Shrewsbury – Henry E. D’Amato, 93, of Shrewsbury and formerly of Holden, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the UMASS Memorial – Leominster Hospital. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary A. (Mahoney) D’Amato, in 2007.
Henry leaves his children: John P. D’Amato, of Hermosa Beach, CA, Maryann D. Wood and her husband Ian, of Holden, and Susan E. Paadre and her husband Heikki, of Sutton; four grandchildren: Jeffrey Paadre, Kristen Gulish and her husband Stephen, David Wood, and Stephen Wood; one great-grandchild: Jace; and his sister, Patricia Arsenault, of Cambridge. He was predeceased by his son, Francis X. D’Amato, along with his siblings, Albert, Arthur, and Marjorie; and their parents.
Born, raised, and educated in Shrewsbury, Henry was one of five children born to the late Palmerino D. and Assunta L. (Corazzini) D’Amato. He graduated from St. John’s High School, before beginning his Holy Cross career. He received his Bachelor’s, then went on to achieve his Master’s and PhD from Boston University.
Henry had an extensive career with Astra Pharmaceuticals in Worcester/Westborough, from 1959 to 1993. He was known for the quality of his work in research and development, management, and as FDA liaison for New Drug Applications there, and as a mentor and the author of a good number of witty limericks. Prior to that time, he also taught at Tufts Medical School.
Henry remained active for many years in the Men of Song Group, of the Retired Men’s Club of Greendale, in Worcester, as singing was a great passion of his. He was involved in the Men’s Club at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, was a longtime parishioner of St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury and St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson, and was quite active in the Diocese of Worcester, as well.
His hobbies included singing, reading, appreciating the instruments and vocals in music, enjoying comedy shows (Bob Newhart and Steve Harvey were among his favorite comedians), and participating in many events at Southgate from the lecture series to variety shows to the Senior Olympics. He and Mary also enjoyed traveling and attending Elder Hostel courses throughout the United States, and once retired would escape to San Diego for a few weeks during the winter. He loved hearing news from and about his siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and all their families, as well as the network of neighbors, friends and colleagues he built from his earliest days on.
Henry will be very deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Henry’s name may be made to St. Anne’s Church Human Services (https://stannesparish.weshareonline.org/), College of the Holy Cross (www.givecampus.com/campaigns/2662/donations/new), or to St. John’s High School (https://www.stjohnshigh.org/support).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the D’Amato family between 5 – 7 PM on Monday, November 8, at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, November 9, at St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden. Masks are kindly required to be worn at the funeral home and church, per the Town of Shrewsbury’s mandate.
For those who are unable to attend the Mass, live streaming will be offered on the Zoom platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4045788210?pwd=RW00WXB4OWVhdTVwempraW9lVHdXUT09 (Meeting ID: 404 578 8210 / Passcode: damato). Please be sure to mute microphones when entering the stream.
