Shrewsbury – Rosemarie A. (Groccia) D’Alessandro, 81, of Shrewsbury and Saint Augustine, Fla., passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at UMass Hospital, surrounded by loving family. Her husband of 56 years, Hugo R. D’Alessandro, predeceased her in May 2011.
She is survived by four sons, Daniel A. D’Alessandro and his wife Annie of Derry, N.H., David J. D’Alessandro and his wife Cynthia of Shrewsbury, John M. D’Alessandro and his wife Debra of Worcester, and James H. D’Alessandro and his wife Christine of Shrewsbury; 13 grandchildren, Andrew, Michael, Caitlin, Angela, Susan, Olivia, Michelle, Alex, Samantha, Gianna, Isabella, Julia, and Jennifer; two great-grandchildren, Karoline and Henry; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her six brothers and sisters, Louise Quiry, James Groccia, Charles Groccia, Frank Groccia, John Groccia, and Helen Russell.
She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late, Joseph and Rose (Belsito) Groccia, and graduated from Commerce High School.
Rosemarie lived a life based upon the values taught by her parents, hard work and devotion to family always came first. She married the love of her life in 1954, and together they raised their family in Shrewsbury. She was not only an integral part of the family, but played an important role in their family business, Mass Transport Armored Car Service.
She was a member of Saint Anne’s Church and the Sons of Italy, Lodge 168. She loved to cook for and be with her family where you never left her home hungry. Her legendary Sunday pasta dinners brought together the entire family that grew so large more tables and chairs were needed. If you could not make dinner, she wanted to know why. She did it all, from raising four boys and being an amazing wife to her husband to hand making, baking and cooking for all holiday traditions.
Her personal touch made the difference in her family’s lives; she was one of a kind. Her love and affection was never for herself, family always came first, including her little puppy, Maxine, which was the light of her life after her husband had passed. Their love for each other was the right positive energy that carried them through the darkest days. Even though her blindness dampened her spirit and caused her great grief the last few years of her life. Never-the-less, she carried on as best she could with the strong family support surrounding her. She is now at peace and reunited with Hugo.
Calling hours for Rosemarie will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 4-8 p.m., in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Her funeral will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, departing from the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. and proceeding to a 10 a.m. Mass at Saint Anne’s Church, 120 Boston Tpke. (Route 9 east), Shrewsbury. Interment will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to T&G Santa, in care of The Worcester Telegram.
