Francis J. Cristofori, 91, of Framingham and formerly of Natick, died peacefully at home, Sunday, February 3, 2013.
He was the beloved husband of Pearl (Oliva) Cristofori of Framingham with whom he shared 10 and half years of marriage.
Born in Cento, Bologna, Italy and reared in Wellesley, son of the late Oreste and Venusta (Corticelli) Cristofori. He attended the Wellesley School System and graduated from Northeastern University in 1948, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Alpha Fraternity.
Mr. Cristofori was the proprietor of Grupposo’s Market in Downtown Natick for 20 years, and later worked in the meat department at The Farm Stand, and at Tilly and Salvi’s Bacon Street Farm, Natick.
Mr. Cristofori, a WWII veteran, was a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II in the South West Pacific Theatre. He continued to fly in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a captain in 1958. He enjoyed flying as a civilian into his eighties.
He loved the outdoors; the mountains in the winter, and enjoyed summers at Cape Cod and Duxbury.
He was an avid golfer and snow skied throughout New England until the age of 82.
Active in civic and community affairs, he was a 48 year member of the Natick Rotary Club and was recognized with its prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was a 48 year member of the Natick Sons of Italy and was the manager of the club’s long successful Wednesday Pasta Night. He was also a member of the Natick American legion, the Wellesley Bowling League since 1950, the Boston Retail Grocers Association, and he had been a volunteer at Leonard Morse hospital. He was a member of The Air Force Association and Silver Wings. He was a longtime member and usher at St Patrick Parish, Natick.
In addition to his wife he is survived by one son Mark R. Cristofori of Natick, one brother Lt Col (USAF, ret.) Ronald Oreste Cristofori and his wife Charlene of North Port FL, nieces and nephews Charon Cristofori, Scott Cristofori, and Carla Cristofori all of FL, Paula Shakespeare Blackadar and her husband Tom of Natick, Ann Shakespeare Del Vecchio and her husband Mark of Wellesley, sister in-law Lillian Travaglini of Framingham, brother in law Paul Shakespeare of Fl, and many grandnieces nephews and cousins.
He was also the husband of the late Mary A (Grupposo) Cristofori, and brother of the late Claire Shakespeare.
Francis Joseph Cristofori was the “salt of the earth”, the “light on the mountain”, and a perfect gentleman. His conduct was that which springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith. He embodied all that is fair in a human being—a palpable paradigm of God’s best creation.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in St Patrick’s Church at 10:00 A.M.
on Tuesday, February 12th.
Visiting hours are Thursday 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. and have been canceled on Friday.
Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Needham.
As an expression of sympathy, please consider donating to the Francis J. Cristofori Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 6 Main Street, Natick MA 01760, or to a charity of your choice. (The Francis J. Cristofori Memorial Scholarship Fund will be awarded annually by The Natick Sons of Italy.)