Frederick Raymond Ciolfi

A good book tells a good story. A great book tells an even better one. Yet an incredible book tells an incredible story.

    If a book was to be written about Frederick Raymond Ciolfi, aka Pa, it would, indeed, be an incredible story. Pages would be filled with descriptives of his 91 remarkable years spanning from January 7th 1935 through September 23, 2026. Words like spirited and humble, strong and loyal, devoted and supportive, steadfast and resilient, honorable, respectful and selfless would weave through the chapters of his story.

    From Palfrey Street, his father’s market and working on the farm as a boy to the Marshall Springs, shenanigans with his brother Gene, joining the United States Army and subsequently being introduced to the love of his life, Ruth Evelyn Grieve, at a mere 18 years of age would begin his tale. His journey in the military and into the Korean War would take him from Fort Dix, New Jersey to Austria (where he fell in love with Salzburg) and ending Germany before returning back home to Watertown in 1955. Fred married Ruth on May 11, 1957 and over the course of the next 69 years welcomed and raised 5 children, then 14 grandchildren along with 3 great-grandchildren. Fred’s priority became attending to his family with unwavering devotion. He worked tirelessly to support his family by opening and operating his own automobile upholstery shop(s). This led to his interest and, at times frustrating hobby, of restoring antique cars. From his blue 1948 Lincoln Continental, to his black 1947 Cadillac and his white ‘57 convertible Corvette, he found pleasure in painstakingly restoring each one.

    For the decades to follow Fred traveled extensively with his wife (and often family or friends) seeking pleasure in visiting museums and historical along with gaining appreciation by experiencing an array of cultural music, sites and foods. His second love, after family, was to be found on the golf course. He was considered to be an avid golfer. He loved to teach as much as play the sport. Fred and Ruth spent many weekends watching matches and tournaments, together they could be heard cheering and jeering at the television from the living room on Robbins Road.

    Additionally, Fred found immense enjoyment in music (of most genres), theatre and could be found many Saturday nights at Indian Ridge Country Club for dinner with friends and dancing with Ruth to his heart's content. At weddings and anniversary parties, Fred was often the first to take a niece's hand and lead on the dance floor with style, grace, and a bit of playful humor. If you knew Fred well, you knew his love for the opera. Listening to Pavarotti and the score from Phantom of the Opera were his top two favorites.

   In the days of Fred’s younger year’s, he could be found playing cards, shooting pool, and bowling. He even dabbled with the banjo and harmonica. Fred became an animated storyteller, especially with his family seated around the dinner table. He alsofound pleasure in reading - in ‘his chair’, on the deck, or on vacations, books about history and mysteries were favorites. He spent hours at the library lost in his novella world. Fred was often found during the summers working in the gardens at the Big Blue House (under Ruth’s watchful eyes) as well as snow blowing in the winter for the entire neighborhood. He was tireless day in and day out - relishing in the simple pleasures of his early morning cup of tea and grapefruit to his weekly, traditional Wednesday family spaghetti dinners, seemingly to never slow down.

   Yet if someone called Fred in need, be it day or night, he would stop what he was doing and - everyone who knew him knew that he would help in any and every way possible. Fred had an amazing ability to be fully present with people, making space just for them, their needs, their stories. As playful and engaging as he was, he also had a way of being there just for you.

    At the end of the story, the underlying theme would be his unwavering love and incredible generosity with his time and energy to his entire family, extended family and to his many friends and acquaintances. People he touched will now and forever be able to share their own personal stories of how Fred supported, cared for, encouraged and uplifted them.

    In his own quiet way, Fred has left us with something precious: a clear example of how to live a complete life. When we face our own choices, we can ask ourselves what Fred would have done, and that will help guide us to the decisions we know will be right. His legacy isn't something only preserved in his story. It lives in the choices we make every day. It lives in the time we choose to give, the people we choose to care for, and the community we choose to tend to. It lives in us. Some may interpret this story as a simple one and yes, in many ways Fred was a simple man with simple yet deep convictions. Work hard, love unconditionally and take care of each other.

    Fred’s love, especially for his ‘Ruthie,’ was his compass for a well lived life. What a remarkably special person he was. What a remarkably special book his would be.

Frederick Raymond Ciolfi

January 7, 1935 - September 23, 2026

Parents

Louis/Luigi Ciolfi & Virginia Cacciatiore

Siblings

Edward Ciolfi (Sandra)

Anna Pearson

Eugene Ciolfi (Jeanne)

Philip Ciolfi (Roasemarie)

Louis Ciolfi (Jean)

Sisters-In-Law

Miriam Casazza (Joseph)

Joan McCarron (Raymond)

Carole Bilafer (Martin)

Fred leaves behind

5 children

14 grandchildren

3 great-grandchildren

29 nieces & nephews

Many, many beloved friends, neighbors & family friends

    Family and friends are welcome to come Celebrate Fred’s Life by gathering for Visiting Hours in the Nardone Funeral Home, 373 Main St., Watertown, on Tuesday September 29, 2026 from 4-7 PM. All may gather for a Funeral Mass on Wednesday September 30, 2026 at 10 AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Main St., Watertown

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