Obituary for John H Piantedosi
John Henry Piantedosi, aka “Papa” or “The Baker”, a lifelong resident of Winchester, MA, and formerly of Boca Raton, FL, passed away on December 8, 2020, at the age of 96 surrounded by his family. John leaves behind his beloved wife Mary (Vetrano) and 6 children, Mary Ellen Margosian and her late husband Fred of Lexington and Chatham, John and Eileen Piantedosi of Bedford and Chatham, William Piantedosi of West Palm Beach, FL, Carol Ann and Frank O’Brien of West Roxbury, Diane Piantedosi of Winchester and Joseph S. Piantedosi of Winchester and Laconia, NH. In addition to his children and their spouses, he leaves 9 grandchildren: Sarah, Julia, John, Victoria, Aris, Gregory, Rachel, David and Joseph.
John was the last surviving family member and founder of the Piantedosi Baking Company located in Malden, which today is 105 years old and boasts a national and international business clientele. The bakery was started in 1916 in Everett by his parents, Salvatore and Mary, and became a very successful family-run business with their 3 sons, Carmine, Joseph and John. John would tell of coming home from school at 7 years old and going off to work in the bakery, along with his older brothers, every afternoon and weekends. Today the bakery is still privately owned and operated by the 3rd and 4th generations of the Piantedosi family. The only time in his life when John did not work at the bakery was when he served in the armed services as a Marine for 3 years from 1943 to 1946. After the service, he returned home to the bakery and soon after met the love of his life and his bride of 69 years, and they began a family.
John’s passions were many. He loved to golf. He was a long standing member of Nashawtuc Country Club, Winchester Country Club and Broken Sound in Boca Raton. He was known by the club members for the endless hours he spent on the driving range, offering a tweak here or there to fellow golfers, observing golf swings and honing his own skills. His family loves to tell the story of John, later in life, having surgery to insert a stent in his heart a week before his 80th birthday. He was given permission by his cardiologist to play a golf tournament at his country club a week after the surgery, and shot an 80 on his actual 80th birthday!
Even in retirement, John never lost his love of baking and cooking. His blueberry and apple pies were legendary. His pizzas were always pre-made and ready to be baked and served to any spontaneous guest. John and Mary shared the joy of hosting friends for beautiful delicious meals, however their hospitality and generosity was not limited to just friends! Any workman who found themselves lucky enough to be at the Piantedosi house during lunchtime was invited to sit at the kitchen table and eat with the family. No one left disappointed. Cooking and baking was in his DNA and sharing it was his pleasure.
John was an avid reader and began his days with 4 newspapers. He consumed the WSJ and followed the stock market daily. But the thing that brought him the most joy in the last years of his life was any time spent with his grandkids. He never missed a school event, he loved their frequent visits, and they loved their Papa. Even their friends became Papa’s friends. They all got golf lessons from Papa and lots of lectures about the importance of doing well in school and hard work. He spoke often to them of gratitude and love. He was so proud of them. With all John’s life accomplishments, he would tell you his grandkids were his proudest legacy.
Papa will be laid to rest with his brothers, their wives and his parents in the family Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Donations in memory of John’s beautiful life can be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but will be live streamed at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12th. To view the service, please visit https://sainteulalia.org/live-stream
Arrangements under the direction of Lane Funeral Home WINCHESTER. For online condolences please visit www.lanefuneral.com.
John was the last surviving family member and founder of the Piantedosi Baking Company located in Malden, which today is 105 years old and boasts a national and international business clientele. The bakery was started in 1916 in Everett by his parents, Salvatore and Mary, and became a very successful family-run business with their 3 sons, Carmine, Joseph and John. John would tell of coming home from school at 7 years old and going off to work in the bakery, along with his older brothers, every afternoon and weekends. Today the bakery is still privately owned and operated by the 3rd and 4th generations of the Piantedosi family. The only time in his life when John did not work at the bakery was when he served in the armed services as a Marine for 3 years from 1943 to 1946. After the service, he returned home to the bakery and soon after met the love of his life and his bride of 69 years, and they began a family.
John’s passions were many. He loved to golf. He was a long standing member of Nashawtuc Country Club, Winchester Country Club and Broken Sound in Boca Raton. He was known by the club members for the endless hours he spent on the driving range, offering a tweak here or there to fellow golfers, observing golf swings and honing his own skills. His family loves to tell the story of John, later in life, having surgery to insert a stent in his heart a week before his 80th birthday. He was given permission by his cardiologist to play a golf tournament at his country club a week after the surgery, and shot an 80 on his actual 80th birthday!
Even in retirement, John never lost his love of baking and cooking. His blueberry and apple pies were legendary. His pizzas were always pre-made and ready to be baked and served to any spontaneous guest. John and Mary shared the joy of hosting friends for beautiful delicious meals, however their hospitality and generosity was not limited to just friends! Any workman who found themselves lucky enough to be at the Piantedosi house during lunchtime was invited to sit at the kitchen table and eat with the family. No one left disappointed. Cooking and baking was in his DNA and sharing it was his pleasure.
John was an avid reader and began his days with 4 newspapers. He consumed the WSJ and followed the stock market daily. But the thing that brought him the most joy in the last years of his life was any time spent with his grandkids. He never missed a school event, he loved their frequent visits, and they loved their Papa. Even their friends became Papa’s friends. They all got golf lessons from Papa and lots of lectures about the importance of doing well in school and hard work. He spoke often to them of gratitude and love. He was so proud of them. With all John’s life accomplishments, he would tell you his grandkids were his proudest legacy.
Papa will be laid to rest with his brothers, their wives and his parents in the family Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Donations in memory of John’s beautiful life can be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but will be live streamed at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12th. To view the service, please visit https://sainteulalia.org/live-stream
Arrangements under the direction of Lane Funeral Home WINCHESTER. For online condolences please visit www.lanefuneral.com.