Obituary of Salvatore Constantino

Salvatore J. “Papa Sal” Constantino, a longtime resident of Woburn, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning, February 29, 2016. The beloved husband of Norine (Kendall) Melander, he had just celebrated his 88th Birthday on February 7th. Sal was born in Belmont, the son of Italian immigrants Dominic and Maria Constantino. Sal attended Belmont Public High School from which he graduated in 1946. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States army and served in the Korean War, where he achieved the rank of Corporal. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. After the war, Sal met his first wife Helen, who he later married. Together, they raised three children. Helen unfortunately passed away at the age of 42. In the years that followed, he met his second wife Norine, with whom he shared 43 wonderful years, two stepdaughters, and a son. Sal had a long and successful career as a technician at Polaroid in Cambridge, retiring after 37 years of service. Despite “retirement,” he found a new career in his golden years working part-time at Johnson Roses. The job was perfect for him, as he always had a love of flowers and gardening. Many who knew him remember the time he spent tending to plants in greenhouses in Belmont as a child as well as raising his home garden as an adult. This part-time job allowed him to remain an active member of the community. Sal was a man of faith and family. He was a devout Catholic and a longtime parishioner at St. Barbara’s in Woburn. He kept a large family, of whom he was very proud. His children gave him great pride and joy, as he loved attending the special moments in their lives, especially those of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time with his loved ones at the beaches in Manomet, where he had summered for many years. Sal was the beloved husband of 43 years of Norine (Kendall) Melander and the late Helen (Georgoulakos). Loving father of Steven & his wife Ann of Merrimac, Marie Constantino & her significant other Anthony Ingemi of Taunton, Lisa Bell & her husband Andrew of Haverhill, Dorothy Finley & her husband Russell of Manomet, Deborah Cammarata & her husband Jason of Woburn & Joseph & his wife Cortney of Wilmington. Brother of the late Antoinette, Anthony & Dominic. Also survived by 13 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, March 3 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 5-8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Memorials in Sal’s name may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.