Joseph Freni passed away peacefully Tuesday October 4th surrounded by his wife and children. He was blessed beyond measure during his 95 years of life. Born on August 10, 1927, in Scaletta Superiore, Sicily, Italy. Joseph was the eldest son of Josephine and Aurelio Freni and older brother of Santi, Santina and Maria.

In 1950, he met and married Carmela "Milly" Freni of Boston. He immigrated to the United States and settled in Cambridge Massachusetts. Together they had three children who they raised in Arlington, where he spent more than 50 years of his life. Milly passed away in 1981.

At a young age, Joseph learned to sew and was a skilled tailor who spent his career making suits in
Boston, including suits for many of the Boston Celtics. He was proud of his extensive suit collection and loved to share his finds of beautiful fabrics from Chinatown. He loved this country and was proud of his mastery of the English language. From his early days working in a lemon orchard in Sicily, Joseph's other love was his garden, like his mother and father. He tended annually to his garden in Arlington through 2020.

In 1986, Joseph married Catena Carone of Acquedolci, Sicily, Italy, who shared his love of the gospel. He was a dedicated member of the Boston Christian Assembly Church and served his church and community in many volunteer roles throughout his life.

Joseph was steadfast and unwavering in his faith and his love for his family. He never forgot a birthday and there was never a question of how much he loved everyone. He believed in God, his family, and he believed in the Boston Red Sox. He was our biggest fan.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife Carmela "Milly" and his brother Santi. He is survived by his wife, Catena, daughter Esther Freni of Deerfield, his son Salvatore Freni and wife Luisa of Burlington, his daughter Janice McGarry and husband Richard of Tyngsboro. He is also survived by his sisters Maria Bombara of Waltham and Santina Marchese of Scaletta Zanclea, Sicily, Italy. Joseph's greatest joy was
being called Nonno by his eight grandchildren Danielle Loos and husband Ralph of Sunderland, Rachel Marshall and husband Kenneth of Woodstock, CT, Joel Borgesano and wife Denise of Melrose, Joseph Freni and wife Silvana of Burlington, Carmelina Rakiec and husband Daniel of Woburn, Salvatore Freni Jr., of Geneva, Switzerland, Marissa Stanvick and husband Stephen of Wilmington, and Devon McGarry and
wife Shelby of Milton, VT. He also leaves his 16 great-grandchildren: Grayson, Rayner, Sofia, Brook, Marco, Mary, Liliana, Ivy, Nathan, Gisella, Sabrina, Joel Jr., William, Alexis, Matthew and Callan as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be Friday, October 7th from 4 - 7 pm at DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Massachusetts
Avenue, Arlington. A funeral service will be held Saturday October 8th at 10:00 AM at the Mt. Hope Christian Center, 3 McGinnis Drive, Burlington. Please meet at church. Joseph will be laid to rest at Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Assembly, 9 Cummings St., Somerville, MA 02145 or a charity of your choice.