Those who knew Giuseppe Parisi say he was living the American dream — raising a family in San Pedro, working at the Port of Los Angeles and buying his first house just six months ago.

The Sicilian native planned big parties in his backyard, especially for his 40th birthday later this year, and couldn’t wait for his new toy to be delivered this weekend.

“He wanted to put a pizza oven in the back,” his cousin, Roselina DiGirolamo, said Monday. “He was so excited. He had finally accomplished an American dream. We are shocked. We are shattered.”

Parisi died late Thursday, shortly after taking a 9:45 p.m. break from his job as a casual longshoreman at the Port of Los Angeles. Family members said he was headed home for coffee with his wife, Lia, and planned to return to work an hour later to complete his shift until 3 a.m.

In an instant, Parisi’s dream ended, a wife lost her husband, and three children lost their father.

According to police, Parisi was headed north on Navy Way in his Toyota Tacoma truck when he collided with another driver in a 2005 Suzuki at Seaside Avenue.

Parisi was ejected into the street and died later at a hospital. The other driver was not seriously hurt.

The crash remains under investigation.

Longshore community mourns

“Everybody has taken it real hard,” said fellow longshore worker Michelle Meese. “It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood down here, and we all like to look out for each other.”

Parisi’s wife and family, including his parents from Sicily, gathered at his San Pedro home on Monday, waiting for word from the coroner’s office on when they could schedule funeral services.

A fisherman in Terrasini, Palermo, Parisi arrived in the United States at 21 years old, looking for a better life. He went to work for Superior Seafood Co. in San Pedro, driving and selling fish on the site.

After he established himself , he returned to Sicily, married his teenage sweetheart and brought her with him to America. They had three American children — Rosie, 14; Anthony, 5; Jerry, 3.

About 12 years ago, he started taking jobs as a casual longshoreman, DiGirolamo said.

‘Very, very hard worker’

“He was a very, very hard worker,” DiGirolamo said. “He worked day and night. He was all about the American dream.”

At home, Lia Parisi cared for the children. Together, the couple believed their children had a better future in the United States, DiGirolamo said.

“He absolutely loved longshoring and couldn’t wait for the day that he became full time,” his cousin said. “And him having a family and having to provide for them, he would work one job and then he would work all night.”

Lia Parisi tried to contact her husband when he failed to arrive home Thursday for his break. She figured he got stuck at work. Police officers knocked on her door at 2:45 a.m. with the news.

Although her husband’s parents and her parents live in Sicily, Lia Parisi said she plans to stay in America.

“He was the love of my life,” she said in Italian through a translator.

Fund established

Longshore workers are collecting money at the port to support Parisi’s family. A GoFundMe.com site was established online.

“Giuseppe’s family and friends are devastated by his passing,” the site said. “His smile, thick Italian accent and happy spirit will be missed by many.”

To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/8vznkcns.