John R. Mannarino, of Bedford, died at the Carleton-Willard Village on December 15, 2013, at the age of 104.

Mr. Mannarino was born in the West End of Boston on July 19, 1909, and he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances Mannarino.

He was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Tufts University.

During World War II, he served in the Army from 1942 to 1945 and was a valued interpreter. He spoke fluent Italian and Spanish. He was stationed in Sicily and the Po Valley in Northern Italy with Company N 2675th Regiment. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on November 18, 1945.

After the war, he was an attorney, working for the Veterans Administration in Boston for over 50 years.

He loved the arts, traveling, and made his final visit to family in Italy at the age of 98.
He went to China after the border was opened and also to India.

Following his retirement, he was a volunteer at the Veterans Administration in Boston and a benefactor of St. Francis House and Massachusetts General Hospital. He was also a longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross.

In 1997, he moved from Medford to Carleton-Willard Village in Bedford, where he lived independently until two years ago. He attended Mass at St. Michael's Church, where he made many friends and in July celebrated his 104th birthday.

Mr. Mannarino was predeceased by his sisters, Caroline Mannarino and Phyllis Mannarino.

He is survived by his daughter, Frances, nephews, Thomas Moore and his wife, Margaret of Somerville and William Moore and his wife, Mary of Raynham, NH, goddaughter, Katherine Dallow and devoted friend and "kid brother", Gary Sawin of Carleton-Willard Village.

Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday, December 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.

His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday, December 23, at 8:00 A.M. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., at 9:00 A.M.

Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carleton-Willard Village Employee Appreciation Fund, 100 Old Billerica Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.