Joseph Taibi, at 74; Revere florist helped teach craft to others
Joseph A. Taibi began working with a flower wholesaler at age 17, "probably just to get a job," said his wife of 50 years, Loretta (Lupi). But the flower business became a lifelong passion.
A year later, he opened the first of many floral shops, Taibi the Florist, in Medford. He went on to own as many as seven shops at one time, according to his wife, and serve as chairman of the American Society of Florists and a member of the
"For him it [working with flowers] was almost spiritual," Loretta Taibi said.
Mr. Taibi, a resident of Revere, died Wednesday at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 74.
Born and raised in Medford, Mr. Taibi graduated from Medford High School in 1949. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he returned home and opened more shops.
At the time of his death, he owned and operated Joseph Taibi Flowers and Traynor Flowers in Boston, and the Floral Studio and Tiernan the Florist in Revere. According to his wife, Mr. Taibi enjoyed owning a lot of shops since it "brought him in touch with many people."
"He was a remarkable man," said longtime friend and fellow florist, Joe Muzzy, owner of Muzzy's Day Square Florist in East Boston. "When we were young we used to compare arrangements."
"Working in the flower business takes dedication beyond words and he loved it," said Muzzy. "He was very skilled in field work, weddings -- he did it all."
In addition to his role with national florist organizations, Mr. Taibi also founded the Allied Florists Association of Eastern Massachusetts.
"He wanted to better the industry, " said his wife.
He also taught floral design at the Boston Center for Adult Education from 1964 to 1979.
"He just enjoyed teaching people, and showing them how to do things with the flowers. He was creative and a people person. He enjoyed sharing the knowledge that he had," said his wife.
Mr. Taibi was active in Revere, where he lived for more than 45 years. He was president of the Revere Rotary Club from 1969 to 1976 and coached Little League.
A member of the Boston Musicians Association, Mr. Taibi played bass guitar across New England with his trio, The Jaytones. When he served in Korea, he helped form the 121 EVAC band and performed for soldiers, said his wife.
Joseph Cody of Montgomery Rose Inc., a vendor in the Boston Flower Exchange, said Mr. Taibi was a skilled florist who never lost his passion for his craft.
"He was one of the best. Up until the day he went into the hospital, he was picking up flowers and doing funeral arrangements," said Cody.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Taibi leaves a daughter, Christina O'Neill, of Winthrop, and a son, Gaetano, of Sacramento.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in St. Anthony's Church in Revere.
