Edward G. Cisternelli
January 6, 1930 — April 25, 2024
Walpole
Past Services
Life Celebration
James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home
Saturday, May 18, 2024
1:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
Edward G. Cisternelli
Edward G. Cisternelli passed away April 25th at home surrounded by his family. Born in Norwood January 6, 1930, he was one of ten children of Salvador and Gemma (Omograsso) Cisternelli. He attended Norwood High, St. Bonaventure University in New York, and graduated from Boston College. A natural athlete, he played football and baseball as a student, and coached youths in his hometown during summer camp. It is here that he met the love of his life, Claire Flynn, and they married in 1963. They were virtually inseparable for the next sixty years. They moved to Foxboro and had three daughters, Andrea, Claudia, and Monica in quick succession. He worked as the assistant chief probation officer for over fifty years in Dedham Superior Court, and at the time of his retirement, was the longest serving state employee. Long after his retirement, those he mentored continued to reach out to him for professional advice.
In the 1990’s he and Claire fulfilled a dream of theirs by purchasing a home in Mashpee, MA, where they enjoyed countless hours fishing and clamming, as well as entertaining family and friends. They moved to Walpole in 1994, and when grandchildren began to arrive, Ed built a swimming pool in the backyard as he had done thirty years earlier for his daughters, to teach them to swim and share his love of diving. Besides his wife and daughters, his greatest joy was his five grandchildren who called him “Papa”. He was their greatest supporter and cheerleader, always taking the time to acknowledge their achievements and unique talents. A huge fan of ball caps, he proudly wore hats from their high school and colleges. With a flair for storytelling, Ed could captivate his audience, drawing out the simplest account into an epic narrative. His love of the daily crossword puzzles provided him with an expansive collection of obscure words and kept his mind sharp until the end.
Ed will be remembered as a compassionate, selfless man who worked hard to instill an earnest work ethic and sense of responsibility in his children and grandchildren, but mostly the importance of family. His warmth and kindness will be long remembered and emulated by many. The definition of a gentleman and family man, he will be profoundly missed. He was honest and kind, and those in his life knew exactly how much they meant to him. He was not afraid to express his love for his family, and he had the incredible ability to make them all realize their full potential. He always had the time to listen to anyone’s problems, offering advice when sought, but more importantly encouragement to develop the skills necessary to self-solve those problems.
Beloved husband of Claire, loving father of Andrea and her husband Wallace S. Olsen III of East Walpole, Claudia and her husband Mark Hooper, of Walpole, and Monica and her husband Richard Reeves, of Niantic, CT. Cherished grandfather of John and Claire DiMillo of Walpole, Wallace, Allyce, and Daniel Olsen of East Walpole, and step-grandfather of Ryan Reeves of Niantic, CT. Brother of Shirley Reardon, and the late Emma McMaster, Julie Sankey, Josephine Carbonetti, William Cisternelli, Sylvia Vargian, Gilda Keenan, Alba Maroney, Guido Cisternelli, and uncle to many nieces and nephews who will miss him very much.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die, but to live forever.”
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ed's Life Celebration on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.
In lieu of flowers, Ed's family wishes to thank all the nurses at the Lank Cancer Center in Needham and asks that donations be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, c/o Office of Development, 148 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA 02492 or by visiting https://bidneedham.org/giving
In the 1990’s he and Claire fulfilled a dream of theirs by purchasing a home in Mashpee, MA, where they enjoyed countless hours fishing and clamming, as well as entertaining family and friends. They moved to Walpole in 1994, and when grandchildren began to arrive, Ed built a swimming pool in the backyard as he had done thirty years earlier for his daughters, to teach them to swim and share his love of diving. Besides his wife and daughters, his greatest joy was his five grandchildren who called him “Papa”. He was their greatest supporter and cheerleader, always taking the time to acknowledge their achievements and unique talents. A huge fan of ball caps, he proudly wore hats from their high school and colleges. With a flair for storytelling, Ed could captivate his audience, drawing out the simplest account into an epic narrative. His love of the daily crossword puzzles provided him with an expansive collection of obscure words and kept his mind sharp until the end.
Ed will be remembered as a compassionate, selfless man who worked hard to instill an earnest work ethic and sense of responsibility in his children and grandchildren, but mostly the importance of family. His warmth and kindness will be long remembered and emulated by many. The definition of a gentleman and family man, he will be profoundly missed. He was honest and kind, and those in his life knew exactly how much they meant to him. He was not afraid to express his love for his family, and he had the incredible ability to make them all realize their full potential. He always had the time to listen to anyone’s problems, offering advice when sought, but more importantly encouragement to develop the skills necessary to self-solve those problems.
Beloved husband of Claire, loving father of Andrea and her husband Wallace S. Olsen III of East Walpole, Claudia and her husband Mark Hooper, of Walpole, and Monica and her husband Richard Reeves, of Niantic, CT. Cherished grandfather of John and Claire DiMillo of Walpole, Wallace, Allyce, and Daniel Olsen of East Walpole, and step-grandfather of Ryan Reeves of Niantic, CT. Brother of Shirley Reardon, and the late Emma McMaster, Julie Sankey, Josephine Carbonetti, William Cisternelli, Sylvia Vargian, Gilda Keenan, Alba Maroney, Guido Cisternelli, and uncle to many nieces and nephews who will miss him very much.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die, but to live forever.”
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ed's Life Celebration on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.
In lieu of flowers, Ed's family wishes to thank all the nurses at the Lank Cancer Center in Needham and asks that donations be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, c/o Office of Development, 148 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA 02492 or by visiting https://bidneedham.org/giving
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward G. Cisternelli, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Life Celebration
Saturday, May 18, 2024
1:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home
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