Anthony W. 'Tony' Vecchiarello
Click the button below to make a donation in memory of Anthony W. 'Tony' Vecchiarello
Published in September 2026
Anthony W. “Tony” Vecchiarello, of Stoneham, left this world on September 16, 2026 after a long and courageous battle with ALS. A loving husband and devoted father, he leaves his wife, Sharon (Sacramone) of Stoneham; his sons Vincent of Dedham and Nicholas and his wife Camille Bilodeau of Charlottesville, VA and two grandsons, Luca and Calvin, the lights of his life. He also leaves behind his parents Nicholas and Angela of Somerville; his brother Mario and his wife Rita of Peabody; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Fred and Cindy Fiducia of Nahant, and Bob and Betty Howland of Somersworth, NH; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Tony brought joy into all the lives that he touched. He was funny, kind, compassionate, extremely social, and always the first to lend a helping hand. First and foremost, Tony was passionate about family, always looking to gather them at his house in Stoneham (that he personally renovated) for holidays and celebrations or at his beloved Cape Cod home in East Dennis (also personally renovated) for summer fun. And he always provided fun – he shut the main electricity to his Stoneham house at midnight during the Y2K New Year’s Eve to make everyone think that the world really was coming to an end. Tony was the consummate family man.
He also extended that passion to his professional life at Somerville High School where he taught metal fabrication and welding for 32 years. A master craftsman whose talents were also sought by prominent artists working in metal, Tony held his students to a very high standard of pride in excellent workmanship and taught them the skills and work responsibilities they needed to succeed in their careers. He helped place them in good co-op jobs that led to permanent employment, assisted them with personal hurdles that stood in their way, and mentored them to success. To many, he became far more than a mentor, he was someone they could turn to for guidance, encouragement, and support. And they adored him for it.
After Tony retired in 2020 and throughout the next seven years with ALS, a steady stream of past students came to Stoneham, with spouses and children in tow, to express love and gratitude to the man who they felt was responsible for their successful career trajectories. His Somerville High School colleagues were also among that stream. They held fund-raisers for Tony, offered emotional support, and loved him dearly.
A meaningful life well-lived describes Tony Vecchiarello. All who knew him and loved him are so grateful for that life and will deeply mourn his loss forever.
Visiting Hours at Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, Sept. 21 from 4-8pm and on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 9am before leaving in procession to St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham for his Funeral Mass at 10am. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham.
Those wishing to honor Tony’s memory may send flowers or make a memorial contribution to Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA. 02574.