Ottavio "Peppi" Bolognese, 82
1943 - 2025
Swampscott - Ottavio "Peppi" Bolognese, 82, of Swampscott, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with Glioblastoma on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at
Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Maureen Therese (O'Neil) Bolognese with whom he shared 49 years of marriage.
Peppi was born on January 24, 1943, in Boston, MA and was the son of the late Ottavio and Lucia (Amorosa) Bolognese. He grew up in East Boston where he went to school, including meeting his future wife Maureen in Kindergarten and graduating from East Boston High School. It was during this time that he met many lifelong friends, including Richie Petrillo who he met on the baseball diamond and whose father nicknamed him "Pepper."
After high school, Peppi proudly volunteered to serve in the United States Marine Corps along with his childhood friends Luis "Junior" Milano and Jimmy Gaito. After marrying Maureen, they moved to Swampscott where they raised their family. Peppi was a well-known fixture in the Swampscott community and was fiercely dedicated to the youth of the town. An excellent athlete himself, as he played hockey, baseball and football in his youth, he turned his love of sports into coaching. He was a long-time coach in the Swampscott youth hockey program, and he also helped to coach in the Swampscott Babe Ruth league. Using his talents as a mason, he helped build the concessions stand for the little league program. As a coach, he instilled the values of hard work, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and overcoming challenges. He treated all his players equally and fairly and saw the true potential in each one of them.
Peppi's love of sports came from his passion for healthy competition and for always striving to be his best self. Peppi always loved playing bocce and competing in games and challenging others to remain active. He was a big Boston sports fan and loved cheering on the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots and watching golf.
Peppi spent over 40 years in the sign business, providing graphics, design, and installation of corporate and custom signage. He was the founder and owner of Accurate Graphics in Lynn. Much of his handiwork adorns the signs of many businesses and companies in the North Shore area, as well as the iconic Finish Line at the Boston Marathon. An astute businessman and creative designer, Peppi was known for his strong work ethic and for treating his employees as family, providing opportunities for them to excel in their careers.
Peppi's greatest love was his family. Whether it be going to the beach or skiing with family, gathering people together to enjoy a nice Italian meal, camping with his grandsons, or going on an adventure with his companion Sandy, he cherished time spent with loved ones. Sunday family dinners were the highlight of his week and brought the entire family together. The food was plentiful, and the wine was always flowing. He was an amazing cook and excelled at making ravioli, pizza, and "gravy." He also spent many hours in his garden growing his famous tomatoes for all to enjoy. His love of music was equally as large as his love of cooking and wine. The music was always playing in his house, and his signature song was "Mack the Knife" which he sang everywhere, including weddings.
Peppi was an active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Church, and his Catholic faith was an integral part of his life. He had a kind and compassionate heart who always saw the good in others. A mentor and father figure to many, he had a powerful and positive impact on the lives of many young people, including lifelong friendships with Bill Dandreo, John E. Foley, Carlo Caponigro, and many others. He was a loyal friend to many and will be remembered as someone who lived life to the fullest and fostered respect in the lives of all he touched. His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him.
Peppi is survived by his daughter Nicole T. Bolognese of Swampscott; his son David Bolognese and his wife Alicia of Marblehead; his grandchildren David Bolognese Jr. and his fiancée Hailee Centrella, Michael Bolognese and his fiancée Emma Kelley, and Luke Bolognese; his loving companion Sandy McCormick; his sister Angela Bouteldja and her husband Hamid; his sisters-in-law Lucille Bolognese and Dolly O'Neil; his brother-in-law Richard O'Neil, his four godchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Peppi was predeceased by his brother Sabatino "Sam" Bolognese, sister Sr. Lucy (Mary) Bolognese, brother-in-law Arthur O'Neil, and sister-in-law Eleanor O'Neil.
Service Information: Visiting hours will be held at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 4PM to 8PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey St., Swampscott, MA on Tuesday, October 7 at 10AM followed by interment at Swampscott Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pep's name to the Angel Fund for ALS Research by visiting
www.theangelfund.org or to
Care Dimensions Hospice by visiting
www.caredimensions.org.


Published by Daily Item on Oct. 4, 2025.