Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, February 28, 2020 OBITUARIES John J. “Jack” McGrath, Jr. The Prince of Pierce Avenue, passed aw ay peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday , February 25 in Everett where he resided for over 75 years. He is the brother of Mary McGillicuddy and her husband Bob of Winchester; and the beloved uncle to: Michele Sanphy and her husband Matt of Reading; Lori Coyne and her husband Peter of South Boston; and Michael LaCourt and his wife Ellen of Weymouth, (all formerly of Everett); and John McGillicuddy of Revere; Kathy Bell and her husband Chris of Quincy; and Kara McGillicuddy of Winchester as well as 13 grand nieces and nephews. He was born in Malden on January 6, 1933 to the now deceased Irish immigrants, Hannah (Daly) and John J. McGrath Sr., of Everett. He is predeceased by his sister Ann LaCourt of Dorchester, (formerly Everett), niece Mary McGillicuddy of San Francisco, Calif., and nephew Bob McGillicuddy (wife Carla Angevine is living) of Hanover. For 32 years, Jack was a probation officer in the Woburn District Court, 10 of those spent as the Assistant Chief P.O. But his true vocation in keeping with his Carpe Diem philosophy came in 50 years of involvement with Everett sports and civic engagement. The unsung mayor of Everett has worked in Everett television for a combined 30 years broadcasting Everett High School football and basketball games with co-host Bob Caramanica on local cable TV in addition to broadcasts of girls softball and basketball games, and interviewing student and adult athletes on a show which would become the “Sports Experience” on Channel 3. Since 1979, Jack has been an associate member of the “E” Club which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Everett tradition in sports also serving as historian for a stint. Jack was also helpful in the early years serving as a fundraiser for the Everett Youth Basketball team (aka The Rats) from 1981-87. For all of Jack’s influence, the Everett High School football Press Box at Memorial Stadium was dedicated to him in 2017 when he merited a key to the City; Jack was awarded the Irish Club “Man of the Year” in 2016, and honored with the Grand Marshal of the Homecoming Parade distinction in 2015, and finally privileged with an “Unsung Hero” annual award given in his name to an Everett athlete. An accomplished athlete in his own right, Jack started three years (195254) for the Boston College Eagles baseball team in left field where he hit .325 and .340 in his sophomore and senior years, respectively. In his senior year, he earned Greater Boston Collegiate All-Star honors. Prior to that, he helped BC make its inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament where he stole home in Omaha, Neb. In a 4-1 victory over Houston, June 11, 1953. During his summer months at BC, Jack played semi-pro baseball in Canada for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Upon graduation, the cum laude distinguished, history and government major was offered a professional baseball contract that he declined in order to enter the Jesuit Seminary where he spent nine years. As a youth, Jack played baseball for one of the best sandlot teams in the city, the Baldwin Avenue Aces then CYO baseball for the Immaculate Conception Church and American Legion. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School (Revere) in 1951. As has been said, people will forget what you said or did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Jack, the brother/ Uncle/friend/your biggest cheerleader made everyone feel: special, important, confident and most importantly, loved. “Woo, woo!!!” Funeral from the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett on Saturday, February 29 at 10:30. Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Everett at 11:30 am. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4 to 8 pm with complimentary valet parking. Interment will be at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers should be made to: E-Club of Everett Scholarship Fund, in Memory of Jack McGrath, PO Box 409135, Everett, MA, 02249. Josephine (Beradino) Shay Of New Hampshire, formerly of Everett on Februar y 23. Beloved wife of the late Charles J. Shay. Loving mother of Chuck Shay and his wife Karen of Wilmington and John Shay and his wife Laurie of North Attleboro and the late Neil Shay. Long-time companion to the late Ed White. Sister of Nick Beradino and the late Lucy Nazzaro and Dottie Olivolo. Also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Nicole, John Jr., Zackary, Ciara & Neil Jr. and great grandchildren: Levi, Violet & Siena. Josephine will be missed by many loving nieces and nephews. (Statuto) Sordillo Of Saugus, formerly of Everett, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in the Melrose Wakefield HospiOlympia M. tal after a brief illness. She was 98 years old. Born in Revere, Olympia lived in Everett for most of her life before relocating to Saugus recently because of the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor of which she was proud to tell people at the casino that she lived right over there, across from the casino. Beloved wife of the late Anthony J. Sordillo. Dear and devoted mother of Dr. Anthony M. Sordillo of Maine and Jean M. Sordillo of Saugus. Sister of the late Ralph, Carmen, Louis and Emily Statuto, Helen Rosanio, Grace Ferrera, Phyllis Dello Russo and Lydia Rampelberg. Olympia is also survived by 3 loving Grandchildren, 5 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Contributions in Olympia’s memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 495 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701 would be sincerely appreciated. George C. Spencer, Sr. A lifelong Everett resid en t , passed aw ay peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on February 19, 2020, at 94 years. Beloved husband of the late Rita H. (Punch) Spencer. Loving father of Cheryl A. LaMonte and her husband Robert, Stephen P. Spencer, and George C. Spencer, Jr. and his late wife Karen. Cherished grandfather of George, III, Shaine, Zachary, Tess, and Brian. Dear brother of the late Ella King and the late C. Donald Spencer. George was a member of the Everett Lions Club. In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory may be made to the Salvation Army at www.give.salvationarmyusa.org. Mary F. (Giarla) Tortorici Of Everett, formerly the North End, passed away peacefully on Sunday Feb. 23, 2020. She was 98 years of age. Mary is the beloved wife of 68 years to the late Bennie Tortorici. Devoted mother of Marguerite Hines and her husband Bob, Frank Tortorici and his wife Anne, Michael Tortorici and his wife Debbie, Celia Campbell and her husband David. Loving grandmother of Shawn Hines, Robert Hines, Marc Tortorici, Michelle Quinlan, Caren Gelormini, Michael Tortorici, Maria OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 23
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