Gino Funari

June 25, 1928 - January 24, 2018

Hampton – Gino Funari, 89, also known as PaPa Gino of Hampton, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He was born in Sonnono, Italy on June 25, 1928 a son of the late Fredrico and Adorna (Forconi) Funari. Gino with his family came to the United States at the age of 12., He moved to Hampton in 1962 coming from Needham, MA. Working as a stone mason for over 40 years, he first worked with his father during high school and eventually went on to trade school. After graduation he started his company, Gino Funari Masonry, which he ran and operated until his retirement in 1995. One of his many projects that he was well known for was the famous open hearth at the former Marty’s Steak House. Gino was a lifetime member of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge 97 and Sons of Italy Lodge 902 in Methuen, MA. He enjoyed cooking and was known for his marinated mushrooms, Italian gravy and famous hanging tomato plants. He established the family tradition of the annual pig roast, which not only brought family together, but friends as well for the past 14 years. He also enjoyed raising homing pigeons and spending time on his boat, especially in Newburyport during Yankee Homecoming, and fishing at North Beach. Family members include his wife, Phyllis (Szelest) Funari of Hampton; sons, Donald Funari of Woburn, MA, Paul Funari of Revere, MA; daughters, Nancy Cooney of Waltham, MA, Janet Funari of Hudson, stepdaughters, Debra Bettcher of North Hampton, Pam Davis of Cutchogu, NY, Patricia Grillo of Exeter; brothers, George of Sutton, MA, Julio of Arkville, NY, sister, Betty Funari of Arkville, NY, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews including his special niece DeeDe and her husband Bill. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Gema Pantalone and Jenny Arbuckle, Janio, Fred, Gilio and Atilio Funari. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 PM Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 www.dana-farber.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38104 www.stjude.org/give.htmx.