PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Carmella Cecilia Polcaro Scelsi, fondly known as Gigi to many, passed away on November 7, 2018, 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, Mass.; her grandson Anthony Dominic Scelsi and his wife Jennifer Pride Scelsi of Greenfield, Mass.; her beloved nephew David A. Polcaro Jr. and his wife Rosalie Mangano Polcaro of Pittsfield, with whom she shared a lifelong bond; and numerous nieces, great-nieces and nephews.



She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony D. Scelsi, in 2001; her brothers Joseph J. Polcaro and David A. Polcaro Sr.; and her sister, Rose C. Polcaro Litano.  



Funeral notice: All are welcome to attend her funeral service, which will take place on November 12, 2018, at 9 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. 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, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst in care of the funeral home.