SOMERVILLE -Tina DeLellis 1937/ 2008, Owner and Proprietor for 40 Years of Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant & Music Club, Davis Sq., mother, grandmother, friend, role model.
Tina Chiarolanza, born in Naples Italy, first came to America at the age of 13, where her family also settled in Somerville. An absolutely gorgeous Italian with her flair for style and a naturally commanding presence, you couldn't miss when Tina walked into the room. Her straightforwardness, generosity, unconventional kindness, and incredible loyalty to her family, business, and staff made her a truly unique woman.
Tina was the orchestrater of the many old school ways of Johnny D's. She never took her livelihood for granted and was very humble, extremely dedicated, and grateful for her opportunity to serve. Her decisions were both intuitive and full of experience, and if you were able to see beyond the immediate, you would see the deep wisdom in her ways. Our doors were always open, despite blizzards and holidays. She worked hard every day of her life and expected the best from those who worked for her. And she got it.
She will be remembered, sitting at her favorite place at the bar, cup of coffee in hand, warmly greeting patrons and surveying her domain. She made sure everyone left her place with a smile and an admonition to come again. She was at once feisty and shrewd and kind, and always dedicated to keeping a genuine music club and friendly watering hole alive and well.
donations in lieu of flowers
Nancy Ayoub of wickedlocal.com wrote a very nice story
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