Edoardo Fragale

Waltham – When Edoardo Fragale moved his large family from the old country to Waltham in 1972 he was already forty-five years old, a seasoned veteran of a life that knew its share of hardship, and ready to take on the new world. He took the building skills that he'd learned in Calabria, Italy and adapted them to his new life in America.

Barely knowing the language but being possessed of a strong mind and a keen intellect Edoardo became a builder, a mason and a landscaper with a talent honed by long hours, calloused hands and a humble appreciation for the opportunities that he'd created in his new life. Together with his wife, Angelina, they raised ten children always mindful of the adage, "Having someone to love is family . . . having somewhere to go is home . . . having both is a blessing".

With his family gathered around him Edoardo drew his last breath at the home he loved on Monday, November 9, 2015. He was 88.

Born in Nicastro, Calabria on April 16, 1927 he was a son of the late Paolo and Rosa (Godino) Fragale. The family moved to the United States in 1971 spending a year between Scranton, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York before coming to Waltham a year later.

For the past twenty-five years Edoardo spent winter months at a home he built in Fronti, Calabria but never really retired from working whenever he could doing the things that he loved. He was a master grower and pruner and provided Angelina with fruits and vegetables that she turned into delightful meals for her family. Edoardo also had a talent for music and enjoyed playing the clarinet and the saxophone.

His wife of sixty-seven years, Angelina (Godino) Fragale, died just over a year ago on August 27, 2014.

Edoardo leaves his children, Giovanna Rametta and her husband, Antonio, of Waltham, Paolo "Paul" Fragale and his wife, Angelina, of Waltham, Michelangelo "Mike" Fragale of Weston, Maria Caso and her husband, Richard, of Weston, Gianfranco "Frank" Fragale of Waltham, Anna Fragale of Sudbury, Antonio "Tony" Fragale and his wife, Mercedes, of Sudbury, Tullia Visco and her husband, Bruno, of Newton, and Fabio Fragale and his wife, Maureen, of Ashland; his son-in-law, Vincent "Jimmy" Arcuri of Waltham; his grandchildren, John and Sandy Arcuri, Claudia and Douglas Brown, Matthew and Rosanna DelMastro, Mark and Teresa McGann, Mark and Patrizia Bowker, Edoardo and Julie Fragale, Stefano and Lidia Torcasio, Cristina Fragale, Carlo and Christine Fragale, Daniela, Laura and Anthony Caso, Steven Fragale, Brian and Ava Whittemore, Oliva Fragale, Nick and Diana Riggieri, David Williams, Marisa, Bianca and Antonio Fragale, Domenic, Liana and Nadia Visco and Robert and Christopher Fragale; his great-grandchildren, Erica and Alissa Brown, Gianluca Arcuri, Marco and Vincent McGann, Cody and Jesse Ray Bowker, Gabriella, Caterina and Paul Fragale, Annalia, Sabrina and Allesandra Torcasio and Matthew and Michael Fragale; his sisters, Maria "Mariannia" Fazio of Waltham and Teresa Arcuri of Sudbury and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was also the father of the late Marisa Fragale and Rosa "Rosetta" Arcuri and father-in-law of the late Robert Ferrarini.

Family and friends will honor and remember Edoardo's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, November 11th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.