Joseph Fantozzi

LUNENBURG---- Joseph “Joe Van” Fantozzi, 90, of Lunenburg, formally of Leominster, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2016 in Leominster Hospital.

Joe was born May 12, 1925 in Leominster, the son of Pasquale and Raffaela (Crisci) Fantozzi. He was a 1943 graduated of Leominster High School.

Joe was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, serving in a Marine Corps Division, as a Pharmacists Mate Third Class. He entered the military July 7, 1943 and was honorably discharged April 28, 1946. He saw action at the Battle of Normandy with the Navy and Iwo Jima with the Marine Corps. He received the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, European African Mid-Eastern theatre Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.

Joe worked as a machinist at Foster Grant Co. in Leominster for 26 Years, retiring in 1985. He enjoyed golfing , bowling, and traveling, He and his wife Laura traveled to Florida frequently, along with trips to Italy, Hawaii, and several cruises.

Joe is survived by his wife of 68 years, Laura (Battistella) Fantozzi, daughters, Donna Fantozzi of Chicago Illinois, Valerie DeBettencourt and her husband Michael of Lunenburg, son Joseph Fantozzi and Susan Chaisson of Royalston, 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, his brother Sam Fantozzi , sisters Ida Kendall and her husband Lawrence, and Anita Armillotti, all of Leominster.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 11 am in the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home 106 West Street, Leominster. A calling hour will be held from 10 - 11 am. Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster.

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