Philip Angelo Puccia

Philip Angelo Puccia passed away after a brief illness on December 12, 2025. He is predeceased by his father Philip Puccia, his mother Anna (Civiletto) Puccia, his sisters Josephine Pantano, Phyliss Bocchino and Angela Orsini. He is survived by his devoted wife and care giver of 61 years Arleen (Tollo) Puccia, sons Philip Puccia III and his wife Dorothy Puccia, Joseph Puccia and his wife Kelly Boyne Puccia and daughter Jessica Lee Hudson and her husband Ross Hudson. He was the devoted grandfather to five beautiful granddaughters, Alexandra Puccia Evans, Lillian Puccia, Madeline Puccia, Tessa Hudson and Samantha Hudson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Phil was raised by four strong women as his father passed away when he was an infant. His mother Anna was both a physical and mental force to be reckoned with. Not only did she raise four children on her own, but she ran a successful fruit stand on Salem Street in Boston's North End. Phil's upbringing as the son of immigrants shaped his attitudes on work, education and faith. These were lessons he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He began working at the age of 12 running candy fillings to women who dipped them in chocolates at the Shraft factory in Charlestown. For high school, Phil attended Boston Latin, riding the green line daily with his cousins Phil and Chuck Arena. He was an excellent student, played football and felt six years of Latin was a necessary part of a good high school education. He then attended Boston College where he majored in business. He completed his master's in finance and economics at NYU in one year. While in New York, his roommates greatly looked forward to his mother's care packages that included salami, vinegar peppers and Italian cheeses.

Phil's interest in politics is a matter of family history. He was active in party politics, introducing John Sears, a candidate for the Massachusetts General Court to the Italian immigrant community of the North End of Boston. Phil's Mother Anna hosted coffees, and with her son, persuaded their neighbors to vote for someone not from the North End. He was appointed at the age of 27 to serve as an economic advisor to Governor John Volpe.

The most important event of his life occurred at a dance where he noticed a beautiful woman who famously would "not stop talking." When the lovely Arleen finally did stop talking, he jumped at the chance to introduce himself. This began a love affair and marriage that lasted for 61 years. Their marriage included a residence in Sicily, Melrose and most importantly Andover, Massachusetts for the last 55 years. Phil and Arleen have three loving children who are thankful for the example of devotion and love they embodied.

Phil began his long and successful managerial career at Raytheon as the business manager of their missile plant. He later retired from Millipore Corporation as the head of Risk Management in Bedford in 2001.

He was a 6 day a week runner before running even became cool. He coached his sons' basketball teams and never let them beat him in Horse. Phil was a true animal lover, proudly owning many dogs and horses throughout his life. He spent many hours in his garden picking vegetables while his sons painstakingly did the weeding. The birth of his daughter Jessica, a full 15 years after their first son was born, was for him and Arleen an event that made them "young parents" all over again. He played a direct part in the lives of his grandchildren. His granddaughters painted his fingernails, combed his hair, and he was always willing to have a tea party. He attended countless soccer games, track meets, and plays. He never missed a Sunday dinner, gave his opinions-asked for or not, but genuinely knew about and was interested in everyone's trials, tribulations and successes.

He and Arleen lived at Dean Circle in Andover for 50 years. He was a member of his Catholic parish for 50 years serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister, member of the choir and finance committee. In his retirement he volunteered at nursing homes, read to second grade students in Lawrence, Massachusetts and was even an advocate for the children of incarcerated parents. He managed and traded his own financial portfolio. Phil found great joy in reading the classics, golfing, smoking cigars and rooting for his beloved Boston teams. He loved every member of his family deeply and with complete devotion. He will be missed.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11:30 am on Wednesday, December 17th at Saint Williams Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury. A funeral mass immediately follows. Services will conclude at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Philip A. Puccia may be made to the MGH Cancer Institute Gift Fund. Gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ or mailed to the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Checks can be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital, with tribute to Philip A. Puccia on the memo line.