Antonio "Tony" Chionchio

WORCESTER: Antonio “Tony” Chionchio, 85, of Worcester, a loving, husband, father, and grandfather passed away surrounded by family, Thursday, March 26th 2026 after a series of health challenges. Tony is welcomed into heaven into the arms of his daughter, Anne E. Porcaro who passed away in 1991.

Tony was born May 9th, 1940, in Vieste Foggia, Italy, one of nine children of Matteo and Maddalena (Grema) Chionchio. Raised and educated in Vieste, Tony immigrated to the United States as a young man with his brother at the age of seventeen. He then met and married the “Love of his Life” and best friend, Elizabeth “Betty” Dell’Olio in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. Tony worked as a baker with the Table & Town Talk bakeries where he worked until he took a position with the Dept of Mental Health at Worcester State Hospital and the Umass Memorial Medical center before retiring in 2003.

Tony is survived by his love of 65 years, Elizabeth “Betty”; four devoted children he cherished, Anthony M. Chionchio and his wife Barbara, Maria-Elaina Riggieri and her husband William all of Worcester; Michael A. Chionchio of Oakham, Christina A. Townsend and her husband Luke of Standish, ME; 15 grandchildren: Erica, Gianna, Jordyn (Mike), Lia, Antonio, William (Kelly), Nicholas (Diana), Matteo, Bianca, Maria-Elaina, Taylor, Giavanna, Vincente, James (Nikki) and Andrew (Karlie) and 12 great grandchildren, he cherished and who lovingly called him “PAPA”; Tony additionally leaves two sisters, Raffaela Persi and her husband Luigi and Appolonia Chionchio all in Italy. He also leaves his loving brother Louis Dell’Olio and his wife Laura, many other nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. In addition to his daughter Anne and parents, six brothers, Michale, Francesco, Gaetano, Mauro, Caesare and Pietro Chionchio all predeceased him.

His catholic faith was very important to Tony and Betty, they are members and active volunteers of Our Lady of Mt Carmel/Our Lady of Loreto parish attending Mass regularly sitting in the same row with family at the same mass 8 am every week. He was a member of the Worcester Lodge 168, Sons and daughters of Italy, the Greendale retired men’s club, and the Worcester Senior center. Tony was a 4th degree active member of the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Knights of Columbus #13575 and a fourth-degree member of the Bishop O’Reilly Assembly. He enjoyed travel with Betty and family, notably returning to Italy to visit his family. The holidays, family gatherings and special occasions meant the world to him, baking bread, fried dough and fried calamari. He loved to walk and could be found daily walking Shrewsbury Street from end to end. Upon retirement Tony & Betty settled in Wells, Maine and returning to Mass in 2017.

Tony lived a life of simplicity, hard work, dedication and always putting his family & faith first. The family would like to thank the staff of the Putnam Unit at Christopher House for there exceptional care & compassion.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for calling hours Sunday, March 29th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be held Monday, March 30st from the funeral home with a procession beginning at 10:30 am to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where his Celebration of Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in St John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in his name be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston.