Al, age 83, of Malden and West Peabody passed away on Monday, 4/20 after a courageous struggle with coronavirus. He was born on 9/21/1936 to Joseph and Paulamina Ventura. Al grew up in the Edgeworth area of Malden and kept in touch with many friends from the Old Neighborhood.
He was the devoted husband of 36 years to the late Ann Marinelli Ventura. Al was the loving brother of Flora Ventura of Malden. He leaves a very large, faithful, extended family including his sisters-in-law; Antonia Giannattasio, Frances Kelly, Joanne Gasparello and the late Marianne Connors and Dorothy Driscoll. He was great friends to his brothers-in-law; Carl Gasparello and the late Mike Giannattasio, James Kelly, Dan Driscoll and Joe Connors. Al leaves many nieces, nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews who deeply loved him and kept a constant (virtual) prayer vigil for him during his struggle over the past few weeks.
Al had a large network of friends who will miss him. We don’t want to leave out anyone, but we want to mention Ann Dupont, John Angelo and the Edgeworth Crowd, and especially his lifelong friend Janice Bouchard.
Ann and Al were married in Las Vegas in 1971 and were inseparable for 36 years until Ann’s untimely passing. He and Ann loved to entertain at their house in West Peabody and their parties were Can’t Miss Events. Ann and Al loved to travel. Their favorite destinations were Provincetown in the summer and Florida in winter.
Al was a union plumber for Local 12. Al continued to do work for family and friends until the week he got sick. He was truly selfless. If you needed Al, he dropped everything to help. He was, at his essence, a giving and generous soul.
He was especially devoted to his sister, Flora and his extended family. He will be most remembered for his devotion to his family and friends.
He will be especially missed at the Sunday morning open houses at his sister-in-law, and great friend, “Natha’s” house in Wakefield. He was a regular at those Sunday morning brunches for almost 40 years.
We take comfort that he is now together in heaven with the love of his life, Ann and his many family and friends. He was truly loved and he will be dearly missed.Services and burial will be private. There will be a celebration of Al’s life at later date.
Donations in his memory can be made to: Melrose Wakefield Healthcare Development Office. 400 Unicorn Park. Woburn, MA 01801. Attn: COVID-19 Fund. Or at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital website. To send a message of condolence visit www.spadaforafuneral.com