Obituary for Ralph Richard "Buddy" Tortola
Ralph R. “Buddy” Tortola, of Belmont passed away peacefully on March 31, 2022, at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge at the age of 82.
Buddy was born on March 13, 1940, in Belmont, MA to the late Frank and Jennie Tortola (Petrino) of Belmont.
Ralph, known as “Buddy” by all, graduated from Belmont High School in 1959 and lived in Belmont for most of his life. He was the son of Italian immigrant parents and was very proud of his Italian heritage. Throughout his life, he enjoyed Sunday dinners on Trowbridge Street with his large extended Italian family. Buddy owned and operated Ralph’s Barber Shop for nearly sixty years in the neighborhood where he grew up. Fondly dubbed the “Comb from Rome,” Buddy had an enthusiastic and loyal clientele who visited his shop for a haircut, sage advice, and many laughs. From the 1960s through the 2020s, Buddy was a fixture on Concord Ave. Generations of Belmont kids got their first haircut from “Buddy the barber.” In between haircuts and stand-up comedy (which included celebrity impersonations), Buddy often broke out his drumsticks to perform for his customers. Buddy was a professional musician, playing the drums in various jazz bands, including Hot Ginger Jazz, for decades. He loved to display his extraordinary drumming talents at family events, particularly his children’s weddings where he was always asked to sit in with the band as the family beamed with pride. Buddy loved his children. His several grand-children were his pride and joy.
The true love of Buddy’s life, however, was his late wife Joyce (Chiofaro) who passed away in 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Buddy and Joyce met in high school and reconnected years later. They were married for more than 40 years when Joyce passed. When Joyce could no longer care for herself, Buddy cared for her in every way over many years. Buddy and Joyce were best friends. He was her rock and she was his. Buddy always looked up to his older brother Frank Tortola, Jr. who passed away in 1992.
Buddy is survived by three children and six grandchildren, his son Stephen Tortola and his wife Kate and their daughter Elizabeth of Weymouth, his step-son David Losier and his wife Barbara and their children, Brett, Christopher, and Emily formerly of Acton and recently North Billerica, his stepdaughter Kristen Bilodeau and her husband Cory and their children Alexandra and Abigale of North Reading. Buddy is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Bernazani of Belmont, his brother Robert Tortola of Woburn, his sister Diane Dideo of Belmont as well as many nieces, nephews, and loving friends.
Ralph’s family will gather and remember the love he shared during Visiting Hours on Tuesday, April 05, 2022, from 3 pm – 7 pm at Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels located at 325 Trapelo Rd. BELMONT, MA. Parking Attendants on duty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day at 10 am on Wednesday, April 6th at St. Joseph’s Church located at 130 Common St. Belmont, MA. Interment will follow at the Highland Meadow Cemetery in Belmont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's name in Loving memory of his beloved wife Joyce to The Alzheimer’s Association, 411 Waverly Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA. 02542.
Brasco Memorial Chapels
“Creating Meaningful Memories”
Buddy was born on March 13, 1940, in Belmont, MA to the late Frank and Jennie Tortola (Petrino) of Belmont.
Ralph, known as “Buddy” by all, graduated from Belmont High School in 1959 and lived in Belmont for most of his life. He was the son of Italian immigrant parents and was very proud of his Italian heritage. Throughout his life, he enjoyed Sunday dinners on Trowbridge Street with his large extended Italian family. Buddy owned and operated Ralph’s Barber Shop for nearly sixty years in the neighborhood where he grew up. Fondly dubbed the “Comb from Rome,” Buddy had an enthusiastic and loyal clientele who visited his shop for a haircut, sage advice, and many laughs. From the 1960s through the 2020s, Buddy was a fixture on Concord Ave. Generations of Belmont kids got their first haircut from “Buddy the barber.” In between haircuts and stand-up comedy (which included celebrity impersonations), Buddy often broke out his drumsticks to perform for his customers. Buddy was a professional musician, playing the drums in various jazz bands, including Hot Ginger Jazz, for decades. He loved to display his extraordinary drumming talents at family events, particularly his children’s weddings where he was always asked to sit in with the band as the family beamed with pride. Buddy loved his children. His several grand-children were his pride and joy.
The true love of Buddy’s life, however, was his late wife Joyce (Chiofaro) who passed away in 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Buddy and Joyce met in high school and reconnected years later. They were married for more than 40 years when Joyce passed. When Joyce could no longer care for herself, Buddy cared for her in every way over many years. Buddy and Joyce were best friends. He was her rock and she was his. Buddy always looked up to his older brother Frank Tortola, Jr. who passed away in 1992.
Buddy is survived by three children and six grandchildren, his son Stephen Tortola and his wife Kate and their daughter Elizabeth of Weymouth, his step-son David Losier and his wife Barbara and their children, Brett, Christopher, and Emily formerly of Acton and recently North Billerica, his stepdaughter Kristen Bilodeau and her husband Cory and their children Alexandra and Abigale of North Reading. Buddy is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Bernazani of Belmont, his brother Robert Tortola of Woburn, his sister Diane Dideo of Belmont as well as many nieces, nephews, and loving friends.
Ralph’s family will gather and remember the love he shared during Visiting Hours on Tuesday, April 05, 2022, from 3 pm – 7 pm at Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels located at 325 Trapelo Rd. BELMONT, MA. Parking Attendants on duty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day at 10 am on Wednesday, April 6th at St. Joseph’s Church located at 130 Common St. Belmont, MA. Interment will follow at the Highland Meadow Cemetery in Belmont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's name in Loving memory of his beloved wife Joyce to The Alzheimer’s Association, 411 Waverly Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA. 02542.
Brasco Memorial Chapels
“Creating Meaningful Memories”