Gerardo A. “Jerry” Rossetti passed away at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington on April 28th. He was 78. Born and raised in Bonito, Avellino, Italy, he was the son of the late Vincenzo and Annunziata (D'Ambrosio) Rossetti. Jerry came to the United States in 1963 and lived in Medford before settling in Stoneham. He worked at Schrafft's Candies before going to work at Fleet Fruit for many years. He and his brother eventually bought the company which they both operated before retiring and turning the firm over to their sons. The Rossetti family grew their company into one of New England’s largest distributors of produce to the restaurant industry and commercial vendors. Possessed of a strong work ethic, Jerry was also devoted to his family and loved to spend time with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed keeping busy with projects around the house and making his family and friends feel welcome. He and Teresa, his wife of 50 years, enjoyed spending time at their winter home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The beloved husband of Teresa (Milone) Rossetti, Jerry was a loving and devoted father to Linda Mello and her fiancée John Layton of Stoneham, Vincenzo Rossetti of Stoneham, John Rossetti and his wife Melissa of Melrose, Anthony Rossetti and his wife Danielle “Diana” of Saugus. He was a devoted grandfather to Niko and Matteo Mello, Isabella Puglia-Rossetti, Mia and Luca Rossetti, and Bradley Petelle. He was also a devoted grandfather to fur babies: Kimba, Zeta and Tyler. He was a dear brother to Michelina of Waltham, Mario of Venezuela, the late Leonardo, Antonietta, Pasqualina, Angelina, Giosue and Emilia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Services for Gerardo will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Jerry’s memory by making a contribution in his name to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.