Carmella Cecilia Polcaro Scelsi, fondly known as Gigi to many, passed away on November 7th at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. She was 91. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on November 3, 1927, Gigi was the youngest of four children born to the late Antonio Polcaro and Teresa Santillo Polcaro. She spent her formative years residing in Pittsfield with her brother, the former David A. Polcaro, Sr, his wife Cecelia Unis Polcaro and their son David A. Polcaro, Jr. Singing was one of Carmella’s passions. As a young woman, she gained notoriety and was known as “The Songbird of the Berkshires”, sharing her golden voice singing with local bands. She also enjoyed gardening, cake decorating and ballroom dancing. On April 6, 1953 Gigi married the love of her life, Anthony (Tony) Dominic Scelsi. Together they owned and managed C. Scelsi’s Berkshire Bakery on John Street for greater than 20 years, retiring in 1984. In 1987 they retired to Florida where they resided for numerous years. Carmella returned to Pittsfield in 2006 where she became a resident of Berkshire Place until October of this year. Carmella is survived by her only son, Joseph Maria Scelsi and his wife Karin Abderhalden of Ashfield, MA, her grandson Anthony Dominic Scelsi and his wife Jennifer Pride Scelsi of Greenfield, MA. In addition, she leaves behind her beloved nephew David A. Polcaro, Jr and his wife Rosalie Mangano Polcaro of Pittsfield with whom she shared a lifelong bond. She is also survived by numerous nieces, great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Anthony D. Scelsi in 2001 and her brothers Joseph J. Polcaro, David A. Polcaro, Sr, and sister Rose C. Polcaro Litano.
All are welcome to attend her funeral service which will take place on November 12 at 9:00 am from Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Pittsfield. Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home will be on Sunday, November 11, from 4pm to 7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.