Sutton – Alfred Jude “Sonny” Venincasa, 87, formerly of Worcester and Grafton, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after a long illness.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late Katherine Romeo and Antonio Venincasa. He grew up in the Grafton Hill section in Worcester and attended St. Stephen School. He was a builder by trade.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan (Mombourquette); 5 children: David of Oxford, Jeanne of Douglas, Richard of Douglas, Robert and his wife Candy of Sutton and Christina of Auburn. He also leaves 9 grandchildren: Jeffrey Denomme and his wife Lisa, Lisa J. Denomme, Tawny Venincasa, Angela Denomme, Lori Denomme, Kerstin Venincasa, Sam Venincasa, Alaina Pafume and Noah Pafume; 3 great-grandchildren: Ethan, Elsie and Troy. He leaves a sister, Gloria Talbot and her husband William, his sister-in-law Alice Bucca, a brother-in-law Charles Mombourquette, nephews, nieces, cousins and several close friends. He was pre-deceased by his 4 brothers: Anthony, Francis, Paul and Donald.
In his youth, he worked with his father in the family business, Franklin Produce. He also worked for his uncle at Anthony Romeo Trucking, driving and repairing trucks. He worked for Peterson Floor Company installing hardwood floors, and in the early sixties, along with his brother, formed Dillon Floor Company of Worcester.
In 1965, he built his first house in Sutton, the home where he resided until his death. He continued to build houses with his brother and then on his own as A. Venincasa, Builder. He served in the Army National Guard, 181st Infantry for several years.
A “Jack-of-all-trades” he would attempt any project. He liked using heavy equipment and while building houses, he installed septic systems and did most of the excavation work.
He was a pigeon fancier for many years, breeding and flying homing pigeons with the Worcester Pigeon Club and Rhode Island and Chicopee clubs. He enjoyed planting his garden each year and was proud of his giant tomato plants. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and on most mornings, could be found meeting for coffee with his friends at McDonald’s on Grafton Street. Sonny also enjoyed fishing.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28th, at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27th from 5 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, South Grafton.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the nurses and staff of the Salmon Home Health Agency and the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Vincent Hospital.
