Obituary for Tufanio "Tuffy" Marsalisi
Tufanio Joseph Marsalisi of Willimantic, CT, husband of the late Juliana Marsalisi and father of the late Tufanio R. Marsalisi, passed on July 15, 2018. He was 91.
“Tuffy”, as he was known to all, was the devoted son of Luciano and Margaret Marsalisi, originally of Palermo Italy, who made their home in Willimantic, CT in 1915. One of five children, the “work hard and use your head” ethic was instilled in him. A WWII vet, Tuffy served as an MP. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife Juliana. Soon after his return to the U.S. he found work as a truck driver, making deliveries for Ives Ice & Oil Company. He was one of the original “ice-men”. (Not the Sicilian definition.)
A mail carrier for the USPS, he walked his route for 35 years. Through sun, rain and snow, he was the “whistling mailman” with a “how are you today” for everyone.
Conscious of his community and never one to straddle the fence, he always made his views known to those around him. Tough on the outside but warm at heart. Old school and one of a kind.
Later in life he found he had a knack for cooking and baking and enjoyed sharing his creations with family and neighbors, using a few of us as taste testers.
He leaves behind his brother and best friend Joseph and Joseph’s wife Sheila; his beloved nephews and theirs wives, Anthony & Lucinda; Michael & Barbara, Jeffrey and Amy of CT; his daughter Marie of CO.; his grand nephews and nieces (or adopted grandchildren), Ryan, Kyle, Joseph, Callie, Jack, Abbey and Jake of CT; Susan and Paul Churchill and their children David and Erin to whom he felt as a grandfather. He also leaves behind a sister, Lucia Marsalisi of Willimantic.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and aides that watched over him and provided compassion and care.
The family would like to give special thanks to Mark Fisherkeller for being his friend and doctor for many years. We know he cared for you like a son just as Juliana did.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, August 4th at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Club Road, Windham, CT.
In his memory we request donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are being handled through Bacon Funeral Home. www.baconfh.com
Read More
“Tuffy”, as he was known to all, was the devoted son of Luciano and Margaret Marsalisi, originally of Palermo Italy, who made their home in Willimantic, CT in 1915. One of five children, the “work hard and use your head” ethic was instilled in him. A WWII vet, Tuffy served as an MP. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife Juliana. Soon after his return to the U.S. he found work as a truck driver, making deliveries for Ives Ice & Oil Company. He was one of the original “ice-men”. (Not the Sicilian definition.)
A mail carrier for the USPS, he walked his route for 35 years. Through sun, rain and snow, he was the “whistling mailman” with a “how are you today” for everyone.
Conscious of his community and never one to straddle the fence, he always made his views known to those around him. Tough on the outside but warm at heart. Old school and one of a kind.
Later in life he found he had a knack for cooking and baking and enjoyed sharing his creations with family and neighbors, using a few of us as taste testers.
He leaves behind his brother and best friend Joseph and Joseph’s wife Sheila; his beloved nephews and theirs wives, Anthony & Lucinda; Michael & Barbara, Jeffrey and Amy of CT; his daughter Marie of CO.; his grand nephews and nieces (or adopted grandchildren), Ryan, Kyle, Joseph, Callie, Jack, Abbey and Jake of CT; Susan and Paul Churchill and their children David and Erin to whom he felt as a grandfather. He also leaves behind a sister, Lucia Marsalisi of Willimantic.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and aides that watched over him and provided compassion and care.
The family would like to give special thanks to Mark Fisherkeller for being his friend and doctor for many years. We know he cared for you like a son just as Juliana did.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, August 4th at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Club Road, Windham, CT.
In his memory we request donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are being handled through Bacon Funeral Home. www.baconfh.com
To plant a tree in memory of Tufanio "Tuffy" Marsalisi, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...