Joseph Gagliardi passed away peacefully on Sunday morning at the Greenwood Nursing Home in Wakefield. He was 91. Born and raised in Palermiti, Calabria, Italy, Joseph was the son of the late Francesco and Elisabetta Maria (Croce) Gagliardi.
Joseph came to the United States when he was 25 and eventually settled in Medford where he and his wife Florence raised their wonderful family. For many years, Joe operated Friendly Auto Body in Malden, where he enjoyed great success. A talented mechanic as well, Joe enjoyed rebuilding cars and tackling various projects around his home. Joe loved being outside and enjoyed going for walks to keep healthy and also looked forward to playing bocce with family and friends.
The beloved husband of Florence L. (Falzone) Gagliardi, Joseph was a devoted father to Joseph L. Gagliardi and his wife Nicole F. Gagliardi, and Rose Tramontozzi. He was a loving grandfather to Giuliana Gagliardi, Ava and Sabrina Tramontozzi. He was the dear brother of Frank Gagliardi, Mario Gagliardi, Gioconda Motta, and the late Saverio Gagliardi, Giulia Costa and Anna Rosano. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with the family at the Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield, on Friday, May 22, from 10:30 – 11:30 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:30 AM. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joseph's name to the Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield, MA 01880.