1930 - 2026
Born in Milford on January 7th, 1930, Marie was the daughter of the late Nicholas “Peachy” and Nellie (Cervone) Casasanta. A lifelong Milford resident, she graduated from Milford High School with the Class of 1947 and remained deeply devoted throughout her life to her family, friends, hometown, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
Music was one of Marie’s greatest passions. An accomplished pianist, she learned to play from her father and later shared her talents with audiences throughout the greater Milford area, playing electric piano at numerous nursing and assisted living facilities. She was also a self-taught organist and spent countless evenings at home perfecting her craft, with her music often carrying through the neighborhood around 17 Leonard Street on warm summer nights.
Marie and Anthony shared 37 years of marriage before his death in an automobile accident in 1991. Together, they had three children. Marie is survived by her sons, Attorney and current Milford Town Administrator Richard A. Villani and his fiancée, Laurie Prew, and Dr. Thomas M. Villani, a Brighton dentist and private practice owner, and his longtime companion, Holly Murphy.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Jean, who passed away at five months old in 1958, and her sisters, Regina Espanet, who died in 2024 at the age of 104, and Claire Collins, who died in 1995 at the age of 70.
Marie was a devoted grandmother to her grandson, Christopher, and a proud great-grandmother to William, the son of Christopher and LeeAnn Parker-Villani of Norwood. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, including Chuck, Rick, Paul, Donald, Theresa, Debbie, Patty, and Donna.
Beyond her love of music, Marie was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan and an avid cat lover who shared her home with several beloved cats throughout her adult life. She also placed tremendous importance on friendship, taking great care to nurture the relationships she formed over the years. To Marie, being a good friend was one of life’s greatest callings.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 14th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home, located at 46 Water Street in Milford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 15th, at 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Milford.
