CIULLA, Thomas Age 90, of Carmel, IN, formerly of Stoneham and Everett, MA, died on October 18, 2021. Tom's life centered on themes of family and work. In the late 1890s, his parents Samuel and Katherine (Deleo) Ciulla, emigrated from Sicily to the United States, where they met, married, and raised eleven children in Everett, MA, home to many other immigrant families. Born during the Great Depression, with eight older and two younger siblings, Tom developed a strong work ethic during his teens, fondly recalling work in his father's commercial fishing business aboard the Leonarda, off Gloucester and Rockport.
Tom graduated from Everett High School in 1949, where he excelled scholastically. He was a very patriotic man who loved his country and was proud to enlist in the United States Air Force for four years during the Korean Conflict. He served as a staff Sergeant, using his analytical skills in the Air Force's weather service, stationed in Newfoundland. He then earned a B.S., with high honors, in business administration from Northeastern University and worked as an accountant in roles of increasing responsibility, ultimately as a manager in cost accounting in the General Electric Aerospace Division until his retirement.
He married Angela Ricciardelli in 1963 and raised four children in Stoneham, MA. He enjoyed watching his children in sports, especially the high school football team, and was very proud of his eleven grandchildren. He was a long term and passionate fan of the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, and Tom Brady; even at 90 years of age, he knew many of Brady's stats and for big games opted to watch by himself because he "liked to yell at the television." Tom also loved animals, humorously recalling "sneaking food" as a child from his mother's refrigerator to feed his many cats. He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Parish, Carmel, IN where he enjoyed attending weekly Mass with his family.
Tom leaves his four children, Thomas (Sheryl) Ciulla of Carmel, ID; Deborah Hamilton (Brian) of Canton, MA; Ronald (Kerry) Ciulla of Westford, MA and Steven (Mary) Ciulla of North Reading, MA; eleven grandchildren, Matthew, Nicholas, and Lauren Ciulla of Carmel, ID; Julia and Christopher Hamilton of Canton, MA; Amanda, Alex, and Kate Ciulla of Westford, MA; Jason, Ryan, and Michael Ciulla of North Reading, MA; one sister, Nancy Gallante, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers: Al, Gus, Charles, and Anthony Ciulla; and five sisters: Rosalie Donahue, Lillian Cunha, Nellie Manetta, Josephine Bitto, and Susan Defino. He also leaves his constant companion, his beloved cat, Oreo. Tom and the family are especially grateful to his friends, staff, and nurses at Magnolia Springs Assisted Living Facility, Carmel, IN, where he lived for seven years until his passing.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, 4 Common Street, STONEHAM, MA 02180. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10 AM at St. Patrick Parish, 71 Central Street, Stoneham, MA 02180. Tom will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, MA. Memorial contributions may made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (
www.mspca.org/donate-now/). For online tribute, please visit,
www.andersonbryantfuneralhome.comPublished by Boston Globe from Oct. 20 to Oct. 21, 2021.