Stanley Joseph Massarelli

Stanley Joseph “Stutz” Massarelli, age 77, of New Philadelphia, died Sunday evening, September 3, 2006, in Mercy Medical Center at Canton, following a brief illness. Born at Dover, March 19, 1929, he was a son of the late Stanislao “Sam” and Angelina Spera Massarelli. Stanley attended New Philadelphia High School before he entered the United States Navy in 1946 and served as a gunners mate, 3rd class until his discharge from active duty in 1950. He remained a member of the United States Naval Reserves until 1954. Once home, he married the former Ruby Marchione on June 16, 1951 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church at Roswell. The couple have resided in New Philadelphia and earlier this summer, celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary. Well-known throughout the area, Stan was retired from a twenty-seven year career with the former Empire-Detroit Steel, and a fourteen year career with the former W.A. Shanabrook & Sons Plumbing Company. Stan was an active member and volunteer at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center and at Sacred Heart Church Â? where he was always known to lend a hand for church and school fundraisers, at funeral meals, and fish dinners. He was an ardent supporter of Sacred Heart School and the Central Catholic Saints Â? but never forgot his New Phila Quaker roots. But no team, or school was held with greater regard than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of South Bend, Indiana!Stan was always proud of his family and his Italian heritage. For forty-six consecutive years, Stan helped organize the Massarelli family reunions, held at Tuscora Park in recent years to accommodate the usual attendance of more than one hundred relatives. Within his extended family, Stan was known as the “go to” guy for advice, help and direction. A fixture on the square at Downtown Dover, Stan enjoyed fellowship with friends and passersby from his bench. Mr. Massarelli’s memberships included the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Senior Citizens, B.P.O. Elks # 510 at New Philadelphia, the Retired Steelworkers of America, the Couples Card Club, and the Friday morning breakfast group which he and Ruby enjoyed together following morning mass.Stan was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who leaves behind his family that includes his son Gregory and wife Susan Massarelli of Bexley, Ohio, daughters Cynthia and husband Charlie Jones of New Philadelphia, and Sally and husband David Fadorsen of Dover. A sister, Lucille and husband Lee Engmark of McHenry, Illinois; five grandchildren, Blake Jones, Angelina and Salvatore Fadorsen, Mary Massarelli and Kym and her husband Brian Jordan. A great-grandson, Brody Jordan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends complete the family. In addition to his parents, his two sisters, Virginia Stuver and Connie Fisher and five brothers, Victor, Carl, Nick, Al, and Dominick Massarelli precede Stan in death. Friends are invited to call Thursday, September 7 from 2PM-4PM and from 6PM-8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Christian wake services will commence at 8PM. Monsignor George J. Schlegel will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial Friday morning at 10:30AM in Sacred Heart Church at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia where members of VFW Post 1445 will render military honors. Following the committal service, a reception for family and friends will follow in St. Ambrose Hall, adjacent to the church.The family requests memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart Church 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, Scared Heart School, 320 Fair Avenue NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School, 777 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia OH 44663.