Thomas J. Piscatelli, 87 of Medford, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2021. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Angelina (Liantonio) and Joseph Piscatelli of Roslindale, his sisters Lucia Faiella, Antonia Giunta, Mary Gagne and his beloved brother Dominic. Loving and cherished brother to Michael Piscatelli and his wife Linda of Bradford and Joseph Piscatelli and his wife Katy of N. Kingstown, RI. Ever adoring husband to Dorothy A. (Breen). Beloved father to Diane Piscatelli Towle and her husband Thurston of Wellesley, David Piscatelli and his wife Barbara of North Reading, Alyson Ritondo and her husband Christopher of Reading and Tracey Mangold and her husband John of Mashpee. Cherished, adored and loving grandfather to Isabella, Camron, Juliana, Ruby, Lily, Jamie, Thomas, Olivia, Eliza, Isabelle, Jack, Ava and Aiden. Thomas is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, godchildren and cousins.
Born to immigrant parents from Canosa di Puglia, Italy, he was raised in an Italian-American home which infused love and warmth into every aspect of his young life. Tom was the fifth of seven children. All generations of his family regularly came together. Every meal or special occasion was an excuse to gather and it was not uncommon to have 30 or more people at any given Sunday dinner.
Tom met his wife of 58 years, Dorothy, at Moseley’s Dance Hall, in Dedham. Dotty was the love of his life “from the moment he set eyes on her”. He knew he was the luckiest man in the world to have such a wonderful and beautiful wife. Together they would dance to big band era music and in later years spend time fixing up their home on the Cape.
Finish carpentry was Tom’s passion and life’s work. He was a master craftsman that could craft wood into beauty. His basement workshop housed thousands of tools and he could conceive and build almost anything with his unending patience and skill.
Blessed with twelve grandchildren, Tom was the ultimate papa! He was a big presence in all of their lives. He applauded their accomplishments with unbounding enthusiasm and encouraged them to pursue their passions with grit and gusto just like he did.
His formula for a good life was simple.. be yourself and love what you do, because that’s how he lived his life! He considered himself the richest man in the world because his life was full of love, laughter and friendship.
Tom was one of the greats! Always putting the needs of others before his own, he was ready and willing to help anybody at any time. He’ll be remembered for his infectious laugh, beaming smile and warm kind eyes.
Friends and family are welcome to attend a funeral Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, on Friday, April 30 at 11:30AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to the The Community Family, Inc. 121 Washington Street, Medford, MA. 02155, 781-395-5542, or go to http://communityfamily.org/Make-A-Donation. Funeral arrangements are from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD.