Michael Joseph Abbruzzese

Michael Joseph Abbruzzese died peacefully at his beloved home on Oct. 6, 2023, leaving a legacy of enthusiasm for life and love for family. Born in Hartford, Conn., to John and Sarah Abbruzzese, Mike was the middle of three sons and raised with brothers Jack and Tony in an immigrant Italian household. He became a standout student at Hartford Public High School, where he was a star athlete on the football, baseball, and track teams. He captained the 1951 team to State, District and Triangular League championships and was inducted into the Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. 

Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Boston University, where he played football all four years as an All-American, made the dean’s list and earned the honor of Outstanding Senior ROTC graduate. But by far his most lasting achievement at Boston University was meeting his future wife, Anna (née Simeone). The two married in 1956, shortly before Mike became an officer in the U.S. Army.

His military service took him to Korea, where he proudly served his country as a general’s aide in the aftermath of the Korean War. When he returned to the U.S., he and Anna built a life together in Cohasset, Mass., her hometown and a place that would grow to become his as well. There, Mike developed a strong reputation as an entrepreneurial business leader, founding Target Industries in downtown Cohasset with his friend Roger Porter. The two created a successful enterprise that supplied optical products throughout New England, creating numerous jobs for Cohasset residents and eventually merging with brands like ABB Optical, Maui Jim and RLI Vision.

Beyond his outstanding career, Mike lived his life according to the aphorism he often shared with his grandchildren: find someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. For him, that was Anna and his large family — and, like any good Italian, food. Pizza parties accompanied by ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and John Philip Sousa marches became regular fixtures for friends and family at the houses on Old Pasture Road and Border Street. Trips to Italy, ranging from Positano and Gaeta to Florence and Fiesole, often started with planning what the travelers would eat and ended with a grand recounting of the delicious foods they enjoyed.

His generosity was legendary, his facial expressions were inimitable, and his handshake and biceps were always strong. At the end of the day, he never hesitated to tell his family and friends he loved them. He is survived by Anna, his wife of 67 years; his five children and their spouses — Michele Hubley, Chris and Kate Abbruzzese, Sarah Murphy, Annie Abbruzzese, and Mike Abbruzzese and Nancy Arena; his eight grandchildren and their spouses; and his nine great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St., Cohasset, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 4-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s of Padua Church, Cohasset on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Charitable Fund or the New England Center and Home for Homeless Veterans.

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