“A good man obtains favor from the Lord…” (Proverbs 12:2)
Shrewsbury – Edward P. Tonelli – adored husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, died Dec. 26, 2020. Ed was the fourth of five sons born to Italian immigrants, Julius and Henrietta Tonelli, at their home on Frank Street in Worcester. He was born on October 8, 1925, and died, in the midst of the bustle and love of his full and happy family home, in a house he built less than ten miles from his childhood home.
Ed Tonelli lived the meaning of the words, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love,” for Ed loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends loyally and deeply. Ed had the generosity and boldness of heart to tell people what he admired about them, he had the grace to accept apologies, and he had the humility to extend them. He would do anything for his family, for someone who sincerely needed help, and for anyone he considered a friend.
Ed was a man of great courage. He graduated from Commerce High in Worcester and enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1943, at the age of 17, where he proudly served as Seaman First Class on the Destroyer Escort USS Harveson DE-316, crossing the Atlantic Ocean eleven times.
After returning from the war, he studied drafting at Northeastern University in Boston. He worked at his brother Arthur’s window company until he entered the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 1950. He finished #1 in his class and took pride in being the first Italian-American to serve in in the Massachusetts State Police. Here, he found his true vocation and taught compassionate service to many troopers. Beginning in the Pittsfield barracks (where he gained a love for the Berkshires), he rose through the ranks, to Captain of Troop C in Holden, to Major in Boston.
He cherished many opportunities that he encountered: greatly valued were the 24 hours he spent escorting and guarding President Harry S. Truman on a visit to Boston, during which he was able to thank him personally for saving his life. He worked closely with the Massachusetts Director of Civil Defense to revise the Massachusetts Civil Defense Plan, which became a priority after the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
After his retirement in 1975, Ed was appointed Assistant Secretary of Public Safety for the State of Massachusetts. In later years, he again joined his beloved brother, Arthur, at Westboro Toyota, where he was able to maintain close contact with many nieces, nephews, and friends, and thrived on keeping up with their lives and experiences, always offering encouragement and support as needed.
Ed was deeply committed to the care of his family. When he met his wife, Dorothy, he immediately recognized the love of his life, married her, and cherished her faith, humor, good nature, morals, and beauty throughout their 65 years. They continued to make each other laugh hard and shared romantic moments and wonderful times until his very last days. They continued to pray, sing, and attend church together. Ed also loved providing for his family. He worked very hard to give his children all they needed to pursue their dreams. He frequently praised his children and grandchildren for their good qualities, choices, strengths, and achievements. He encouraged them to reach for the stars and never once tired of listening.
Ed loved living life to the fullest. He was a joyful storyteller and could bring humor and fun to almost any situation. It was easy to make him laugh. Ed also loved to golf, largely due to the opportunity it offered to spend time with many friends whom he respected greatly, and also for the competitive challenge involved. Over the years he was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club, where, from 1969 through 1998, he was Director of Security for the PGA and LPGA tournaments; Worcester Country Club; and Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he and Dorothy lived during winter months. His final holes were played with great joy with wonderful friends at Juniper Hills Golf Course in the spring of 2020.
Ed had an artistic side and loved creating beautiful things. He learned carpentry beside his father, Julius, and they built many homes in Worcester and Shrewsbury during the Great Depression – homes which are still standing and where families still live.
Employing his drafting skills, Ed spent many hours designing and building beautiful pieces of furniture that grace his children’s and grandchildren’s homes. He designed his own home, as well as the Shrewsbury Police Department building. He also learned gardening from his mother, Henrietta, and planted vegetable and flower gardens which produced and bloomed in spectacular colors every year all around his home.
Ed loved and appreciated God’s creations. He earned the trust of jaded cats, dogs, and birds, including Toby, Max, Face, Birdie, Sunny, and his very special friend, Mookie.
Ed loved and honored God. A member of St. Mary’s parish in Shrewsbury since his marriage in 1955, he encouraged his children in the Christian faith. Ed believed in the goodness and wonder of God and in miracles.
Ed can rest in peace having magnificently achieved life’s greatest goal: to love and be loved.
Ed leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; his daughter, Judith Tonelli-Brown and her husband Matthew Brown; his daughter, Dr. Jodie Chapin and her husband Todd Chapin; his daughter, Jill Tonelli; and his son, Dr. Edward Tonelli Jr. He leaves his adoring grandchildren, Trevor Brown and his wife Meghan Brown; Tobin Brown and his fiancée Vanessa Columbi; Juliet Chapin; and Augustus Chapin. He leaves his great-granddaughter, Amelia Brown. Ed also leaves his beloved brother, Arthur Tonelli, and many beloved nieces and nephews – also many beautiful-hearted, exceptional friends who brought him joy, care, and comfort during his last years. Three brothers, Charles, Joseph, and Robert, predeceased him.
By serving American citizens in the Coast Guard in World War II and citizens of Massachusetts in the State Police; by teaching his children to work hard, to have faith, to enjoy their relationships with one another, to live life to the fullest, and to love with true commitment, Ed made choices to live a life of everlasting value and love. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). He will be fiercely missed. God, comfort us, as we mourn.
A memorial service to celebrate his wonderful American life will be held in the springtime.
In lieu of flowers: Ed was a fervent and outspoken patriot who believed passionately in the United States of America as “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” Donations may be made to the families of fallen American heroes at https://tunnel2towers.org.
