Richard Zammitti (age 92) passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, October 22, 2023.

Richard was born in Melrose to Salvatore and Grace Zammitti and was predeceased by his beloved and devoted wife of 43 years, Mary Frances.  He is survived by his adoring children, Michael and wife Dawn, Stephen and partner Barbara Ryan, Diane and husband Kevin, and Alyson and husband Jack along with his 10 grandchildren, Casey, Jake, Emily, Grace, Abigail, Alexander, Robbie, Shannon, Jasmine, John, and great grandson, Cameron. In addition, he is survived by his cherished partner, Fran Savage and his sister Sylvia Schoolcraft. He was also predeceased by his younger brother, Norman.

Raised in Somerville, Richard was a baseball aficionado and treasured his home team, The Boston Red Sox.  As a young boy he loved playing pick up ball with neighborhood kids.  He attended a number of games at Fenway with the YMCA and even caught a foul ball hit by Ted Williams. Richard later received the thrill of a lifetime when he bumped into Luis Tiant on a flight to Florida, one of so many of his favorite players.

He was smart as a whip, winning a Boston Globe spelling Bee as a child and participated in a number of classical piano competitions - one of note was alongside Michael Dukakis.  He graduated early from Somerville High School and began working at a variety of entry level jobs in the city.  During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Navy and served his country for 4 years aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt with the Flight Deck crew. His service in the Navy had a profound effect on his work ethic and positive outlook on life.

Following his service, he married Mary Frances, who he met at a local dance and later attended the University of Massachusetts on the GI bill - where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. For his entire professional career, he worked for Raytheon (30 years) on a variety of projects including one that took him to Houston helping with the final Apollo mission to the moon. He ran tests with his team on a Lunar Rover that collected rocks and dust from the moon's surface.

Richard was a wonderful father, supporting his children throughout their upbringing.  He  tutored them in math and science, taught them how to change a tire,

balance a checkbook and do their own taxes and much more.

After Richard retired, he became an avid swimmer and was quite involved in the Lexington Senior Center.  He loved traveling to Florida, the Cape and Maine. Richard was an incredibly hard worker and a jack of all trades, believing in the mantra, "never pay anyone to fix something you can take care of yourself."  He painted his own home, fixed his cars, repaired plumbing and electrical - you name it!

Music was important to Richard and he appreciated many genres from Enrique Caruso, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman to Blondie and Queen.  He understood how music could tap into one's emotions and and facilitate a person's ability to express themselves. Many afternoons were spent listening to an old time radio station that played songs from his days in boot camp.

As a movie lover, Richard enjoyed classics like King Kong, Them, The Godfather, The Terminator,  and all the great Hitchcock films.  He took great joy in sharing and re-watching his favorites with his loved ones.

Onlookers frequently complimented his trademark black fedora with a snazzy green feather.  Several of his Lahey caretakers even likened Dad to Frank Sinatra! This tough, resilient, problem solving lover of life took immense pride in his humble Lexington home of nearly six decades, a place he called heaven.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 28 at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd. Lexington at 11 am.  Visitation immediately prior to the service from 9:30 to 11 am.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited.  Donations in his memory may be made to MDS Foundation. Interment Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.