Joseph A. Itrato, 82

Joseph Anthony Itrato, husband to Karin Cederholm Itrato (deceased), passed away on Jan. 6, 2025, at the age of 82.

Joe was born in Boston’s vibrant West End, a bygone neighborhood that came back to life in technicolor through many of the tales he told. When the Itrato, Bertuccini, Magazzu and Spinale family moved to Medford, Joe also moved with his parents, Sebastiano “Barney” Itrato and Josephine (Bertuccini) Itrato (both deceased).

Joe met the love of his life, Karin Cederholm, who worked as an ER nurse at Mass General Hospital and then for other nursing businesses. They married in 1968, and together they raised their sons in Burlington, Massachusetts, a community that they embraced whole-heartedly with Joe coaching soccer for many years and being involved in other youth sports. They also enjoyed time at their camp in Acton, Maine, which Joe somehow rebuilt by hand while entertaining many friends and family. He loved people and, together with Karin, they treated everyone who visited like close family — because that is how you felt in their presence.

Joe worked as a printer and typesetter for Monotype Composition for several decades before founding his own company, Register Mark, where he worked until he retired. He found his work very fulfilling and was deeply thankful for the opportunity to build a successful business. Joe also loved golfing, fixing everything, spending time in Florida with family and friends, and watching sports including the Patriots, and his grandkids’ teams. As Joe and Karin headed toward retirement they moved to Meredith, on Lake Winnipesaukee where they spent many happy years together, always looking forward to hosting family and friends. There was always fun, food, friends and a sense of fulfillment from living life the right way that they shared with everyone who came into their orbit.

Joe’s deepest love was for his wife Karin, and the story-book relationship that they built and enjoyed. They doted on their sons and grandchildren, and together they provided the love, stability and opportunity that every child deserves. Nothing could ever go terribly wrong when Joe was around. Instead, “Every day is an adventure,” in which you faced a challenge, overcame it, gained confidence, and were thankful for the experience.

Joe is survived by his sons and their partners, Chris Itrato and Marisa Pinardi, and Ken Itrato and Kim Turner, and Joe’s grandchildren, Josie, Lucas and Eloise. Joe’s memory is also kept alive by family, including Mike and Becky Cederholm, Kristen and Scott Paulling, David and Kristi Swentor, Kim Swentor, Gregg Swentor, sisters-in-law Joan Siebert and Sylvia Cederholm, many grandnieces and nephews, and many close friends and neighbors, including Norman and Deirdre Carr, and others from Burlington, Massachusetts, and Meredith.

Funeral services will be private.