Edward N. Carifio

Plaistow, NH: Edward N. Carifio, 87, died Thursday, December 22, 2011, at Hannah Duston Healthcare Center.

Born in Haverhill, son of the late George and Philomena (Uzzi) Carifio, he was the last surviving member of one of Haverhill's greatest sports families consisting of seven brothers that dominated Haverhill sports in the late 1930's and early 1940's. Raised in the Bradford section, Mr. Carifio was a 1943 graduate of Haverhill High School, where he captained the varsity football and basketball teams and also was a member of the varsity baseball team.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a Technician 5th Grade in Company C of the 78th Engineer Battalion. He saw action in Manila, the Philippines and Japan and was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon.

Following his discharge from the service, Mr. Carifio was offered full football and basketball scholarships to The University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island and University of Miami, where he played center for the Miami Hurricanes Football
Team. Following his college years, Mr. Carifio and his brothers played in local charity basketball tournaments and events as "Carifio and Company Basketball Team"'.

Employed for thirty-five years as a letter carrier for the Haverhill Post Office, he later worked for Galloway Trucking Co. of Kingston and received his New Hampshire Weigh Master's License.

A member of Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish of Plaistow and the Victor Emmanuel Lodge of the Sons of Italy, Mr. Carifio enjoyed playing cards at the Michael J. Bucuzzo Post, taking trips to the beach, watching television, coaching Little League Baseball and his weekly Saturday morning breakfast with his grandson, Jonathan.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Barbara (Ordway) Carifio, two sons and daughters-in-law, Edward N., Jr. and Nora Carifio of Stuart, Florida, and Alan D. and Phyllis Carifio of Plaistow, a daughter and son-in-law, Jyme C. and Robert Marcotte of Plaistow, a grandson, Jonathan E. Carifio of Plaistow, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandson, Nicholas R. Marcotte, brothers, Joseph, Nicholas, Harry Paul, Luigi, George and Americo Carifio, and sisters, Anna Giampa and Delores Smith.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, December 29, 2011 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Route 121A, Plaistow, NH. His funeral will be held on Friday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Church of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Plaistow. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.