Published in the October 26, 2018 edition
MELROSE — Luigi Zeraschi, 88, of Melrose, passed away at his home on October 20, 2018.
Born in Bardi, Italy and raised on a farm in the northern mountains. Luigi served in the Italian military and was an altar boy until the age of 18. Separated only by a church, he married the girl next door, Rita Sidoli, from the little village of Rugarlo on July 6, 1957.
Luigi arrived in America in May of 1958, settled in the North End, and began work as a bricklayer for Grignaffini Construction in Wellesley. From there, Luigi would go on to start his own commercial masonry contracting business in 1962, under the name Zeraschi and Sons, Inc.. He completed projects such as the Chelsea Trial Court, Chelsea High School, Lincoln Elementary School, and numerous other projects throughout New England.
For a better family life, Luigi and Rita moved to Melrose in 1969 to raise their six children. Luigi made his passion for wine-making known to everyone he came in contact with. He was extremely proud of his many first place awards for homemade wine at the Appian Club in Stoneham, of which he was an involved member. Luigi enjoyed playing Bocce, cards, hunting, walks in the woods, and taking trips to the casinos. He looked forward to traveling to Italy each year to visit his family and friends. Most of all, Luigi loved his family, adored his grandchildren, and when everyone was together enjoying his wife’s homemade Italian food with his first place wine. Luigi was loved by his family and friends and spent his last days with them gathered by his side.
Luigi was the beloved husband of 61 years to Rita (Sidoli) Zeraschi. Loving father of Silvana Zeraschi of Wakefield, Joanne Chaves and her husband Robert of Lakeville, Sandra Zeraschi of Melrose, Robert Zeraschi and his wife Ingrid of Lynnfield, Lisa Buonopane and her husband John of Melrose and Sonia Chiarella and her husband Richard of Lynnfield. Proud grandfather of Alex, Erica, Cameron, Arsenio, Eric, Michael, Marcus, Adam, Benjamin, Zachary and Olivia. Cherished great grandfather of Aiden. Caring brother of Angelina & Guiseppe and the late Louisa, Maria, Teresa, Giovanni & Stefano. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 West Foster St. Melrose, on Friday, October 26 from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral procession from Gately Funeral Home on Saturday, October 27 at 8:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, 9 Herbert St. Melrose at 10 a.m. Entombment at the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Everett. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Luigi’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org/give. To send a mesage of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com
