GLOUCESTER: Eugene Peter Mondello, 88, of Mondello Square, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday morning, August 23, 2011 at Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie A. (Curley) Mondello, who passed away in August 2008. They had shared 63 years of marriage.
Son of the late Francisco and Francesca (Carbonaro) Mondello, Gene was born in Gloucester on November 20, 1922 and lived his whole life here.
He went to work at an early age to contribute to the welfare of the very large family. His first job as a young boy was picking vegetables at Swinson’s Farm in East Gloucester for 5 cents a day. As a teenager he delivered milk by horse and buggy/sleigh for Nugent’s Farm and cut ice at Cape Pond. During WWII he served as Shore Patrol. Much of his life was spent on the Gloucester waterfront: operating a crane, unloading fish at the State Pier, and as a lobster fisherman. He was well known for his welding expertise including work on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge. He worked in the construction business for many years as a crane operator and as a bridge mechanic. He was often called in emergency situations to repair the Blyman Bridge and the Beverly-Salem Bridge. He took pride in one-upping the state engineers when they were stumped!
In 1960, he and his brother Frank opened Mondello Brothers Auto Repair and Texaco Station that they operated until their retirements. He was one of Gloucester’s most renowned auto mechanics, there was little he could not repair.
Gene was proud to be a Constable for the City of Gloucester. He was a loyal member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks for over 40 years. He and his wife Margie were proud “band parents” when their children were members of the St. Ann’s Band and the St. Peter’s Bagpipe Band and enjoyed traveling with them. They continued their love of parades and band concerts the rest of their lives.
He was a loving husband and proud father, was devoted to his grandchildren, and enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his children, Arline F., wife of Gaspar A. Lafata, Geno Mondello, husband of Frances (Puglisi) Mondello, Joanne, wife of Earle Worthley, and William, husband of Carol (Ingham) Mondello; ten grandchildren, Matthew Lafata, and his wife Erika, Michele Tocco and her husband Justin, Annemarie Tirella and her husband Gerald, Kristina Lopes and her husband John, Jenn Worthley, Janine Worthley, Jeff Worthley and his wife Leslie Gould, Father Jason Worthley, William Mondello and Joshua Beyer, ten great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Connor and Cameron Lafata, Bianca Tocco, Matthew Lopes, Jude and Lyla Worthley, Carl Heinrich, Zachariah and Joshua Howe.
Gene was one of 14 children. He leaves three brothers, Frank P. Mondello, Joseph Mondello and his wife Ginny, Leo Mondello and his wife Virginia and sister-in-law Gail Mondello. He was predeceased by four brothers, Anthony, John, Gregory and James and six sisters, Jennie Kippen, Sadie Hopkins, Josephine Conlon, Mary Latassa, Stella Newton, and Frances Orlando. He also leaves his friend and caregiver, Fozzie Trefry Hill, sisters-in law, Kathleen Daffara and Alfreda Collins and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated by his grandson, Fr. Jason Worthley in the St. Anthony by-the-Sea Chapel on Friday morning at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In keeping with his wishes, there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester MA. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.