Phyllis Abbatessa-Dwyer
Longtime East Boston area political and cultural activist
Phyllis S. Abbatessa-Dwyer of Margate, Florida and East Boston passed away July 21. She was 76 years old.
A retired employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and the onetime owner of the Lefty Shop in Faneuil Hall, she spent much of her free time, before moving to Florida, working in East Boston and the surrounding communities as a political and cultural activist.
As the wife of the late Anthony Abbatessa Jr. (owner of Terrie’s Food Mart in Winthrop), she served on many committees for the Sons of Italy and Chamber of Commerce. At the time of her passing, she was a member of the Italian-American’s Club in Margate, Florida of which her husband, Jack Dwyer is the president.
Born on March 14, 1941 to her loving parents the late Emilio and France Blasé, she was the beloved wife of 31 years of Jack Dwyer; devoted mother of Anthony Abbatessa III and the late Pvt. Phillip J. Abbatessa and the adored grandmother of Bruno, Antonio and Franco Abbatessa.
Family and Friends will honor Phyllis’ life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston today, Wednesday, August 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday morning at 8:30 before leaving in funeral procession to St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, Ashley Street, East Boston for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Celebration on Phyllis’ life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Phyllis Abbatessa-Dwyer to Zoo New England Butterfly Exhibit, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, Ma 02121. For more information, visit: www.ruggieromh.com