Louis Risoli, 87, of Ashland died peacefully on September 24 following a brief illness. Born in Framingham but raised in Italy, he was the eldest son of Francesco and Palmira (Perazzoli) Risoli. With the assistance of U.S. Embassy officials, he left Italy in 1939 at the brink of World War II and settled in Framingham with his aunt Tina Franchi. In 1941 he married Pauline Ramondi. They lived on Concord Street in Ashland until 1952 when they built their home on Riverview Drive. In 2005 they moved to Golden Pond Assisted living in Hopkinton. They recently celebrated their 65th Anniversary. Louis served our nation in the Pacific during World War II, earning a Philippine Liberation Medal (one star) and Asiatic -Pacific Medal (four stars) for his service as Ship's Cook Third Class aboard the USS Flint. Following the War, Louis worked at Draper Company in Milford, and from 1952 until retiring in 1990; he was employed as a metal worker at Meade Foundry in Bedford. A lifelong fan of Italian opera, he loved to sing and for 30 years was a member of the Saint Cecilia Choir. He was also an avid gardener, stonemason, and chair caner, as well as an accomplished bronze caster. He was happy to share his skills, and a stool he made was recently donated to a Hopkinton School fundraising auction. Louis spent his recent years caring for his wife Pauline and offering kindness and generosity to all he met. In addition to his wife Pauline, he is survived by his son Louis and son-in-law Michael Beauchemin of Ashland, his sisters Anita Amici and Maria Risoli of Piacenza, Italy, and by his brother Reverand Angelo Risoli, of Calgary, Canada. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 27th, at 9:00am in St. Cecilia's Church in Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472