A loving family man who loved to go to the track
STONEHAM — Anthony J. “Tony” Spataro, of Stoneham, formerly of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by family on June 23, 2022 in Melrose at the age of 93. Tony was born on May 12, 1929 in Roxbury to Salvatore and Michelina (Ferrara) Spataro. He was raised in Roxbury and graduated from Boston Technical.
Tony moved to Melrose in 1959 to raise his family. He lived there until 1988, where he then moved to Stoneham and remained there ever since. Tony worked for the city of Melrose for 35 years and he also ran his own television repair business for 25 years. He loved to go to the track, especially Suffolk Downs and often joked that it only took “22 minutes flat” to get to Rockingham Park. Tony also loved to play whist with family and friends, and he wasn’t shy of letting the other player know they weren’t very good. Most importantly, Tony loved his family, he was very proud of them all, and his most cherished memories were ones with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
Anthony was the former husband of the late Christina Franklin. Loving companion of the late Rita Collins. Loving father of Richard Spataro and his wife Ann of Melrose, Donna Rowe and her husband Ernest of Saugus and Mary Groux and her husband Thomas of Tewksbury. Cherished grandfather of Cindy, Michael, Nicole, Jenna, David, Craig, Kristina, Daniel, Miranda, Sarah, Justin and Mackenzie. Proud great-grandfather of Savannah, Keira, Max, Lucy, Cameron, Anthony, Caiden, Lindsey, Hannah, Nate and Thomas. He was predeceased by his four siblings: the late Lucy Cerchione, George Spataro, Phillip Spataro, and Albert Spataro. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 10 a.m. Interment followed the Mass at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate. To leave an online message of condolence please visit gatelyfh.com.
