Sebastiano LaSpina
February 24, 1934 ~ November 19, 2018 (age 84) 84 Years Old
Tribute
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sebastiano “Busty” LaSpina, 84, of Methuen loving husband and father, on Monday, November 19, 2018. Born in Aci Sant'Antonio, Sicily, Italy on February 24, 1934, he was the son of Alfio and Gaetana (Sparte) LaSpina. After his father’s untimely death when Sebastiano was eight years old, Sebastiano began working after school and learned the craft of woodworking as an apprentice.
In September 1965, he traveled to Lawrence, MA to visit his uncle and aunt, Salvatore and Antonia LaSpina, and his cousins. During that visit, he met with Joseph Torrisi, founder of Jackson Lumber Co. to discuss his craftsmanship. This ultimately led to working at Jackson Lumber for over 40 years, becoming an architectural woodworker at the mill. He was proud of his job, taking immense pride in the intricate details involved in whatever task came about. Many Jackson Lumber projects bore his handiwork, from curved windows at the Bay State Building, computer stations for Wang Labs and to his own home where he custom-made the cabinets, molding and furniture pieces. Both Jackson Lumber & Millwork and the Torrisi family were proud of Busty’s quality craftsmanship and work ethic.
During this time he attended Lawrence Evening High School, met Agata “Tina” (D’Agata) LaSpina and they married in 1966. They first lived on Ferry St. in Lawrence and then to Methuen where they resided for the next 36 years. Together they raised a family of three boys and proudly watched them grow and start their own families.
Throughout his life he took great pride in his small garden, caring for his gardenia plants for many years. Summers were enjoyed with his family at Seabrook Beach, occasionally fishing and enjoying his time with his grandchildren. He is most remembered for his habit of responding to questions with a long parable, his hundreds of stories of his youth in Sicily and his gentle smile.
Busty is survived by his wife and his three sons, Alfred LaSpina, Dr. Richard LaSpina and his wife Dr. Robyn Byer, and Dr. Mark LaSpina and his wife Shauna; sisters, Maria Giuffrida, Vittoria Leotta, and Anna Grasso all of Sicily; brother-in-law Salvatore “Sam” D’Agata and his wife Dora of North Andover; eleven grandchildren: Isabella, Mia, Alexander, Ava, Zachary, Noah, Lilyanna, Mariela, Julia, Michaela and Vanessa. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on his behalf to the The Saints Alfio, Filadelfo & Cirino Society, 20 Common St., Lawrence, MA 01840.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018 at Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex St., Lawrence. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen.
In September 1965, he traveled to Lawrence, MA to visit his uncle and aunt, Salvatore and Antonia LaSpina, and his cousins. During that visit, he met with Joseph Torrisi, founder of Jackson Lumber Co. to discuss his craftsmanship. This ultimately led to working at Jackson Lumber for over 40 years, becoming an architectural woodworker at the mill. He was proud of his job, taking immense pride in the intricate details involved in whatever task came about. Many Jackson Lumber projects bore his handiwork, from curved windows at the Bay State Building, computer stations for Wang Labs and to his own home where he custom-made the cabinets, molding and furniture pieces. Both Jackson Lumber & Millwork and the Torrisi family were proud of Busty’s quality craftsmanship and work ethic.
During this time he attended Lawrence Evening High School, met Agata “Tina” (D’Agata) LaSpina and they married in 1966. They first lived on Ferry St. in Lawrence and then to Methuen where they resided for the next 36 years. Together they raised a family of three boys and proudly watched them grow and start their own families.
Throughout his life he took great pride in his small garden, caring for his gardenia plants for many years. Summers were enjoyed with his family at Seabrook Beach, occasionally fishing and enjoying his time with his grandchildren. He is most remembered for his habit of responding to questions with a long parable, his hundreds of stories of his youth in Sicily and his gentle smile.
Busty is survived by his wife and his three sons, Alfred LaSpina, Dr. Richard LaSpina and his wife Dr. Robyn Byer, and Dr. Mark LaSpina and his wife Shauna; sisters, Maria Giuffrida, Vittoria Leotta, and Anna Grasso all of Sicily; brother-in-law Salvatore “Sam” D’Agata and his wife Dora of North Andover; eleven grandchildren: Isabella, Mia, Alexander, Ava, Zachary, Noah, Lilyanna, Mariela, Julia, Michaela and Vanessa. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on his behalf to the The Saints Alfio, Filadelfo & Cirino Society, 20 Common St., Lawrence, MA 01840.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018 at Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex St., Lawrence. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen.
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