Romeo Alfred Lupi, 98, of Dover, N.H., formerly of Medford and Haverhill, died Thursday, Jan. 3 at his residence.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late, Michael and Almerinda (Caputi) Lupi. Raised in Haverhill, he was a graduate of Haverhill High School’s class of 1939. A veteran of WWII, Lupi proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged after four years. He met his wife Emilia (Baratta) while serving in Italy during the war. Coming from a family of musicians, Lupi played drums for the Army band.
Upon his return home he was employed by the U. S. Postal Service. He then went to work at the Charlestown Navy Yard until it closed and would retire from the Air Force working at Hanscom Air Force Base. Growing up during the Big Band era, he fell in love with the drums. He became a gifted musician and professional drummer, working throughout greater Boston. He had steady gigs at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere and the State Ballroom in Boston. He was a well sought after drummer and played countless weddings throughout his 75-year career. He was a member of the Boston Musicians’ Union.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Lupi was the widower of Emilia (Baratta) Lupi. He is survived by a son Anthony J. Lupi and his wife, Kathleen E. (Kenny) Lupi, of Dover, N.H., a daughter; Cynthia R. Kovalcik and her husband James, of Albuquerque, N.M., cherished grandchildren Alison Marcotte and Megan Bell, Sara, Sophia, and Anthony Lupi, greatgrandchildren Gavin and Rhys Marcotte and Emilia Bell and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Edolo, Remo, Gino, Ernest and a sister, Alda Salafia.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main St., Haverhill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon at St. James Church, Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, North Broadway, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association at heart.org.