John A. D'Ambrosio
April 4, 1922 — July 7, 2008
John A. D'Ambrosio
John was born in 1922 to Italian immigrant parents who had settled in Roslindale in the early 1900's.He was the youngest of five children born to Sabato and Giuannina D'Ambrosio, and he was the only boy.Growing up among four sisters might have had an influence on his joining the Marine Corps at an early age.
Like so many of his generation, John was a child of the Great Depression, which left an impression on him his entire life.His childhood that was happy, but characterized by the deprivation and hard work that was so much a part of America in the 1930's. He would recount how he and his mother and sisters collected seeds from pansies and violas in Calvary Cemetery across the street from their house on Cummins Highway.They'd plant the seeds at home to raise and sell more flowers in order to supplement their father's income from his work in a stone quarry.When John was old enough to get a job, he went to work at Simco's hot dog stand in Mattapan.He often said that the side benefit of eating a free hot dog lunch was better than the pay.
John graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1940.Within two years he signed up with the Marine Corps, and for the rest of his life he proudly identified himself as much for being a Marine as for being a husband and a father.He rose through the ranks, fighting in the Pacific theater during World War II, and providing supply support for the Korean and Vietnam wars.John retired honorably from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1963. From his first years associated with the Corps, and through the many years after his retirement, John actively supported Toys for Tots drives, which was the most significant charity for him.
John married Eleanor (Ellie) Fish in 1947, and they had their only child, Michael, in 1948.The family of three led a typical military life characterized by frequent moves and postings in exotic locations.Their two-year assignment in the Panama Canal Zone in the early 1950's became a lifelong topic of family conversation for the interesting and unusual sights and stories that it afforded.After twenty years of military travel, John and his family returned to the Boston area to settle down after he retired from the Marine Corps, eventually buying a home in Melrose. John worked in supply activities for many years for the United States Marines. He worked at the Fargo Building in Boston, the Panama Canal Zone, Camp Lejeune in North Caroline. He retired from the Philadelphia Supply Headquarters in Pennsylvania where he was instrumental in the implementation of the computer systems. He retired in 1964. He then worked for the Internal Revenue Service, as assistant director of supply, retiring in the 1970's. John then worked as a realtor for Melrose real estate agencies including Foster & Long Real Estate.
As he got older, John overcame many health hurdles, and in 2000, the shock of the sudden, unexpected death of his wife, Ellie.In 2005 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and was given six months to live.However, in typical fashion, John surprised doctors, family and friends by fighting back and cheating the grim reaper for three more years.
John loved to argue politics and sports.He still thought the best Boston baseball team was the Boston Braves, not the Red Sox.But he didn't hide his happiness when the Red Sox finally threw off the "curse" and won the World Series.As in all of his intense "discussions", his bark was worse than his bite. Underneath the sometimes crusty exterior was a sentimentalist and a person who loved to be generous.Perhaps because of his humble beginnings, he valued higher education, and he would take every opportunity to advise young people to educate themselves.
The past three months were difficult for John.The cancer that he defied three years ago finally took the upper hand.His mind and his memory struggled to cope.But to almost the end, John retained his good humor and love of seeing family and friends who visited him.Today he can rest in peace, reunited with his wife Ellie, and enjoying the eternal happiness that he worked hard to earn during the 86 years that God gave him to be among us.
His wife, Eleanor M. (Fish) D'Ambrosio died September 22, 2000. He is predeceased by his sisters, Lena Tramonte, Jeanette Cipriano, Mary Forte and Rose D'Ambrosio.
He leaves a son, Michael P. D'Ambrosio of Amherst. NY. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Theresa Cahill & her husband, Paul, of Malden and many nieces & nephews.
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