Alfred O. Zarrella, Sr.

The funeral will be held from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Saturday, January 26, with a Mass in Saint Anthony di Padua Church at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Saint Bernard’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, January 25, from 5-8pm in the funeral home.



Alfred O. “Fred” Zarrella Sr., 90, of 20 Princeton Street, Leominster, MA., devoted husband, father and grandfather, died on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at home. Fred was born in Fitchburg, MA. on February 19, 1928, the son of John and Angelina (Cefola) Zarrella. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1945 and then served his country in the U.S. Army as a Technician Fourth Class in Kobe, Japan. He attended Holy Cross and Fitchburg State colleges and he helped run Zarrella’s Market, a family-owned grocery store in the “Patch” section of Fitchburg. With his mastery of written communication, Fred was a talented technical writer at Raytheon, Sanders and M/A-Com for many years. He enjoyed playing strategic games like chess, competing in a good tennis match, watching his talented children and grandchildren compete in a variety of sports, visiting with (teasing) his brothers and, as an avid photographer with a keen eye, participating in photo contests and taking 8mm movies at important family events. He used his vast collection of books to develop and maintain his noteworthy trivia skills. Fred and his wife Florence shared 32 memorable summers at Rusnik Campground in Salisbury Beach, where they enjoyed outdoor living, pleasant days on the beach and many good times with close friends. Fred is survived by his devoted and loving wife Florence (DiBiase) Zarrella, with whom he was married for 63 years. Fred and Florence set a remarkable example for their five children: Angela (Zarrella-Cote) Rich of Leominster; Alfred Zarrella, Jr. of Leominster; Domenic and his wife Deidra of Lancaster; Joseph and his wife Sandra of Palm Harbor, FL; and Robert and his wife Linda of San Jose, CA. Fred was extremely proud of his twelve grandchildren: Daniel, Jordan and Matthew Cote; Cory, Joshua, Bianca, Dominque, Zachary, Giavanna, Ariana, Tiffany and Brandon Zarrella. He also leaves his brother, Mario and wife Grace of Fitchburg; his brother Lawrence and wife Virginia of Fitchburg, MA.; and his sister Gloria Hand of Worcester, MA. In addition to his parents, Fred was pre-deceased by sisters Lena (Gallant) and Maryann, and brothers Pasquale (of Fitchburg) and William (of Monroeville, PA.). Fred was a quiet man, but his few words were always worth listening to, especially when he exhibited his dry sense of humor. He was a humble man who could be relied upon for helping everyone. Fred was strong in faith and values, a traditional man who loved his family above all things. Because of this, Fred’s legacy will live on in his children and grandchildren for many years to come.