Enjoyed golf, cooking and spending time at the beach
Published May 20, 2020
LYNNFIELD — James S. “Jim” Frontero, 84, of Lynnfield, and Naples, Florida, passed away on May 7, 2020.
Jim was the son of the late John and Bettina (Sutera) Frontero. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanette (Tempesta) Frontero. Jim is survived by his wife Elaine Frontero; his daughter Cheryl O’Keeffe; and his sons John (Connie), James (Susan), and David (Jennifer). His stepson Adam Sassone also survives him. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Michael, Nicole, Jackson, Julia, Greta, Abigail, Sammy and Lily Frontero, Brendan and Lauren O’Keeffe, Victoria and Chase Sassone. Jim’s sisters Pauline Bullard and Ann Marie Garron also survive him.
Jim was born in Boston and raised in Everett. He was a star athlete on the high school football team playing quarterback. He also played on the high school baseball team and ran track. He graduated from Everett High School, attended Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree and received his master’s degree from Salem State University.
Jim worked as an adjustment counselor, an English teacher and, for the last 20 years of his career, as the assistant principal at Melrose High School. He raised his family in Lynnfield, where he was active in the town’s sports programs, where he helped and coached many teams. Jim was a member of the E Club in Everett. He was part of the coaching staff that led the Malden Catholic football team to win the 1965 state championship. He enjoyed golf and after his retirement, he was able to pursue this sport while spending winters in Naples, Florida at the Royal Wood Golf and Country Club. He especially enjoyed golfing with his sons.
Jim enjoyed spending time at the beach both at Nahant and in Naples. Jim loved to cook and spent many hours cooking Italian meals for his family while listening to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He could sing the first line of any song.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise at Gardner Park for their support and care of Jim over the past 10 months. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Church in Lynnfield at a later date due the COVID-19 restrictions.
Donations in Jim’s name made be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Sunrise at Gardner Park 73 Margin Street, Peabody, MA 01960
The Cafasso and Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St., Everett, are handling the arrangements. For more information, call 617-387-3120.
