Obituary of Lawrence Giannetti

Larry Giannetti, a longtime volunteer at the Burlington Council on Aging, passed away unexpectedly at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Saturday afternoon, December 15, 2012. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday. Larry was born in Charlestown, MA the son of Italian immigrants, the late Joseph and Mildred Giannetti. He grew up and was educated in Medford. He saw extensive action in North Africa, Southern France and the Rhineland during WW II as a Sergeant in Battery C, of the 112th AAA Battalion. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, WW II Victory Medal, and a commendation from the French Government called the Croiz de Guerre which was awarded “to those soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy.” Larry spent his entire working career with Revere Sugar in Charlestown as a crane operator. Larry was a loyal and hardworking employee spending over 40 years with Revere Sugar. Larry was a special individual with qualities and values he prized. He had a deep concern for his family and friends and was always willing to give a little extra of himself to brighten the lives of those around him as seen through his involvement at the Burlington Council on Aging. After his retirement, Larry filled his days volunteering at the BCOA. For over 25 years, he gave of himself in whatever role the BCOA needed him. He ran the Bingo, drove the bus, prepared lunches for the Meals on Wheels Program, helped in the activities, events, and socials held at the BCOA. Larry was the person who would show up an hour early to make sure the coffee was ready for first guests and employee. He greeted you with a smile and a joke, and you could not help but appreciate his genuine warmth and concern he shared with all those he met. He had countless friends whom he enjoyed playing cards, dancing, reminiscing, and passing the time with. Larry made everyone feel loved and appreciated and he will be long remembered as a good friend. Larry had a great devotion to his wife of 60 years, Anna. They enjoyed dancing and simply being there for each other. They took great pride in their home of 56 years. Larry spent hours and hours working around his home and yard to make it perfect. He could fix almost anything. They were a loving couple. Larry was the brother of Kay Harvey & her husband Glen of Jacksonville, FL, the late Angelo, Joseph and Catherine Giannetti. He was the uncle of Richard & Rosella Bilotta of Burlington, Thomas & Marie Bilotta of Carlisle, and Cathy Bilotta of Andover. He was the great uncle of Jennifer & AnnMarie Bilotta and Renee & Andrew Lucia. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Dec. 19 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 Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Memorials in Larry’s name may be made to the Burlington Council on Aging, 61 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803 or St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803. Words by Tom Good morning. I am honored to say a few words about my Uncle Laurie. In 1998, Tom Brokaw authored a book, the “Greatest Generation”. This book described the lives of those born in the 20’s who grew up during the Depression, contributed to the victory during World War II and went on to live the American Dream. Importantly they did so without a sense of entitlement or a hint of complaint. The remainder of the book consisted of the stories of individual members of this Generation. Though Tom did not know Laurie and include his story in the book, there is no question in my mind that his story belongs there. As I reviewed the characteristics that define this generation, I find Laurie’s life to embody each one. The Great Generation is characterized by sacrifice, loyalty, humility, love of country, strong family values, hard work, getting things done and using resources wisely. As I think of Laurie’s life, I can find many examples of each. Laurie loved America and what it stands for as well as the good life it brought to him and his family. During World War II he served as a gunnery sergeant in the Artillery Corps. He led a crew of 13 men that manned an artillery piece. Uncle Laurie served in the Third Army in North Africa under General Patton and later served in the Seventh Army in Europe. During his service he receive a number of medals and commendations. After the war, Laurie resumed a long career at the Revere Sugar Company in Charlestown. During his many years at Revere, he operated many machines and advanced to run the most advanced machine on site, a large overhead crane used to unload ships. Laurie always applied his best efforts and worked very hard which enabled him to be trusted with increasing responsibility. Laurie was very proud of his work at Revere and as a child I remember at the dinner table that whenever Laurie was served coffee, he would want to confirm that the sugar in the bowl was Revere and not Domino, their arch competitor. My mother would always confirm it to be Revere, but I am sure Uncle Laurie consumed much more Domino sugar than he realized. Laurie has always been a “doer” rather than an onlooker. Perhaps the most recent example of this are his many contributions to the Burlington Senior Center. After retirement from his 40 years as a crane operator, rather than sitting back, Laurie volunteered in many ways to contribute to the mission of the Burlington Senior Center. He initially assisted with transportation and meals and more recently ran the bingo program. One small example of Laurie’s commitment was his early arrival on many mornings to get the coffee ready before others arrived. This small contribution exemplified his commitment to service and concern for others. If something needed to be done, Laurie would be the one to do it. Using resources wisely was another of Laurie’s strengths. Laurie took great pride in his home and the equipment used to maintain it. He maintained his yard with a lawn tractor he kept running for decades. Whether it was his car, tools, or yard machines, no matter what the problem he could always fix it. Last evening Marge from the COA mentioned that she recently noted that a cart was broken and her first thought was that “she had to ask Larry to fix it”, Humility was another of Laurie’s virtues. He was never one to speak of his accomplishments. He was very content with his life no matter what challenges came his way. He appreciated the blessings of friends and family and it came through with everyone with whom he interacted. Even in recent years as medical challenges grew, he maintained an easy-going personality, happy for the good things that remained in his life and continued on without complaint, always with a smile. Perhaps most important was Laurie’s commitment to family, and particularly to his wife of 60 years, Aunt Anna. Many, many times Uncle Laurie was heard to say that “Marrying Anna was the best decision that he ever made” Uncle Laurie adored Aunt Anna and devoted himself to her happiness. In recent years, they spent countless hours at home together. Though Uncle Laurie greatly enjoyed all those with whom he came in contact, especially his time at the Senior Center, he was happiest at home with Anna. Laurie combined the characteristics of the Great Generation with those of a warm human being with a great sense of humor. Uncle Laurie loved to be with people and always had a smile. Many would say that he “lit up the room” when he arrived. At many a family dinner, it would be Uncle Laurie, often making light of himself bringing laughter to the occasion. Uncle Laurie is one of those people that everyone is happy to see and to be around. For me, there are many great memories of Uncle Laurie. As a young child, Uncle Laurie and my Father would often take Richard and I to ball games at Fenway Park. Uncle Laurie and Aunt Anna have shared all holidays and significant family events with Cathy, Richard and I since we were born. As we got older, I remember frequent barbecues at Uncle Laurie’s house, often seeing the results of his labors, such as the wishing well that is visible on Mill Street or the elaborate barbecue that he built. As our families grew this continued and Uncle Laurie and Aunt Anna hold a special place in the hearts of our children as well. Most recently, we got together to celebrate his 90th Birthday, which was a very special time for all of us, and one we will never forget. I know that I will miss Uncle Laurie very much and that will be true of all that knew him well. I will miss his laugh, humor, and the life he brought to us all. I am sure that his spirit will endure in all of us that he has touched so greatly.