Obituary for Anthony F. Amorello
Anthony F. Amorello, 87, died Saturday January 4, 2020 at his home in Shrewsbury.
He was born in Worcester, at his parents’ home, in 1932. His mother, Josephine, died soon after due to complications from childbirth. It was a burden that Anthony carried quietly, but also one that he was able to transcend convincingly. Raised by extended family, Anthony often recalled seeing his older siblings and wishing he could spend more time with them. Eventually, he did—and the large family of 10 remaining siblings grew exceptionally close and loving.
Anthony joined his three older brothers, Bill, John, and Ed, in running the construction company founded in 1914 by his father, Antonio Amorello, an Italian immigrant and American patriot. The company continues to flourish more than a century later. Anthony, a kind and unassuming man, prided himself on being hardworking, fair, and honest. He enjoyed the respect and the affection of his employees, peers and competitors. Anthony remained actively involved in the estimating department, successfully bidding on city and state projects; many of these projects are ongoing today.
A 1950 graduate of Commerce High School, Anthony enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1951 to 1955. He served in Alabama, Arizona, Japan and saw combat during the Korean War. He forged strong friendships with the men—boys, really—who served alongside him, and they remained in contact throughout their lives and across the miles, exchanging cards, letters and phone calls and getting together for reunions.
So, too, did he remain close with his high school pals throughout his life: Phil Cicero, Chuck Chianese, Anthony Caramello, Eddie DiTullio, Frank Feraco and Anthony’s cousin Jerry Urso. He often regaled his children with tales of their raucous good times.
Anthony valued family above all else. His greatest joy was sharing food and conversation with his aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, their children and his own children and grandchildren, whether it was Friday afternoon lunches with his brothers, group dates with his siblings, dinners in Florida, 4th of July pig roasts, huge family reunions or small Sunday gatherings at his home. Anthony was the kind of “PopPop” that every child should be lucky enough to have. He adored his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and they, in turn, adored him.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia J. (Donovan) Amorello; his four sons, James P. Amorello and his wife Vanessa Parks of Shrewsbury, Joseph A. Amorello and his wife Nancy of Shrewsbury, Daniel T. Amorello of Whitinsville, and Robert E. Amorello of Jefferson; nine grandchildren: Nicholas Amorello of Worcester, Kathryn Amorello Beckwith of Worcester, Alison Amorello Seibold and her husband Marine Lt. William Seibold of San Marcos, CA, Anthony Z. Amorello of Los Angeles, Tess Parks of Portland, ME, James and Ethan Amorello of Jefferson, and Isabella and Abigail Amorello of Shrewsbury; three great-grandchildren, Patrick and J. Monroe Beckwith, and Joseph “JD” Seibold; his brothers-in-law, Charles Vilandre of Westborough, and Robert Donovan and Betty Crummett of North Attleboro; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Josephine (Pane) Amorello, and 10 siblings, Lena Zamarro, Georgianna Ricciardi, William Amorello, Ann Zamarro, Irene Charles, John Amorello, Edward Amorello, Dorothy Vilandre, Frank Amorello & Mary Amorello.
The Amorello family wishes to thank all of Anthony’s caregivers, especially daughters-in-law, Vanessa and Nancy.
Visiting hours will be held between 4:00 and 8:00 PM on Wednesday January 8, 2020 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday January 9, 2020 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, followed by burial in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Friendly House Inc., 36 Wall St., Worcester, MA 01604, Attention: Business Office, or to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.
He was born in Worcester, at his parents’ home, in 1932. His mother, Josephine, died soon after due to complications from childbirth. It was a burden that Anthony carried quietly, but also one that he was able to transcend convincingly. Raised by extended family, Anthony often recalled seeing his older siblings and wishing he could spend more time with them. Eventually, he did—and the large family of 10 remaining siblings grew exceptionally close and loving.
Anthony joined his three older brothers, Bill, John, and Ed, in running the construction company founded in 1914 by his father, Antonio Amorello, an Italian immigrant and American patriot. The company continues to flourish more than a century later. Anthony, a kind and unassuming man, prided himself on being hardworking, fair, and honest. He enjoyed the respect and the affection of his employees, peers and competitors. Anthony remained actively involved in the estimating department, successfully bidding on city and state projects; many of these projects are ongoing today.
A 1950 graduate of Commerce High School, Anthony enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1951 to 1955. He served in Alabama, Arizona, Japan and saw combat during the Korean War. He forged strong friendships with the men—boys, really—who served alongside him, and they remained in contact throughout their lives and across the miles, exchanging cards, letters and phone calls and getting together for reunions.
So, too, did he remain close with his high school pals throughout his life: Phil Cicero, Chuck Chianese, Anthony Caramello, Eddie DiTullio, Frank Feraco and Anthony’s cousin Jerry Urso. He often regaled his children with tales of their raucous good times.
Anthony valued family above all else. His greatest joy was sharing food and conversation with his aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, their children and his own children and grandchildren, whether it was Friday afternoon lunches with his brothers, group dates with his siblings, dinners in Florida, 4th of July pig roasts, huge family reunions or small Sunday gatherings at his home. Anthony was the kind of “PopPop” that every child should be lucky enough to have. He adored his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and they, in turn, adored him.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia J. (Donovan) Amorello; his four sons, James P. Amorello and his wife Vanessa Parks of Shrewsbury, Joseph A. Amorello and his wife Nancy of Shrewsbury, Daniel T. Amorello of Whitinsville, and Robert E. Amorello of Jefferson; nine grandchildren: Nicholas Amorello of Worcester, Kathryn Amorello Beckwith of Worcester, Alison Amorello Seibold and her husband Marine Lt. William Seibold of San Marcos, CA, Anthony Z. Amorello of Los Angeles, Tess Parks of Portland, ME, James and Ethan Amorello of Jefferson, and Isabella and Abigail Amorello of Shrewsbury; three great-grandchildren, Patrick and J. Monroe Beckwith, and Joseph “JD” Seibold; his brothers-in-law, Charles Vilandre of Westborough, and Robert Donovan and Betty Crummett of North Attleboro; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Josephine (Pane) Amorello, and 10 siblings, Lena Zamarro, Georgianna Ricciardi, William Amorello, Ann Zamarro, Irene Charles, John Amorello, Edward Amorello, Dorothy Vilandre, Frank Amorello & Mary Amorello.
The Amorello family wishes to thank all of Anthony’s caregivers, especially daughters-in-law, Vanessa and Nancy.
Visiting hours will be held between 4:00 and 8:00 PM on Wednesday January 8, 2020 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday January 9, 2020 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, followed by burial in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Friendly House Inc., 36 Wall St., Worcester, MA 01604, Attention: Business Office, or to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.