Obituary: Antonio Giuseppe DiPietrantonio, 82, Somerville Tailor

SOMERVILLE, MA – Mr. Antonio Giuseppe DiPietrantonio passed away at home surrounded by his devoted family on February 17, 2017, he was 82. Born in Lettomanoppello, Italy he was the son of the late Donato and Antonietta (Cardinale) DiPietrantonio. Antonio was the first to immigrate to the US in his family and arrived in 1957 to begin a new life. In 1960 he returned to Italy to marry his beloved wife Pierina (DiPietrantonio) and had to patiently wait two years for her to join him in America. Together they settled in Cambridge, before moving to Somerville and have enjoyed nearly sixty years of marriage. Being the first in his family to settle in the US, he sponsored many of his relatives when they arrived here. A hard working man, Antonio often worked three jobs to provide for his family here and back in Italy. He began working for the City of Somerville in the Public Works and then worked in the construction trades helping build Somerville Hospital.

Antonio’s true passion and talent was in finish tailoring, a trade he learned in Italy. He worked for many companies throughout the years, including Ralph Lauren and handled many special orders for local athletes from the Boston Bruins and Patriots. With a shop set up at home, he made sure his family and friends had well-tailored suits and coats. In earlier years in Italy he played the flute with the Gran Concerto Vandistico di Lettomanoppello and he was an active member of the Paesano di Italia Club of Somerville and the former San Rocco Club of Cambridge, where he enjoyed many Friday nights socializing and playing cards with the guys. When home, he enjoyed watching the Boston Bruins, soccer games and even Italian and American Soap Operas. He proudly hosted many holiday celebrations and on Sundays after church, he enjoyed bringing his children skating, horseback riding, swimming and visiting with family. Family dinners often ended with peaches in wine, with him singing at the table while the family cleaned up. Antonio will be lovingly remembered as a devoted family man, and will be missed by all who knew him.

The beloved husband of Pierina DiPietrantonio for 57 years, he was a devoted father of Antonietta Zeni and her spouse Adam Marcotte of Ontario, Canada, Anna Roberto and her husband Richard of Brighton, Emilia Keefe and her fiancé Paul Beaulieu of Mansfield, Donato and his wife Tara of Rhode Island and the late Donato DiPietrantonio. Cherished Nonno of Christina, Steven, James, Robert, John, Julia, Anthony, Antonio, Robert and Daviano. Great-Nonno of Gabriella. Dear brother of Vittorio of N.H., Roberto of Everett, Lidia DiPietrantonio of Medford, Lucia and Olga of Italy and the late Elildo. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Procession from the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) SOMERVILLE Wednesday morning at 10AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church at 11AM. Relatives and friends invited. Calling Hours Tuesday 5:00-8:00PM. Interment Cambridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Antonio’s memory can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.

Photo and obituary courtesy of Doherty Funeral Service