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Americo A. “Rick” Galante

Funeral Services were held privately due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for Americo A. “Rick” Galante, also affectionately known as “Granddad” to both family & friends, who died on Thursday, January 28th at the Melrose – Wakefield Hospital in Melrose following a brief illness, he was 94 years old and just 1 month shy of his 95th birthday.

Rick was born & raised in Woburn and attended Woburn schools & was an alumnus of Woburn High School. As young man, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served as an Electrician’s Mate 3rd class. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal & Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal with 2 stars. After serving his country, Rick returned home & several years later, he married the love of his life, Margaret P. “Peggy” Duffy. The couple resided in Woburn & East Boston, before settling in Malden where they began their life & family together.  Rick began a career with the New England Telephone Company, retiring after 37 years of service as a Manager. He possessed a very unique innate quality and that was a loving & caring personality topped with an infectious laugh that everyone embraced. He always greeted people with his warm smile and a big hello. He could talk to anyone and by the end of the conversation, he had a new friend. After he retired from his position at New England Telephone, he worked for his son’s company, J & S Medical Associates, for about 15 years. He wore many different hats there and excelled at his customer service and people skills. In his retirement he & his love Peggy would travel extensively, enjoying many new destinations. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus #13966. Longtime Member & volunteer of the Lynnfield Senior Center, “Lunch Bunch” & the “Pizza Boys”. Rick loved participating in groups trying to make a difference and he also enjoyed a good meal with friends & family.

He is the devoted & faithful husband of 57 years to Margaret P. “Peggy” (Duffy) Galante. Loving father of Steven J. Galante & his wife Michelle J. of Lynnfield & Attorney Richard A. Galante & his late wife Angela of Malden, formerly of Melrose & the late Cheryl Anne Galante & late daughter-in-law Corinne Galante. Proud & cherished Granddad of Steven W. Galante & wife Shauna of Wakefield & United States Navy Lt. Commander Richard A. Galante of Washington State. Adored great granddad of Tyler S. & Talia Galante of Wakefield. Dear brother of Jeanne Gonsalves of Woburn & the late Violet Elia, Adolph Galante & Italo Galante. He is also lovingly survived by Jacqueline M. Monahan & Stephen D. Monahan, both of Lynnfield & many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Remembrances may be made to the Merrimac Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimac St. Suite 425, Lawrence, MA 01843.

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3 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Bob Leon
    Feb 9 2021

    Steve & Rick

    I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. Many fond memories from our days on Trenton St. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Bob

  2. Jack Driscoll
    Feb 7 2021

    Dear Rick,

    So sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. My prayers and thought are with you.

    It’s been a long time since our DPU days. Many fond memories. When the Covid situation is resolved I would love to get back in touch.

    Best,

    Jack

  3. Anita and Jeff Kravitz
    Feb 6 2021

    We will truly miss your dad Steve. In all the years we have known him he has always been upbeat inspiring and happy to share an infectious laugh. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of many of your family events with your lovely father. We are so sad to hear of his passing. Love Anita and Jeff

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.