Stephen Giardina

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved father, Stephen Joseph Giardina, who departed this world too soon on September 10, 2023. Stephen was born on March 10, 1957, to Mary Ann "Snooki" Puopolo and James Giardina in Boston, MA.

Stephen is survived by his two loving daughters, Angelica Giardina of Everett, MA, and Nicoletta Giardina of Winthrop, MA, his siblings, Julie Ann and Frank Strangie of East Boston, MA, Jimmy and Milva Giardina of East Boston, MA, and Richard Giardina and Meca Andrade of Sao Paolo, Brazil, his step-mother, Karen Giardina of Peabody, MA, his step-siblings, Tina Elliot of Peabody, MA, Jason Elliot of Peabody, MA, and Tonya Hernandez of Tewksbury, MA, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever hold his memory close to their hearts.

While we mourn his physical absence, we also celebrate the beautiful life he lived and the enduring love he gave to us all. A memorial service to honor and remember Stephen will be held on Thursday, October 19, from 4pm-6pm at Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St, East Boston.

In lieu of sending flowers or planting a tree, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association as it was a cause dear to his heart.

Stephen was a remarkable man with a devoted and compassionate spirit that would come to define his life. He possessed a unique ability to connect with people, making him a cherished friend to many. In his youth growing up in East Boston, he loved going to concerts and hanging around Maverick Square. He graduated from Dom Savio Preparatory High School in 1975.

Stephen had a passion for working with his hands, and his skills knew no bounds. Whether it was building furniture, working construction, installing carpets, or mending clothes, his craftsmanship reflected the love and care he poured into everything he touched. From the desk he built in high school woodworking class to the first pair of Converse shoes he ever made, his creations stand today as a testament to his talent and dedication.

He married Lynda Marie Partee on May 6, 1990. On his birthday in 1995, he received one of the greatest gifts in life: he first became a father. As a father of two girls, he embraced his role and instilled in his children the values of empathy, perseverance, and love. He showed this love through cooking delicious Italian meals and dancing with his daughters to the classics like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Jerry Vale. His family was the center of his universe, and he worked many different jobs throughout his lifetime to provide for his family and guide and protect his loved ones. From making shoes with his father to making subs with his cousin, he was a source of wisdom and pillar of strength for his family.

One of Stephen's greatest joys was his move to Florida in 2014, a place that captured his heart with its beautiful beaches and agreeable climate. The water, to him, was always a symbol of relaxation and happiness, a place where he could unwind and create lasting memories. Eventually, he shared these memories with his partner, Denise Devlin, whom he lived with for the last 12 years of his life.

Though he may no longer be with us in person, the love, wisdom, and treasured memories he shared will continue to guide and inspire us throughout our lives. Stephen will forever remain a loving father, a cherished friend, and an irreplaceable presence in our hearts.

May he rest in eternal peace with his parents, aunts, uncles, friends, and others who are no longer with us, surrounded by the beauty of the world he loved so dearly.