Dr. John Votolato DMD

Dr. John Votolato, D.M.D. passed away peacefully on November 1st after a period of declining health. He was born in Johnston, Rhode Island to Vincent and Esther (Masso) Votolato.  His family moved from Rhode Island to Mendon, Massachusetts where he attended lower grades.  The family then moved to Milford where John attended public schools and graduated from Milford High in 1943.  John met the love of his life, Florence Fertitta, during these years at Milford High. 

While in high school he participated in varsity sports earning several letters.  He also took and passed the Naval Aviation pilot exams and was enlisted in the Navy as a Seaman 2nd Class in the V-5 aviation program. 

He went on active duty on August 11, 1943 and reported to the Fargo Building in Boston for further tests.  Upon successfully passing these tests, he was sent to Pennsacola N.A.S. in Florida.  In December 1943, he transferred to Williams College and then onto Colgate University in Hamilton, New York for WTS flight training.  Preflight school followed at University of North Carolina and then on to primary .flight training at N.A.S. Bunker Hill.  His advanced flight training was completed at N.A.S. Corpus Christi, Texas.  He received his naval wings of gold and officer’s commission as Ensign U.S.A.   He was then chosen for carrier fighter pilot training in Hellcats at N.A.S. OpaLocka City, North Miami, Florida, N.A.S. Cecile Field, Jacksonville, Florida for field carrier training and then onto the U.S.S. Ranger carrier in the Gulf of Mexico off Pennsacola, Florida.   He was finally assigned to Airgroup Three fleet carrier Squadron VBF3 stationed at Oceana N.A.S., Virginia Beach, Virginia.  He took competitive exams for regular Naval commission, and his squadron was transferred to N.A.S. Quonset Point, Rhode Island and later to Charlestown, Rhode Island N.A.S. 

Throughout these naval years, Florence remained “True Blue” and waited for him to return home.  On October 4, 1947 John wed his beloved wife, Florence, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in their hometown of Milford. The new couple exited the church under an archway of crossed swords held by John’s fellow squadron pilots. Shortly after, John and Florence left for their honeymoon to New York City, Washington D.C. and Virginia. They continued to enjoy travel throughout their marriage with their two daughters, Tara and Karen. 

Having obtained his goals in the Navy he separated from the Navy in March of 1948 and joined the Naval Aviation reserves and flew out of Squantum N.A.S., Squantum, Mass.  until 1956 where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant.   Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, John entered Boston College and Tufts Dental School where he received his dental degree in 1954. 

He practiced dentistry in his hometown of Milford, Mass. for 37 years and retired in 1991.  His daughter Karen worked alongside him as his dental hygienist for many of those years.  He practiced general dentistry as a solo practitioner and especially enjoyed dental surgery.  He was a staff member of the Milford Regional Hospital for many years.  In 2004 he was awarded the 50 year pin from the Mass. Dental Society.  

He remained interested in Naval aviation for many years. As a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association he attended annual aviation conventions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  He contributed many articles to the local newspapers about his experiences at these aviation events and sharing his passion of flight. The thrill of flying off aircraft carriers was something he never forgot.

Preceding him in death are his loving wife Florence; parents, Esther and Vincent Votolato, Sr,; and brothers Vincent and Robert.  He is survived by daughters Tara Rendon and her husband Rick and Karen Campos and her husband Gil; granddaughters Krisanne Connell and her husband Alan and Alexandra Hayes and her husband Rens and four great grandchildren – Finnegan Gilbert and Ayla Florence Connell and Rens and Maisy Rose Hayes.

He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.

The family would like to acknowledge the following caregivers Christine Mukangwize, Michael, Talemwa, Ronald Kawalya and Harriett Reich for the wonderful care that was afforded John during these last years of his life.

His funeral will be held Tuesday (November 8th) at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (UPPER CHURCH), 7 East Main Street, Milford MA. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford MA. Visiting hours will be Monday (November 7th) from 5pm to 7pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friends of GAM, Inc., 1 Countryside Drive, Milford MA 01757 Attention: Resident Activities Fund.

or to     The Dr. Charles Boucher Educational Endowment Fund.

For over forty years, Dr. Charles Boucher, cardiologist at Mass General Hospital has been Dad's wonderful doctor. Not only is he a top rated doctor, but he is a true friend, not only to his patient---but also to the patient's entire family.

In lieu of flowers, a gift can be made to Dr. Boucher's Legacy Fund which promotes connection in medicine and educates early career cardiologists to the importance of their relationship between their patient and their patient's entire family. It is such an important component to the healing process.

Donations can be made to Massachusetts General Hospital and earmarked to:    Dr. Charles Boucher MD Educational Endowment Fund #021867 and mailed to Mass General Hospital, 32 Fruit Street, Boston MA 02114 Attention: Dr. Charles Boucher. Donations can also be made by credit card online @ www.masssgeneral.org - give now or giving - putting the fund name & # on the form.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. John Votolato DMD, please visit our floral store.