Published in the May 3, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Robert J. “Bobby” Caristo, 79, of Wakefield, formerly of East Boston, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
Born in East Boston on October 5, 1939 he was the son of the late Salvatore and Mary (Ruotolo) Caristo.
Raised in East Boston, Bobby was a graduate of East Boston High School. While spending time with friends at a local donut shop in Orient Heights, Bobby met his future wife, the former Ann Leary. After high school, Bobby went to work in shoe repair, a trade he had learned from his father, at the former Kenmore Shoe Repair. A 50 year old business, he spent 30 years there before the building was purchased by Boston University and he began a career in campus security which spanned more than 20 years. He and his wife moved to Wakefield in 1970 and together, they raised their family here. They were members of St. Florence Church. Bobby was an avid pool player and still enjoyed making weekly trips into East Boston for coffee with friends.
He was the beloved husband of Ann E. (Leary). He was the loving father of Robert J. Caristo, Jr. and Kevin J. Caristo and his wife Tammy, all of Wakefield. He was the brother of Rita Petrozzelli and her husband Pasquale of Revere and the late Rocco Caristo and Viola Mercurio. He was the cherished grandfather of Cameron and James Caristo. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday at
9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield at 10 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends at the funeral home on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.
