Obituary of Albert Filosa

Albert “Al” “Red” Victor Filosa, a retired Raytheon Engineer passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday afternoon, April 3, 2016. He was 78 years old. Al was born in Chelsea, the son of the late Albert and Elsie Filosa. He grew up in East Boston, something he took great pride in. Al was so proud of growing up in East Boston, that he named his boat in honor of East Boston. It was called Noddle Isle, which was the original name of East Boston in honor of William Noddle. He graduated from Boston Technical High School and Northeastern University where he earned Engineering and Business Degrees. He worked for 35 years as a mechanical engineer at Raytheon Corporation. He worked in the missile systems division at Raytheon’s Bedford and Tewksbury locations. He loved his work and enjoyed his coworkers. After his retirement he stayed connected to Raytheon as he joined the Raytheon Retirees Association where he was active by attending various meetings and gatherings. He also enjoyed playing golf in various leagues with many other Raytheon employees. In the summers on the Cape and the winters in Florida he would play tennis and golf with many friends that he always looked forward to seeing during this seasons. He would spend hours working in his garden on the Cape only to share his harvest with his family and friends. He enjoyed working in his home and in his yard and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Al was the type of person that everyone knew when he entered the room. He was warm, welcoming and never forgot a friend, Al was funny, entertaining and always concerned that everyone was happy and involved. He was an instructor at the Burlington Hockey and Figure Skating Learn to Skate Program for a number of years. He played Bridge with his friends regularly. He looked out for his neighbors and without asking would be cleaning their gutters, helping with snow, or any other task or deed he might be helpful with. He was always the last to leave at social gatherings and would lend a helping hand to the hosts. As a father, father-in-law, and grandfather he was the fun and appreciative. When his children were young, there were family camping trips. As the grandchildren came along, he purchased a home in Hyannis, which became the summer gathering spot for his clan, which totaled 28. It got so crowded that they had to be split between three homes as all the family gathered each July 4th week. It was a week of family events, comradery, and fun that no one wanted to miss. He had outrageous traditions and routines that his family went along with including his own yearly personal July Fourth Parade in which his entire family would march around the neighborhood clanging and banging all his wife’s pots and pans, which inevitably were returned with a few more dents and dings each year. And then there was his boat, the Noddle Isle. He would spend the day driving the boat giving the grandkids endless tube rides. For some of his grandkids the words “Papa’s Boat” were some of their first and memorable words. Al was a wonderful husband to his wife, Mary for 54 years. They raised their 5 children together and basked in the glory of being grandparents. Al loved to dance, especially with his wife Mary. At gatherings that involved dancing he would undoubtedly invite his daughters and granddaughters out on the dance floor with a big smile on his face. Al and Mary enjoyed summers on the Cape, winters in Florida, countless vacations and trips all around the world. They enjoyed the Sunday family dinners, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Al loved all his family, cherished the time spent with them, and his memories and stories will be infamous and legendary. Al was the beloved husband of 54 years of Mary A. (Regan). Loving father of Maria Sarver & her husband Michael of Kennett Square, PA, Michelle Campbell & her husband Ken of Burlington, Eileen Liang & her husband Sam of Bedford, Albert “Al” & his wife Michele of Bedford and Michael of Burlington. Brother of Richard of Marblehead, Ronald of Melrose and the late James. Proud grandfather of Christina, Michael & Mary Grace Sarver; Katie, Allie & Mia Campbell; Devin, Samantha, Ethan and Harrison Liang; Madison, Emma & William Filosa and Jackson, Benjamin & Lila Filosa. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., BURLINGTON at Noon. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, BURLINGTON. Memorials in Al’s name may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Sarcoma Fund, Mass General Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114