Santo J. 'Sonny' Gaspari

Waltham -  Mr. Santo L. Gaspari "Sonny,” a longtime resident of Waltham, MA, peacefully left this world on December 28^th embraced by the love of his family.

Sonny was a beloved and dedicated husband, married to his wife Franny for over 50 years. Throughout his life, he was a hard worker who displayed unwavering strength and generosity.

He was a veteran, serving as a private in the Airforce for three years from 1949 to 1951. For work he dedicated himself to the Waltham Supermarket's meat department, just steps away from his beloved Franny, who worked in the bakery. He worked at Raytheon for more than a decade, and later he took care of the local church and nursery school as a custodian. With Franny by his side, for years, he delivered meals on wheels as a volunteer to Waltham’s elderly homebound citizens.  

Outside of work, Sonny had many passions and hobbies. Boating was a cherished pastime for him. Whether he was navigating through the Charles or cruising on the open sea, Sonny found solace on the water. He was an avid gardener who could transform a few seeds into an abundance of tomatoes for his many friends and neighbors. Known for his cooking, he delighted in preparing homemade raviolis, baked stuffed shrimp, his favorite dish, Frutti di Mare. He was good at scrabble and puzzles, and, as the best handyman, he never left something broken or unfinished.

Sonny leaves behind his wife Franny Gaspari, his niece, Mary Cunningham and her husband, Marcus Bleech, his nephew Shawn Cunningham, and his niece Noel Cunningham and her wife, Denise Goode; his sister-in-law, Barbara Cunningham; his daughter, Verdell Roberts and her husband, Ken Roberts; his brother, Carl Gaspari and his wife, Deborah Gaspari; his sister Cathy Boucher and her husband, Silvio Boucher; six grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren;13 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his son Mark Gaspari, his brothers, Angelo Gaspari, John Gaspari, Alfred Gaspari, Frank Gaspari, and his parents Angelo and Anne Gaspari.

Above all, Sonny wished to be remembered as a good man, a sentiment echoed by all who had the joy of knowing him.

May you rest in peace, Sonny. Your presence will be greatly missed but forever cherished.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sonny’s life by gathering for calling hours in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Friday, January 5th from 2 to 4 p.m. and again at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m.  Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Waltham Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels Program, 488 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02452.