Taking it to the grave

The Super Bowl is exciting enough – especially with the hometown Patriots playing – but when your work ends up on television during the broadcast, that?s an even bigger thrill.David DeFilippo, 49, of Reading, co-owner with his uncle Arthur of Woodlawn Memorials on the Revere-Everett line, received word that his sports-themed headstone will be aired for a sports promotion either during the pre-game or the Super Bowl itself.The headstone was made for Anthony Ornelas Peru, 25, who died in an automobile accident. Christopher Contreras, 27, who was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, was convicted of motor vehicle homicide and sentenced to 14 years in jail.Peru, a Stafford, Ariz., native, was an avid Oakland Raiders fan. He was buried in a Raiders uniform, covered with a Raiders blanket, with a Raiders flag draped over his casket.The sports promotion will also feature a collage of sports fanatics along with DeFilippo?s headstone.Although DeFilippo won?t be paid for his artistry?s television presence, he said it?s an honor to be on the Super Bowl broadcast.?I?m thrilled to be a part of it,” DeFilippo said. “I look forward to seeing the ad when it airs. NBC liked mine the best, and I thought that was a big deal. It?s not something you expect, to show up in a Super Bowl commercial.”While Super Sunday is known as a day when domestic violence escalates, the company that produced the spot donated $1,000 to Mt. Graham Safety House for the National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims Sept. 25.?I?m going to record it. I was so excited to hear that I cried tears of joy,” said Peru?s sister Felicia Padilla, who works at Mt. Graham Safety House.Peru?s sister Krista found Woodlawn Memorials online, after checking with companies in Arizona, Texas and California who couldn?t make the tombstone the family wanted – and were significantly more expensive than Woodlawn.?I want to say thank you to Woodlawn Memorials, and most especially to David DeFilippo, for creating a masterpiece that made our dream come true,” she said. “Because of Woodlawn?s hard work and dedication to their customers, a masterpiece was created that has gotten attention from sports companies. First, a short film from Errol Morris called ESPN “Team Spirit,” and now a commercial that will be seen by roughly over 100 million people that will be enjoying a sport everyone loves. That?s the Super Bowl, baby.”?I miss my brother, Anthony, so much,” Krista Peru said, “I am proud that his beautiful headstone has gotten so much attention, because it shows what an Oakland Raider fanatic he was. My brother was such a great honest, caring and loving human being who loved life and loved to live it.”