Gaetano Lo Conte

Gaetano, "Guy" Lo Conte passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86 years old. Guy was a big hearted and honorable man. Loving husband of Rita (Maddaleni), beloved son of the late Teresa (Sasso) Coico and step-father Tony Coico, devoted father of Patricia Ann Dababneh and her late husband Fares, Guy Richard, and the late Jeanne Marie adoring Papa of Caroline and her fiancé David Tyler, dear brother of Josephine Spires and her late husband Doug, treasured son-in-law of the late Rose and John Maddaleni, brother-in-law of the late John Maddaleni and his wife Augustine. Additionally, Guy leaves behind many lifelong friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Born in East Boston, Massachusetts, along with his mother Teresa, his sister, Josephine, and his grandfathers, Angelo and Gaetano, Guy built solid roots in the community of Malden. He valued lifelong friendships which began on Cross Street, and then grew and strengthened on the ball fields and tracks of Malden High School. As a Golden Tornado (Class of '54) he wore the blue and gold well, leaving his mark in the corridors and within the trophy cases of his beloved high school. He held the state record in the mile, was captain of the baseball team, and co-captain of the football team.

It was at a Malden High School dance that Guy first met "my Rita", and a 65 year love story began. After graduation, marriage, and the arrival of three children, their dreams were realized. While continuing to participate in his love of sport, he trained as a boxer, eventually winning the Golden Gloves Championship twice. Years later, he was honored to be inducted into The Golden Tornadoes Hall of Fame.

A veteran, Guy proudly served in the United States Army. After serving, Guy and Rita resumed their lives in Everett and Malden, and later settled in Reading, where Guy started his own business in the late 1960s. As the first to obtain a liquor license in Reading, Guy built and operated a liquor store for many years. He enjoyed lifelong success in self-employment and enjoyed other business ventures including a sandwich shop, a convenience store, and a small cleaning business.

In 1995, Guy became a proud Papa to his much loved granddaughter, "Caroliney". Taking pride in all his accomplishments, Guy was a proud family man first. Always there for his family, together they met milestones, experienced unconditional love, joy, challenges, and loss. Quality time was spent travelling throughout New England, spending countless hours at backyard pool parties and barbecues, rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots, and watching "Everybody Loves Raymond". Hobbies included reading, driving on local road trips, playing cards, and creative list making. Guy continued to enjoy running, working out, and hitting the punching bag well into his eighties. We are grateful to have had Gaetano Lo Conte in our lives, we will remember him always, and miss him beyond what words can convey..

The funeral mass celebrating Guy's life will be on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading at 12pm, followed by interment at Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Guy's memory to Care Dimensions Hospice, Ste. B-102, Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome