Obituary of Frank Bolognese

Frank J. Bolognese, a restaurant owner, bricklayer, and entertainer, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, July 14, 2014 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 64 years old. Frank was born in Revere, the son of the late Frank C. and Josephine “Rose” Bolognese. He grew up in East Boston and Malden. He was a graduate of Malden High School. He worked for over 20 years as a bricklayer and was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Local 3 in Boston. He worked on a wide variety of construction projects in the Boston area including homes, churches, and office buildings. An injury ended his bricklaying career and Frank believed as one door closed another would open. So Frank and his wife went onto start the Willow Tree Restaurant in Peabody. The Willow Tree was a small 70 person restaurant filled with warmth and intimacy. It was the type of restaurant that was an active part of the community, where the employees all knew their guests names and favorite dishes. Frank was the head chef, manager, and head host. He and his wife, Lala, put their heart and soul into the restaurant. It was the norm to spend over 80 hours working a week. They served American cuisine and spent 17 years working together and retired 2 years ago. Frank also had his own band called the “Reflections”. It was a cover band and played at night clubs and at weddings. Much like the restaurant, he loved the interaction with the guests and being an performer. Frank was the loving husband of Noelia “Lala” Sousa Bolognese. Son of the late Frank C. and Josephine “Rose”. Brother of Stephen & his wife Ann of Stoneham. Brother-in-law of Alcina & Richard Davis, Myra & Joe Caparrella, Robert & Mary Sousa, Patricia Talbot & her companion John McQueen, and Christine & Tom Midgley. Uncle of Christopher of Reading, Stephen and Ashley of Stoneham. Also survived by many friends. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at Angelica’s Restaurant, 49 South Main St., (RT. 114), Middleton on Sunday, July 27 from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org. Arrangements by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, BURLINGTON.