Alfred D. Grasseschi
January 26, 1931 ~ June 1, 2015
Resided in:
Fremont, CA
Alfred Grasseschi
Jan. 26, 1931 - June 1, 2015
Resident of Fremont
On June 1, 2015, Alfred Grasseschi died peacefully at the age of 84. A man whose life was filled with faith, family, and friendship, Al leaves behind six children, twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a lengthy legacy of caring for others.
Born in Black Eagle, Montana, Al was the ninth of twelve children. The family relocated to Hayward, California and became part of All Saints Parish. Freddie, as he was known by his brothers and sisters, graduated from Hayward High School in 1950. After spending two years in the Army at Fort Lee, he returned to Hayward to work in the family business, Alfred and Sons Shoe Repair.
At a Christmas party at All Saints Parish, he met the love of his life, Paula Joanne Healy; they married on August 27, 1955. Together they raised a family of seven children, first in Castro Valley, then Hayward, finally settling down in Fremont's Irvington district.
With his younger brother Rudy, Al opened The Cobbler's Shoe Repair on A Street in downtown Hayward. Together they built a business that would become a cornerstone of the Hayward Strip.
Al was always involved with his community, a natural outgrowth of his generous nature. He served as President for many organizations: the Downtown Hayward Association, the Holy Names Society, the Santa Paula Parish Council, the Italian Catholic Federation, the Sons of Italy, and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
He was the youngest person to serve as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Hayward Council 1615. Al then served as the District Deputy.
Together with his friend Dave Bennett, he created a Catholic Youth Organization sports program for what was then Santa Paula Parish, and also became an important figure in Fremont's Little League program.
Al is survived by his siblings (Rose, Romeo, Virginia, Rudy, Angie, and Addie), his children (Chris, Danny, Margaret, David, Kathy, and Paul), grandchildren (Sierra, Shaina, Aaron, Teresa, Casey Rae, Kyle, Danny, Maggie, Bradley, Lexi, Alex, and Michael), and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Paula, son Thomas, and five siblings.
Family and friends are invited to a 7:00 pm vigil, June 18th at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA. Mass will be 11:00 AM, June 19th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 41933 Blacow Rd, Fremont.
The family requests that that no flowers be sent. Donations in Al's honor should be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul society of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.
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Our hearts and love are with all of you Grasseschi’s. “Mr. G” will always be a part of our childhood. His kindness, smile and laughter sing in our memories. I remember that I always looked forward to getting my shoes back, fixed, polished and cared for with such skill and attention! Know that we are with you as you travel this path, as you have been with us on ours. So much love and gratitude for all the Grasseschi’s, and your beloved father. Warmly, Karen O’Brien