GLOUCESTER: Phillip Danna, 93, departed from earthly life on March 1, 2011 at 8:15 a.m. He has been a strong presence to his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Born on June 4, 1917 in Detroit, MI, he was the son of the late Joseph Danna and Josephine (Bammarito) Danna. His parents migrated from Palermo, Sicily, to Detroit in 1910 and finally to Gloucester in 1932 when he was 15-years-old.
All who knew Phil were inspired by his zest for life and his expansive livelihood, which in earlier years included being a guitarist and one of a musical duo on a regularly broadcast radio show. He was also a fisherman in the late 1930s and 1940s having worked on various boats including the “Alden”. He loved telling tales of the sea that kep his friends and family entertained for many years. During those years he also worked the waterfront as a fish cutter at the State Fish Pier and Harbor Cove Fisheries with his beloved wife, Mary. On the recreational side, Phil also had a love for racing cars, and with his brothers owned and raced them at Epping, NH.
Mr. Danna was a well-known television repairman in Gloucester throughout the 1960s. His aptitude for electronics became evident early on when as a boy he built a radio for his family from one of the first crystal kits available on the market. He laughingly reminisced at how his family was at first “afraid of the new contraption” which they later came to love as it brought much music and entertainment into their lives.
In 1965 Phil started his twenty-year position as a plastics molding injection technician at Sonolite Corp. in Gloucester. His employers revered him and his co-workers loved him as seen when they came to his 90th birthday celebration many years after his retirement. Always willing to help with anything at hand, he was given a commendation from NASA when with his skill at improvising with the equipment at Sonolite he formed parts for the "moon buggy." As an inborn trait he had a love for work, and at the same time partnered with his son-in-law, Joe Pallazola, in another profession as a landscaper. He was also a constable at Wingaersheek Beach in the early 1970s.
Phil stood by his beloved wife, Mary, continuously after she contracted MS in 1956. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in June of 1989. They were married for 61 years when Mrs. Danna died in August of 2000 after a long brave struggle. Phil was known as a very active, sweet and social person. The family is thankful to the Open Door and St. John’s church where their father regularly enjoyed dinners, entertainment, and made many heartfelt friends among which are the gracious Diane Sperry and Betty Kennie. Also thanks to Geri Dammeyer for her loving support in every way over the years.
In addition to his loving wife, Mary, Phillip was predeceased by five sisters; Philamena DeCaro, Grace Kitrell, Vivian Christo, Josephine Rogers and Catherine Cuomo. Three brothers, Nicholas Danna, Anthony Danna and Joseph Danna., and two local uncles, Anthony Bammarito and Joseph (Joe the Barber) Bommarito. He is survived by his sister, Frances Bordinaro of Pompano Beach, Fla. and Cape May, N.J., a sister-in-law Nina Danna; an aunt, Philamena Bommarito, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. His immediate family survivors are daughters Josephine, wife of Joseph A. Pallazola, Phyllis, wife of Alvin Andrade all of Gloucester, and one son Joseph P. Danna of Amherst, NH. Grandchildren, Ann Muise, wife of Christopher, Mary Testaverde, wife of Steven and Nicole Andrade, partner of Matthew Service all of Gloucester and Joseph Pallazola and hiswife Jennifer of Windham, NH and great-grandchildren, Christopher Muise Jr., Crystal Muise, Steven Testaverde, Jr., Lexie Pallazola and Caton Anthony Service also survive him.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning in the Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 9:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held this evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery.