October 16, 1926 ~ July 6, 2025
Mike Langone was born on October 16, 1926, to James Langone and Florence LaFratta in Medford, Massachusetts, the third of four children. In 1931, the family moved to East Boston, where he spent his childhood years.
In 1943, at the age of 17, he joined the US Navy, where he served on the USS Tinsman, DE589. His ship was deployed throughout the South Pacific during World War II and was instrumental in the liberation of the Philippines in October 1944. For his service, he received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
In 1952, he married Alice Libertini of Medford, MA, and the couple settled in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. In 1953, he took a job as an apprentice bookbinder at the Boston Public Library, where he worked for 38 years until his retirement in 1991.
Mike continued his love for the US Navy by being an active member of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association. He helped organize many ship crew reunions and national conventions. Through that group, Mike and Alice traveled extensively, attending the events where they made many new friends and visited historic sites throughout the United States.
In 2005, after 37 years in Reading, MA, he and Alice moved to Salem, NH where he spent his latter retirement years. Mike and Alice enjoyed their time with neighbors, family and friends. He was known for his good nature and friendliness. He enjoyed chats with his neighbors who would come by and visit with him during his regular cigar and Sinatra breaks on his front steps.
Mike passed away on July 6, 2025, at Greystone Farm in Salem, NH. He is survived by his loving wife, Alice; his brother, James; his children, Karen, Michael, and Robert, and their spouses; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Navy Mike will be remembered as a loving father and friendly neighbor. He will be missed by family, friends and community.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Church, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH. A light lunch will follow the Memorial Mass on Thursday at The Tuscan Kitchen, 19 Via Toscana, Salem, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Base, a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for veterans of all eras at homebase.org. Arrangements are by the Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral Home 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. To leave an online condolence, please visit Mike’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.
