George J. Desiderio

George Desiderio, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family members on January 30, 2021. He was greeted by his loving wife of 72 years, Nancy (Juliano). He leaves behind his 4 devoted children, Susan Jordan and her husband Dennis of Malden, George Desiderio and his wife Barbara of Fort Meyers, FL, Paula Ruvido and her husband Daniel of Everett and Karen Leffler and her husband Ernie of Wakefield. Loving “Pup” to his grandchildren, Tracy Torres, Daniel Ruvido and his wife Deidre, Kelly Hanson and her husband Joseph, Evan and his wife Courtney, Andrew Leffler and adored great-grandchildren, Isabella, Jonathan, Ethan, Poppy, Skylar, Brody, Sonny and the late Chace. George is predeceased by his parents, Assunta (DeAngelis) and Vincenzo Desiderio both Italian immigrants from Chiusano di San Domenico and his siblings, Gerald, James, Eleanor, Arthur, Anthony, Vera and Michael. Also, survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

As a young child, George was raised by his loving sister, Eleanor (Lil Borgonzi) in the Lynde section of Everett. He served his country in the US in World War II receiving a Purple Heart medal. He would later marry the love of his life and best friend, Nancy Juliano from the Village section of Everett and raise their family not far from his sister and her family. George attended Boston State Teachers College and was a sheet metal instructor at the Everett Vocational High School from where he had graduated in 1943. He later became the proud owner of the New Boston Equipment and Supply Co located in the Parker House in Boston and went on to become a contract manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co where he retired.

George was what some called an “Everett Icon”, participating in many city parades and political campaigns. He was most proud of his WWII military service. Drafted in 1943, George participated in both the Normandy campaign and in the Battle of the Huertgen Forest, where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. Upon the surrender of Germany he was sent to Norway with the Army task force responsible to receive the surrender of Germans working on the German atom bomb project. He would return to Weinheim Germany to serve with the 15th Constabulary Regiment until 1946 as part of the US Army of Occupation. He was on the Everett Board of Assessors and served as the Commander of the Chapter #51 Disabled American Veterans several times. His love for the city was most notably recognized when he served as the Commission of Veterans Affair, where he advocated for all veterans and their families. He worked tirelessly on bringing the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC traveling to Washington to present Everett’s contribution to Senator Bob Dole and participating in the Memorial groundbreaking and dedication. He also worked with city leaders to have Everett’s own Veterans Memorial now located at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the family has chosen a private funeral service for the safety and protections of those who loved him. Please omit flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Desiderio to the Soldier's Home of Chelsea.

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