Remembering the life of Anthony Iacobo (2024)

Andover - Anthony Joseph Iacobo passed away at his home in Andover, MA on Saturday, August 10 following a brief illness. He was 96 years old and often noted he was grateful to be living a long and healthy life.
He was born on June 13, 1928, in Lawrence, MA to Thomas and Carmela Iacobo, who had recently immigrated to the U.S. Their only surviving child, Anthony spoke Italian when he began elementary school and was required to repeat first grade. He was an altar boy at the Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence and his childhood was rich with the friendship of his many cousins who lived in Lawrence and Methuen. After graduating from Lawrence High School, he attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with degrees from Boston University and Boston University School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for eight years.
His greatest joy was meeting his future wife, Josephine, on the train commuting to college from Lawrence. They were married in the Holy Rosary Church in 1954 and spent the next dozen years in Washington D.C. where he worked for the Interstate Commerce Commission and earned his Master of Law at Georgetown Law Center. Their five daughters were born during this time, and he delighted in calling them his "Southern belles." He was appointed an Administrative Law Judge for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (and later, Department of Labor) in Boston in the late 1960s and moved his family to Andover where he and Josephine built their dream home. He served as the District Chief Judge for both departments and adjudicated cases across New England, Puerto Rico, and as far south as Florida.
Anthony's joys were simple: family, friends, the beach, a blueberry or apple pie, wine, and listening to his opera records. He never shied from telling Josephine how much he cherished her. He favored creased pants and khakis, button-downs and loafers; attire he donned even for a walk into town or visiting the Andover's Savings Bank. A Yankee fan as a child, he introduced his daughters to Fenway Park with annual outings and grew to cheer on the Red Sox (though perhaps not as ardently as his daughters). He encouraged his daughters to excel in school reminding them how his parents had impressed on him the value of an education. Anthony was a voracious reader favoring history, biographies, and everything by Shakespeare. He adored each of his grandchildren, attending their recitals, sporting events, and commencements from pre-school to college. Anthony had a dry wit, and his sense of humor did not wane as he aged. At a recent visit to his physician, he was asked if he "felt safe at home." Not missing a beat he replied, "Well, my wife is Sicilian so...no."
After retiring, he and Josephine enjoyed traveling and visiting their daughters who were living in California, Colorado, London, and Orleans, France. One of their first trips abroad was to visit his father's family in Roccamonfina and his mother's family in Santa Maria a Valogno. For the better part of 30 years they spent the winter months in Juno Beach, FL.
Anthony is deeply missed by his wife of nearly 70 years; daughters: Maria; Laura (Daniel More); Catherine; Antoinette; Christina (Daniel Schwartz); and grandchildren Julia, Madeline More Lane (Kevin Lane), and Oliver More; and Joanna and Allison Schwartz. We take comfort in knowing our dad/papa was a loving husband and parent, respected professional, and good friend and neighbor.
The family will hold a service at Conte Funeral Home (28 Florence St., Andover) on Saturday, August 24 (11:30 am) with a lunch to follow. Donations in his name may be made to Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

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Published on August 18, 2024