Obituary for Vincent James Rao Jr.
Vincent James Rao Jr.
Age 97, of Wayland, MA (formerly of Lake Worth, Florida and Waltham, MA) died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022, with his beloved wife Josephine “Jessie” and their children by his side.
Vincent was born in Boston on December 2, 1924. He and his eight siblings were raised in the West End of Boston. He loved to reminisce about all the fun and mischief he got into with his 7 brothers growing up in Boston. One of his brothers started calling him “Gigi” and the nickname stuck, and when he got older, it became “Gig”.
Gig met his wife to be Jessie when they were teenagers. They were married for 74 years. Gig adored Jessie and was devoted to her. Together they created a loving and fun home for their four children first in Watertown and then for over 30 years in Waltham. His biggest joy was the life he built with Jessie and his children. He was happiest when spending time with his family. He enjoyed working in his garden, tending to his yard, and, together with Jessie; entertaining family and friends at their home in Waltham and their summer cottage in Plymouth. To his children, it seemed like he knew how to fix anything and he even built a large addition onto their summer cottage. He loved playing card games, bocce, cribbage, the daily crossword puzzle and reading spy novels. Gig worked hard to provide for his family and owned several businesses. He also worked for the Middlesex County Court system before he retired. He retired to Lake Worth, Florida with Jessie, spending 30 years there before moving back to the Boston area to be closer to their children. Gig and Jessie enjoyed a busy and happy retirement in Florida and became very active in the local Italian-American Club, went ballroom dancing every week, and traveled frequently, including many cruises and trips to Europe with friends.
His children and grandchildren remember him for his quiet and loving presence, kindness, sneaky sense of humor, and love of all things sports-related, especially the Red Sox and baseball in general.
Gig is survived by his wife Jessie; children Janet (Steven) Cappetta, JoAnn (David) Chambers, Susan Rao, and James (Doreen) Rao; grandchildren David Chambers, Emily (Brian) Cooperman, Matthew Cappetta, Nicholas (Jorrie) Chambers, Emma Rao, and Alex Rao. He is also survived by six great grandchildren and his sister Mary Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent Sr. and Carmela and by his brothers Pasquale, Salvatore, Angelo, Joseph, Michael, Frank and Attilio.
Gig proudly served in the Navy during WWII.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to gather and remember the love and laughter Gig shared during Visiting hours on Friday, June 17th from 10 am - 11 am in The Mary Catherine Chapel Of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels. Followed by a Celebration of his life beginning at 11am. Located, 773 Moody Street WALTHAM. Parking Attendants will be on duty.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Donations be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. https://www.dementiasociety.org/
" Brasco Memorial Chapels"
" Creating Meaningful Memories"
Age 97, of Wayland, MA (formerly of Lake Worth, Florida and Waltham, MA) died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022, with his beloved wife Josephine “Jessie” and their children by his side.
Vincent was born in Boston on December 2, 1924. He and his eight siblings were raised in the West End of Boston. He loved to reminisce about all the fun and mischief he got into with his 7 brothers growing up in Boston. One of his brothers started calling him “Gigi” and the nickname stuck, and when he got older, it became “Gig”.
Gig met his wife to be Jessie when they were teenagers. They were married for 74 years. Gig adored Jessie and was devoted to her. Together they created a loving and fun home for their four children first in Watertown and then for over 30 years in Waltham. His biggest joy was the life he built with Jessie and his children. He was happiest when spending time with his family. He enjoyed working in his garden, tending to his yard, and, together with Jessie; entertaining family and friends at their home in Waltham and their summer cottage in Plymouth. To his children, it seemed like he knew how to fix anything and he even built a large addition onto their summer cottage. He loved playing card games, bocce, cribbage, the daily crossword puzzle and reading spy novels. Gig worked hard to provide for his family and owned several businesses. He also worked for the Middlesex County Court system before he retired. He retired to Lake Worth, Florida with Jessie, spending 30 years there before moving back to the Boston area to be closer to their children. Gig and Jessie enjoyed a busy and happy retirement in Florida and became very active in the local Italian-American Club, went ballroom dancing every week, and traveled frequently, including many cruises and trips to Europe with friends.
His children and grandchildren remember him for his quiet and loving presence, kindness, sneaky sense of humor, and love of all things sports-related, especially the Red Sox and baseball in general.
Gig is survived by his wife Jessie; children Janet (Steven) Cappetta, JoAnn (David) Chambers, Susan Rao, and James (Doreen) Rao; grandchildren David Chambers, Emily (Brian) Cooperman, Matthew Cappetta, Nicholas (Jorrie) Chambers, Emma Rao, and Alex Rao. He is also survived by six great grandchildren and his sister Mary Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent Sr. and Carmela and by his brothers Pasquale, Salvatore, Angelo, Joseph, Michael, Frank and Attilio.
Gig proudly served in the Navy during WWII.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to gather and remember the love and laughter Gig shared during Visiting hours on Friday, June 17th from 10 am - 11 am in The Mary Catherine Chapel Of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels. Followed by a Celebration of his life beginning at 11am. Located, 773 Moody Street WALTHAM. Parking Attendants will be on duty.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Donations be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. https://www.dementiasociety.org/
" Brasco Memorial Chapels"
" Creating Meaningful Memories"