A Very Special Lady Annette Fucillo Passes Away at the Age of 89

Annette Fucillo of Bowdoin Street, Winthrop passed away at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on Jan. 18, 2013 surrounded by her loving children and husband of 65 years. She was 89.

Born in Boston, she was daughter of the late Concetta (Cessa) and Michael Eruzione. A resident of East Boston, she moved to Winthrop in 1958. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a dietary aide for over 30 years.

She was a member of the Winthrop High School Mothers Club and St. John’s CYO. She enjoyed playing Bingo and trips to Foxwoods. However her greatest love were her children and her grandchildren. Giving was her greatest virtue.

Family and friends attended the visitation at the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son-O’Malley Funeral Home Monday and the funeral Mass and celebration of life at St. John the Evangelist Church Tuesday.

The Rev. Peter Graziano officiated at the Mass, telling the assemblage of this “very special lady in our lives.” He spoke about the blessing of 65 years of years of marriage that Mrs. Fucillo and her husband enjoyed; and about a beloved mother, sister, grandmother of twelve, aunt, cousin, and dear friend.

He noted, “Annette was indeed a woman of very, very deep faith.”

Peter Gill was an attendant at the Mass. Later that day at a meeting of the Town Council over which Gill presides, he called for a moment of silence in tribute to Mrs. Fucillo.

Superintendent of Schools John Macero led a large delegation from the school community and the high school where Mrs. Fucillo’s daughter, Gail Conlon, is the principal.

Anthony Fucillo, star athlete at Winthrop High and a graduate of Tufts University where he played football, eloquently spoke of his grandmother touching so many lives in a positive manner during her lifetime.

“Grammy was such a loving, caring and unselfish person who dedicated her life to serving others,” said Anthony in a beautiful eulogy. “My cousin Mike Conlon said it best. They just don’t make ‘em like her anymore.”

“She was a gift from above, one of God’s soldiers, who was put on this earth to bring love and joy to others,” continued Anthony. “She always set the best example for others who have met her. Grammy raised five wonderful children who have grown up to be great role models for not only my family but for others in their professions and in the community.”

Anthony himself has been a big part of the family’s remarkable legacy of athletic excellence in the town of Winthrop. His father, Tony, was the Hall of Fame-decorated head coach of the Winthrop High team and his brother, James, followed Anthony as the quarterback of a Super Bowl champion Vikings team. A sister, Jennie, was a star track athlete and attends Notre Dame, while cousins Brian and Robert also starred and served as team leaders in the Winthrop athletic program.

“My family has enjoyed so much success over the year and it can be directly attributed to her guidance and the way she raised her own children and 12 grandchildren,” said Anthony. “She never had her name in the paper or asked for any recognition. She was proud of her family and what they have accomplished. And we were proud to be her children and grandchildren, she was the driving force behind it all.”

In his remarks, Anthony recited a Linda Ellis poem about the dash that lies between the dates of the deceased on a headstone.

“For anyone who knew my Grammy would know that her dash was filled with 89 years of hard work, sacrifice, and love for everyone in her life,” he said.

Mrs. Fucillo was the loving wife of Anthony C. Fucillo and mother of Anthony Fucillo and his wife Carolyn of Winthrop, Gail Conlon and her husband the Honorable Albert Conlon, Linda Breau and her husband Robert of Winthrop, Laurie Fucillo of Lynn and Richard Fucillo of Winthrop.

She was the dear twin sister of Anne Jaworski and her husband Jerry of Winthrop, Eugene “Jeep” Eruzione of Winthrop, and the late Mary Albano, Phyllis Manzo, and Vincent Eruzione. She was the cherished grandmother of twelve and leaves many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Winthrop Charities, 28 Thornton St., Winthrop, Mass. 02152.