WINTHROP — Bernice Joy Blasi, born on November 30, 1936, a resident of Winthrop, passed away at home on Monday, July 12, 2021, at age 84.
Bernice was always in high-spirits, greeting everyone with a hug and made you feel seen. Her amazingly quick wit and way with words was truly exceptional. Even when telling you to go to fly a kite, she did it in a way that made you look forward to the trip!
To say she was tough, was an understatement. Growing up the Winter Hill area of Somerville, as one of six children to late John Joy, Sarah L. (Marsden) Taylor and then William Taylor, made her very self-reliant. As an independent and tenacious young woman, she voluntarily signed up for the Marine Corp after graduation from Somerville High School. She shipped off to camp Pendleton and her dad was so proud. She was named “Miss Camp Pendleton” and was given the nickname “Joy Boy” until she was in a terrible car accident while on assignment and was seriously injured, resulting in an honorable discharge and metal rod in her leg. She moved back home to Somerville and quickly fell in love with the handsome Paul Blasi and they married in 1957 promptly starting a family that quickly grew to six.
When her children were young, raising them in Melrose, Bernice was involved in all aspects of their lives, volunteering as a Scout Mother and many PTA’s. She handmade some of their clothes, created meals for eight when the cupboards were bare, all with a smile and laughter in her heart and occasionally Italian opera playing in the background. High energy and unfiltered, Bernice entertained everyone at all family gatherings and at home too with theme dinners on Sundays for the entire family. She was the life of the party and known for her story telling, especially by all the grandkids who always requested them. She enjoyed yard sales or “sale-ing” on Saturdays with her sisters, summers at the cottage in Weirs Beach, and loved watching the storms roll in over the Atlantic.
Bernice received her Associate’s Degree from Newbury College. While raising her family, she began working as a Postal Clerk before her promotion to Postal Police. She served as a Uniformed Officer of the Postal Police for several years before retiring. Even while working, Bernice’s dedication to her family never wavered. She was always there to make dinner, and provide a warm and loving home for her children.
Bernice was a high spirited, tireless, and charming woman who left a mark on everyone she met. Raising her family was a huge sense of pride and joy to her. So much so, the Joy family name lives on in all the future generations of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Bernice was the beloved wife of Paul C. Blasi, Sr. with whom she shared 64 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Paul C. Blasi, Jr. and his wife, Caren, of Saugus; Robert E. Blasi of AZ, Elise J. Daigle of Bedford, Brian J. Blasi of Plymouth, NH, Lauren J. Clark of Saugus, and René J. LeBranche of CA. Dear sister of Judith Johnson of FL, Jacqueline Ponsart of NH, William Taylor Jr. of Melrose, and the late Janice Page and James Taylor. Loving grandmother of Ryan, Jeffrey, Sarah, Nicholas, Aaron, Monica, Amanda, Laini, Jessica, Benjamin, Salina, Devra, Jonathan and the late Lyndsey Joy Clark. Loving great-grandmother of 21 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, July 16 from 4-7 p.m., and again for her funeral service celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
