Great–grandmother of 19
NORTH READING — Josephine N. (LaGrassa) Castronovo of North Reading, fondly known as “Josie” to her family and friends, died peacefully on Nov. 8, 2014 at the Wingate at Reading; she was 100 years of age.
Josie was born on Feb. 13, 1914, in Rutland, Vt.; she was the cherished daughter of the late Carlo and Concetta (Palermo) LaGrassa. Josie grew up on the family farm in Sudbury, just down the road from Babe Ruth. Josie was part of a large and loving family; she was taught to work hard and put her family first above all else.
Josie married the “love of her life” Salvatore Castronovo in 1937; sharing more than 27 years of marriage before Salvatore’s untimely passing in 1964. Josie and Sal moved to the North End of Boston where they raised their four wonderful children and built a life of love and family. Josie was an amazing cook who loved to host holidays, especially Christmas, she also enjoyed birthday celebrations and any other special occasion to get her family together.
More than 25 years ago, Josie moved from the North End to North Reading to live with her daughter Connie and be closer to her grandchildren. Josie always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and catching up on their lives.
Josie will be fondly remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great–grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. Josie made countless wonderful memories throughout her life that will be shared for generations to come.
Josie was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore Castronovo, devoted mother of Mary Barysky and her late husband Peter of Wilmington, Connie Castronovo of North Reading, Joseph Castronovo and his wife Christine of Wilmington and the late Carlo Castronovo and his wife Kathleen of North Reading, loving “Nana” of Patricia and the late Steve Ritchie, Marie and Bill Mason, Deborah and Charlie Moussalem, John and Summer Mullowney, Michelle and Steve Bodoin, Joseph and Nicole Castronovo, Salvatore Castronovo, Lisa Castronovo, Michael Castronovo and Carlo Castronovo Jr. and “Great Nana” of Peter, Patrick, Philip, Olivia, Jonathan, Gregory, Ava, Lyric, Brooklyn, Christopher, Caitlin, Cameron, Joey, Jillian, Allyson, Melissa, Alex, Michael and Lori. Cherished daughter of the late Carlo and Concetta (Palermo) LaGrassa, dear sister of Paul LaGrassa and his wife Peggy of Sudbury, the late Anna Manne, Nicholas LaGrassa, William LaGrassa and Peter LaGrassa. Josie is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Dorothy Church, Main Street (Rte. 38), Wilmington at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Roslindale. Memorial donations in Josephine’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 38105.
