1954 - 2016
Visitation
December 30, 20165:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
December 30, 20166:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Gary(Boo Boo) Giuffrida, 62, a life long resident of Lowell, MA passed peacefully Christmas morning. While he fought a very short battle with cancer, he fought a lifelong battle with addiction.
Born in Lowell, he was the youngest of seven children of the late Dominico and Virginia Giuffrida.
He worked as a hot topper for most of his life for various paving companies in and around Lowell, where his favorite job was driving the trucks.
Boo Boo was one of the subjects of the HBO Documentary “High On Crack Street, Lost Lives in Lowell”. It chronicled his life long battle with addiction.
Most importantly though, he lived for his family and friends whom he would do anything for if given the chance. He was a die hard New England sports fan, and those that knew him best know he was most comfortable around the boxing ring.
Boo Boo is survived by Gail Rawnsley- formerly of Dracut, Donald Giuffrida of Lowell, MA, Grace Herbert and her Husband Wayne of Gilford, NH, and Philip Giuffrida and his wife Jodie of Lowell, MA. He was the Uncle to many nieces and nephews but had a very special bond with Susan Rawnsley, Nicholas Giuffrida and Jessie Giuffrida. He also leaves behind many special Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and very close friends.
He was the brother of the late Joseph Giuffrida and Kathryn Neels.
Visitation will be Fri. 5 to 6 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 6 p.m. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, MA. The family in lieu of flowers request that donations be made to his funeral fund via https://www.gofundme.com/booboo-gary-giuffrida-funeral or in his memory to The Megan House Foundation which is a 501 (c) (3) public charity out of Lowell Ph: 978-606-9955 Email: Info@TheMeganHouse.org. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Susan Rawnsley
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Love you and miss you Uncle Boo. May you rest in peace with Uncle Joe, Auntie Kathy, Nana and Grampa! Muah! xoxo
Lorna Gregoire (Hamel)
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God’s Peace at last. Rest in the arms of the angels old friend.
Karen Morgan
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I will never forget that laugh and most of all your smile (grin). Lowell will not be the same without the legend Boo-Boo.You rest in pease old friend.
Gary David
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My first memories of Bobo was him taking the baseball bat out of my hands at Calery park and having who ever was on the mound pitch to him until he had enough. He gave the bat back to me and smiled. He wasn’t mean about it but I new enough not to say no. RIP Bobo
Janet
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Mrs.Happy Hooker Herself – Boo Boo
Ray Tabano
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I thought you married Michael.
Butchie E
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4 brothers and sisters and together they couldn’t pay for their own brother’s funeral? Instead they turned to the public for a handout.
Celest N
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Butchie E and Janet, God is watching you. Stop judging this man/his family after his passing, judgment has been passed on him as YOU are still being judged here. Condolences for the loss of an uncle, brother, and friend.
Shamar Ramgad
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REST EASY BOOBOO. The documentary you were in changed my life when I saw it years ago. Addiction takes good people down, and I could tell you were a good guy who was just struggling, trying to do better. Now you are at peace. My heart goes out to your friends and family. I could see you were well loved. Addiction effects everyone all across the board, and I could see your family was hurting too. Rest In Peace honey… And to any disrespectful commenters, count your blessings and keep it humble. This was a real person with a real family and they don’t deserve to be harassed here. Move along. Peace and Love.
Shay Morrison
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Rest easy boo boo I understand everything you when through
Jordan
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God bless you, Boo!
Kate Beckinsailing
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Always wanted to track down Boo to watch him do Brenda a big one. The guy had class.
Ian Griffiths
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God bless Boo Boo you put up a great fight.
Ray
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RIP BOO BOO! You will never be forgotten by the millions who you taught about the dangers of drug use. You helped me stay clean.
Ian
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GET THE PIPES OUT
RIP BUDDY
Christopher smila
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Rest in piece Rudeboy.
i just saw the documentary myself tonight and feel as somebody battling the same addiction you fought, you are of great inspiration to me in my battle to kick the habit. I know how hard it is!
Show the light to us all matey.
R.I.P
Smila (uk)
Brooke
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I will always remember the documentary on you I watched over and over. It was obvious you were such a sweet soul. May you Rest In Peace.
Ray Tabano
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“You show me your title,boy!” Last survivor, indeed. If they have crack in Heaven, find a meeting.
Syllie
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“WELL OPEN UP AND GET TO KNOW ME”
the spirit of boo boo lives on
Frank
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I did not know Gary personally, however I witnessed his battle with the disease of addiction, in the infamous HBO documentary he featured in during the early 90s, of which he was the most memorable character. It was abvious that “Boo Boo” had deamons and past trauma that he was trying to supress via his addiction. The documentary also showed his everyday battle to feed his addiction, and the multiple afflictions, issues, sorrow and hardships that he encountered relating to his substance misuse. Despite all this, it was clear that Gary had a good soul, and was a man with Morales who seemed to constantly be trying to better himself and cure his disease of addiction.
The documentary he featured in probably saved my life, and I’m sure it saved and touched many other people too. It’s just a shame that in the 25 years since, drug addiction is still deemed as a criminal offence rather than a medical issue. Boo Boo and the rest of the cast from that documentary showed the sometimes hopeless grip of addiction and the depths and lows in which you can sink too. And id like to thank Boo Boo for sharing and displaying probably this lowest point of his life for all to see, in order to bring awareness to the disease of addiction.
Thanks Gary “Boo Boo”, gone but not forgotten, rest in peace. You were instrumental in my own personal recovery from drug addiction, and I commend and thank you for that sir.
Pie
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I didn’t know Boo personally, but watched him on the documentary. Hopefully he was able to find peace in his later years, and may he rest in peace.