Umberto “Bert” Fabri, a longtime resident of Framingham, died Monday January 29, 2024 after a period of declining health. Born in Senigallia, Italy, he was the son of the late Emanuele & Zelinda (Parabicoli) Fabri, and the beloved husband of Marilyn J. (Brown) Fabri.
Bert immigrated to the United States in his teens alongside his parents and sister, arriving on the Andria Doria ship on one of its last voyages. They settled in Framingham, and even though he was in his teens, they put him in the sixth grade because he didn’t know any English at the time. He often commented that he’d never forget that he was too big for those chairs! It was right around high school graduation that he met Marilyn they were 17, and just two years later were married.
Together they raised their children in Framingham where Bert worked as the General Manager of Real Estate. He was the past President of The Columbus Club’s Bocce League, and later played at the Senior Center in Milford. Bert was a founding member of the Villagers Men’s Softball Team, and a member of several bowling leagues over the years. He loved to decorate for Christmas, and a good Chinese food dinner.
In his later years, along with a tight group of friends, he became a regular at the Nobscot Honeydew Coffee Shop simply enjoying good company and conversation.
Berts family was the center of his world. Besides his wife Marilyn of 64 years, he is survived by his children, Michele Fabri & her husband Donald Goyette of Blackstone, Linda Fritz & her husband Charlie “Tank” of Framingham, Dana & his wife Marlene of Whitinsville, and Michael & his wife Girlene of Framingham, his grandchildren, Rachel, Julia, Sabrina and Amber Fritz, and Hunter, Alyssa and Zachary, his great grandchildren, Lily, Kai, RJ, Nova, Milani, and Myla, and many nieces, nephews, and all his extended family.
Bert was predeceased by his daughter in law, Michelle (Cody), and his sister, Bruna Comerato.
Family and friends will honor and remember Bert’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Sunday afternoon, February 4th, from 12-3PM. A prayer service will begin at 3PM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bert’s name to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/
Chesmore Funeral Home