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The Life of LUIGI CANDELORI

Luigi “Gino” Candelori, 74, of Temple, and formerly of Laureldale, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2021, surrounded by his family. The loving husband of Domenica (Amadio) Candelori, they shared over 52 years of marriage. Born, July 29, 1946, in Maltignano, Ascoli Piceno, Italy, he was a son of the late Francesco and Luisa (D’Agostino) Candelori. Gino was self-employed as a painter, paperhanger, and art restorer in Italy from the age of 14 until 21. Upon falling in love with his neighbor, Domenica, who had previously immigrated to America, he decided he was going to join her in 1968, and they married six short months later. He continued his trade of painting and paperhanging from 1969 until 1974 in the Reading area. Subsequently he joined his wife’s family business, Amadio, Inc., as a mushroom grower, and helped to run the family business from 1974-2000. In 1996, Gino’s dream of bringing a gourmet specialty food store to Berks County became a reality. With much sweat and determination, Monte Lauro European Gourmet was formed. Although he most recently was not present at the store, he still did behind-the-scenes work from home until a few weeks ago. Gino took pleasure in welcoming customers with a number of samples and at least one offer of his famous cappuccinos. Gino was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Hyde Park. He was a member of St. Marco Society, Temple, upon the time of his arrival from Italy in 1968, until present. He served on the board of directors, and as chairman of the program committee from 1988-2015. He loved traveling back to his home country to visit his family and show his children their roots. Mae and Gino loved to dance together and attended many dances over the years. Known by many as the “il maestro” (teacher), he was famous for his wisdom and guidance. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his four children: Gabriella, wife of Matthew J. Alessandroni, Sr., of Muhlenberg Township; Lisa, wife of James T. Russo of Conshohocken; Stefania, wife of Thomas L. Hoffman of Temple; and Luigi D., husband of Elizabeth K. (Gilbert) Candelori of Temple. Also surviving are his four grandchildren: Domenic J. Russo, Patrick T. Russo, Zachary T. Hoffman, and Juliana L. Hoffman. He was also looking forward to the arrival of his newest grandchild, expected in August. Other survivors include his three siblings: Teresa (Candelori), wife of Cesare Carosi of Rome, Italy; Giuseppe, husband of Mafalda Candelori of Ascoli Piceno, Italy; and Maria, widow of Umberto Filiaggi of Filignano, Italy; and his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, with whom he stayed in close contact. Gino was preceded in death by a granddaughter Sofia Luisa Candelori, who passed away on March 20, 2001; he joined her exactly 20 years later, to the day. To know him, was to love him, and Gino will be sorely missed by his many relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 29th at 11 a.m. at Holy Guardian Angels R.C. Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Hyde Park. The mass will be live streamed, and can be accessed at the bottom of Gino's obituary page at Stitzels.com. Viewings will be held Sunday, March 28th, from 5-7 p.m. at Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale and Monday, March 29th from 10-11 am, in the church. Burial will follow the mass at Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences, visit www.Stitzels.com. “Take it easy.” - Gino

 

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