Mario Ciampa

Mario Ciampa, 83, beloved husband of Lucille (Galante) Ciampa, passed away on Sunday, June 25th, at Winchester Hospital following a brief illness. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones. Born in Sulmona, Italy, he is the son of the late John and Angela (Valeri) Ciampa.

Mario grew up in Sulmona, a historic city nestled in the mountains of the Abruzzi province of central Italy, and after living through WWII as a young boy, immigrated to the United States in 1950 in search of renewed opportunity. Mario's love of his Italian heritage was equaled by the deep pride he felt in becoming an American citizen. He spent his early years in the U.S. living in Boston's North End, where he fostered lifelong friendships with fellow Italians who were also in search of the American Dream. He worked steadily until he was able to secure membership in the Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 as a heavy equipment operator. Involved in the creation of Routes 93 and 128 during the 1950s and 1960s, Mario also worked on the construction of the Prudential Tower and various other projects across Massachusetts during the state's boom years.

Mario and his wife Lucille eventually settled in Woburn in the 1970s to raise their family, where they both loved to host holidays and special occasions as their extended family grew. Mario owned and operated Francine's Pizza on Main Street in Stoneham in the 1970s, and in later years became a fixture working alongside his brother Paul and other family members at the Tastee Tower restaurant in Hampton Beach until his retirement in the 1990s. Mario loved tending to his ever-expanding garden at his home in Woburn, canning tomatoes and supplying an abundance of vegetables to family and friends. Even through his finals days, he continued to take great pride in preparing delicious food for others – and nothing made him happier than hosting his children and grandchildren for Sunday dinner.

Mario was a founding member of the Golden Eagles Club of the North End in Boston, a precursor to the fraternal organization known as the Appian Club of Stoneham. He loved his regular gatherings there, where he would often spend time cooking, playing cards, and watching sports with fellow members. He was also involved with the club's ongoing charity and community work until health issues prevented him from doing so, and loved participating in the club's long-running bowling league that met on Monday nights at the Woburn Bowladrome.

In addition to his wife of 44 years, Lucille, he is survived by four children: John Ciampa and his wife Amy, Laurie Vigna Dunnigan and her husband Joseph Dunnigan, and Frank Vigna; four cherished grandchildren: Michael Ciampa, Matthew Ciampa, Annabella Ciampa and Emily Dunnigan; two brothers: Paul Ciampa and his wife Pina and Patrick Ciampa and his wife Elena; along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He is predeceased by his brother Armando Ciampa.

Funeral services will be held from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT28), Stoneham on Saturday at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Mario's Eternal Life at St. Mary's Church, 158 Washington St., Winchester at 10am. Interment will take place at Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn.

Friends and family are cordially invited to gather and share memories at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, you may honor Mario by making a donation in his name to the Appian Club Scholarship Fund, 100A Fallon Road, Stoneham, MA 02180.

For further information, please visit www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome