Obituary of Thomas Faretra

Thomas B. Faretra, lived life to the fullest, died suddenly at his home in Burlington on Thursday morning, October 8, 2009. He was 53 years old. Tom was born in Winchester. He grew up in Burlington and was a graduate of Burlington High School Class of 1974. He spent a great deal of his life in Burlington, but had lived in Key West, FL, Texas, and Colorado. He was affiliated with the Iron Workers Local 351 and later with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 4. At the time of his death, he was employed as a crane operator working on construction projects all over Massachusetts. Although Tom’s life was tragically cut short, he made most of the time he had. Only several months ago, he returned from a tour of Europe. He was an avid hunter and had been hunting last week. He loved motorcycles and restoring antique vehicles. He enjoyed camping and had owned a RV. He was an avid saltwater boater and fisherman. While living in Key West Florida he was the Captain of the Strandlopper and was owner of a Deep Sea Charter Service. He had traveled all over the United States and the world, stopping for extended stays to enjoy the culture that each destination provided. His friends and family will remember Tom as adventurous, spontaneous, fun loving, kind, generous, and caring. Tom was survived by his parents, Gaetano “Guy” Faretra of Burlington and Shirley (Koontz) Faretra of Largo, FL. He was the brother of Diane Faretra of Woburn, Craig Faretra of Tewksbury, his twin brother Paul Faretra of Henderson, NV, Guy Faretra of Westford, and the late Gary Faretra. 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, Woburn side) on Monday, October 12 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 Sunday 3-7 p.m. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to a charity of your own choice. Words of Remembrance by Diane Lunden I am here to speak about my dear friend Tommy. Tommy was the brother I never had. We had an instant bond and an instant connection. I felt as though I had known him my entire life. He was one of a kind. He was smart, sweet, sensitive, thoughtful and caring. He would do anything to help anyone. I could tell Tommy anything even a secret, but within 24 hours everyone else knew too. It was impossible for me to get mad at him. I loved him that much. Tommy meant the world to me and to his loving family. He always wanted to make everyone proud. Like most of us, he didn’t want to disappoint anyone. But, like all of us, he was human. He had such a big heart. Back in July, Tommy and I took a road trip to NH for papa’s birthday. W hat should have been an hour and a half ride turned into a three hour ride. Tommy wanted to stop at every little store along the way. To most people that would have been an awful long ride but not with Tommy. He had me laughing every minute of that ride with his crazy stories. The ride home actually seemed longer because he fell asleep and he wasn’t entertaining me like he did on the ride up. That was a day I will never forget with the Faretra family Tommy loved his Papa. He would talk about his dad to me for hours. He always had the kindest words to say about his Mom Shirley and his sister Diane. HE truly loved his family. He spoke often of his nieces and nephews, he was very proud of them. One thing he loved was to tease his brothers. Craig, Paul and Guy, I know you didn’t always see eye to eye but he always loved you. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. HE loved to travel whether alone or with Topsy and his friends. Tommy and Lucy would come to my shop and visit me daily. They brought a smile to all the customers’ faces. He was never negative, always positive. He lit up a room with his presence. He would always say to me “Dee stop whining and start living”! Tommy, I am so glad we crossed paths in life. I feel blessed and proud to call you my friend. You had made a huge impact on my life. Tommy had unconditional love for everyone he met. Tommy, may you rest in peace. Your B.F.F. and family will miss you and love you always.