Funeral Saturday For Russell Ralph Tomasetti, 68

Russell Ralph Tomasetti, 68, of East Dennis, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 30, 2016 with his loving family by his side after valiant seven month battle with a glioblastoma brain tumor.

He was born in Framingham on July 18, 1947 where he resided until moving to Cape Cod in 2012.

He was the life-long friend and devoted husband of 45 years of Kathryn Barbieri Tomasetti.

Together, they received First Communion at St. Tarcisius Church, attended their Junior and Senior Proms at Framingham South High School and were married at St. Stephens Church in Framingham on July 12, 1970.

He was the son of the late Ralph and Carmela Pandolfi Tomasetti and Grandson of the late Albert and Francesca Tomasetti of Framingham and Gaetano and Maria Fillipetti Pandolfi of Needham.

Tomasetti attended Framingham Schools, graduated from Framingham Vocational School as a machinist then advanced to tool-maker and mold-maker.

He was a second generation member of the Framingham Heart Study.

He served in the 26th Yankee Division Supply and Transport Battalion of the National Guard in Framingham

He worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors until the plant closed in 1989 remaining in the UAW. Changing careers, he graduated from New England School of Wallpapering and operated The Tomasetti Wallpapering Company. From 1992 until 1997, Russell and Kathy owned The Four Chimneys Inn in Dennis Village, Cape Cod.

They remodeled their 1880 Victorian and were highlighted in the spring 1997 edition of Cape Cod Life magazine. They won the 1997 Dennis Chamber of Commerce Beautification Award which was presented to their son, Brad, on their behalf for helping them. They are former members of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Dennis Chamber of Commerce and Route 6A North- Side Business Association.

He showed pride in his Italian heritage by joining the Columbus Society and raising his vegetables. He was happy visiting Italy, especially Pesaro, where his mother was born. He loved keeping traditions by helping make Italian family recipes, especially capalettis. He would dig clams and make fresh pasta and clam sauce with his buddy, the late Dan Grosso. He enjoyed making furniture, doing the finish work on his home, helping Brad remodel his home, and driving his Corvette.

As a member of the Framingham History Center, he participated in activities in town. In 2000, he helped Kathy supervise activities in the education tent for Childrens Colonial Games at the Framingham Tercentennial Fair. He belonged to the Woodville Rod and Gun Club and was a former member of the Upton Beagle Club. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fly-fishing, deep sea fishing, boating, sailing, clamming and scuba diving. He was happy fishing with his pals and Brad in Cape Cod Bay.

After moving full time to the Cape, Russell and Kathy became active in The Village Improvement Society of Dennis. The family wishes to thank Dr. David Young, Dr. Rohit Jangi, Hope Hospice of Cape Cod and love to our family and friends for their support.

He is survived by his son, Bradley R. Tomasetti and his partner Melissa Carter of Yarmouth Port, nephew David Tomasetti, his wife, Shannon and their sons, Nicolas and Anthony of Maiden, North Carolina, nephew Paul Tomasetti of Wisconsin, sister-in-law Ann Tomasetti of Florida, his Aunt Anna Ghiringhelli of Framingham, Kathys family, Peggy and Jack ONeil, Joe and June Barbieri, Jack Barbieri, Karl Dakai, his godson, Tom Dakai, many cousins, and the dearest of friends. He missed his brother, the late Robert R. Tomasetti who died in 1993.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Saturday February 6 at 9 A.M. at Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech Street (corner of Union Ave.), Framingham followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. at St. Tarcisius Church, 562 Waverly Street, Route 135, Framingham.

Burial will in the family plot at St. Tarcisius Cemetery.

Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 4-7 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Village Improvement Society of Dennis Playground Fund, P.O. Box 779, Dennis, MA 02638.