Retired department head at NRHS
WOBURN — Joseph Venti, retired department head at North Reading High School passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Saturday night, December 13, 2014. He was 88–years–old.
Joe was born in Ortona dei Marsi, Italy, which was located in the mountains east of Rome. At the age of 11, his family came to the United States seeking a better life. Unable to speak English they lived with family in the North End. Later, his family settled in Medford. Joe learned English and graduated from Boston Latin High School. He then served in the Army during the final year of World War II. Education was a very important part of Joe’s life and he went on to earn a degree in Romance Languages from Boston University and later a Master’s Degree from Harvard University. It was only natural for Joe to become a teacher. He spent over 30 years teaching French, Italian, and Spanish at North Reading High School. At the time of his retirement, he was the Department Head of the Foreign Language Department. Teaching was more than just his job, it was his passion. He shared his love of language and different cultures with all his students. He also arranged student trips to countries like Mexico, Italy, France, and Spain so his students could better appreciate the vernaculars and ways of life.
Joe was often described as patient, mild mannered, humble, knowledgeable, and loving. He was an avid reader and much preferred books of substance over a television program. John Le Carre was one of his favorite authors. He liked being outside whether it was on the beach, swimming, walking, of just sitting on his back deck appreciating the warmth of the sun and nature’s sounds. One of his favorite trips was when he took his sons to Italy to see his home town and meet his childhood friends. He was a longtime member of the Saugus Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed living in Woburn for the past 53 years, raising his family, and being a part of his two granddaughter’s lives.
Joe was the loving husband of the late Angela Venti (DePlacido). He was the loving father of Paula Rigby and her husband Bill of Burlington, Carla Venti of Saugus, Mark Venti and his wife Jeannine of Woburn, and Joseph Venti of Woburn. He was the beloved brother of Virgilio Venti and his late wife Marie of Woburn, Eda Venti Orr and her late husband Bernard of Billerica and dear brother–in–law of Peter DePlacido and his wife Louise, Gaetano DePlacido and his wife Julia, Ann Fabiano and her late husband Nicholas all of Saugus, and Anthony Deplacido and his fiancé Diane Recchia of East Boston. Joe was the cherished grandfather of Nicole and Jillian Rigby. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His funeral was held from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Monday, Dec. 22, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church 851 Main St., Woburn Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to Winchester Hospital or to the North Reading High School Foreign Language Department.
