Lee Thomas Bongiolatti

Lee Thomas Bongiolatti, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather died on November 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Adams, Massachusetts on January 15th, 1947, Lee was also raised there, like his mother and father before him. He loved growing up in the Berkshires, often talking about the beauty of Mt. Greylock throughout the seasons. Lee spent summers in his youth working alongside his father who was the foreman at the quarry, the same quarry his father before him became foreman at after arriving in America from Italy in 1904. Lee earned a B.S. in marketing from Western New England College and later, continued his education with programs at Columbia University Graduate School of Business and the INSEAD Business school in France.

In 1970, Lee met Catherine through his best friend Bruce who was dating her sister Michaele at the time. Later, the four of them had a double wedding and have spent the last two decades living within minutes of each on Cape Cod. Despite living in a divided Red Sox v. Yankees household, Lee and Catherine were married 53 Years.

Lee was a salesman through and through - as the tale does tell, if he got you on the phone, he made the sale. Lee was often sent as a manager to underperforming regions where he would turn them around for companies like Matthew Bender and The Thompson Corporation. When he wasn’t working, he was spending time with his five children, passing on his passion for sports, history, classic rock, and his grandmother’s famous Christmas bread recipe - an arduous process that he passed down to his son, Jim who will one day pass it down to his sons. He loved to watch his children, and later his grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him a B Pa, play all the same sports he loved. Most importantly, Lee passed on his dedication to integrity, family, and the idea of striving, everyday, no matter how hard, to do the right thing.

Lee is survived by his loving wife Catherine, sister Ann Lamb and her husband Tom, children James Bongiolatti and his wife Susan; Daniel Bongiolatti and his wife Bonnie; Kate Gallagher and her husband Kane; Courtney Bongiolatti and her wife Lauren Golfer; along with ten grandchildren; Samantha, Thomas, Jameson, Santo, Powers, Rowan, Evelyn, Kane Junior, Flynt, and Josephine. To them, Lee will always be the man in the arena.

As for Nicole, who we lost in 2020, she will be waiting to welcome him, ready to roll her eyes at his jokes once again.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rally Cap Sports at

https://rallycapsports.networkforgood.com/projects/40793-annual-fund