Tina Ann Cresta

Tina Ann (Fotino) Cresta, 64, of Wakefield, canceled the Fourth of July fireworks and then proceeded to pass away without our permission on Saturday July 4, at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Born in Lynn, MA on March 25, 1962, she was the daughter of the late Franklin and Patricia (Pari) Fotino.

Tina picked out her husband Vincenzo “Jimmy” when she was ten years old. After graduating Wakefield Memorial High School in 1980 she married the love of her life in April of 1982 and they went on to have four beautiful, talented, wise and modest children of whom she was very proud. That love and admiration was returned ten fold by her children and grandchildren, who are POd that she left and now they have to write this %@*&! Obituary.

Growing up in Wakefield, Tina was staple at Nasella Park where she participated in many recreational activities. She was an avid bowler at the Wakefield Bowladrome, a member of the Twisted Fotino Sisters Synchronized swim team, a world renowned karaoke star, frequent traveler, skilled bird watcher and fabulous dancer. She spent the majority of her working career locally at places such as Harmonic Drive, S and M Liquors, Canterbury Preschool, and most recently at Caporales Fine Wine and Spirits where many of her customers and coworkers became friends. She also enjoyed frequent trips to Shaws, the Pitstop, and Sonny Noto’s.

Tina always had an opinion and a quick wit to go with it. That, plus her generosity and her big heart drew people to her. She was good for a laugh or a drink recipe, made a mean “sauce and balls,” and enjoyed sitting around the table with her family. She was known for her colorful language, her Christmas parms, her delicious baked goods, her ability to hold the worlds secrets and vast knowledge of lesser known songs.

She is preceded in death by her cherished son Frank Cresta.

She is survived by her beloved husband Jimmy Cresta, her son James Cresta and his wife Karen, her daughter Samantha Gasbarro and her husband Rob, her daughter Erica Quilty and her husband Joe, all of Wakefield, MA. Also her eight grandchildren, Ian, Jared, Arianna, Enzo, Serafina, Santino, Ethel and Franklin.

Tina is also survived by her siblings, her sister Linda Murray and her husband Richard Kinch of Plymouth, MA, her brother Wallace Fotino and his wife Kathy of Seabrook, NH, her brother Gary Goodwin and his wife Pamela of Saugus, MA, her brother Robert Fotino and his wife Irene of Hudson, NH, her sister Doreen (Fotino) Sheppard and her husband Jack of Belmont, NH, her sister Heidi (Fotino) Rossicone and her husband Brett of Wakefield, MA. She is preceded in death by her brother Stephen Scott Fotino.

She was adored by her brother and sisters in law, Tony Cresta and his wife Janet, and Rita Cresta and her late husband Joe, as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine (St. Florence Church), 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield MA on Friday July 10 at 10 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

Donations in her name to the American Heart Association are appreciated.