Obituary of Attilio DiPersio

Attilio DiPersio, a resident of Burlington for 53 years, passed away at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on Thursday night, May 15, 2014. The beloved husband of Anita (Mazza) he was 82 years old. Attilio was born in Brittoli Italy. He was one of four children born to the late Franco and Josephine DiPersio. Growing up as a child on a farm in Italy, during World War II, Attilio experienced firsthand what many only read about in history books. The family homestead was occupied by the German Army, and at night, Attilio, risking his own life, would smuggle food to the English hiding in the hills above the family farm. In 1949 at the age of 16 his Dad sent him to America to experience the “Great American Dream”. At the age of 20, Attilio met his wife, Anita, who was also from Italy, in the North End of Boston. They were married within the year. They moved to Burlington in 1961 where they raised their five children. Attilio owned his own construction company called “Arthur Construction”, which did plastering and construction for new homes as well as commercial buildings, churches and schools. He had learned the trade of plastering from his father-in-law. After his retirement Attilio and Anita would spend their winters in Florida. Attilio had a passion for boating and kept his boat in the Charlestown Boat Yard. He was proud of his Italian heritage and made numerous trips back to Italy to see his family. He loved music and had a beautiful operatic voice. Attilio also played the accordion; he was self-taught. He was a longtime and active member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus where he volunteered and participated in many of the charitable events and socials. Attilio’s family was the center of his universe. He enjoyed cooking family dinners, entertaining them on his boat, by his pool and participating in all his children and grandchildren’s celebrations, activities, and events. During his illness, all his family and friends rallied to his bedside to lovingly comfort and care for him. Attilio was the beloved husband of 61 years of Anita (Mazza). Loving father of Frank & his wife Mary Ellen of Burlington, Lena Lentini & her husband Daniel of Burlington, Attilio DiPersio, Jr. & his wife Robin of Tewksbury, Tony & his wife Marsha of Billerica and Sandra Saia & her husband Mark of Burlington. Brother of Antonio of Italy, Livio of Haverhill and the late Dominic. Also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday May 19 at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Attilio’ s name may be made to VNA of Middlesex East, 607 Ave, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.saint-malachy.org