Published in the April 11, 2017 edition.

Arriaobit-webWAKEFIELD – Antonio Arria, 78, beloved husband of Grace (Pavone) Arria, passed away peacefully at home, on Monday, April 10.

Born in Messina, Italy, he is the son of the late Giuseppe and Maria (Giuliano) Arria.

Antonio grew up in Messina, Italy and came to the United States in 1957. He began his career as a baker at Mike’s Pastry Shop in the North End of Boston, worked for 33 years at Brandano’s Bakery in Revere and assisted his son Joseph in running the family bakery in Stoneham.

Antonio has been a resident of Wakefield for 42 years.

He enjoyed bowling with his friends on the bowling team at the Wakefield Bowladrome. He was an avid gardener, known for planting over 200 tomato plants, as well as many other fruits and vegetables. Antonio was a member of the
Appian Club in Stoneham.

He will be missed by his loving family and his many friends.

In addition to his wife Grace, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage, he is survived by his daughter: Rosemarie Lucey and her husband John of Topsfield; his son: Joseph Arria and his wife Tracey of Wakefield; four grandchildren: Connor and Julia Lucey and Anthony and Michael Arria; one brother: Carmelo Arria of Somerville; one sister: Frances Stanizzi of Watertown along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings: John Arria and Grazia Parello.

The funeral will be from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (Route 28), Stoneham, Thursday, April 13, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Blessing Celebrating Antonio’s Life at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield at 10 a.m.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share remembrances with the family on Wednesday, April 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Parking attendants and elevator available. Interment in Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

For directions or to send a memorial condolence www.barilefuneral.com or www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome.