, serving as a Massachusetts state representative, Middlesex County Register of Deeds, and treasurer for Senators Edward M. Kennedy, and John F. Kerry. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Medford.
John will be sorely missed by his wife of 55 years, Betty (Doane) Zamparelli of Medford; one son, John F. Zamparelli Jr. and his wife, Pannawadee, of Winthrop; two daughters, Lisa M. Zamparelli of Medford and Laurie J. Marcello and her husband, Michael W., of Scarborough, Maine; two sisters, Mary Held and Rose M. Quattrocchi, both of Medford; one cherished granddaughter, Hope C. Marcello; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. John was also the loving brother of the late Joseph P. Zamparelli and his wife, Margaret “Peggy”; Andrew “Hawk” Zamparelli and his wife, Dorothy; Eleanor Cataldo and her husband, Robert; Margaret "Mickey" Sacco and her husband, George; and Francis Zamparelli.
His funeral was from the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford, Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 10 AM. Many relatives and friends attended. Visiting hours were held Wednesday, January 19, 2011, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford, Massachusetts 02155. For additional information, please visit www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.