Obituary of Agostino Gus'' Colonna

Agostino Colonna, retired owner of Transoceanic Travel Agency in Boston, passed away at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge from a long term chronic illness on Saturday evening, November 4, 2017. The beloved husband of the late Frances, he would have celebrated his 90th birthday in January. Gus was born in Gaeta Italy. He was the son of the late Italo and Annuziata . Gus grew up in Italy during the difficult times of World War II. He saw his family and friends lose everything to the Germans. Gus served his country in the Royal Italian Army during WW II. He worked very closely with the members of the United States Army serving as a translator. As a native to the Italian language, he was self-taught and proficient in Spanish and English. Gus lived a short time in Uruguay before coming to the United States in 1955 to marry his wife Frances. They settled in Somerville where they would raise their family. Gus was proud to become a United States Citizen. Gus worked as a plastics manufacturer when he first came to the United States. He then had the opportunity to purchase his own travel agency in Boston. It was a job he loved. He interacted with many dignitaries throughout the years such as the Kennedy family and the various Mayors of Somerville. Working as a travel agent also gave Gus the opportunity to take many trips himself. Gus worked hard to provide for his family and he loved his home in Somerville; where he was still living by himself at the age of 89. He loved to cook. He truly enjoyed and took pride in his vegetable garden. His wife Frances passed away in 1978. In recent years, Gus enjoyed spending time with his longtime companion Marjorie Statz from Burlington. Marjorie introduced Gus to the Senior Center and St. Malachy Parish both in Burlington where he made many friendships. He enjoyed dancing and participating in all the activities in Burlington with his large circle of friends. Gus was the beloved husband of the late Frances (Vendittis). Loving father of Tina Marie Ouellette & her husband Donald of Williamsburg, VA, Mark & his wife Suzanne of Methuen and the late Nancy Philiphose & her husband Alexander of ME and the late John. Brother of Antonio and the late Maria, both of Italy. Proud grandfather of Francine, David, Adrianna, Nicholas, Natalie, Camryn, Christopher & the late Michelle. Great grandfather of Colette. Longtime companion of Marjorie Statz of Burlington. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown. In lieu of flowers memorials in Gus’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Reference Id# 11112256