Vietnam Vet. Firefighter. Family man. Dot legend.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with Charlie Santangelo, you probably walked away with a great story—and maybe sore sides from laughing. A retired Boston firefighter and Dorchester native, Charlie’s got the kind of magnetic personality that fills a room. This year, he’s adding a new title to his resume: Grand Marshal of the 2025 Dorchester Day Parade.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime,” says Santangelo, sitting at the Twelve Bens Tavern in Fields Corner. “I’m proud to march down Dot Ave in memory of those who died in Vietnam from Dorchester. I’m representing them and gold star families, too.”
Charlie’s Dorchester roots run deep. At the age of 18, while a senior at Boston Technical High School, he enlisted in the Marines, along with two friends from the neighborhood, and served a tour in Vietnam. “I signed up for two years, went to boot camp, and then went to Vietnam. I went with my friends Stevie Finn and Billy Norton. We hung around together in the neighborhood and went to boot camp together.”
“After boot camp, I was dropped off in Danang and didn’t know where we were going. I actually ran into someone from Dorchester. Edde Coleman, if you can believe that,” added Santangelo.
This year’s parade holds special meaning. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, Santangelo will lead the parade alongside honorary marshal Tan Nhu Pham, a former South Vietnamese police lieutenant who survived seven years in a Việt Cộng re-education camp. The pairing is a powerful reminder of shared sacrifice and community resilience.
The idea came from Dorchester Day Parade committee chair Brianne Gore, who had been looking for a meaningful way to represent Dorchester’s vibrant Vietnamese community better. Bringing these two veterans together—one American, one Vietnamese—at the front of the parade felt like the perfect tribute.
The two men gathered with fellow veterans on Memorial Day at the Dorchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial that honors the 80 Dorchester residents who lost their lives in the war.
Charlie, now 73, spent his career at the iconic “Broadway” firehouse in the South End. It was two of his old firefighting buddies, Eddie Kelly and Bubba Martin, who made the call to ask if he’d accept the role of Grand Marshal on behalf of the parade committee.
“I got a call from Edzo and Bubba. I took three days to think about it. And then I said yes.”
Kelly, a Dorchester native and former Grand Marshal himself (2018), didn’t hesitate: “In my eyes, there’s no better choice than Charlie. He’s the quintessential Dot Rat. Born and raised in Dorchester, joined the Marines right outta high school when the country called. He married his high school sweetheart, raised five kids right here in the neighborhood and served the city as a Boston firefighter. You can’t get much better than that,” said Kelly.
In recent years, Charlie’s been battling Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, a rare and progressive condition that weakens the muscles. While he now uses a wheelchair to get around, it’s not stopping him from leading the parade. “I’ll be there, rolling down Dot Ave with a big smile,” he says. “I’m looking forward to going past the Peabody Square firehouse, then the 12 Bens, then through Fields Corner, Little Saigon.”
The parade is a deeply personal tradition for Charlie. He and his late wife, Betty, who passed away in 2023, after more than 50 years of marriage, used to bring their five kids to watch every year. Now, with 11 grandkids, it’s still a family affair.
“Betty would get all the girls all dressed up and ready to go. We never missed it,” he recalls. “It’s just what you do when you live in the neighborhood. It’s a great parade.” His family will be along the route this year, cheering him on.
And when the last float passes and the crowds start to disperse? You’ll find Charlie back at the Twelve Bens, surrounded by family, friends, and plenty of love from the community.
So on Sunday, June 1st, as the parade makes its way down Dorchester Avenue, be sure to give a big wave (and maybe a cheer or two) for Charlie Santangelo—a true Dorchester original, war hero, proud firefighter, father, and grandfather.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Thank you for such a nice story of my brother! He is simply the best and so proud to be his sister! You captured him to a tee!!