Birth date: Dec 5, 1933 Death date: Oct 18, 2025
Donald Anthony “Pepsi” Bersacola, 91, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025. Born on December 5, 1933, in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late Anthony S. and Lelia W. Bersacola (née Corsetti), Don l Read Obituary
STORY: I’ll never forget this.
I was just 19, singing in clubs around Cleveland, and my booking agent Scott had me playing everywhere — from downtown Cleveland up to the islands of Sandusky, and for all kinds of corporate gigs. One New Year’s Eve in 1989, he told me he’d found an incredible gig at a mansion in Strongsville.
When I pulled up, I couldn’t believe my eyes — it was the Bersacolas’ new home! We’d all grown up at their first house on Trenton Trail, swimming every summer day. But now, here I was, walking up as the hired piano man.
Mr. Bersacola opened the door and said, “Hey Chucky! What are you doing here?”
I laughed and said, “I’m Charles Lately — your entertainment for the evening!” We both cracked up.
That night, I played all the oldies he loved from my days at Shorty’s in the Flats — including plenty of Frank Sinatra, of course — and he couldn’t have been more gracious. If I remember right, he even paid me double. That was just who he was: kind, classy, and full of heart.
Thank you, Mr. Bersacola, for the laughter, the memories, and the example you set. Rest in peace, sir. You’ll always be remembered. 🎶🙏🏼
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