GLOUCESTER: Rosario A. “Rosie” Piraino, 81, died Tuesday, July 14, 2009 in the Salem Hospital. He was the husband of Josephine (Genovese) Piraino.
Born in Gloucester on November 23, 1927, he was son of the late Joseph S. and Stephanie (Capone) Piraino. A lifelong resident of Gloucester, he was a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1945, where he was a member of the ROTC. He also graduated from the Art Institute of Boston. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was honorably discharged in May 1947. He was a member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion and the Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892.
His professional career landed him a job as the Art Director at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a position he loved for twenty-six years before retiring in 1991.
Rosario was dedicated to his family and his beloved city. He was happiest strolling the boulevard meeting and greeting his friends. He spent his younger years working as a fish cutter along the waterfront. Along with his friend, the late Charlie Favalora, he owned and operated the Pioneer Fish Company.
He was an accomplished fine artist, having painted many seascape images of the Cape Ann waterfront. One of his favorite subjects was the schooner “Gertrude L. Thebaud”. Rosario was an avid golfer, who was affectionately known as the “King of Candlewood”, a nod to the three “holes-in-one” he made in his retirement. He will be missed by the many friends who enjoyed his sense of humor, stories and positive attitude.
In addition to his wife of six years, he is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie and Steve DelTorchio, Kathryn and Douglas Goodick and Paula and John Reilly all of Gloucester, three sons and two daughters-in-law, Stephen and Gayle (Frary) Piraino of Rockport, Dominic Piraino of Phoenix, AZ and James and Donna (Durland) Piraino of Gloucester, six grandchildren, Jeffrey Piraino of Rockport, Stephen and his wife, Kimberly DelTorchio of Satellite Beach, FL, Lindsay and Amy DelTorchio and Lauren and Adam Goodick all of Gloucester, three brothers, Frank Piraino of Gloucester, James and his wife, Marie Piraino of Waltham and Walter and his wife, Susan Piraino of Peachtree City, GA, a sister, Phyllis and her husband, Ernest Morin of Gloucester, a brother-in-law, Paul Ventimiglia of Gloucester, two sisters-in-law, Eileen Trupiano and Francesca Piraino both of Gloucester, Josephine’s grandson, Jonathan Moore of Essex and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Grace M. (Ventimiglia) Piraino, a brother, Anthony Piraino and a brother-in-law, Salvatore Ventimiglia.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday in the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church at 9 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Friday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church, 60 Prospect St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.