In Memory of our Beloved Brother
Larry Masi
Born - 19 Jul 1923 Called Home - 17 Mar 2022
Larry became a Knight of Columbus on 23 Mar 2013. He holds the distinction of being our oldest knight.
But his advanced age did not keep him from being an active member of our council.
Lorenzo Vincenzo Masi ("Larry" to all who knew and loved him) passed away peacefully on March 17, 2022. He was 98 years old. Larry was born to Guglielmo and Palma (Sandotonado) Masi on July 18, 1923, in the small town of Ceccano, Italy. He was the fourth of five children and the only son. While Larry was still a baby, his father came to the United States in search of a better life for his family. It wasn't until he was 12 that Larry and his mother joined Guglielmo in Detroit, MI.
Larry attended Detroit schools, but decided to join the workforce in 1939 at age 16. Two years later, Larry met Elvira Loffredi and the two began a five-year courtship. They were married on June 29, 1946. Nine years later, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Gail Colomba. During World War II, Larry worked for the packard Motor Co. and continued to work in the auto industry following the war. In 1957, Larry moved his family, along with Elvira's parents, to Tucson. They opened the Stone Avenue Market where they made numerous, and in some cases, life-long friends. In the late '60's, Larry and Elvira sold the market and Larry went ot work for the Cactus Beverage Co. where he remained for the next 18 years until his retirement in 1987.
Larry was a member of the Teamsters Union; Tucson's Italian Catholic Federation, Father Eusebio Kino Branch #433; the Knights of Columbus; and S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He regularly attended Sunday morning mass and could always be found sitting in the same seat. Larry was honest, hard-working, generous, and a very good friend. He enjoyed bowling and at one time, bowled semi-professionally. Larry also enjoyed baseball, big band music, playing the card "3I", and watching classic movies and cartoons.
An avid do-it-yourselfer and gardner, Larry also became quite a good cook later in life. But what he loved most, in the words of his granddaughter, Gabriella, was "anything involving my brother, Diego and me." Larry drove his grandchildren to school every day, from preschool to high school. He never missed a baseball game or other school activity. Larry was truly, as both his grandchildren would say "The Best Grandpa Ever!" Larry is predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Elvira; his beloved parents; sisters Virginia, Lorena (Laura), Colomba, and Giovanna. He is survived by his daughter, Gail Masi, and granddaughter, Gabriella T. Moreno, both of Tucson; grandson, Diego M. Moreno, of Chandler, AZ; nephew, William (Donna)Alati, of Detroit, MI; Niece Sally Cornell, of Berlin Township, MI; and numerous dear friends.
Visitation will be Friday, March 25, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1946 E. Lee St. The Rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., followed by funeral Mass and burial at Holy Hope Cemetery. The family thanks the caregivers and staff at Sunrise Assisted Living, where Larry lived for the past 2 years, for their kindness and dedication to his well-being. Arrangements by Adair Funeral Home, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge, Tucson AZ.
While we are saddened by our loss, we take solace in the knowledge that Larry is now with our Lord.
Lorenzo Vincenzo Masi ("Larry" to all who knew and loved him) passed away peacefully on March 17, 2022. He was 98 years old. Larry was born to Guglielmo and Palma (Sandotonado) Masi on July 18, 1923, in the small town of Ceccano, Italy. He was the fourth of five children and the only son. While Larry was still a baby, his father came to the United States in search of a better life for his family. It wasn't until he was 12 that Larry and his mother joined Guglielmo in Detroit, MI.
Larry attended Detroit schools, but decided to join the workforce in 1939 at age 16. Two years later, Larry met Elvira Loffredi and the two began a five-year courtship. They were married on June 29, 1946. Nine years later, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Gail Colomba. During World War II, Larry worked for the packard Motor Co. and continued to work in the auto industry following the war. In 1957, Larry moved his family, along with Elvira's parents, to Tucson. They opened the Stone Avenue Market where they made numerous, and in some cases, life-long friends. In the late '60's, Larry and Elvira sold the market and Larry went ot work for the Cactus Beverage Co. where he remained for the next 18 years until his retirement in 1987.
Larry was a member of the Teamsters Union; Tucson's Italian Catholic Federation, Father Eusebio Kino Branch #433; the Knights of Columbus; and S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He regularly attended Sunday morning mass and could always be found sitting in the same seat. Larry was honest, hard-working, generous, and a very good friend. He enjoyed bowling and at one time, bowled semi-professionally. Larry also enjoyed baseball, big band music, playing the card "3I", and watching classic movies and cartoons.
An avid do-it-yourselfer and gardner, Larry also became quite a good cook later in life. But what he loved most, in the words of his granddaughter, Gabriella, was "anything involving my brother, Diego and me." Larry drove his grandchildren to school every day, from preschool to high school. He never missed a baseball game or other school activity. Larry was truly, as both his grandchildren would say "The Best Grandpa Ever!" Larry is predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Elvira; his beloved parents; sisters Virginia, Lorena (Laura), Colomba, and Giovanna. He is survived by his daughter, Gail Masi, and granddaughter, Gabriella T. Moreno, both of Tucson; grandson, Diego M. Moreno, of Chandler, AZ; nephew, William (Donna)Alati, of Detroit, MI; Niece Sally Cornell, of Berlin Township, MI; and numerous dear friends.
Visitation will be Friday, March 25, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1946 E. Lee St. The Rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., followed by funeral Mass and burial at Holy Hope Cemetery. The family thanks the caregivers and staff at Sunrise Assisted Living, where Larry lived for the past 2 years, for their kindness and dedication to his well-being. Arrangements by Adair Funeral Home, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge, Tucson AZ.
While we are saddened by our loss, we take solace in the knowledge that Larry is now with our Lord.