Neil Restani

Restani, Neil F. of Lynnfield, MA, age 90, husband of Connie, passed away on June 8, 2012 peacefully with his family by his side.

He was born in a house on February 19, 1922 in Somerville, MA, the son of Angelo and Josephine Restani. He attended Somerville High School and graduated from Boston College in 1945 (delayed). After serving in WWII, he went on to teach high school english at Somerville and Billerica High Schools. He went on to become the principal of two elementary schools in Billerica, serving at the Parker School until his retirement in 1981 where he took trombone lessons with his students. His wife, Connie, was a first grade school teacher who retired in 1996 from the Lynnfield public schools. Neil was a resident of Lynnfield for 48 years where he was a member of the Historical Society, the VFW, American Legion, and coached Little League baseball. He worked for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and thereafter served as the Lynnfield Veteran's Service Agent for 20 years, assisting veterans in all manner of benefits. Mr. Restani organized the Lynnfield Memorial Day and Veterans' Day services and parades until 2008 when he again retired. He was proclaimed the Lynnfield Citizen of the Year in 2008 and was recognized by the Lynnfield Historical Society as a "Patriot" in its Historical Lynnfield publication in May, 1999.

After the Pearl Harbor attack, Mr. Restani enlisted in the US Navy during his sophomore year at Boston College and served 3 years, 5 months, and 26 days. He was a combat decorated veteran of five major naval battles in the Pacific Theater, serving on DE342 US RW Suesens, which was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. In combat, his ship shot down 8 Japanese Kamikaze planes, rescued several US Navy pilots, and sunk (probable) a Japanese submarine during operations, including Okinawa, Leyte Gulf (TAFFY 2), Lingayen Gulf, and Kerama Retto. He was a fine member of our Greatest Generation who returned to civilian life to dedicate his career to the education of our youth.

Mr. Restani is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Connie (Parziale), his son, Peter Restani, Esq., and three grandchildren, Dominick, Candice, and Joseph, all of Miami Beach, FL. He is also survived by his older brother, Col. Raymond Restani, (Ret.), of Durham, NH, who served as a Company Commander in combat in the E.T.O. 1944-1945, and who served for 30 years in the US Army. He was predeceased by his brother, Ronald Restani, of Stoneham, MA.

His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Tuesday, June 12th at 11 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Maria Goretti Church, Lynnfield at 12 o'clock. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home on Monday, June 11th from 4 to 8 pm. Burial will take place after the Mass at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield, with Military Honors.

Read Neil Restani 's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Monday, June 11, 2012, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

St. Maria Goretti
112 Chestnut Street
Lynnfield , MA US 01940
Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 12:00 PM

Cemetery

Forest Hill Cemetery
Forest Hill Ave.
Lynnfield , MA US 01940
Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 1:30 PM