October 28, 1883 – November 9, 1959
Hampton Union
Thursday, November 12, 1959
HAMPTON — Funeral services for Luigi Marelli, 76, proprietor of Marelli’s Grocery store for 40 years, were held Wednesday from the Sturgis Funeral Home, followed by a high mass of requiem at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal church.
Delegations from the Hampton fire department, police department, and town office were in attendance at the rites. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Albert S. Cameron, curate.
Serving as bearers were Herbert Casassa, H. Alfred Casassa, Roger St. Germain, Roger Heaslip. F. Alfred Janvrin, and Maurice Lavigne, all neighboring merchants and businessmen in Hampton center. Committal prayers at High Street cemetery were said by Rev. Matthew Casey, pastor.
Mr. Marelli died Monday, November 9 [1959], at the Exeter Hospital after a brief confinement.
A native of Italy, he was born October 28, 1883, the son of Carlo and Eugenia Marelli. He lived in Hampton for the last 45 years, where he operated a store for 40 years. During World War II and the Korean War, Mr. Marelli sent Christmas packages to Hampton servicemen.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal parish.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Celestina (Reggio) Marelli of Hampton; two sons, L. Robert Marelli of Hampton Falls and Richard Marelli of Hampton; two daughters, Mrs. William Berry of Hampton and Mrs. Fred Raynes of North Hampton; six grandchildren; and four brothers, James and Angelo Marelli, both of Newmarket, Reino Marelli of New London, Conn., and Enrico Marelli of Italy.
“OUR TOWN” by James W. Tucker
Hampton Union
Thursday, November 19, 1959
Luigi Marelli
He was christened Luigi. In our town his business associates called him Louis. We knew the quiet-spoken polite gentleman of Italian ancestry who died recently as Mr. Marelli. It was altogether fitting and proper that his funeral should have been held on November 11, Veterans Day, for at Christmas time during World War II and during the Korean conflict, he remembered to send gifts to all Hampton boys in the service of their country — boys who now are veterans.
For this thoughtfulness and as an indication of the high esteem in which he was held by the entire community, deserved public tribute was paid to Mr. Marelli several years ago at a testimonial dinner. Hampton veterans were chiefly instrumental in arranging the affair. They hadn’t forgotten the quiet man who remembered them when they were members of the armed forces. The chances are they never will forget him.
Mr. Marelli opened his little store in Hampton in 1919, less than a year after the close of World War I. Specializing in fruit, candy and soft drinks at the outset, he soon broadened his line so that his place became a general grocery store which, in recent years he had developed into a self-service establishment, handling the highest grades of groceries and of meats. His business grew and prospered as our town developed and flourished. But he always featured candy for the children.
Mr. Marelli quite obviously loved children — his own and all the other youngsters who came to his store to buy candy. He seemed particularly to enjoy waiting on the little folks and it is our impression that the penny which dropped into his hand out of some grimy little fist usually bought two or three cents’ worth of the colorful candies he always displayed especially for the children.
And Hampton cannot forget the service which Mr. Marelli, with his good wife always by his side, rendered to the community. They were in the store on all days at all hours, year in and year out. What we forgot to buy elsewhere we remembered to buy at Marelli’s and we were made to feel just as welcome and got just as efficient service as if we were their regular customers. Marelli’s was and is a time honored and worthy institution in our town.
Celestina T. Marelli
July 12, 1890 – November 19, 1983
Hampton Union
November 23, 1983
HAMPTON — A Mass of Christian burial for Mrs. Celestina T. Marelli, 93, of 465 Lafayette Road was celebrated Tuesday morning, Nov. 22, at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church.
Burial followed in the High Street Cemetery.
Mrs. Marelli died Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Clipper Home in Portsmouth. She was the wife of the late Luigi Marelli who died in Nov. 1959 and was honored shortly after his death by the naming of the Marelli Park in Hampton Center.
Mrs. Marelli, with her husband, owned and operated Marelli’s Market in Hampton center since its founding in 1912.
She was born in Genoa, Italy, July 12, 1890, daughter of Francesco and Virginia (Roba) Reggio and came to the United States to work for a family in Laconia in 1908.
Shortly thereafter, she moved to Hampton. Mrs. Marelli was one of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal’s first communicants and was a member of the Catholic Women’s Club.
Family members include two sons, Louis R. Marelli of Hampton Falls and Richard J. Marelli of Hampton; two daughters, Mrs. Jean Raynes of North Hampton and Mrs. Frances Berry of Hampton; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
The Ronald A. Remick Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Celestina T. Marelli
Deaths and Funerals
Hampton Union
November 30, 1983
HAMPTON — The funeral for Mrs. Celestina T. Marelli, 93, 465 Lafayette Road, was held Tuesday, Nov. 22, from the Ronald A. Remick Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church. The Reverend James P. Watson, pastor, was the celebrant.
Mary Jo Wright was the organist. Patricia Maekenson was the soloist.
In attendance were Hampton Selectman Louisa K. Woodman and Hampton Police Chief Robert Mark.
Burial followed in the High Street Cemetery.
Committal prayers were given by Father Watson.
Pallbearers were Roland W. Paige, H. Alfred Casassa, Henry A. St. Germain and Hampton Selectman Glyn Eastman.
View a 30-minute video on the history of Marelli’s