U.S. Navy veteran of World War II
Published in the September 12, 2018 edition
PEABODY — Michael E. Tomacelli Sr., 92, of Brooksby Village, Peabody, formerly of Needham, died on September 6, 2018.
Michael was the beloved husband of Evelyn (Parent) for 64 years, brother to the late Daniel J. Tomacelli of Brighton and loving father of Michael E. Tomacelli Jr. and his wife Lois of Boothbay, Maine; Linda A. Rogers of Lynnfield, Diane F. Borrelli and her husband Robert of Medfield, Jeanne M. Cuccio and her husband Joseph of Chesilhurst, N.J., and Laurie E. Cappuccio and her late husband Ralph of North Reading. He is survived by his eight grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Michael was born on January 14, 1926 in Malden to the late Ernest and Adele (Crialese) Tomacelli, both of Italy. He spent most of his childhood in Brighton. A veteran of World War II, Michael served in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and was assigned to the gunnery division where he was responsible for the tactical use of naval weapons. He was sent to Africa, then sailed to Italy, and was discharged with honors in 1946.
Michael attended Franklin Technical Institute and Northeastern University in Boston. He went on to work as a design engineer for Arthur D. Little in Cambridge and then to CTI (Cryogenics Technology Inc.) in Waltham until his retirement in 1988. His free time was spent enjoying dinners with family, vacationing at his summer home in Maine, traveling, socializing with many friends, woodworking, skiing, gardening, and enjoying the New England Patriots.
His funeral Mass was held at St. Margaret Mary Church in Westwood on September 12 followed by a full Military Honors Ceremony at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Needham.
Arrangements were provided by Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, Westwood.
Donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en).
