Luigi Giannasca, age 78, passed into eternal rest on November 14th. Luigi was born in Mirabella Eclano, province of Avellino, Italy on February 14th, 1935 to Luiga (D'Ambrosio) and Romolo Antonio Giannasca.
He was the devoted husband of 57 years to Rosa (Buonopane) Giannasca and is the loving father of Tony Giannasca and his wife Jeanne of Dracut, Teresa Scioletti and her husband Paul of Melrose, Luigi Giannasca Jr. of Arlington and his fiancé Nancy O'Neil and Rosemarie Neal and her husband Brian of Center Township, PA. He was the loving and doting grandfather of Anthony, Sara, Rose, Matthew, Gianna, Olivia, Tyler and Ashley. He is also survived by his sister Filomena Melchiondo of Italy and brother, Pietro Giannasca of Switzerland. He is predeceased by his brothers, Matteo and Nicole Giannasca.
Luigi came to the United States in 1961 after first spending five years working in Australia as a cement mason. Within 3 weeks of arriving in the states and settling in the North End of Boston, Rosa gave birth to twins Teresa and Tony. Luigi Jr. was born in 1964 and after the family moved to Medford in 1966, Rosemarie arrived in 1970. Luigi was a member of the Cement Masons local 534 continuing his work in construction.
Luigi and Rosa were avid gardeners who turned their lot of land in Medford into amazing fertile grounds that produced an abundance of fruits and vegetables that they happily and generously shared with friends and family. They grew pears, cherries, peaches, figs, plums, raspberries and blackberries, tomatoes, cucumbers and all varieties of lettuce and herbs and much more. They even were able to produce lemons from which they made their own limoncello which was a staple at family gatherings and celebrations.
Always firm in the belief that good food and good wine were an essential source of nourishment to the mind body and soul; they took their harvest and turned the year into four seasons of food celebrations. Spring was the time of preparing and fertilizing the soil, summer growing their fruits and vegetables, fall harvesting and making wine which was a passion he instilled into his sons and grandchildren and the winter was spent enjoying the fruits of their labor and eating well. He loved being in nature and had his favorite spots in the woods to hunt wild mushrooms which his beloved and culinary gifted Rosa would use in amazing ways in meal preparation. He chopped his own wood and kept the wood stove constantly burning in their home. The wood stove was a favorite gathering place for family and friends to share stories and reminisce. Luigi and Rosa also owned property in Italy which they were blessed to visit numerous times, often spending three or more months at a time. On his land he owned olive trees that still produce a wonderfully robust olive oil.
Funeral services for Luigi will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD, Tuesday, at 8 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held on Monday from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum.