Shrewsbury – Dante J. Quercio, 82, died peacefully Friday Oct. 28, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Rose (Morano) Quercio; his loving children, Dante F. Quercio of Auburn and Maria D. Quercio and her partner Jane Saunders-Mills of Hyannis; three grandchildren, whom he was so proud of, Jamie M Quercio, Dante A. Quercio and his wife Michelle, and Marisa Leigh Dailey and her husband Ryan; four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Abigail, Seamus, and Ella; a former daughter-in-law Elaine; a sister, Gloria Franciosa; two brothers, Marino Quercio and his wife Tammy, of West Orange N..J. and Benny Quercio and his wife Lorraine of Las Vegas; and many nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a son, Peter J.Quercio, who died in 1985, and six brothers, Leo, Michael, Gerry, Albert , Matteo and Frederick Jr.
Born in Worcester, son of the late Frederick J.Quercio Sr. and Maria (Candelma) Quercio, he lived in Shrewsbury most of his life. He was a graduate of Commerce High School and attended Worcester State College. He proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Little Rock and the U.S. S. Amphion, and was an underwater demolition diver.
Mr. Quercio worked for the Commonwealth Gas Company for 45 years as a surveyor and senior advisor before he retired.
He loved being outdoors, was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing. He was a creative writer and enjoyed creating several inventions of his own. But, his most precious times were those spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was a longtime member of St Anne's Church, and was also a member of the East Side Post #201 American Legion.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov. 3 from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Anne, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the funeral home. Entombment will be in St. John's Cemetery Mausoleum. Members of the Pope John Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. for their ritual, and members of the East Side Post #201 will meet at 6:45 p.m. for their ritual.
