Anthony Joseph “Tony” Minnichelli, 85, of Franklin, died Thursday August 2, 2012 at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham, Mass.
Born in Milford, Mass. He was the son of the late Antonio and Filomena (Strozzi) Luciano Minnichelli. He lived in Milford and Franklin for most of his life and graduated from Franklin High School in 1945. He was the husband of Nora (Boghosian) Minnichelli, whom he married on Aug. 25, 1957.
In addition to his wife Nora, he is survived by a son Mark and his wife Jennifer and grand-children Laura and David of Califon, New Jersey, and a son Robert and his wife Debbie and grandson Joey of Redondo Beach, California.
He was the brother of the late Pasquale Luciano, Carroline Porrazzo, Raffie Dangelo, and Mary Longobardi.
Tony entered the US Army in 1945, where he attained the rank of Corporal/Assistant Communications Chief, until he was honorably discharged in 1947. While serving in the Army, he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army Occupational Medal. He graduated from Boston College in 1951 with a BS in Mathematics. Tony then enlisted in the US Navy Air Force in 1951 and attained the rank of Lt. Jr. Grade, where he flew P2V-Neptune Patrol Bombers and during the Korean War flew F80 Fighter Planes. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy 1955, after being awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.
Tony started teaching high school mathematics in 1955. The major part of his teaching was done at Framingham South High School, and he retired in 1989 after 34 years teaching math to thousands of students. While teaching, Tony earned his master’s degree in Education from Bridgewater State University in 1958.
Once retired, Tony enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking Italian food, and loved to go to the beach, especially Cape Cod, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Tony was a mentor and a friend to many. He had a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin, as well as at family weddings.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Monday at 9:15 AM from the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage St., with a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church SQ, Franklin at 10AM. Interment with military honors will follow at the family lot in St. Mary’s parish cemetery.
Calling hours are Sunday from 3 – 6 PM
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to : Kindred-Eliot Healthcare Center, 168 W. Central St., Natick, MA 01760 or St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Sq., Franklin, MA 02038 or Alzheimers Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.