Shrewsbury – Jeremiah “Jerry” Porcaro, 77, longtime Shrewsbury resident and friend to all, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 with family gathered by his side.
Jerry was born in Worcester, one of 12 children of Italian immigrants Antonio and Assunta (Letrenta) Porcaro. He grew up in Worcester, graduated from Worcester Boys Trade, and lived in Worcester until 1957 when he married the love of his life, Grace Marie Boyle. Together, they then moved to Shrewsbury where they have lived for the next 57 years.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Grace; their six devoted children, Antonio Porcaro, Diane G. Porcaro, Judy Bartkiewicz and her husband David, all of Shrewsbury, and Annette A. Porcaro and her partner Thomas DeFusco, Denise Porcaro, and Danielle M. Porcaro and her partner Bobby Marcioni, all of Worcester; a brother, Alfred “Fred” Porcaro; sisters, Margaret “Nanny” Ferraro and her husband Anthony, Dorothy Godin-Kowalski, Elizabeth “Betty Ann Fortin, Ann Frascolla, and Barbara Blanding and her husband Edmund; a sister-in-law, Rose Porcaro; three grandchildren he adored, Britney, Anthony, and Gino; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Three brothers, Arthur “Artie,” James, and Rocco Porcaro, as well as two sisters, Rose Sciascia-Walsh and Lena Dupre, all predeceased him.
Jerry owned and operated several companies throughout his life. His pride was a small home-grown farm in Shrewsbury, Jay's Spa on Wall Street in Worcester and G. Porcaro's Trucking. He was very proud of being a big part of his daughter's successful business.
Jerry had many friends and could be found on most evenings with friends at Dunkin Donuts in Shrewsbury laughing and reminiscing. He believed and held to his Italian heritage, enjoying shopping trips to Boston's North End and the Italian section of Westerly, Rhode Island. He cherished the holiday traditions most of all. He loved to pick mushrooms, tend his farm, and be with his family. He was also a member of the Calabrese Club in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Jerry's funeral will be held Saturday, March 1 from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Friday, Feb. 28, from 4 – 8 p.m., in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Central Massachusetts Chapter, 2000 Century Dr., Worcester, MA 01606.
