August J. 'Red' Colangelo

August J. "Red" Colangelo, son of Francesco & Maria, died peacefully at his home on February 18, 2012 at the age of 96, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Mary, his granddaughters Susan Alterisio Cardelle & Cheryl Sutherland, his grandson Anthony Algeri Jr., and his brothers Michael and Otto Colangelo and Fiore Nigro.

Survivors include his loving wife Delia (Ouellet), his brother Theodore and his wife Vivian of Northbridge, MA, daughters Barbara Puntonio and her husband Vincent of Port St. Lucie, FL, Jean Levey and her husband Jack of Plaistow, NH, Patricia Alterisio and her husband John of Burlington, MA, Marylou Colangelo of Waltham, MA, Sandra Cote and her husband Steve of Atkinson, NH, and Jacqueline Murphy and her husband Brett of Framingham, MA, sons Francis Colangelo and his wife Sandra of Westboro, MA, Robert Colangelo and his wife Diane of Waltham, MA, Stephen Colangelo and his wife Barbara of Westford, MA, and his step-children, Langdon O'Reilly and his wife Cherie of South Carolina, Kevin O'Reilly and his wife Tina of Townsend, MA, and Christine Brooks and her husband Carl of Summerfield, FL.

Red is also survived by twenty grandchildren, forty-one great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, eight step grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren.

Red was born on January 6, 1916 in Newark, NJ. Following the death of his father, his family moved to East Boston in 1927. His mother married Fiore Nigro in 1928. As a youth he was a standout member of the Barnes Junior High School soccer team who captured the MA Junior High soccer championship for two consecutive years. Red was also a valued member of the Barnes track team. He left school at the age of 16 to become a plumber's helper to help support his mother and younger siblings. After working long days he attended night school to obtain his high school diploma.

Red was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard from 1932 to 1934. After the start of World War II, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre as a Chief Petty Officer from 1943 to 1946. While serving as a gunner on the U.S.S.Egeria, Red was wounded during a Japanese Kamikaze attack. He was awarded numerous decorations including the Purple Heart.

He married Mary Szimcik in June of 1934. They resided in East Boston until the war years, when they relocated to Somerville. After the war ended, they moved to Waltham, MA on January 1, 1947. At that time he established the A.J. Colangelo Plumbing & Heating Company in Belmont, MA and in 1948 the Colangelo Construction, Co. Red was a very successful developer, constructing single family homes, 4 family apartment houses, and numerous multi unit apartment complexes in MA and NH, including the Glen Meadow and Garden Grove Apartments in Waltham, and the Colonial Drive Apartments in Andover.

Red was past president of the Massachusetts Plumbers Association. He was also a co-founder of GWARC in Waltham, which was a cause close to his heart, as he has a mentally challenged daughter, who he cared for at his home until his death.

As a long time member of Oakley Country Club, he served as a Vice President and received the Oakley Gold medal in 1985, and was subsequently named Man of the Year.

Red was on the committee to raise money for the construction of the St. Jude's School in Waltham, and was a generous supporter of St. Jude's Parish. He was also involved in numerous fundraisers for the March of Dimes.

Red loved playing golf and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He especially enjoyed his trips to Las Vegas. Red's favorite singer was Frank Sinatra, and appropriately his favorite song was "My Way" which is a true reflection of his life.

Family and friends will honor and remember Red by gathering for his calling hours on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 3-7 p.m. at the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St. (Rte. 20), Waltham, MA. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Jude's Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, MA at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 23, 2012. Interment at Mt. Feake Cemetery in Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SAC Charities, c/o John Alterisio, 2 Pleasant Street, Burlington, MA. 01803. This charity was established in 1995 to honor Red's granddaughter Susan who passed away suddenly in 1995.