Obituary of Paul N Amenta

Paul N. Amenta, a member of the Bricker Layer’s Union, Local 3, passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, December 11, 2017. He was 81 years old. Paul was born in Medford, the son of Sicilian immigrants, Sebastiano and Lucia Amenta. He grew up in South Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School. He served in the Army during the Vietnam Era. He worked for over 35 years as a mason in the Bricklayer’s Union, Local 3. Over the years he worked all around the Boston area. When driving with his family, he would often point out notable buildings like the Museum of Science, 60 State Street, John Hancock Building… and proudly say what masonry work he contributed to in the building. Paul and his wife Fran married in 1964 and they settled in Burlington as a young couple. Their two children were raised in the home that Paul and Fran had built. Paul and his father, Sebastiano, built the fireplaces and did any masonry work to their home. After 53 years of marriage, he was very content to be a homebody. He was passionate about maintaining his home, especially his yard. Even after his stroke in 2016, he was determined to continue his landscaping duties. He spent years developing his landscaping and flower gardens. He had the patience and knowledge to learn how to propagate his plants and bushes himself. Doing so did save him some money, but it was more about the pride and satisfaction it gave him to know that he knew the history and origins of all his plantings. Nothing made him happier than when Spring arrived and his plantings started to come back to life. It was as if he was creating a page from Better Homes and Garden. Paul was a man who would do anything for his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife Fran for 53 years. They raised their family together. He was always there for his children. He was his son’s Little League and Babe Ruth coach. He even built a pitcher’s mound in his back yard so that he son could practice. He was often his catcher even during his high school years when the fast balls really stung. He often spent afternoons throwing batting practice at Simonds Park. When he wasn’t coaching, he was in the stands anxiously supporting and encouraging his son. He was a big sports fan. He enjoyed routing for the Celtics and Red Sox, but secretly was also a closet Yankees Fan. He loved being “Papa” to his 5 grandchildren. He never changed a diaper for his kids, but jumped right in to help with the grandkids. When he retired, he had “Papa’s Daycare” so that his daughter could work. He went to their school events, baseball and basketball games, and swim meets. He found it hard ever to say “no” to his grandkids. He loved being a vital part of their lives and seeing them grow up. Paul was the beloved husband of Frances T. (Cerra) Amenta. He was the loving father of Paul S. Amenta & his companion Sherry Makerney of Wellesley and Deena Withycombe & her husband Bill of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of Adrianna Shukla & her husband Shashank, Mikayla Merrill-Withycombe, Victoria & Joseph Withycombe and Aaron Amenta. He was the brother of Sylvia Amenta of Medford and Nellie Russo of Burlington. He was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorials in Paul’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 www.soundedwarriorproject.org