1916
Adeline
2009
Adeline DeRosa
February 28, 1916 — June 3, 2009
Adeline DeRosa age 93 of Ft Lauderdale, Florida and Bedford, Massachusetts died on Wednesday morning June 3rd after a brave struggle with Cancer.
Born in Boston in 1916, Addie was the treasured daughter of Salvatore and Marie Tomasello, who emigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s and established farms first in Needham then Revere Massachusetts, finally ending up in the new frontier of California.
At an early age she lit up their house with her music, playing the piano and singing in the Neapolitan tradition of her cousin Enrico Caruso. She distinguished herself in school earning double promotions, until at age 14, she had to begin work in a sewing factory to help support her parents and seven brothers and sisters. Work was to become as much a theme of her life as music. She went to night school to learn bookkeeping and still found time each week to clean the house of her beloved grandmother and namesake, Adeline. Whenever she could, she stole away to Revere Beach to ride the Cyclone and walk in the sun and the sand.
At the age of 18, she married Salvatore DeRosa and soon after established a successful automotive remanufacturing business, United Automotive Company, in which she ran the finances for almost 50 years. At the same time she raised her two sons, Bob and Joe, guiding them through college, marriage and the raising of her 6 grandchildren.
When she retired to Florida, she did not remain idle. She worked as a volunteer at the Hollywood Medical Center by day and danced with her many friends at the Polish-American club at night. She was honored as Volunteer of the Year on several occasions and eventually became Treasurer of the Volunteer Auxiliary. Even as she battled against declining health in her later years, she taught occupational therapists and health care workers alike how to prepare some of her specialty dishes like eggplant parmesan, stuffed mushrooms, escarole soup and artichokes.
She is survived by her husband Salvatore, her sons Robert and his wife Sylvia DeRosa of Rockport, MA and Joseph and his wife Anne Volante of Bedford, MA. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Lynda Voghel of Concord, MA, Robert DeRosa Jr. of Salem, NH, Lisa DeRosa of Winchester, MA, Lorna Rousseau of Marlboro, MA, Robin DeRosa-Lonergan of Campton, NH and Peter DeRosa of Concord, MA and by her 13 great grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday - June 9, 2009 - 10:30 a.m.
HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Monument Square
Concord Center, Mass.
Celebrant: Rev. Ronald Gomes
VISITATION
Tuesday - June 9, 2009 - 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
INTERMENT
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Bedford St., Rte 62
Concord, MA
GIFTS IN HER NAME MAY BE MADE TO:
VNA Hospice
100 Sylvan Rd.
Woburn, MA 01801
Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordfuneral.com
978/369-3388
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied.
Born in Boston in 1916, Addie was the treasured daughter of Salvatore and Marie Tomasello, who emigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s and established farms first in Needham then Revere Massachusetts, finally ending up in the new frontier of California.
At an early age she lit up their house with her music, playing the piano and singing in the Neapolitan tradition of her cousin Enrico Caruso. She distinguished herself in school earning double promotions, until at age 14, she had to begin work in a sewing factory to help support her parents and seven brothers and sisters. Work was to become as much a theme of her life as music. She went to night school to learn bookkeeping and still found time each week to clean the house of her beloved grandmother and namesake, Adeline. Whenever she could, she stole away to Revere Beach to ride the Cyclone and walk in the sun and the sand.
At the age of 18, she married Salvatore DeRosa and soon after established a successful automotive remanufacturing business, United Automotive Company, in which she ran the finances for almost 50 years. At the same time she raised her two sons, Bob and Joe, guiding them through college, marriage and the raising of her 6 grandchildren.
When she retired to Florida, she did not remain idle. She worked as a volunteer at the Hollywood Medical Center by day and danced with her many friends at the Polish-American club at night. She was honored as Volunteer of the Year on several occasions and eventually became Treasurer of the Volunteer Auxiliary. Even as she battled against declining health in her later years, she taught occupational therapists and health care workers alike how to prepare some of her specialty dishes like eggplant parmesan, stuffed mushrooms, escarole soup and artichokes.
She is survived by her husband Salvatore, her sons Robert and his wife Sylvia DeRosa of Rockport, MA and Joseph and his wife Anne Volante of Bedford, MA. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Lynda Voghel of Concord, MA, Robert DeRosa Jr. of Salem, NH, Lisa DeRosa of Winchester, MA, Lorna Rousseau of Marlboro, MA, Robin DeRosa-Lonergan of Campton, NH and Peter DeRosa of Concord, MA and by her 13 great grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday - June 9, 2009 - 10:30 a.m.
HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Monument Square
Concord Center, Mass.
Celebrant: Rev. Ronald Gomes
VISITATION
Tuesday - June 9, 2009 - 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
INTERMENT
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Bedford St., Rte 62
Concord, MA
GIFTS IN HER NAME MAY BE MADE TO:
VNA Hospice
100 Sylvan Rd.
Woburn, MA 01801
Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordfuneral.com
978/369-3388
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied.
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