Vincenzo Surdo, who left Sicily for the United States in 1973 and later spent years as a crossing guard in Everett and Somerville, has died. He was 95.
He was born February 14, 1931, in Dattilo, Sicily, to Vito Surdo and Giovanna Tosto, and served in the Italian Army before emigrating with his family. In Massachusetts he worked more than 20 years for the Commonwealth before retiring, and for many years worked as a crossing guard in Somerville and Everett, where he became a familiar, friendly face.
He and his wife, Laura, were married for more than 50 years. She died before him. His family says they were what he was proudest of.
He leaves three children: Giovanna Angelo and her husband, Francesco, of Malden; Vincenza Talluto and her husband, Salvatore Talluto Jr., of Revere; and Vito Surdo and his wife, Sherri, of Saugus. His grandchildren are Michelle Jones (J.J.) of Revere, Nancy Resendes (Helder) of Malden, Laura Baker (Ricki) of Milton, Melchiore Angelo (Amanda) of Billerica and Alie Surdo of Saugus. He also leaves 16 great-grandchildren, with a great-great-grandchild on the way, and his sister Francesca Surdo, who still lives in Dattilo. Six other siblings, Anna, Leonardo, Natale, Leonarda, Maria and Giuseppina, died before him.
Visitation was Tuesday, October 27, at Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home in Everett. His Mass of Christian Burial was set for Wednesday, October 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 38 Oakes St., Everett, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
Compiled from information published by Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett. Photograph courtesy of the family via Rocco Funeral Home. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.