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De Vito, Alfonso.JPG

Alfonso De Vito, longtime Newton banker, devoted husband, father and nonno, dies at 88

Alfonso “Al” De Vito of Newton passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, at the age of 88, surrounded by his three sons — Joseph, John and Frank.

Born in Montepaone, Italy, in 1936, Alfonso attended the Salesian Institute in Soverato, Italy, and studied law at the University of Rome. But his life took an unexpected and joyful turn in 1964, when he traveled to New York for the World’s Fair. A side trip to his grandparents in West Newton led him to the love of his life, Jennie Magni — and to the community he would call home for the next six decades. The two were married in 1965.

Alfonso began his career in banking at Newton National Bank, and later Shawmut Community Bank, where he worked at the Nonantum branch on Watertown Street. In 1974, he joined Newton South Co-operative Bank as an assistant vice president and steadily rose through the ranks to become president in 1983 — a role he held for 20 years. He was known not just for his professionalism, but for his warmth and the personal attention he showed to everyone he knew. Alfonso was much more than the neighborhood banker, but someone who helped turn dreams into reality, one mortgage or small business loan at a time. When Newton South Co-op merged with Auburndale Co-op in 2003 to form The Village Bank, Alfonso became chairman of the board, a post he held until 2014, and he remained on the board until his retirement in 2020.

To his grandchildren, he was simply “Nonno” — the man who made them laugh, taught them Italian phrases, and never let them go without pasta and meatballs.

Alfonso is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Jennie (Magni), his son Joseph and his wife Lisa, his son John and his wife Elizabeth, his son Frank and his wife Cynthia, and his grandchildren Giovanna, Alessandra, Alfonso, Valentina, John, Madeleine, James, Matthew, and Lauren, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In Italy, he is survived by his brother Francesco De Vito and his wife Rosalba (Rattá) of Montepaone, his brother Saverio De Vito and his late wife Milena (Paris) of Terni, his brother-in-law Jeso Rao of Catanzaro, and his sister-in-law Teresa Castanó of Brescia. Alfonso was predeceased by his parents Giuseppe and Rosaria (Iemmello) De Vito of Montepaone, his sister Vittoria Rao of Catanzaro, and his brother Angelo Salvatore De Vito of Brescia.

Visiting hours in the Magni Funeral Home at 365 Watertown Street in Newton on Thursday, July 10, from 4-8 pm and again Friday, July 11, at 9:15 am before proceeding to Our Lady's Church (573 Washington St., Newton) for a 10:30 am Funeral Mass. Burial to follow at Newton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club (newtonbgc.com/donate) or the St. Mary of Carmen Society (stmaryofcarmen.org/donate).

 

  

© 2018 by Andrew J. Magni & Son Funeral Home

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