Edward J. Belforti, 89, of Framingham, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was a lifelong resident of Framingham and the son of James and Olga Belforti of Villafranca, Italy in Toscana. Edward grew up in the "Tripoli" and "Coburnville" Italian neighborhoods of Framingham. He was a member of St. Tarcisius Church, attended Roosevelt Elementary School, played the drums for the Italian Veterans Band and went on to graduate from Framingham High School in 1944 where he excelled in a lifelong passion, the sport of football. He served honorably in the Navy as a radioman during World War II. Post war he attended Northeastern University where he played football as a Husky and served as president of his fraternity, Gamma Phi Kappa. Edward enjoyed music immensely and played the drums in small band that entertained for many events in the community. He was married for 65 years to the love of his life, Lillian (Egizi) Belforti, whom he knew since childhood. Mr. Belforti was a Framingham school teacher for many years, served as president of the Framingham Teachers Association, president of the Framingham Democratic Town Committee as well as a football coach for Framingham High School. He was a member and former president of the Christopher Columbus Society ("the Club"), where he spent countless hours playing pitch, bocce and poker. Edward was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan and enjoyed horse races and numerous Foxwoods trips with his wife Lillian. He is survived by four children, Robert Belforti and his wife Carol of Watertown, Connecticut, Cynthia Laurora and her husband Massimo of Framingham, James Belforti and his wife Patricia of Medway and Susan Bennett and her husband William of Framingham. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Robert and his wife Raquel, Ann, James, Caitlin, Gianfranco, Mario, Christina, Justin and Mia and three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, Attorney Ernest Belforti and his wife Janis and brother-in-law Gene Egizi. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Carlyle House in Framingham for the wonderful care he received. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 22 from 5 - 7 pm at the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main Street, Ashland. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 am at St. Tarcisius Church, 562 Waverly Street, Framingham. Burial will follow at St. Tarcisius Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Tarcisius Parish.