Domenic A. Pacitti

Waltham – Domenic A. Pacitti of Waltham died in his sleep on April 14, 2016. Like his own mother, he lived to the incredible age of 95 years old.

Domenic was born August 21, 1920 in the small agrarian town of Villa Latina in Italy. His parents were Maria Civita Franchi and Michael Pacitti. He was the oldest of his siblings who included Nancy, Rosa, Benedetta, and Anthony, and they all predeceased him. He became a military police officer in the Italian army and even bore a bullet scar on his back as a testament to this service.

He immigrated to the United States as a player of Italian bagpipes called zampogna, but quickly learned the trade of mason/bricklayer. He was admired for his craftsmanship and work ethic. He met and married Waltham native Eleanor Bonica in April of 1951. She was a teacher of Italian, French, Spanish, and ELL in the Waltham Public Schools. After Eleanor's death in 1984, Domenic was again blessed to find devoted companionship with Maria Guadalupe Guerra whom he married in 1994.

Domenic lived the 'American Dream'. He toiled from dawn until dusk and often by lantern in his grueling trade. Although he often reminded his children he grew up with no shoes, his greatest accomplishment was giving his children an education. He was very proud of their successes.

Domenic never wanted to retire. Had it not been for a fall from a tree whose limbs he was pruning about 10 years ago, he would have continued supervising little masonry jobs. Domenic always enjoyed regaling everyone with his wise Italian sayings, having a feisty argument about politics, Italian music, and travel to Cape Cod. Even until a few years ago, Domenic cultivated a vegetable garden from which he always distributed tomatoes to family and friends.

Domenic is survived by his wife Maria Guerra Pacitti; his son, Dr. Anthony Pacitti and his wife, Kelli Herndon, of Palatka, Florida; his daughter, Regina Pacitti of Waltham; and his grand dog Randy. They will miss him greatly.

Family and friends will honor and remember Domenic's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, April 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Domenic and Eleanor Bonica Pacitti Memorial Scholarship which is given annually to a Waltham High School graduate who plans to major in world languages or psychology/social work. Checks should be made payable to Waltham High School (with Domenic and Eleanor Bonica Pacitti Memorial Scholarship on the memo line) and sent to Principal Greg Demeo at Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452.