Obituary for Julio George Contrada
Julio George Contrada (born Giulio Alfredo Contrada), of Newton, MA died peacefully at home in the early afternoon on Friday November 18, 2022, after a long period of declining health. He was 94 years old.
Julio was born in Boston on May 12, 1928, the son of the late Erminio Contrada and Giovannina (Anzalone) Contrada. He was raised in Boston's North End, and lived on Endicott Street until he married.
Julio was a gifted student whose family valued education. He greatly appreciated the lessons learned from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at St. Mary’s School, where he walked in speaking only Italian, and graduated an honors student. He served as an altar boy throughout grammar school. He was awarded a National Penmanship Contest Certificate in 1941 for his beautiful handwriting. Julio graduated from Boston’s High School of Commerce in 1944, and was very proud that he was School Champion of the 1944 Spelling Bee sponsored by The Boston Herald, winning two one dollar war stamps.
Always business oriented, as a youth, Julio shined shoes in and around Boston. His lifelong love of golf began when he spent summers as a caddy, and later as a Caddy Master, at Maplewood Golf Course in New Hampshire. He recounted that he “hustled” (work very hard!) and, after paying for room and board, always had money at the end of the summer to help pay for school.
At age 16, Julio was extremely proud to receive a partial scholarship to Boston College, and to become a BC Eagle. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1948, just after his 20th birthday.
Julio served as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States during the Korean War from March 20, 1951 to January 14, 1953. He received an Honorable Discharge and a Commendation for his outstanding meritorious service while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division Finance Office. The commendation cited his initiative and devotion to duty, as he materially contributed to the sustaining operations of the Office under adverse conditions.
Julio was a member of the North End Union, where he met Olympia Fiore. They married in 1956 and shared 53 years together before her death in 2009.
Julio worked as an accountant at various companies. In 1958 he went into private practice after passing the Certified Public Accountant examination. In the early 1970’s he pioneered “working from home” after he briefly had his own office at 92 State Street, Boston. Julio had many prestigious clients that benefited from his vast knowledge of business and finance. He retired in 2012 at age 84.
Julio enjoyed golfing (with his brother Joe, his nephew Joe, and many friends), solving difficult crossword puzzles (sent to him by friends and family), playing pinochle (with the Friday night group), and cribbage (with his children). He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and could rattle off names and statistics at the drop of a hat. He had a sharp wit and skillfully introduced many a pun and “play on words” into every conversation. He was a connoisseur of wines, ever ready to discuss the merits of vintages old and new while sharing a bottle of red wine curated from his vast wine cellar.
Always charming and fair to all, Julio will be remembered as a loving husband to Olympia; devoted father to his children George Contrada of Wales, MA, Olivia Contrada and her husband Christopher Perruzzi, and Maria Contrada all of Newton, dear grandfather of Isabella Perruzzi. Brother of the late Anthony Contrada, Philomena "Phyllis" Pytlak and Joseph Contrada. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Memorial Mass in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton on Saturday December 3 at 10:30 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Julio’s memory can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, with Memo “Isabella’s Inspiration – ’23 WTCA Boston”. Kindly mail checks to the Contrada family in Newton, MA, or send to Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30309. If you prefer to donate online, a link to the team’s Boston Walk page will be available in early January 2023.
Julio was born in Boston on May 12, 1928, the son of the late Erminio Contrada and Giovannina (Anzalone) Contrada. He was raised in Boston's North End, and lived on Endicott Street until he married.
Julio was a gifted student whose family valued education. He greatly appreciated the lessons learned from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at St. Mary’s School, where he walked in speaking only Italian, and graduated an honors student. He served as an altar boy throughout grammar school. He was awarded a National Penmanship Contest Certificate in 1941 for his beautiful handwriting. Julio graduated from Boston’s High School of Commerce in 1944, and was very proud that he was School Champion of the 1944 Spelling Bee sponsored by The Boston Herald, winning two one dollar war stamps.
Always business oriented, as a youth, Julio shined shoes in and around Boston. His lifelong love of golf began when he spent summers as a caddy, and later as a Caddy Master, at Maplewood Golf Course in New Hampshire. He recounted that he “hustled” (work very hard!) and, after paying for room and board, always had money at the end of the summer to help pay for school.
At age 16, Julio was extremely proud to receive a partial scholarship to Boston College, and to become a BC Eagle. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1948, just after his 20th birthday.
Julio served as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States during the Korean War from March 20, 1951 to January 14, 1953. He received an Honorable Discharge and a Commendation for his outstanding meritorious service while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division Finance Office. The commendation cited his initiative and devotion to duty, as he materially contributed to the sustaining operations of the Office under adverse conditions.
Julio was a member of the North End Union, where he met Olympia Fiore. They married in 1956 and shared 53 years together before her death in 2009.
Julio worked as an accountant at various companies. In 1958 he went into private practice after passing the Certified Public Accountant examination. In the early 1970’s he pioneered “working from home” after he briefly had his own office at 92 State Street, Boston. Julio had many prestigious clients that benefited from his vast knowledge of business and finance. He retired in 2012 at age 84.
Julio enjoyed golfing (with his brother Joe, his nephew Joe, and many friends), solving difficult crossword puzzles (sent to him by friends and family), playing pinochle (with the Friday night group), and cribbage (with his children). He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and could rattle off names and statistics at the drop of a hat. He had a sharp wit and skillfully introduced many a pun and “play on words” into every conversation. He was a connoisseur of wines, ever ready to discuss the merits of vintages old and new while sharing a bottle of red wine curated from his vast wine cellar.
Always charming and fair to all, Julio will be remembered as a loving husband to Olympia; devoted father to his children George Contrada of Wales, MA, Olivia Contrada and her husband Christopher Perruzzi, and Maria Contrada all of Newton, dear grandfather of Isabella Perruzzi. Brother of the late Anthony Contrada, Philomena "Phyllis" Pytlak and Joseph Contrada. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Memorial Mass in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton on Saturday December 3 at 10:30 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Julio’s memory can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, with Memo “Isabella’s Inspiration – ’23 WTCA Boston”. Kindly mail checks to the Contrada family in Newton, MA, or send to Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30309. If you prefer to donate online, a link to the team’s Boston Walk page will be available in early January 2023.