Edward L. Bortolino, 83 passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.
Ed was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was a life long resident of Lawrence. Ed worked for most of his career at General Tire and Rubber, Bolta Division, in Lawrence, and retired from the U. S. Post Office. Since retirement, Ed and his wife, Sophie, who recently passed away, enjoyed their retirement together for more than 20 years. Ed was very active and spent most of his time with this family.
Ed was a veteran who served in the U. S. Navy on the USS Porteus, the USS Mississippi, and the Sub Group Three Submarine, earning the Victory World War II Medal of Honor, PL 190, 79th, Cong.
Ed was a loving family man with a passion for cooking; no one left his home hungry. Ed greeted everyone with a plate of food. Ed was a hard worker and he was always repairing or building something with his hands. Ed was an active member of the Concordia Social Club and the Arlington Social Club. He also enjoyed swimming at the YMCA, playing card with his friends, and caring for his dogs. Ed was very generous to all, and any friend could count on him for help.
Ed was the son of Louis and Gladys Bortolino. Ed is survived by three children, Janis Haynes and her husband Thomas, of Salem, NH; Edward of Hampton Falls, NH; and David of Lawrence, MA; Two grandchildren who were the loves of his life also survive Ed: Matthew Bortolino of Hampton Falls, NH, and Mia Haynes of Salem, NH. Ed’s brother, Russell, predeceased him. Four nephews and six nieces also survive Ed.
Friends and family are invited to call on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home following the calling hours. Burial will be on Friday, May 25th, 2012, in the Veterans Section of the Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, if you are attending please meet at the funeral home at 9:00 a.m. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory can be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01835 or www.merrimackvalleyhospice.org or the Salem Animal Rescue League, 4 SARL Drive, Salem NH or www.sarl-nh.org.