John A. Tomasello

John Tomasello admired the fact that Lou Gehrig was quoted as saying that he considered himself to be one of the luckiest men alive even when faced and diagnosed with a dreaded disease that would later bear his name. John too felt that he in fact joined the ranks of the being one of the luckiest men alive. He penned a note to family in advance of his death reminding them not to be sad when his time would come to its end. 'Everyone should be as happy as me' he wrote. He reminds them they had a good family and that he and their mother, Mary had an entire life time together and they always had what they needed.

John A. Tomasello Sr. died peacefully surrounded by his family and in the loving care of the hospice staff on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. He was 88.

Born in East Boston on October 29, 1929 he was a son of the late Joseph P. and Alice (Dooley) Tomasello. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Army and honorably served his country during the Korean War. He married Belmont native, Mary E. Blanchette in 1953 in Saint Luke's Church in Belmont and shortly thereafter they moved to Waltham where they called home for the remainder of their lives. Mary died December 30, 2017.

At a young age he began working at Suffolk Downs racetrack. He worked there many years and eventually became its maintenance supervisor. His love and passion for horses and racing remained with him all his life and he was able to experience all the premiere events including The Travers Stakes at Saratoga Springs, The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, The Belmont Stakes and many other races during his lifetime. He later worked as a film operator for Polaroid Corporation before retiring in 1992.

He and Mary traveled the country, Canada, Bermuda, Italy, Germany and Austria. Seasonal trips to Ogunquit, Maine where walks along the Marginal Way were always on the itinerary. A lover of Broadway shows he saw any and every show that came to Boston and also supported theater locally in Waltham with shows produced by the Reagle Players. He saw Phantom of the Opera seven times but his most favorite and memorable was when he had his entire family in a row together at the theater for one of its performances. A true and loyal patriot of New England he had the good fortune of cheering on and watching all the New England sports teams win their championships.

John was blessed with the gift of family and reminded them in the same letter he gifted them at his death. He leaves his children, Susan J. Patuto (Carmen) of Acton, John A. Tomasello, Jr. (Barbie Asali) of Pembroke Pines, Florida and Thomas E. Tomasello (Consuelo), of Westford; his grandchildren, Christopher Patuto, Thomas Patuto (Emily Kolpa), Brian Patuto (Amelia Thomas), Mark Patuto (Sarah), Justin Hamilton (Davina Burrell), Amber Hamilton (Pat Fuller), Brianna Tomasello, Lauren Blinsinger, Laura Fandino and Nicolas Fandino; his siblings, Joseph 'Dodie' Tomasello (Linda) of Florida and Claire McCabe (John), of Vermont; nine great-grandchildren; his in-laws, Eugene Blanchette (Ann) of South Yarmouth, Bernard Blanchette (Virginia) of Waltham and Ronald Blanchette (Carol) of Burlington and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Mary, he is predeceased by his in-laws, Philip, Paul, Robert and Edmund Blanchette.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, July 13th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorials in his name may be made to Home Base Program, MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Ste. 540, Boston, MA 02114