Born and Brought Up in the North End

If you’ve been to the neighborhood even for a cup of coffee in one of the local shops, you surely know Johnny Cammarata.

“I was born on the kitchen table in the North End,” Johnny said. “I told my kids if I die today, put me in the kitchen because I want life to end there because that’s where it began.”

Johnny has lived his entire life in this community.

“I went to grammar school and high school here and then entered the army in 1956,” he said. “I was discharged in 1959. When the Korean War ended, the Vietnam War started and I was in Germany serving with the Big 1.”

Currently, Johnny and his wife, Sandra – also a life-long resident of the North End – live on Charter Street. They have a son, two daughters and four grandchildren.

After serving in Germany, Johnny came home and took up barbering. He graduated from the New England Barber College and, at the same time, married Sandra.

“For the first 10 years, I worked in South Boston barber shops,” Johnny said. “Then I came to the North End and opened Johnny’s Barber Shop. “

Now, Johnny is retired.

“After 54 years of working with Gino (Colafella) I retired at 74 years old in November 2012,” he said.

“I now want to spend my time traveling and enjoying life with my wife, son, two daughters and four grandchildren.”

When Johnny thinks about his life so far, he points to ways he has helped others as highlights.

“My biggest achievement in the community was erecting a plaque on the wall of the Paul Revere Mall for all the North End veteran who gave their life in combat during the wars: WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam,” he said.

“Another achievement that I participated in was with other people who helped put together the North End Health Center on Hanover Street.”

Johnny was also a member of many community organizations.

“The organizations and committees are what make the North End what it is today,” he said.

Johnny admits there is so much to say about his life so far in the North End that it would take days to describe.

But he has an axiom that tells what it truly important.

“The North End people have a statement: Once a North Ender, always a North Ender no matter where you go in the world.”

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