Dr. Rocco J. Malfitano

   Malfitano, Dr. Rocco J. Retired Superintendent of Revere Public Schools passed away on April 10, 2023 at the age of 86. He was the beloved husband of Lorraine I. (Trunfio) Malfitano, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Revere, MA, son of the late Domenico Malfitano and Marianna (Misiano) Malfitano. He was a resident of Revere for sixty-five years, later residing in Stoneham and Port St. Lucie, FL. Devoted father of Marc Malfitano of Swampscott, Roxanne Aiello and her husband Richard of Stoneham and Monique Mallicoat and son-in-law Frank of San Francisco, CA. Proud grandfather of Bianca Dunn and her husband Stephen of Norwell, Alessandra Fedorka and her husband Chase of San Diego, CA. and Christelle Black and her husband Christopher. Loving great-grandfather of Charlotte and Francesca Dunn and Juliette Fedorka. Dear brother of Anthony Malfitano and his wife Sheila of Revere and the late Tina and her husband Pasquale Pisani, Mary and her husband John Stasio and Vito Malfitano. Lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.

   At the time of his retirement from Revere Public Schools in 1994 he had served 36 years in the field of education. Dr. Malfitano was a proud alumnus of Revere High School, Class of 1955. He co-captained the football team in his senior year. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 from Suffolk University with a major in biology and minor in chemistry he returned to Revere High School as a biology teacher and freshman football coach. In 1960 he earned his Masters of Education degree from Boston State College. In 1962 he was appointed Elementary Science Advisor. At that point he began his career as a mentor to other teachers. In both 1962 and 1963 his work was recognized by the National Science Foundation. He was one of twenty teachers selected nationwide to participate in the 1962 Summer Institute on Radiation Biology at the University of Wyoming. In 1963 he was one of thirty-five teachers selected nationwide to participate in the National Science Foundation Elementary School Earth Science Institute at Rutgers University. In 1965 he was appointed principal of the Shurtleff School. His view of the principal as curriculum leader put him in the vanguard of educational change. In 1968 he was selected as principal of his elementary/junior high school alma mater, the Abraham Lincoln School, where he would serve for twenty years and earn his doctorate in Educational Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 1978. As a principal, Dr. Malfitano fostered experiments in methods teaching, modification of the curriculum for individual differences, curriculum innovations and curriculum construction. His teachers were encouraged to try new techniques. He designed and implemented a resource room program with a team approach for children with special needs which was chosen as a model by the Massachusetts Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children. The model was presented at the 56th Annual International Convention in Kansas City, MO. He developed an English curriculum for grades seven and eight and a program for gifted and talented children. Recognizing the remarkable talent, skill and energy which he has given unselfishly throughout his twenty-three years in administration, the Honorable school committee named Dr. Malfitano as Deputy Superintendent in 1988 and Superintendent of Schools in 1991. Among his many achievements in that role was the implementation of the middle school concept. This innovation at the time was a response to the devastating financial constraints and demands for accountability. With the realignment of the elementary program all seventh and eighth grade students would receive equity in education in excellent educational facilities. In anticipation of the demands of the 21st century for computer literate students who had learned to live and work with diverse people from diverse backgrounds, he created a computer curriculum for the new Garfield Magnet School. Dr. Malfitano recognized that the schools belonged to the community and opened forums for parental concerns and suggestions through individual school councils and the Superintendent’s School Improvement Committee. In recognition of his extraordinary vision and service, of his shepherding the school system through financial disaster into a new age of education reform, and as an indication of the honor with which he was regarded by the entire educational community, he was named Superintendent Emeritus by the School Committee. He was honored to have the Abraham Lincoln School Library dedicated in his name, receive the Revere High School Distinguished Alumni Award and the City of Revere Certificate of Merit. Following his retirement Dr. Malfitano served as a member of the Revere School Committee. Dr. Malfitano was a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, life member of the Nation Education Association, life member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, life member of Massachusetts PTA/PTSA and the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association.

   The family of Rocco J. Malfitano would like to acknowledge the many health care professionals at Life Care Center of Stoneham, ComForCare Home Care of Woburn and Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice.

  Funeral from the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, 128 Revere St, Revere on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 9:00am. Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. A Visitation was held on Thursday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rocco’s name to the Reid Sacco AYA Cancer Fund, 175 Andover Street, Suite 101, Danvers MA 01923.