of Springfield, and formerly of Simsbury, CT, passed away on August 18, 2014 after a brief illness. Born in Waltham, in 1956 to Ruth Martin Vanaria and Anthony J. Vanaria, he grew up in Waltham where he attended local schools and was a star basketball and baseball player in high school.
He was a graduate of Northeastern University and the Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lynn, where he was a tenacious and dedicated litigator. He then worked at Kamberg, Berman & Gold, P.C., in Springfield, where he became a partner. He later co-founded Gold & Vanaria, P.C., where he was a managing partner, practicing throughout Massachusetts with an office based in Springfield. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Alan was a dedicated father and a loyal friend to many. His quick wit and engaging nature often turned a casual encounter into an easy friendship. He was generous with his time and resources in helping others. He loved to collect antiques and restore old homes; he loved playing pick-up basketball whenever he could find a game; and he loved to dance, especially to tunes by Tina Turner and Van Morrison. A lifelong Bostonian at heart, he loved following the Bruins and the Patriots, and especially enjoyed going to Red Sox and Celtics games with his family.
His favorite thing in the world was being a Dad. He adored his children; he was proud of each and every one of their achievements and loved them beyond measure.
He is survived by his three children, Hillary Birch Vanaria of Boston, Austin R. Vanaria of Chicago, IL, and Hunter A. Vanaria of New York, NY; by his brother, Robert Vanaria of Seekonk, MA, his sister, Carol Flagg of Sutton, and their families; and his first wife, Suzanne Murray-Bissonnette of Washington, NH, his second wife LaVinda Susan Vanaria of Simsbury, CT and his stepchildren, Brett and Stephanie Sponzo. His parents and his beloved black Labrador, Chatham, predeceased him.
A service will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 2pm at the Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut Street in Newton Centre. We ask that you honor Alan’s life by making a donation in his memory to Labs4rescue, Inc. at www.labs4rescue.com.
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