Luigi A. Calisto, Jr., a longtime resident of Quincy, died peacefully at The Boston Home a few weeks shy of his 64th birthday, where he received excellent care and made lasting friends. His immediate and extended family and friends helped him live the best life possible despite an early diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. He was the devoted son of Luigi A. and Mary N. (Morelli) Calisto, and beloved by his older sister, Mary Catherine Calisto. She and his parents ensured that he would always have good care. Luigi’s parents were born in San Giuliano, di Puglia, Italy, which explains the love of good food he inherited from his Italian family, and from his mother and sister’s extraordinary culinary talents. Some of his favorite meals were eggplant parmesan (his mother’s was exceptional), meatballs and spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza ricotta. And he never turned down ice cream or a Dunkin’ Coolatta.

He is survived by his loving sons, Luigi J. Calisto of Nashua, NH and Joseph A. Calisto of Lowell, MA, and their mother, Linda Calisto. A host of family and friends mourn his passing and will remember his warmth, compassion, and his dignity and bravery in the face of a debilitating illness.

He graduated from the Westford Academy in 1979, and was an IRS administrator until he was unable to work. Luigi enjoyed old-time rock-n-roll and music from the later half of the last century, especially Motown. Although he could be a man of few words, Luigi enjoyed making people smile through gentle teasing and by sharing quick-witted observations.

Luigi was a life-long New England Patriots fan. Perhaps it was because he was also an avid Red Sox fan that he loved a locally-made mint ice cream named “The Green Monster” in honor of the left field wall at Fenway Park. One of the family’s favorite local destinations was Nabnasset Lake, yet Luigi and his sons enjoyed the many trips his sister organized including adventures in parks out west, Disney World, and another Calisto favorite location, coastal Maine, including Bar Harbor. After Mary Catherine’s passing, her life-long friend, Peggy Connolly, continued to take Luigi on outings that included movies (especially the Fast & Furious series), Bertucci's and Red Sox games. Joe and Lui Jr. worked with the staff of The Boston Home to ensure that their father’s transition was peaceful.

Luigi’s easy going attitude, great sense of humor, and his positive spirit live on in his heavenly home, and in many memories.

As a tribute to Luigi, please consider making a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the Brain Tumor Society. After their father was diagnosed with a brain tumor, his sister became a leader and advocate for the brain tumor community. His interment will be held in the Spring in the family plot at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy with family and friends.