Peter Alfred Gravallese, of East Boston at 98 years young passed away on Nov 3 at home with his family. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann (Testa) with whom he shared 70 years of marriage and son of Anthony (Milky) & Josephine (Dente) Gravallese.
At age 18 Peter enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably during WWII. Upon his return to East Boston he studied nights while working days and achieved his BS in Civil Engineering. He was employed by the Dept. of Public Works of Massachusetts for 40 years, working his way up from a surveyor of our Interstate Highway System to the Equal Employment Opportunity Director when he retired.
He fully enjoyed his retirement, improving his golf game, traveling, cruising with his wife & family, following his favorite performers at concerts, or organizing the next party. An avid sports fan from boyhood he attended several World Series beginning with the 1946 Red Sox. As the family grew he always included his children, grandchildren & great grandchildren at these events. The original “foodie,” he was always eager to try out a new recipe or restaurant but he was happiest at his home dining table surrounded by his family with good food & wine. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2962 where he enjoyed the camaraderie, fun, and support of his fellow Knights to his final days.
Peter leaves his four children; Peter & Patricia (Masucci) Gravallese, Paula & the late Giovanni Graziani, Stephen Gravallese, Nancy & David Coletti, his grandchildren; Mark & Lisa Gravallese, Michelle & Jon Bouley, Giancarlo & Heather Graziani, Giacomo Graziani, Peter & Anthony Coletti and his beloved late granddaughter Jean Marie Gravallese, and his great-grandchildren; Michael & Matthew Gravallese, Madalina Graziani, Julien Bouley and two Graziani players to be named later.
He is also survived by his sisters & brothers Angela DeDomenico & her late husband George, Alice Meucci & her late husband Gino, Richard & Marion Gravallese, George & Theresa Gravallese, and many loving nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert & his wife Rina.
Family and friends will honor Peter's life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Sunday, November 6th from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. and again on Monday morning at 8:30 before leaving in procession to Saint Joseph - Saint Lazarus Church, East Boston, for a funeral Mass celebrating Peter's life at 10:00 A.M. Services will conclude with Peter being laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. May he rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to National Tay Sachs & Allied Diseases at www.ntsad.org or National MS Society www.nationalmssociety.org