Rinaldo J. Petrosino

Rinaldo J. Petrosino Jr., 85, of Methuen, MA, and former long time resident of Lawrence, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 21, 2021, after a short stay at Nevins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Lawrence, Rinaldo was the son of the late Rinaldo and Philipa (Cataldo) Petrosino. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and served as a Marine Reservist. He was a long time employee of Raytheon Corporation, where he worked until his retirement. Throughout the years, Rinaldo coached his sons’ various sport teams, the South Lawrence West Little League Baseball Teams, and the Lawrence and Methuen Youth Hockey teams. He was a member of the Lawrence Elks for many years and in recent years a member of the Happy Heart Chorus for the Methuen Senior Center where he enjoyed singing and entertaining his community.

Rinaldo was a kind-hearted man who always put others before himself. He had a tremendous loving and kind spirit. He answered to many different names. To his siblings, he was known as Ray or Junior and to his friends and family, Ronnie or Ron. But the title he most enjoyed was husband and father. He had an open door policy to all who entered his dwelling; his home was your home and you were always greeted with a warm smile, a humorous story, and a good meal. He was a man that was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rinaldo was everyone’s favorite uncle or best friend. He was a second father to many of his children’s friends. He will always be remembered for his irresistible smile, infectious laugh, and his love of singing. But most of all, he was a devoted husband, a loving and generous father and grandfather, who touched so many lives.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline L. (Canuel); daughter, Donna and husband, Anthony Copani of Atkinson, NH; son, Stephen Rinaldo and spouse, Robin (Haigh) of Methuen; son, Joseph and spouse, Jocelyn (Durkin) of Haverhill, MA; daughter, Christie and spouse, Michael Hodgson of Kansas; son, Rinaldo and spouse, Sandra of Kansas; sisters, Josephine Amato and Rita Garneau, both of Methuen; brother and best friend, John Petrosino of Missouri; eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Flora Llorca and brother, Benedetto A. Petrosino.

The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to Stephanie Rodriguez and Victoria Carolina Garcia, Olivia Kisob and Allan Musyoki, his personal home care attendants and nurses, who provided him with extraordinary care. While providing Rinaldo with this care, they became part of his family.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, from 4:00- 7:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. His funeral will be celebrated Thursday, January 28, 2021, at Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence at 10:00 AM. Please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, https://donate3.cancer.org.