John Henry Piantedosi
Last Surviving Family Member and Founder of the Piantedosi Baking Company
John Henry Piantedosi, “Papa” or “The Baker,” a lifelong resident of Winchester and formerly of Boca Raton, FL, passed away on December 8 at the age of 96 surrounded by his family.
John leaves behind his beloved wife Mary (Vetrano) and six children, Mary Ellen Margosian and her late husband, Fred of Lexington and Chatham, John and Eileen Piantedosi of Bedford and Chatham, William Piantedosi of West Palm Beach, FL, Carol Ann and Frank O’Brien of West Roxbury, Diane Piantedosi of Winchester and Joseph S. Piantedosi of Winchester and Laconia, NH. In addition to his children and their spouses, he leaves 9 grandchildren: Sarah, Julia, John, Victoria, Aris, Gregory, Rachel, David and Joseph.
John was the last surviving family member and founder of the Piantedosi Baking Company located in Malden, which today is 105 years old and boasts a national and international business clientele. The bakery was started in 1916 in Everett by his parents, Salvatore and Mary, and became a very successful family-run business with their 3 sons, Carmine, Joseph and John. John would tell of coming home from school at seven years old and going off to work in the bakery, along with his older brothers every afternoon and weekends. Today the bakery is still privately owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of the Piantedosi family.
The only time in his life when John did not work at the bakery was when he served in the armed services as a Marine for three years from 1943 to 1946.
After the service, he returned home to the bakery and soon after met the love of his life and his bride of 69 years, and they began a family.
John’s passions were many. He loved to golf. He was a long standing member of Nashawtuc Country Club, Winchester Country Club and Broken Sound in Boca Raton. He was known by the club members for the endless hours he spent on the driving range, offering a tweak here or there to fellow golfers, observing golf swings and honing his own skills.
His family loves to tell the story of John, later in life, having surgery to insert a stent in his heart a week before his 80th birthday. He was given permission by his cardiologist to play a golf tournament at his country club a week after the surgery, and shot an 80 on his actual 80th birthday!
Even in retirement, John never lost his love of baking and cooking. His blueberry and apple pies were legendary. His pizzas were always pre-made and ready to be baked and served to any spontaneous guest. John and Mary shared the joy of hosting friends for beautiful delicious meals, however their hospitality and generosity was not limited to just friends! Any workman who found themselves lucky enough to be at the Piantedosi house during lunchtime was invited to sit at the kitchen table and eat with the family. No one left disappointed. Cooking and baking was in his DNA and sharing it was his pleasure.
John was an avid reader and began his days with four newspapers. He consumed the WSJ and followed the stock market daily.
But the thing that brought him the most joy in the last years of his life was any time spent with his grandkids. He never missed a school event, he loved their frequent visits, and they loved their Papa. Even their friends became Papa’s friends. They all got golf lessons from Papa and lots of lectures about the importance of doing well inschool and hard work. He spoke often to them of gratitude and love. He was so proud of them. With all John’s life accomplishments, he would tell you his grandkids were his proudest legacy.
Papa will be laid to rest with his brothers, their wives and his parents in the family Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Donations in memory of John’s beautiful life can be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Services were private due to COVID restrictions but were live streamed on Saturday, December 12. To view the service, please visit sainteulalia.org/live-stream Arrangements under the direction of Lane Funeral Home Winchester. For online condolences, please visit www.lanefuneral.com.
Robert Martin Sr.
Civil Right Activist and Graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1950
Robert Martin Sr. went home to glory on Friday, December 11 at the age of 89. He lived in Marlborough until his passing. Robert Sr. was born on March 25, 1931. He was one of nine children born to Lucy and Jared (Jerry) Martin in Everett: Helen Reap, William Martin, Geraldine Jefferson, Elizabeth Watson, Joan Harris, Dorothy Long, Carol Holt and Richie Martin.
He graduated from Everett High School in 1950 where he excelled in sports like football, track and field. Robert later graduated from Franklin Technical Institute as a certified automobile mechanic.
He met and married his late wife, Dorothy Bess in 1949 with whom he had four children. He had a total of five children. During his life he worked at Cote Ford
and United Parcel Service for many years advancing to the position of supervisor before retiring.
Robert (Big Bobby) lived in Everett, Boston, Framingham, Vineland, NJ, New Orleans LA, Martha’s Vineyard and Marlboro MA.
Wherever he and his family moved, church membership was an essential part of creating a home. He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, but also attended Charles St. AME Church and First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven. He was also a founding and beloved member of Greater Framingham Community Church. One of his greatest passions was being a
videographer who brought quality programming to the Framingham community. He received the Framingham Public Access TV, Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was an avid gardener, sports aficionado, and a devoted motivator and “surrogate Dad”, for many young people. He was very active in NAACP during the 1960s civil rights movement and became a community activist during the hearings leading up to Boston Public School’s desegregation order.
He was also Massachusetts state delegate to the Democratic National Committee and generously donated to many charitable organizations.
He had a great sense of humor. He was a storyteller who loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He was known as a creative problem solver. He loved pets of all kinds and was especially fond of children.
He is survived by his children: Robert Martin Jr. (Judith), Joyce Martin-Williams (Edward), Pamela Green (Isaac), Jerald Martin (Caroline) and Dammond Bonner. His beloved grandchildren are: Ahmed Martin, Tracey L. Martin, Isaac Green II, Anica Green and Tara Martin.
Remembrances can be made as charitable donations to Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA 01752.
Services will be private and by invitation on Tuesday, December 22 at 2:30 p.m. at Duckett Funeral Home, 656 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776. Please call (978) 443-5777 or visit the website for additional information.
John Corrado
World War II US Army Veteran
John E. Corrado of Revere died on December 8 at the age of 98.
John proudly served his country in the United States Army in WWII. He was a recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal of Germany. A member of the V.F.W. Mottolo Post, John and his wife, Paula were devout parishioners of St. Anthony’s Church where John was a member of the Holy Name Society. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Born in East Boston on January 25, 1922 to the late Pasquale and Lucy (Fredestefano) Corrado, he was the beloved husband of 60 years to Paula (Fala); devoted father of John B. Corrado and his wife, Karen of Revere, and Paul Corrado and his wife, Domenica of Lynnfield; dear brother of Joseph P. Corrado and his wife, Ann of Revere and the late Adeline Corrado; cherished grandfather of Christopher and Catherine Corrado; step grandfather to Jamie Hershey and her husband, Jarrod, and Kristin Degou and adored great grandfather of Theodore Harrison and William Hershey. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, 250 Revere St, Revere and interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at alz.org. For guest book please visit www.buonfiglio.com.
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