Obituary of Alfred Potenza

Alfred “Chico” Potenza, a retired truck driver, and custodian passed away on Tuesday evening, April 16, 2013 at the Whidden Hospital in Everett. He was 74 years old. Alfred was one of 16 children born to Peter and Antoinette Potenza. He grew up in East Boston. Growing up with such a large family in one home was a distinctive experience that strengthened Alfred’s values and character. His father passed on when he was in middle school and after eighth grade Alfred chose to leave school and go to work to help support his family. He had worked as a truck driver for Addario Trucking, a carpenter at the MBTA, and spent 18 years as a custodian at the Shawsheen Elementary School in Wilmington. At one point in his working career, he owned his own long haul trucking business, where he travelled all over the United States. Alfred was an inquisitive and sentimental individual. He was an avid collector. He had an extensive card collection that included baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and even Elvis cards. He loved the hunt for the perfect card and often shared his findings with his sons and grandchildren. He had a home and a trunk full of treasures that Alfred loved to share with his family and friends. He was a member of the K of C in Wilmington. Alfred had a great devotion for all his family. He was a loving husband of 51 years, a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Alfred was the beloved husband of Arlene A. (Natale). Loving father of Mark of Londonderry, NH, formerly of Salem, NH, Michael of St. Petersburg, FL, Alise Dissottle & her husband Darrell of Winthrop, NY, and Kim Arkalis & her husband Christopher of Burlington. Proud grandfather of Anthony & Amanda Potenza, Kaitlyn & Kyle Dissottle, and Chris, Jonathan, & Joe Arkalis. Great grandfather of Jaysen Dissottle and Gianna Camidge. Brother of Anna Amato of Medford, Louie of TX, Rita Neal of MD, Marie of Wakefield, Peter of Westford, Jeanne of Littleton, Susan of GA, Delores Celona of East Boston, Joseph of Cape Cod, the late Rosie Caprio, Lulu Ciampa, Laura McQurrrie, Dotty Padone, Chic & Tony Potenza, Brother-in-law of Jerry & Bea Natale of FL, Ralph & Dolly Natale of NH. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, April 20 at 9:15 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4- 8 p.m. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Alfred’ s name may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., 10 Speen St., Second Floor, Framingham, MA 01701 or www.diabetes.org