Carmelo “Jim” Modica, a retired Machinist, passed away on Monday morning, September 26, 2005 at the Hospice House in Reading. He was 82 years old.  Mr. Modica was born in Boston, the son of Italian immigrants, the late Vincent and Frabonia Modica.  He grew up in East Boston and was a graduate of East Boston High School.  After high school he went to work as a machinist at Lawson Machine & Tool Company in Malden.  He joined the Navy August of 1944.  After his training he was assigned to a newly commissioned mine sweeper called the USS Tercel.  The USS Tercel was part of the Atlantic Fleet.  At the end of WW II he was discharged with the rank of Fireman First Class.  He would go back to Lawson Machine & Tool Company as a machinist and then as a supervisor.  After 25 years at Lawson, he took on a new position with Polaroid.  He would retire from Polaroid after 13 years with the company.

Mr. Modica had the great ability to work with his hands.  He purchased his residence in Burlington in 1950.  During the past 55 years, he renovated and expanded almost every part of his home.  He did his own carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping.  He had just finished his final project of a new garage this past year.  He also took great pride in maintaining his property.   He spent hours maintaining his lawn, landscape, and garden. 

      Mr. Modica is the beloved husband of 62 years of Mildred (Lagorio) Modica. He is the loving father of Stephen Modica & his wife Maureen of Burlington, Ellen Boyle of RI, Susan & her husband Richard Gallant of Billerica, and the late James. He is the brother of the late John Modica. He is the proud grandfather of Dr. Jennifer Boyle, Julie Boyle, Jacqueline, Nicholas, and Douglas Gallant.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to the VNA of Middlesex East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Avenue, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880. 

  Print Page