WILMINGTON, MA — Albert J. Spada, age 84, “Al”, of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly with his loving family at his side on March 11, 2017, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington.
Al was born on January 18, 1933, in Roxbury, MA; he was the son of the late Salvatore and Anna Spada. Albert was raised and educated in Roxbury and was a graduate of Chauncy Hall School in 1952 Albert went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine at Orono in 1956 and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and was in the ROTC. He was discharged from the Army ROTC as a Second Lieutenant.
Albert started his career as a mechanical engineer for United Shoe Company. He later worked for the RCA when he took a position at AVCO in Wilmington. While he was hard at work and raising a family, Albert still managed to go to night school at Northeastern University in Boston where he achieved a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. He then worked at Stone & Webster Company throughout the 1980’s. He spent one year in Italy working on Nuclear Plant design. He retired from the Raytheon Company after proudly working on the Patriot Missile transport vehicle, and modifying it for use in Greece. Throughout his career, Albert was known not only for his incredible work ethic and tenacity. Albert was instrumental in many projects throughout the years and had four patents placed in his name including the shroud for the Apollo Moon re-entry vehicle and the Pipe Rupture Restraint mechanism for the Nuclear Power Plants. Albert’s designs were instrumental in containing the Millstone Nuclear Power plant. Albert was very proud to be a Licensed Mechanical Engineer and a member of the ASME.
After meeting at Moseley’s; Albert married his “sweetheart and best dance partner” Jennie Mottola on September 4, 1955. The couple shared over 60 years together and raised four talented daughters. Al and Jennie moved to Wilmington in 1964 and became very engrained in the community. Al was a member of The Sons of Italy for a period of time. Al’s talents were endless; he designed and built both homes that the family shared in Wilmington as well as their summer house on Cape Cod; he was a wonderful handy man who could fix just about anything. Al’s unconditional love and devotion for his family was evident in everything he did; he treasured the time they spent together and was always very proud of his daughters and grandchildren.
In his spare time, Al enjoyed being outdoors and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air; he could be found golfing, bicycling, fishing, or going quagging in Eastham. Al loved to dance with his beautiful wife Jennie every chance they got and he enjoyed playing chess with his grandchildren.
Al will be fondly remembered as a “gentleman” with a huge heart who would do anything for anyone. Al was kind, caring, hardworking, loyal, and loving; he will forever be missed by all who loved him.
Albert is the beloved husband of Jennie V. (Mottola) Spada, devoted father of Janice E. Spada, D.M.D. of Marlboro, MA, Lorraine Jacintho & her husband Scott of Las Vegas, NV, Laura Baptiste & her husband Carl of Pittstown, NJ and Elizabeth A. DiStefano & her husband Gino of Wilmington, loving “Pop Pop” of Alexandra Horne, Carl H. Baptiste, Emilio and Lisetta Jacintho, Nicholas, Quintin and Leonardo DiStefano, cherished son of the late Salvatore and Anna (Murdocca) Spada, dear brother of the late Rocco, Joseph, Frank and John Spada, Rose Garzone and Theresa Senesi, brother-in-law of Anna Spada, Mary Spada, Carl & Angelina Rappoli and Josephine Dolly Silva. Albert was the son-in-law of the late John and Michelina Mottola, brother-in-law of the late Anne & Paul Peters, Millie & Bob Bosco, Anthony Silva and Anthony Mottola. Albert is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Thursday, March 16th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, 851 Main St. (Rte. 38), Woburn at 10:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 15th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial donations in Albert’s name may be made to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805.
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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