John Hodges Froio of Malden, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 15 after a short illness. The son of John A. and Vincenza “Jeanne” (Torelli) Froio, John was born in Revere in 1940 and grew up in Malden, where he spent all his life.
He is predeceased by the love of his life Judy (Lemmo) Froio, who was childhood sweethearts from the age of 15 and had been married for 64 years and his daughter Donna DeLena. He is survived by his children: Diane Weldon and her partner Don Duquette of Hampton, NH, John A. Froio and his wife Cheryl of Tewksbury, MA, Derek Froio of Lynnfield, MA, and son in law Louis DeLena of Malden, his grandchildren: Aislinn Weldon, Sinead Khan (husband Naeem), Sean Weldon (wife Sammy), John A. Froio, III (wife Christine), Cassie Froio, Andrew Froio (wife Rachel) and two great-grandchildren: Eile and Rayan Khan. John is the oldest of seven: Rosalie Procopio and her husband Ralph, Elaine Martin and her late husband Roy, Vincent Froio and his wife Barbara, Stephen Froio and his wife Veronica, Jeanne Bumstead and her husband Alan, and his late brother Bruce Froio and his wife Carol. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Victor Lemmo and his wife Rosalie of Middleton, MA as well as many nieces and nephews.
John was a graduate of Malden High School, class of 1958. After high school he was trained as a printer by his uncle and worked in the field for another two decades. He then pursued a career in education with a focus on teaching graphic arts and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College. He began his teaching career at Randolph High School where he worked for two years. For the next 28 years, he dedicated his passion for teaching to the students of Malden as a Graphic Arts and Drivers Ed Educator.
For his entire life, his interests and commitment to politics and the city of Malden culminated when he served for 14 years on the School Committee. His dedication to education not only impacted his students but inspired his daughter and grandchildren to follow his lead and pursue a career in education.
John was a fan of all Boston Sports teams, as well as the Malden High’s Golden Tornadoes. He had a passion for gardening, cultivating a large vegetable garden, which harvested enough tomatoes to last until the next season.
Family was an important part of John’s life, from vacationing at the family camp in Rochester, watching his grandchildren enjoy their various activities, and celebrating the many birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays together.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating John’s life will be held at St. Joseph Church, 770 Salem Street, Malden on Friday July 18th at 11:00am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. (please go directly to church). Visiting hours will be held at the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main St., Malden on Thursday from 4pm-7pm. Interment will be in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donna Froio-DeLena Memorial Scholarship Fund 16 Forest Court, Malden, MA 02148 or TILL, Inc., 20 Eastbrook Rd, Dedham, MA 02026 https://www.tillinc.org where John’s son Derek resides.