Melchiore "Mel" Buscemi

…Veteran of three wars; 88

TEWKSBURY - Sgt. Melchiore “Mel” Buscemi, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 88, a decorated Veteran of three wars, died peacefully Monday morning, December 9, at the Blairehouse of Tewksbury, where he had been in residence for the last year. He was the beloved husband of Rita (Sauer) Buscemi, who shared his life from 1948 until her death in 2008.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY, March 31, 1925, the son of the late Santo and Marie (Gross) Buscemi.  He enlisted into the Army during WW II.  His 28 years of service to his country, spanned WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  He earned numerous decorations and Medals during his tours, which included participation at the Battle of the Bulge, actions in Italy, and later Okinawa, and Vietnam.  He retired from the Army as a Sergeant.  He continued his career as a cook at the Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, New Jersey.  He lived in Eatontown, NJ for over 30 years, where he was a member of the DEBORAH Heart Foundation, before moving to Tewksbury last year.

He is survived by one son, Luigi Buscemi of Somerville, who is husband of the late Dora (Gutierrez) Buscemi; five grandchildren, Carlton Buscemi and his wife Nikki of TX, EriK and his wife Dawn of No. Salem, NH, Valerie McAdams and her husband Alan of Derry, NH, Troy Buscemi of Somerville, Shannon Crugnale and her husband Rick of Somerville; twelve great grandchildren; and 1 great grandson; a sister, Margaret Fay and her husband Thomas of Taunton.

Visiting hours Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, ph (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 16,  at 11:30 a.m. in St. Dorothea Church, 240 Broad St., Eatontown, NJ, followed by Entombment in Woodbine Cemetery.  Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011 will be appreciated.  Visit www.alz.org  or tewksburyfuneralhome.com