Obituary of Joseph J Ansaldi

LINK to memorial mass

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Joseph J. “Eddie” Ansaldi, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Monday February 13 at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln.  He was 96 years old. 

Eddie was born in Boston to Sicilian immigrants, Ignazio and Crocifissa Ansaldi.  He grew up in the North End of Boston in a home steeped in Italian traditions and values.  He enlisted in the Army to fight in WW II on June of 1944 and served until May of 1946.  He held the rank of Tech 4 and was assigned to the Armed forces in the Western Pacific.  He fought in the Battle of Luzon.   The Invasion and Battle for Luzon included ten U.S. divisions and five independent regiments, who would see action on Luzon, making it the largest campaign of the Pacific war and involving more troops in any invasion than the United States had used in North Africa, Italy, or southern France.  The battle took place over 82 days and eventually led to the liberation of the Philippines.  Eddie received the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, and World War II Victory Medal.  He was extremely proud of his country and was deeply involved in Veteran organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and American Veterans.  He was recognized in a HBO Special recognizing WW II Veterans. At the age of 96, Eddie was part of the remaining few Veterans of WW II who still remembered the horrors of battle and honored those who he fought beside and paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

After returning from the War, Eddie worked for forty years in the office products supply business. At the time of his retirement, he was the Vice President of the Litton Office Products Company.  He was a member of the Billerica Elks, the Beverly Franco-American Club, and Italian American Club in Beverly.  He was part of the “Greatest Generation” who Tom Brokaw described as having a great deal of patriotism, commitment to work and family, frugal lifestyles, and motivation to work hard to succeed.  This was so true for Ed.  Outside of his civic involvement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Fannie, always keeping busy, and working out.  He was blessed to see his family grow as he became a grandfather of 5 and great grandfather of 9.

Eddie was the beloved husband of Fannie (Turco).  He was the loving father of Patricia DeCotret & her husband Normand of Burlington and Joseph Ansaldi, Jr. & his wife Eileen of Dublin, Ireland. He was the brother of Anthony of Medford, the late Frances D’Angelo, Catherine Ciccarello, Josephine, Nicholas, Nina, and Stephen Ansaldi.  He was the grandfather of Colleen Montemarano, Nicole Wilson, Kristy DeCotret, Jessica Ansaldi-Cao and Luke Ansaldi.  He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church at St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Friday, February 24 at 10am. 

Memorials in Joseph’s name may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923 or at www.CareDimensions.org/Donate.  

For obituary, video tribute, & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.