Obituaries

Jan 7, 2024

John F. “Jack” Powers, 82, of East Dennis, formerly of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 7th, 2024.

Jack was born in Worcester, May 18, 1941, the son of Nicholas J. Powers and Mary T. (Petty) Powers-Birch. Raised in Shrewsbury, John graduated from Shrewsbury High School and attended Worcester Junior College. John then served...

Jan 5, 2024

Major J. Berry III, 67, of Worcester, MA passed away at UMass Hospital after a long illness on January 5, 2024. Major was born in the city of Worcester on October 26, 1956, to the late Major J. Berry Jr. and Jimmie Sue (Toney) Berry, both of Alabama. Major graduated from Doherty Memorial High School where he was an all-American...

Jan 4, 2024

Kathleen Ann (Dick) Farrell, 63, of Worcester, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 4th, 2024.

Kathleen was born in Norwich, Connecticut, one of two daughters of Phyllis R. (Morin) Dick and the late Ernest C. Dick Jr.  Raised in Ledyard, Connecticut, Kathleen graduated from Ledyard High School in 1978 and furthered her education earning a...

Jan 3, 2024

Cecilia Benitez Sanchez, 97, born December 19, 1926, to Anselmo Benitez and Mercedes Sanchez in Aibonito, Puerto Rico.  She was the beloved wife of the late Hipolito Burgos. Cecilia longtime Worcester resident and former business owner from Puerto Rico. She recently has peacefully passed away surrounded by some of her family in Louisiana on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, after a...

Jan 3, 2024

Jan 2, 2024

Carol L. (Eddy) Annunziata, 80, a longtime Worcester resident and former business owner passed away surrounded by her family Tuesday, January 2, 2024, after a brief period of failing health.  Carol is now reunited with the “Love of her life” of 54 years, Stephen who left her side, on April 16th and their daughter Christine DiPadua who passed away in...

Jan 1, 2024

Dec 30, 2023

Judith Ann Hayden, 75, of Worcester passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023 after a long period of declining health.

Judith was born and raised in Worcester, the daughter of Theodore and Ann (Doyle) Cogoli-Hayden. She graduated from Saint Stephen High School. She then attended classes at Quinsigamond Community College, Assumption University and continued her education with online courses thru the...

Dec 30, 2023

Dr. Leonard D. Lipner, 82, of Worcester, MA, died peacefully in his home on December 30, 2023. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Lea Lucía Lipner, of Worcester; a brother, James Lipner of Montclair, NJ; a son, Ariel Lipner of Worcester; a daughter, Victoria Broniscer, of Arlington MA; seven grandchildren, two great-grandsons and two nephews. Leonard was predeceased by...

Dec 30, 2023

Maria G. (Piombino) Gazzillo, 83, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home with family gathered at her side Saturday, December 30th, 2023, after a brief period of declining health.

Maria was born in Casertavechia, Italy the daughter of Francesco and Angela Piombino. Raised in Casertavechia, Maria met and married Pietro Gazzillo and proudly came to the United...

Dec 29, 2023

Julia Carolina Luiz DeSouza, 28 of New Bedford formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 29, 2023 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. 

Julia was born on June 28th, 1995 in Americana, Sao Paulo, Brazil. She went to Abby Kelley Charter Public School, graduating in 2014. Julia continued her education at Worcester State University graduating...

Dec 29, 2023

Dec 28, 2023

Dec 27, 2023

Dec 26, 2023

Estella Brown, 74 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at The Meadows of Leicester.

Estella was born on March 14, 1949 in Winnsboro, Louisiana, a daughter of the late Isaac “Ike” and Addie M. (Morrison) Brown.  She worked as a factory worker for Polaroid for many years. 

Estella is survived by two sisters, Addie Brown...

Dec 24, 2023

Samantha “Sam” Mercak, 19, a lifelong resident of Worcester, passed away suddenly at home Sunday, December 24, 2023, after many years of mental health challenges.

Sam was born in Worcester, April 22, 2004, and graduated Doherty High School. Samantha notably played softball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and volleyball growing up.

Samantha is survived by her mother, Laurie (Quinn) Mercak with...

Dec 24, 2023

James F. Pogorek, 73 of Lecanto, Florida, formerly of Spencer passed away unexpectedly after being stricken ill at home on Sunday, December 24, 2023.

James was born in Worcester, the son of Walter J. Pogorek, Sr. and Dorothy (Berry) Pogorek.   He graduated from Worcester Boys Trade and New England School of Accounting. HE joined the United States Navy, serving proudly...

Dec 23, 2023

Christopher (“Chris”) Christopher, 92, passed away peacefully at home in Westborough on Saturday, December 23, 2023 with his devoted wife, Jane, by his side. He was born on February 2, 1931 in the village of Polena, Albania, the son of Spiro and Caliopi (Kovachi) Christopher and emigrated to Worcester when he was 5 years old. 

Chris graduated from South...

Dec 21, 2023

Erma J. (Sremanak) Kean, 82, of Sterling, MA passed away December 21, 2023, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in Johnstown, PA to the late Sadie and Nicholas Sremanak, she was the beloved wife of David Kean, whom she married in 1969. In addition to her husband, four children survive Erma: Nicholas Kean of Worcester, Timothy Kean of...

Dec 21, 2023