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Ralph J. Picardi

Funeral Services were held in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals for Ralph J. Picardi, who died on February 25th at the Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge following a brief illness, he was 85 years old. Services concluded with Military Honors accompanied by a gun salute in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Ralph was born to Ralph & Ernestine (Dell’Orfano) Picardi, one of seven children. He was born in Boston and raised in East Boston, until moving to Revere in 1958. Ralph was educated in Boston Schools and was an alumnus of Boston English High School, Class of 1954. Following high school, Ralph knew his calling & pursued a Nursing Degree at MacLean’s School of Nursing. Ralph later joined the United States Airforce during the Vietnam era and made a career that spanned 25 years. Ralph began his career in the Pharmacy division, but he quickly put his knowledge & passion of Nursing to work. He became a Flight Nurse, where he would travel in the heart of the battlefield and gather the wounded service men & women who needed immediate medical attention. He did this for over one year, during that time, Ralph was responsible for saving many soldiers’ lives, as well as being able to comfort them. Ralph better served the Military as a “Mental Health Nurse” where he could relate to many of the service men & women who saw severity of combat. Ralph was a selfless, caring, charismatic, witty and intelligent man who truly gave of himself. He enjoyed his time serving his country proudly & bravely. He traveled the world, but especially enjoyed visiting the Philippines, London, San Franscico, & many others. Ralph was awarded the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, Air force overseas short tour & long tour ribbons with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Technical Service Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and several others.   After his 25 years of duty, Ralph was welcomed home by his loving family & lived with his two sisters, Eleanor & Rose. His presence meant the world to his parents & siblings who loved him. Ralph was an avid reader, loved watching movies, enjoyed the Theatre as well as rubbing elbows with celebrities. He met Jimmy Stewart, Jean Simmons, Kenny Rogers & several others over the years. Ralph also enjoyed driving cross country and stopping along the way to different areas that had not visited or was visiting again. No matter where Ralph went, he made a friend. His warm & friendly personality made it very easy to become friends with Ralph.

He is the beloved son of the late Ralph & Ernestine (Dell’Orfano) Picardi. Loving brother of Gerald E. Picardi & his late wife Sheila O’Sullivan of Avon, and the late Rose M. Picardi, Eleanor V. Picardi, Nunzio J. Picardi, Michael Picardi & Anthony J. Picardi. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, & grandnephews.

Remembrances may be made to the New England Shelter of Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108.

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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.