Alfred J. “Al” Grazioso

Alfred J. “Al” Grazioso, a longtime Quincy resident, returned home to the Lord peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at the Dwyer Home in Weymouth. He was 98.

Born in Quincy, he was the son of the late Carmine and Carmina (Seracina) Grazioso. Al attended local schools and graduated from the Quincy High Trade School Class of 1939 before entering the apprenticeship program for Bethlehem Steele at Fore River Shipyard. Al enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps at the beginning of WWII. He was a member of the 351st Bomb Group and the 509th Bomb Squadron as part of the European Theatre. Al was honorably discharged on September 27, 1945.

After his honorable discharge, Al went back to work at the Fore River Shipyard where he was the supervisor of the Sheet Metal Department. He later started his own business as owner and operator of the Shoppers Personal Service Furniture Company on Canal Street in Boston and then later Marty’s Furniture, where he worked until his retirement at age 93. Al enjoyed his work and the relationships he fostered throughout the years.

Al was a man of great faith and lived his life in accordance with the Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity. He was devoted to Our Lord and Our Lady and was a lifelong communicant of St. John the Baptist Church in Quincy, where he ushered for many years. He had a special affinity for the Blessed Mother and prayed his Rosary daily. Al was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Al was a kind, loving, selfless and dedicated person. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for the people he loved. His family, children, grandchildren and great granddaughter are what gave him most enjoyment in life and they made him very proud. His legacy continues through his family as they share all that Al taught them through example and life lessons. He will be missed by all the lives he touched.

Al was the beloved husband of the late Helen L. (Gavaza) Grazioso, who died in 2016. The two shared 70 years of loving marriage. He was the devoted father of Holly Powers and her husband Warren of Naples, FL, Ken Grazioso and his wife Melody of Gainesville, FL, Mary-Ellen Schwartz and her husband Ed of Cary, NC, Al Grazioso and his wife Cathie of Quincy and Liz Barry and her husband Tim of Raleigh, NC. Al was the loving grandfather of Nicole Kanzler and her husband Ryan of Quincy, Matt Grazioso and his fiancee Mary Elizabeth Miller of Quincy, Kristen and her husband Michael Christopher of Dorchester, D.J. Auld of Portland, OR, Deirdre Auld of Boston, Jacqueline Barry of Raleigh, NC, Megan  Barry of Raleigh, NC, Christopher Barry and his wife Laura of Austin, TX, and Jason Zittel of Gainesville, FL. He was the loving great grandfather of his “little doll” Cora Kanzler of Quincy. Al is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his four siblings.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday, June 10th 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9 AM on Tuesday, June 11th prior to the Funeral Mass in St. John’s Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment and military honors in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Al’s name may be sent to the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth, P.O. Box 690789, Quincy, MA 02269.