M. Steven Parrelli

Steven Parrelli of Plymouth, Mass., formerly of Saugus and East Boston, passed away on July 10, 2023, at the age of 68. Devoted father to Melissa Curtis and her husband Brad of Pembroke, doting grandfather to their son Charles, and loving husband to Maureen Olsen of Plymouth.
Steve held many titles in his life - from pro minor league outfielder to revered softball coach and Boston's biggest sports fan - but his favorite role was being a father and grandfather. Whether it was visiting daily with breakfast or packing up a U-Haul van for what seemed like hundreds of moves, Steve dedicated his life to helping his daughter. His passion for sports was contagious, and it spread to his daughter – she played softball and he coached the teams, she became a sports reporter in college and he drove her to all the games she had to cover. And together, they traveled the country visiting all of the major league ballparks.
Steve's newest pride and joy was his one-year-old grandson, Charlie. In the short 14 months they had together, they truly developed a special bond, and of course it involved the Red Sox. Steve was never without his Sox hat, so during his daily visits they'd play with the hat, usually while watching the game. Steve was so proud of their matching hats and jerseys, but even more delighted to be able to teach his grandson to throw and catch. Steve's most special gift was the unique ability and honor of being the only person to get his grandson to nap. Nobody quite knows the secret except it always involved a special combination of rocking, singing, and love (and maybe "The Andy Griffith Show").
Steve was a loyal and generous man who had an unmistakably big, booming voice, but an even bigger heart. He helped a lot of people – family and friends - whether it was letting people move in to save money or build a house, or giving someone his last penny, Steve would do it if he could. He'd do anything for the ones he loved and that included the family dogs Tink, Mil, Lil and Duke. He remained best friends and life partners with his ex-wife, Maureen, and enjoyed sitting on the swing together at their house, talking about their daughter and grandson. He cherished lunches and fond memories with his childhood friend-turned-brother, Father David Taurasi, and Steve loved to talk sports with and brag about his son-in-law, Brad.
Raised in East Boston, Steve was dear son of the late Concetta (Columbo) Parrelli, with whom he was very close, the late Giro Parrelli, and brother to the late Maryanne Gaeta. It was in Boston where Steve's lifelong passion for baseball began, playing in the Boston Park League. A natural athlete, Steve had a great adventure moving up to play in the minor leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies organization, after which he returned home to Massachusetts and embarked on a 30-plus-year career with the Massachusetts Water Resource Association, where he had many great friends and memories. Steve greatly enjoyed coaching his daughter in softball while in Saugus and was proud to manage teams that competed on the national level in the Junior Olympics.
Steve was a life-long athlete, but inherited Polycystic Kidney Disease and battled it in recent years. He was a fighter in every sense of the word – he not only fought for his life medically, but he always stood up for what was right – whether it was for himself or his family, and he called it, "The Parrelli Way." He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, downstairs in the Our Lady's Chapel (1400 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118). Friends and family are welcome if they are able to attend. Please see the cathedral's website for parking information.