Alfred “Freddie” Paul Rossetti, Jr., 92, of Medway, died April 11, 2016 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Grace Ferrucci Rossetti with whom he would have celebrated 61 years of marriage on April 16th.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Wills, her husband Randal, and Paula Boyd and her husband Robert. He is survived by his grandchildren Erica Rimmer and her husband Martin, Sarah Wills, Samantha Wills, Jason Wills, Christopher Boyd, and Mackenzie Boyd. He was the brother of Marie Bassignani, the late Robert and Matilda (Tillie) Rossetti, and is survived by many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Freddie was born in Medway, and the son of Alfred Rossetti and Lena Bergamini Rossetti. He was a lifelong resident of Medway, attended Medway schools, and graduated class of 1941. He was an outstanding Medway High School athlete, playing baseball and football. After graduation he served with the United States Coast Guard during World War II from 1942-1946. He was assigned to the USS Kirkpatrick, a destroyer escort in the Pacific and European waters. After discharge, Freddie played minor league baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics in Florida and Georgia.
He returned to Medway, the town he loved, and was a little league baseball coach for many years. He and his wife Grace owned and operated the Brookside Lunch on Main Street from 1957-1960. The restaurant then relocated to the corner of Main and Holliston Street, renamed as Rossetti’s Restaurant. He was very well known for his Italian cooking which he learned from his loving mother Lena. His restaurant was the favorite meeting place for teenagers and adults of that time. Medway residents will never forget the most popular menu item, the “Brookside”, along with Friday night $1 pizzas, which he served for almost 20 years. He retired from Rossetti’s in 1976, and became the steward at the Medway VFW until his retirement in 1995, where he was well known for his catering. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He will be most remembered for his generous spirit, infectious smile, and delicious food.
Freddie was honored several times for his generosity and contributions to the community, and was named “Man of the Year” by Medway Business Council in 1983. Freddie and Grace were honored as the grand marshals of the 2011 Christmas Parade, and more recently, special guests to the town’s 300th anniversary celebration. He was very proud to be a lifelong Medway resident.
Freddie’s life revolved around his large loving family and dedicated friends. He most enjoyed spending time with his family, attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, going to the casino, the racetrack, and enjoying the beach with his wife. He especially looked forward to his Friday morning coffee at McDonalds with his lifelong friends Ronald Wasnewski and John Wooster. His humility was exemplary throughout his life.
There will be no calling hours. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a mass celebrating his life at St. Joseph’s Church, 151 Village Street, Medway, on Saturday, April 23rd, at 10:00 am. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Medway Friends of Elders, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice. His family would like to thank his exceptional caregivers at Metro West Home Care and Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, Medway. (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com