Carlo Bernard Pirani, Sr., 83 years old, of Cordova, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on June 17, with his family present at the home of his youngest son. Carlo leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Betty Ann Raffanti Pirani; his 3 sons, Carlo Pirani, Jr., DDS (Eva), Capt. Andy Pirani (fiancée Brenda), John Pirani, MD (Connie); 5 grandchildren, Maria Pirani, Carly Zambrozi (Guil), Cara Pirani, John Pirani, Jr., Joseph Pirani; and 3 sisters, Marie Lane, Teresa Gagliano, and Sandra Gatlin; and many other beloved relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Geno and Edith Pirani, and his brother, Frank.
Carlo "Coach" Pirani earned a Master's degree in education and served in the Marine Corps. Carlo influenced the lives of numerous students and athletes through his work as a coach, teacher and mentor at Catholic and Bishop Byrne High schools during the '60s and '70s. He is credited with bringing the sport of wrestling to West Tennessee and was privileged to coach many champions. He spent the last 25 years of his working career in Human Resources at FedEx, where he won multiple awards and commendations for the programs he developed.
A parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church, Carlo was a model of Christian virtue and personal integrity. He demanded a certain amount of respect, which he in turn gave to all who earned it. He profoundly influenced so many lives with his unique ability to push people into becoming the best possible version of themselves. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue on Tuesday, June 22, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 23, at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with reception to follow. Graveside committal services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Donations can be sent to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018 or online at www.givenow.lls.org.
