Salvatore “Sam” Bonasera, 96, passed away peacefully and with his family always by his side on June 28, 2013. Sam was born October 21, 1916 in Chicago to John and Stella Bonasera. At 6 months old, Massachusetts became his home. He first resided in the North End, then East Boston and eventually settled into Medford where he would spend the next 80 plus years of his life.
He attended Medford High School and voluntarily served in the U.S. Navy during WW2 aboard a heavy cruiser, the U.S. Helena. He went on to serve the town that he loved as a Medford firefighter for the next 31 years. He spent 57 years married to the love of his life, the late Tina E. (DeFrancisco) Bonasera. Their romance began in their teenage years when she would spend summers visiting relatives who lived downstairs from him. Together they began a beautiful family that continues to grow today.
Sam was a devoted father to John Bonasera and his wife Andrea of North Reading, Henry Bonasera and his wife Eileen of Reading, Marie Courtney and her husband Tom of Haverhill and Christine Gregoire of Georgia. He was a loving grandfather to Dana, Patti, Jonathan, Melissa, Jodi, Christina, Michael, Kristen, Brian and Courtney. “Big Papa” will be deeply missed by his 12 great-grandchildren. He was the eldest brother of Joseph Bonasera and the late Pat Bonasera. His life was about family, service, love and faith; a legacy that will live on through those that he left behind.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home,306 Main St., Medford, Monday July 1st at 8 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM in St. Joseph Church, Medford. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Family and friends may visit Sunday from
4 – 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Sam's name to the Kaplan Family Hospice, 78 Liberty St. Danvers, MA 01923.