Gerard L. Natoli

Gerard Lawrence Natoli of Belmont and Falmouth Heights, MA
died on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at age 88 following a period of illness. Gerard was born in Belmont on May 10, 1932, Gerard was the devoted husband of Alberta Whitfield Natoli, for 52 years. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Concetta Natoli, his brother John Natoli, and sister Marie McMahon. He is survived by his sister Nancy Fay and numerous nephews and nieces.
A graduate of Boston College, Gerard served two years in the US Army. He was a talented tennis athlete who competed in numerous matches for his Army Base team. Tennis remained a passion for him through many years at the Belmont Tennis Club.
Following Army service Gerard and his brother John founded Natoli Realty & Insurance Co. located on Cushing Square in Belmont. Gerard, an unusually gregarious fellow in business as well as in personal life, became very well known to everyone in the Belmont/Watertown area. Many referred to him jovially as, “The Mayor of Cushing Square”. As an outgoing joiner of organizations, he was a member of the Belmont Lions Club for 52 years serving in several officer positions. He could always be counted upon as a willing worker in many Lions activities and annual fundraising events. Other memberships included Belmont Tennis Club, Belmont Town Club, Town Meeting member, Belmont Historical Society, and the Belmont DARE Program. He was a communicant at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Belmont and St. Patrick’s in Falmouth.
In addition to his passion for tennis and many years of service to the Tennis Club, Gerard was an avid flower and vegetable gardener at his home in Falmouth Heights. That home on Little Pond with the view of Martha’s Vineyard served as the happy venue where Gerard and Alberta warmly hosted countless memorable summer gatherings for family and friends.
Gerard will be mourned by so many who had experienced his friendly and robust personality. The big voice and outgoing nature were a pleasure to be close to. He loved finding and giving gifts to those dearest to him. He was known for engaging people, even strangers on the street, in friendly, inquisitive conversation. Having grown up and worked in the Natoli family hardware business, Gerard never lost his keen interest in hardware stores. Wherever he went he was always drawn to explore the local hardware store and chat up the owner about stock, prices, and suppliers. This occurred often during a memorable trip to Ireland. He would quietly drop out of sight but was easily found engaged in a chat with the owner of the nearest “Ironmongery” store.
His youthful spirit and constant good nature will be sorely missed by his family and friends. That ebullient good nature served Gerard so well over the long years of building his thriving real estate business. He had the rare quality of the gifted natural salesman.
All who ever knew him will say “Farewell, Godspeed to a profoundly good man”.   Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Gerard's visiting hours in the Short, Williamson & Diamond Funeral Home, 52 Trapelo Road, BELMONT, Wednesday, April 7 form 5-7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, 130 Common St., Belmont, Thursday, April 8 at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.  COVID-19 protocols must be maintained: social distancing, facial coverings, brief visitation in funeral home. etc. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gerard's memory to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 would be sincerely appreciated.   swdfuneralhome.com

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