‘Vito’ Petriello worked for 15-years at Boston College as a journeyman carpenter in Facilities Services
Obituary: ‘Vito’ Petriello, 58; Caring Co-worker
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Coworkers will remember Alvito “Vito” Petriello for his unwavering work ethic and quiet knack for brightening the day of those around him.Petriello, a 15-year journeyman carpenter in Facilities Services, died Oct. 29 after battling lung cancer for the past six months. He was 58.
Petriello’s life was celebrated at a funeral Mass on Monday at St. Theresa Church in Billerica. Those who worked with him said he was a loving husband, father, proud grandfather and dependable coworker.
“Vito cared very much for Boston College, in many, many aspects,” said Associate Director for Technical Services Terence Leahy. “He cared for students, for his coworkers, he was always very proud to work here at BC.
“We are all going to miss him a lot. He was the kind of guy who was always willing to help anyone...but he also somehow managed to make you feel happier after you spoke with him each day,” said Leahy. “He’s just the kind of person that you want working with you.”
Born in Italy and raised in Argentina, Petriello immigrated to the US, working as a carpenter and opened an auto body shop in Malden. Petriello raised his family in Billerica.
Carpentry Shop Assistant Foreman David Sullivan knew Petriello for three years and in that time, took an interest in what his friend did
before coming to work the second shift at BC.
“I’d look forward to hearing about what he did before work – every day he’d come in a half-hour early and tell us about how he would help his relatives fix things around their houses, eat lunch with his mother every day, work at the auto body business, take care of his lawn,” said Sullivan. “We'd joke that he'd show up for his shift after he already put in a full days work. The guy never stopped.
"He was a strong-willed guy who always put his commitments and work before himself,” said Sullivan.
Petriello is survived by his wife, Anna; children Christina Emanuel and her husband, Mark; Cathy Lachance and her husband, Brian; Denise Gaudet and her husband, Ray; and Alvito Petriello Jr. He also leaves his grandchildren, Justin and Derek Emanuel and Jack and Brady Lachance, and his mother, Rosa.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.