Obituary of Daniel Ardito

Daniel Joseph Ardito, a man of Family, Faith, and Country passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday night, June 10, 2016. He was 89 years old. Dan was born in Lawrence, the son of Italian immigrants, the late Lorenzo and Rosa Ardito. He spent the first part of his life in Lawrence, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1943. He furthered his education, receiving his Associates Degree from Lowell Tech and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeastern University. He served in the Army for 2 years during the Korean War spending more than half his tour of duty overseas. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Dan had a very commendable career as a Textile Chemist and Colorist. He started his career at Stephen’s Textiles and then Derby Textiles in Lawrence. He eventually took a position with the United States Army Natick RD&E Labs in Natick, Massachusetts. He had a strong and highly professional work ethic and received a special commendation from the Department of the Army in 1989 for developing the third color and new pattern utilized in the desert camouflage needed to keep the troops of Desert Storm safe. He was a member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists for over 50 years serving as their National Director and Past President, among other offices. When you talk about Dan, you have to talk about his strong and steadfast Catholic faith. From a very early age in Lawrence, he was always deepening and sharing his faith with others. He was a Past President of the Holy Name Society in Lawrence. He was also a founding member of the Third Order of St. Francis in Andover and served as their Treasurer for many years. He was an active parishioner who was uplifted by attending mass and praying the rosary. Dan had a great many interests and activities outside of work and church as well. He had made his home in Burlington for the past 38 years. He loved to play tennis, so much that he played until he was 86 years old. He would play with work friends, neighbors, and with his family. He taught all his children and grandchildren how to appreciate the sport. He was a longtime baseball and softball coach in Burlington as well. He was always encouraging his children and their teammates to do their best and to be good sportsmen. He took up painting after his retirement. His family has numerous paintings by Dan that have become family heirlooms. He was a loyal Red Sox fan, even in the less than stellar years. He loved the beach and enjoyed summer vacations spent at Old Orchard Beach, Maine with his family. Dan was a man devoted to his family, from his parents all the way to his 15 grandchildren. He was blessed to have two wonderful women in life. His first wife, Angelina, who passed away at the age of 36 years old leaving him with three children to raise on his own and then his second wife, Marie, who became a second mother to his children as well as having 2 more children together. Dan and Marie shared 45 years of marriage. He was a wonderful role model to his children sharing his love, faith, and work ethic with each. He loved being a grandfather to his 15 grandchildren and being a vibrant part of their lives growing up. During these past few months, all his family showed their love for Dan as they lovingly cared for and supported him during his final months and days. Dan was the beloved husband of Marie (Colosi) of Burlington and the late Angelina (Guerrera). He was the loving father of Rose Emery & her husband Stephen of Wilmington, Anthony of Reading, Mary Costanzo & her husband Robert of Bellingham, Daniel M. & his wife Gayle of Wilmington, and Jomarie O’Mahony & her husband David of Wilmington. He was the devoted brother of Genevieve Gangi of Haverhill, the late Annette Pitocchelli, Helen Cate, Michael & Donato Ardito. He was the proud grandfather of Stephen & Michael Emery, Joseph, Vincent, & Robert Costanzo, Alex Ardito, Katelyn, Molly, Grace, Brendan & Matthew Ardito, and Patrick, Meghan, Daniel & Josephine O'Mahony. He was also the respected uncle to many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, June 15 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Assumption Church, 17 Grove St., Lynnfield at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Willow Cemetery, Lynnfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dan’s name may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471, www.catholictv.org or VNA of Middlesex East, 607 North Ave, Suite 607, Wakefield, MA 01880, www.vnaofme.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.lynnfieldcatholic.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net