Rita A. (Farina) Cannistraro

Rita Anne Cannistraro, nee Farina, was born in 1933 in the village of Nonantum, Newton, Massachusetts. During her early childhood, she learned the value of demanding work as one of eight children of immigrants brought up during the Great Depression. With a genius level intellect and sharp focus on her studies, Rita excelled at Newton High School and Regis College, majoring in English and the writings of philosophers, theologians, and poets throughout history. Her path to greater scholarship shifted when she met her future husband John C. Cannistraro at a family wedding. Rita’s chosen vocation began on the dance floor, as she dedicated the next sixty-five years of her life to selfless devotion to her family.

In 1963, Rita co-founded J.C. Cannistraro, Inc. with John in a spare bedroom in their apartment. Between raising infants and toddlers, Rita would manage the finances, written correspondence, and develop strategy for success. This foundational discipline set the cornerstone of the multigenerational business today.

Since this was truly a “home” office, after 5:30 pm, Rita would politely tell callers that the office was closed for the day. She then had a delicious textbook dinner on the table, and this continued for decades, especially on Sundays when it was all family and everything homemade.

The business grew at the same rate as her family. Within a few years, a larger office and the spare bedroom were both needed. Rita’s full-time job became crisscrossing the suburbs with kids in tow to every sport and activity imaginable, homework tutoring in every subject including Latin, meals, and most of all, Church. Rita valued education, and her commitment to this principle provided opportunity for her family.

Despite this domestic schedule, Rita escaped to her cozy living room and Hi-Fi stereo to listen to Opera. During the 1970’s, Boston celebrated a vibrant opera culture. Rita found immense joy listening to the score while studying the libretto. We always knew it was a live performance evening when she descended downstairs elegantly dressed, holding her gloves and small case with glasses.

Rita was a whiz at any crossword puzzle, sudoku, or jigsaw ever created. She was the highest scorer of her children and grandchildren in Dr. Mario and Nintendo. Asked by her oldest granddaughter to take her on a Disney Cruise, “Nanny” immediately said yes, and made a point to accompany her grandchildren to this vacation over the years.

Rita loved the southwest breeze of Cape Cod and the orange sunsets of the Gulf as she continued to enjoy her homes in Osterville, Ma. and Naples Fla. until she passed.

Rita’s unwavering faith in God inspired her fierce determination to stand up for what is right. In tireless support of her family, she taught by example. She was a beautiful matriarch, keeping tradition alive and guiding two generations with strength and grace.

In addition to her loving husband of 65 years, John, Rita is survived by her grateful children and their spouses; John C. Jr (Tracey), Ann Marie Cotton (Jack), Vincent (Kristin), David (Dira), Joseph (Susan), Paul (Yih-hsien), Michael (Emily), and Edward (Stephanie).

Rita cherished all of her grandchildren; Laura Rose, Matthew (Perpetua), Amy, John Peter, Benjamin, Andrew , William, Marissa, Peter, Julia, Lucas, Ryan, Mia, Thomas, Jason, Maxwell Cotton, Alexa Cotton, Sophia, Marc, Sylvie, Melissa (Brent) Jansen, Andrew Cotton, and Sean, as well as her devoted and loyal siblings, Alfreda Cleveland, Vincent and Natalie Farina, and Josephine Nardelli Farina.

Rita was pre-deceased by her parents, James V. and Angelina Farina, and her siblings and their spouses, Anna and George Hawkins, John Farina, Joseph and Margaret Farina, Mary and Edmund Nardone, Elizabeth and Aubrey Hill, and Norman Cleveland.

Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Rita’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Monday, May 12th from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery, Newton.

To view a livestream (and recording) of the service please use this link:https://www.harborview.live/

To honor Rita’s memory, kindly consider a donation in her name to Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Newton, Massachusetts, or Catholic Charities Boston.