Restani's Lasting Legacy On Lynnfield

A couple of town officials discussed the life of longtime educator, World War II veteran and former Lynnfield Veterans Agent Neil Restani this week in a Boston Globe article. Mr. Restani died June 8, 2012 at the age of 90.

Assistant Town Clerk Diane Hammerbeck was quoted by the Globe as saying that “He was a very thoughtful person who really went out of his way to help the veterans,” while Police Chief David Breen was quoted as describing Mr. Restani as a “very compassionate man” who would always make sure that returning veterans got their rightful benefits.

On June 11, 2012, Chief Breen also posted the following statement on Lynnfield Patch in the announcements section about Mr. Restani’s passing:

“I was sad to hear the news of the passing of Neil Restani. He was a wonderful man who worked tirelessly as the Veterans Agent here in Lynnfield. I recall how he and Tony Grasso invited my father to sit with them during the Memorial Day service on the Commons a few years ago. A kind gesture to a fellow World War Two veteran that didn't go unnoticed. My condolences go out to the entire Restani family. He certainly deserves to be what Tom Brokaw called a member of the "greatest generation any society has ever produced". God bless you Neil.”

Mr. Restani’s obituary on Legacy.com states that he lived in Lynnfield for 48 years, was a member of the Historical Society, a former Little League coach, and an American Legion member who spent 20 years as town veterans agent. Along with teaching high school English, he was a school principal in Billerica for many years.

The obituary goes on to report that he enlisted in the Navy soon after the Pearl Harbor attack and was a decorated veteran of five major naval battles in the Pacific. His wife, Connie also taught in Lynnfield public schools and retired in 1996.

“He was a fine member of our Greatest Generation who returned to civilian life to dedicate his career to the education of our youth,” states the obituary. He was buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Lynnfield.

Here is a link to Mr. Restani’s full obituary on Legacy.com.