RABASCO, Alexander D. – Age 96 of North Reading and formerly of Medford died peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2025.Born in Boston on August 12, 1928. He was the son of the late Daniel and Stella (Martinello) Rabasco. Alexander was a graduate of Medford High School, Class of 1946, and served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he embarked on a work career as machinist and then a design draftsman at several U.S. government defense facilities before moving on to spend many years working at the MIT Fusion Energy Lab in Cambridge, MA.
Married to Hope (Mazzotti) in 1956, Alexander was a resident of North Reading for 67 years. He was Hope’s loving loyal companion, and their personalities complemented each other during their 66 year marriage until her death in January of 2022.
Alexander was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and the North Reading Senior Center where he called Bingo for several years.
Alexander was the much-loved Dad and Grampy of the family. He had a pleasant and warm demeanor and a good sense of humor which endeared him to his family, friends, and co-workers. He never raised his voice and was a good listener who showed genuine interest in what others were saying. Alexander balanced work and life well, placing an importance on hard work while also making sure he devoted large amounts of time to the family.
Alexander was an involved father to his three sons. He coached their Little League teams, fished with them during family vacations down the Cape, built small race cars for the Cub Scout pinewood derby, made props for school plays, and went to their many band concerts. He took an active interest in his grandchildren’s sporting, dance, theater and academic events, and school related travels. During the Rabasco family’s numerous family vacations down the Cape, a particularly special time for the grandchildren was fishing with Grampy on the Sesuit Harbor jetty.
A passionate lifelong sports fan, Alexander followed the Bruins, Boston Red Sox, and New England Patriots. He was also a Boston College Football season ticket holder for many years and enjoyed viewing college football games during the fall.
He loved nature and took pleasure in feeding the birds during the winter. Gardening was another passion of his, and his vegetable garden produced large quantities of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, green & wax beans, squash, and strawberries that he shared with family and friends.
Alexander also enjoyed traveling, especially Las Vegas, and he took a number of trips with family to NYC, Disney World, the Grand Canyon, Italy, and London.
Although Alexander will be greatly missed, his legacy to us all will be placing the highest value on family and being content with what is really important in life – treating people kindly, respecting others, and, above all, being with family.
Loving father of 3 sons, Daniel Rabasco and his wife Peg of Norfolk, MA, Alex Rabasco and his wife Joanne of Nashua, NH and Stephen Rabasco of North Reading; brother of the late Janet Weis, Angela Lajoie and Gloria Proos; grandfather of Ana Rabasco and husband Rui Mascarenhas, Helena Rabasco Pilande and husband Eddie Pilande, Clara Rabasco, Garrett Rabasco and partner Jane Pascual, Jorden Rabasco and Jillian Rabasco; also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, including Karen and Maryellen Carr of North Reading.
His funeral will be held on Friday, February 14 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Friends of the North Reading Council on Aging, Inc.,157 Park Street, North Reading, MA 01864. Arrangements by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, NORTH READING.
Many good thoughts sent to the Rabasco family and extenders, family is everything
Condolences from the Fitch Family to Rabasco Family . Al was one of the best neighbors we had in our Mount Vernon Street Neighborhood. Loved his sense of humor. Like going up to Ronny at my Mother’s Memorial and saying ” Did you put Frog in our Mailbox ? “. We will miss him. He is now with the rest of our neighbors who passed on and are in Heaven.