1954 - 2017
Visitation
March 28, 20174:00 to 6:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home, Chelmsford, MA
Funeral
March 28, 20176:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Gino (Ambrogino) Rosario Laconi, formerly of New York City, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 3rd, 2017 at Boston Medical Center after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ambrogino, known by most as Gino, was born in Messina (Sicilia) Italy, on July 25th, 1954, and was one of eight children of the late Maurizio and Marianina (Rosario) Laconi. At age 4, his parents immigrated to the United States, and settled their family in Brooklyn, New York. Gino attended private catholic schools, and graduated with an associate degree from a seminary college in Indiana.
When he returned to New York, he worked in the hospitality industry, and after managing several clubs, became a sommelier and wine buyer.
In New York, Gino was a member of the Italian Club, and a carded member of studio 54. As a volunteer with “God’s Love-We Deliver” in 1988, he helped with the delivery of free meals to homebound Aids patients and the indigent living in SRO Hotels in Manhattan. In addition, he was an organizer for the March on Washington, DC to display the Aids Quilt on the National Mall.
When he first moved to Boston, in 1996, he founded “Scrub-the-hub”, an apartment cleaning service. More recently, he assisted at the Princeton Park Community in Lowell, MA, where he was a long time resident.
Proud of his Sicilian heritage, Gino took particular pride in being healthy and physically fit. At age 60 he began work on becoming a certified as a personal trainer, and had worked with a number of loyal clients before he became ill. Gino was a permanent fixture at Best Fitness,and considered a number of his friends at Princeton and Best Fitness as his extended family.
Gino was a born artist, a gifted photographer and enjoyed Interior Design, working with a number of clients in New York and Mass.
He is survived by his best friend and companion of 30 years, Rick Clune of New York and Lowell.
Those wishing to contribute to research into Pancreatic Cancer, may do so in his name at Boston Medical Center, Att: Prof. Tevia E. Sachs, MD, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, the Lowell Community Health Center, or the Foundation for Aids Research for whom he raised funds for over 20 years.
Visiting hours are Tuesday March 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a Funeral service at 6:00 p.m. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD. A celebration of life is being planned for the week of Gino’s birthday on July 28th at a local venue. Those interested in attending, please reserve this date. An announcement will be made in this publication and on Facebook in June. We are planning for food, drink, and laughter with an open mike for “Gino” stories, so an RSVP will be necessary at that time. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Ron and Deb Turturici
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We will miss Gino tremendously! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Rick. Riposare in pace, Ambrogino!!!
Carolyn Turturici
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I will miss your smiling face, Gino. Always such a kind man and just a joy to be around. Riposare in pace.
Michael Fleming, Key West, FL
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Mr. G: I guess you know now how many lives you touched. The world was a much better place because you were here for us my friend. Michael
Mike Carvalho
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Sadly missed Gino, RIP my good friend,….