Gloucester – Joseph J. Mondello, 96, of Gloucester, MA, beloved husband of the late Virginia (Murray) Mondello, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Brightview Senior Living in Danvers, passing peacefully with family by his side. Born in the family home on Mondello Square on November 20, 1926, to the late Francesco and Francesca (Carbonaro) Mondello, originally of Messina, Sicily, Joe remained a lifelong resident until 2022. The last surviving member of 15 children, Joe spent his entire life in devotion to his family, his faith, and his country.
Joe attended Gloucester High School until he enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 and served as a gunman aboard the USS Denver during World War II. He fought mainly in the Pacific and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation SVC Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. After returning home from war, he married Virginia, “Ginny”, his wife of 67 years, and together they raised three sons and two daughters.
Known as Joe the Cobbler to the Gloucester community, our dear patriarch will be fondly remembered as a gregarious and humble pillar of Cape Ann. His career spanned 7 decades at Mondello Shoe Repair on Pleasant Street until he retired at the age of 93. For his traditional work ethic and customer service, he earned the Small Businessman of the Year Award in 2001, a title he never coveted but certainly deserved. All who knew him loved him not only for his friendly demeanor, but also for his quality workmanship on shoes, accessories, luggage, skate-sharpening and more. His shop walls were decorated with family photos, pictures from the Navy, and other memorabilia that sparked many conversations with his customers. He left an indelible impression on so many as he spent his days whistling while he worked, imparting classic one-liners and recounting numerous tales of his time in the Navy. Customers would stop by for the service, stay for the stories and often leave with “no charge”, especially for those he knew couldn’t afford the repairs. The extent of his generosity will never be known.
For close to 10 years, Joe also worked part-time at Rose Marine applying his mechanical skills where needed. He volunteered in various roles: at St. Peter’s and St. Anthony’s churches as a sexton, as bus driver and manager for the St. Peter’s Bagpipe Band, and as a member of the International Dory Racing Committee. Joe enjoyed traveling with his family, including camping trips to New Hampshire, to Nova Scotia for the dory boat races, to Disney World and on Caribbean cruises. He was an avid gardener and loved sharing his vegetables. Some of his favorite pastimes included enjoying a glass of scotch or red wine as well as fellowship at the Gloucester Elks and driving around the backshore and to the State Pier to check on the many fishermen in his family. He and Ginny offered Friday night sleepovers for their grandchildren and hosted Sunday dinners after mass. Their door was always open to family, friends, and neighbors.
Joe is survived by his children, Joseph Mondello Jr. and wife, Jacquie (Nickerson), Peter Mondello and wife, Allison (Creed), Michael Mondello and partner, Ron Kosciak, Cynthia Bolcome and husband, Martin, Ann Capillo and husband James; grandchildren Jonathan Mondello, Tracy Mondello, Carol Mondello, Laura Mondello-Hofacre and husband, Johnathan, Haley Klemczuk and husband Robert, Mary O’Hanley and husband, Michael, Katherine Bolcome-Owen and husband Michael, Nathaniel Bolcome and wife Kathryn (Sartwell), David Bolcome and wife Hannah (Lodi); great-grandchildren, Isabelle Mondello, James Roderick, Kyle Williamson, Angel Williamson-Salois,
Michael, Nichole and Rachelle Lane, Mia Contilli, Brooke Romeo, Peter and Atlas Hofacre, Jackson Martin, Mack Klemczuk, Adelyn and Aubrey O’Hanley, River and Mary Kathryn Bolcome, Belinha Bolcome; great-great grandson Octavius Lane; sisters-in-law Maureen Murray and Gail Mondello. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his close friend, David Bowling.
In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was predeceased by his 14 brothers and sisters, grandsons Jamie and Joey Roderick, and great-granddaughter Ginnymarie Hofacre.

Visiting hours for Joe will be held on Thursday, January 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. Extended family and friends are cordially invited to attend. His funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Church (Holy Family Parish) 60 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, on Friday January 20, at 11 a.m. and the burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that those that are not feeling well refrain from attending the services. Contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Care Dimensions of Danvers or the Cape Ann Veterans Services. For online condolences, please visit http://www.greelyfuneralhomecom.

To send flowers to the family of Joseph J. Mondello, please visit Tribute Store.

The planned flood control project to protect the high school, stadium and parking lot from future Annisquam River flooding is well underway. As many remember, the storm of January 2018 caused severe damage to those areas and this project was designed to address that and prevent it from recurring. Some details can be found at the following links: 16031 ENF Gloucester High School Flood Control Project from July 2019 OR the more recent Gloucester High School Flood Protection Project info from Construction Journal updated Dec 2022.

Venmo Sara Gray $40 with your size

Venmo SaraJane-Gray Profits from the sale go to Scottie Mac

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amvetspost32 “SCOTTIE STRONG”Sweatshirts on sale Friday @ BINGO! 7pm To preorder call us at 978-283-9738

Designed by: Made with Luve

Amvets Bingo Friday 14 Prospect St, Gloucester, MA 01930

When average dining is just not enough. Go see Neal Maver and his cast of glorious misfits. It’s a who’s who of the Gloucester dining scene all executing at a cut above. Sexy room?✅Sexy food?✅Sexy cocktails?✅ Neal and crew are checking off all the boxes. 🍌🍌🍌

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live fire coastal cooking
open seven days a week • 4pm till 10pm
9 rogers street gloucester ma

www.oaktoember.com

He’s frail but getting better now that he’s getting the care he needs. Thanked the entire community and wants to have a huge party this summer at Stage Fort Park and he’ll DJ

Update:

He has Collapsed lung,
Broken clavicle, broken ribs, nasal bone fracture and
still bleeding in the
Brain and fracture in the scull of his head. Basically the nurse said it’s a good thing he got here when he did it would’ve been a major problem with his lungs

🙏 🙏

Frosted Flakes…

He has Collapsed lung,
Broken clavicle, broken ribs, nasal bone fracture and
still bleeding in the
Brain and fracture in the scull of his head. Basically the nurse said it’s a good thing he got here when he did it would’ve been a major problem with his lungs

Our Opening Weekend is Saturday January 21st (11-5pm) and Sunday January 22nd (1-4pm) to coincide with the 2nd Annual Gloucester So Salty.  George Wingate opens the season with ‘Letters / Words / and.’  In the words of an artist friend, George is a postmodernist, a minimalist, a sculptor, a poet and an all over evocator. I would add he is a wordsmith; he invigorates the mind. Had I had a mentor like George in school, life and thoughts would have been richer.

Come whenever you can. 

Come often during 2023; it’s Gloucester’s 400th and there will be lots to view. 

The gallery welcomes all.

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Kids Eat Free With The Purchase Of An Adult Entree

Open Daily 7am-8pm

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Dine In, Take Out & Delivery

978-526-0443

20 Lexington Ave Gloucester, MA

Dictionary definition of stalwart: “loyal, reliable, hardworking”. If they could add an image, she would be it.

This year we are, of course, celebrating Gloucester’s 400+ Anniversary (the “+” is for the centuries native peoples were here before Europeans, and for the years that are yet to come). The Overture was televised locally, and the Gloucester Times had comprehensive coverage, so this is more my personal view of this opening event of the year-long celebration.

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