Giovanni LaVita

Giovanni LaVita, age 83 of Medford died Wednesday, October 11 at his home. He was born in Calore, Italy on July 5, 1940 and was the son of the late Raffaele and Annunziata (Martinello) LaVita. Mr. LaVita was raised in Italy and came to reside in Boston’s North End at age 23. He was the long-time owner and operator of Calore Fruit Company which operated on Salem Street in the North End for many years. He had been a Medford resident since 1985. He was an avid wine maker who enjoyed gathering wild mushrooms and singing. 

Mr. LaVita was the beloved husband of the late Francesca (Vardaro) LaVita. He was the loving father of Ralph A. LaVita and his wife Maria of Saugus, Rachel LaVita of Medford and Nancy Marraccino and husband Frank of Saugus. He was the grandfather of Giovanni, Rosaria and Giuseppe. He was predeceased by his sister Serafina Rosetti of Italy. 

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden on Monday, October 16 at 10:00am. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Sunday, October 15 from 1-4pm. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church 600 Pleasant St. Malden, MA 02148.