07/31/2026
Obituary
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Carl J. Ciancarelli, 74, of Medfield, MA, passed away on July 9. Born on November 23rd, 1951, in Brookline, MA, Carl was the son of Antoinette and Joseph Ciancarelli. Carl grew up in Westwood after his early years in Dorchester, where he developed the values that shaped his life: hard work, craftsmanship, and pride in doing things the right way.
Carl served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman, stationed in Newport, RI, before returning home to start a career rooted in craftsmanship and community. He founded and operated Custom Cushion and Fabric Showroom on Park Street in Medfield for more than 30 years. Through his work, he taught his sons the meaning of responsibility: showing up, doing the job well, and finding satisfaction in building something with your own hands.
For those who knew him well, Carl had a lifelong love of American Flyer and Lionel trains, collecting, restoring, and bringing them back to life with meticulous care and joy. He spent countless hours at trade shows buying and refurbishing antique trains, a passion that began in childhood and stayed with him throughout his life. For a brief period in the 1990s, Carl even hosted his own train show on Medfield Cable 8, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with the local community, turning his house on Pleasant Court into a modern day reality TV series.
Carl also found deep peace outdoors. He loved surf casting off the beaches of Cape Cod, tending to his gardens in both Medfield and Cape Cod, and fixing anything that needed fixing. Crafty and resourceful, Carl had a gift for helping people and solving problems with his hands. He could always be spotted driving through town in his white van with MacKenzie riding shotgun. He was also a creature of habit, known for his stubborn streak, his daily afternoon naps, and the simple routines that grounded his days.
Carl is survived by his wife, Kathy Roderick; his sons, Peter and Paul; his daughter-in-law, Katelyn; his older brother, Joseph; his two stepdaughters, Meghan and Erin Wylie; and his eight grandchildren, who loved their "Papa"—Dominic, Lenore, Maeve, Joseph, Kaleo, MacKenzie, Beau, and Wes. Carl is also survived by many beloved, lifelong friends and cherished neighbors. He was predeceased by his mother and father, and his sister, Donna.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, July 21st at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, Inc.,15 Miller Street, Medfield, MA from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A burial service will follow on Wednesday, July 22, at 10:00 a.m. at Vine Lake Cemetery, 625 Main Street in Medfield.
