Joseph P Froio

Joseph P. Froio, 79, of Worcester passed away unexpectedly at home, Friday, January 5th, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born and raised in Montauro, Province of Catanzaro, Italy, Joe was the oldest son of the late Francesco and Maria Grazia (Masciari) Froio.  He began his long and distinguished career as a Barber at the age of 12, owning his own barbershop in Italy at the age of 16.  He was also a star soccer player in Italy for many years.  On November 1, 1960, in Montauro, Joe married the woman who became the “Love of his Life” and devoted caring wife for the next 57 years, Antonietta Pisano.  Joe then joined his wife in the United States and settled in Worcester on April 4, 1961, which he referred to many times as “One of  the best days of my life.”  Due to local and state regulations, Joe could not practice his barber trade in the United States.  He first had to learn the English language and serve as an apprentice to obtain a license to practice.  He worked in restaurants to feed his young and growing family, and learned English at night school.  Joe persevered and in 1968, with three children, purchased what became Worcester’s notable House of Men’s Hairstyling in Federal Square.  In 1970, Joe’s brother Tony joined him in business and they eventually relocated to North Main Street.  They remained partners for 38 years until Joe’s forced retirement due to Parkinson’s Disease in November, 2008.  Tony continues to operate the business that Joe was so incredibly proud of to this day.  Always the center of activity with people entering and exiting, Joe served countless celebrities, community and religious leaders, and sports figures.  He greeted every customer as if they were family, always with a warm smile and laugh.  He took immense pride in serving every customer with genuine respect and professionalism.  Joe loved to speak about the politics and local concerns of his beloved Worcester, and was always prepared to speak about the success or failure of each Boston sports team.  He will be so greatly missed.  On the occasion of his surprise retirement party at his Barbershop, Joe told the Worcester T&G that “I’ve been lucky and blessed, this barbershop has never really been a business.  It’s family.” Joe is survived by the family he loved and cherished, his wife and life companion, Antonietta, their four children he was so immensely proud of, Frank P. Froio and his wife Suzanne, Anthony A. Froio, Esq. and his wife Stephanie, all of Shrewsbury, daughters, Caterina “Cathy” Zecco and her husband James of Shrewsbury, and Josephine Mara and her husband Joseph of Millbury; seven grandchildren who were his pride and joy for so many years, and lovingly called him “Nono”, Marisa, Emilia, Rachel, Ariana, Anthony, Christopher and Nicholas.  Beyond his immediate family, Joe leaves his three beloved brothers, Liberato P. “Leo” Froio of North Carolina, Francesco “Frank” Froio of Shrewsbury, and his youngest brother and business partner, Antonio “Tony” Froio of Dudley; his aunt, whom he took care of for so many years and considered his second mother, Maria Masciari Fulginiti of Worcester; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and countless friends in the United States and Italy. Joe was a member of Our Lady of Loreto Church, the Worcester Lodge 168, Sons of Italy and its Bocce League, where he enjoyed many years of playing on Wednesday nights with his sons, brothers, nephews and so many friends.  He was also a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and North Main Street Business Association.  Joe loved music all of his life, and was an accomplished accordionist.  He never missed a holiday, family birthday, Sunday pasta dinner or any special occasion during which he entertained in his home, and loved having his entire family around him.  He was a genuine, wholesome, gentle man whose family always came first.  His wife, children and grandchildren were his life’s inspiration, and he was incredibly proud of the accomplishments of each of them.    He enjoyed watching and following each of the Boston sports teams with his kids and grandchildren, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. Friends and relatives are invited to a period of calling hours Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, and again on Wednesday morning from 8:45 am to 9:30 am before departing in procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, where Monsignor Stephen Pedone will celebrate his funeral liturgy at 10:00 am.  Entombment will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum.