Published in the October 7, 2016 edition.

Giacaloneobit-webMELROSE — Anthony Giacalone, 89, of Melrose, formerly of the North End, died on Sept. 30.
Tony was born and grew up in Boston’s North End and also lived in East Boston. He attended the Mt. Carmel School in East Boston and graduated from Brandeis Vocational High School in Boston in 1945.
Tony was married to his wife Betty in 1950 and they lived for over half a century in their Melrose home where they raised their three children.
Tony’s first job was selling fruit in Boston’s Haymarket. Later he was a meatpacker for over 30 years at Colonial Provision before working for another decade at Baybank. He also worked part-time for many years in his father-in-law’s bowling alleys in Boston and Brookline.
Tony’s first love was his family and home life. No matter what, he was always home for dinner every weeknight at five o’clock. When his wife was sick, he took care of her for almost five years at home.
He was a kind, caring and selfless man who always enjoyed the company of his family and his friends. He also was forever thankful and appreciative for having been born and raised and able to spend the first years of his married life in Boston’s North End during what he always described as glorious, wonderful and magical years.
Another one of his fondest memories was a trip he and Betty took to Italy with friends in 1977. Tony truly enjoyed the neighborhood clubs of the North End, visiting Suffolk Downs, his weekly card games, playing numbers and socializing with others over a cup of coffee and a lemon square or a donut. In his later years, he enjoyed socializing at the Meadow Glen Mall or Honey Dew Donuts or watching cartoons with his grandson.
Tony was the husband of the late Elizabeth (Botta) Giacalone. He is survived by his daughters, Donna and Lisa Giacalone, his son Anthony Giacalone Jr., his son-in-law Zaragoza Guerra and his grandson Santiago Antonio. He was the son of the late Vito and Frances (Mistretta). He was the son-in-law of the late Antonio and Maria (Frallicciardi) Botta. He was the brother-in-law of the late Rocco and Anthony Botta.
Visiting hours was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Sunday, Oct. 2, and his funeral was from the Gately Funeral Home on Monday, Oct. 3, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose at 11:30 a.m.
Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.