Condolences To Family of Dorothy (Tortorici) Paolo

RES 2026-116 FIRST IN COUNCIL August 3, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dorothy (Tortorici) Paolo of Arlington, formerly of Boston’s North End, who passed away peacefully at home on July 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family; and WHEREAS: Dorothy Paolo was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Joseph and Elisa (Greco) Tortorici, and was raised in the North End, graduating from Julie Billart High School; and WHEREAS: Dorothy and her husband Armando were the former owners of the iconic Armando’s Pizza on Huron Avenue in Cambridge, where Dorothy devoted more than fifty years of dedicated service to the community until her retirement at the age of eighty; and WHEREAS: Dottie and Armando were beloved partners in a cherished neighborhood institution, and their love and devotion were evident in all they did, touching families across generations; and WHEREAS: Known affectionately by longtime customers as “Mrs. Armando,” Dottie made Armando’s Pizza feel like home; a truly beautiful person; kind, loving, gentle, and deeply faithful - her warmth and genuine goodness touched everyone who had the blessing of knowing her; and WHEREAS: Dorothy possessed a deep love of cooking, reading, and volunteer service, giving her time to St. Francis House in Boston, and found her greatest joy in spending time with her beloved family, especially Sunday dinners and cherished moments with her sisters in the North End; and WHEREAS: Dorothy was a devoted wife to her husband of fifty-nine years, the late Armando Paolo, and a loving mother to Rina Bonavita of Malden, Angela Gallego and her husband Bob of Vermont, and Linda Gullotti and her husband Glenn of Everett; and WHEREAS: Dorothy was the cherished grandmother of Michael and his wife Lianna Bonavita, Christina and her husband Brandon Marguet, and Daniella and her husband Antonio Follico; and the devoted great-grandmother to Stella and Liena Bonavita, Alessia Follico, and Clementine and Calista Marguet Gallego, all of whom brought immense joy to her in her final years; and WHEREAS: Dorothy is lovingly remembered as the sister of Lucy Busa and Victoria Maurici, and the late Salvatore, Accurzio, Jackie, Frank, and Mario Tortorici, Mary DeSimone, Marguerite Luongo, Frances Federico, and Gloria Petruzziello, and is survived by many nieces and nephews who will continue to hold her memory dear; and

WHEREAS: Dorothy will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known her, leaving behind a legacy of family devotion, hard work, kindness, and community service; now therefore be it RESOLVED: That the City Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Dorothy (Tortorici) Paolo and expresses its appreciation for her many contributions to the Cambridge community; and be it further RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Dorothy (Tortorici) Paolo on behalf of the entire City Council. A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge Condolences To Family of Dorothy (Tortorici) Paolo