Anteo "Drops" Biancheria

Anteo “Drops” Biancheria, entering his 90th year, of Worcester and West Yarmouth on Cape Cod, a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away peacefully Sunday, June 4th 2017, with the family he cherished gathered around him. He will join in heaven his wife Ellen (Pedone) Biancheria, who passed away on January 26, 2015. Anteo was born in Worcester, on August 11, 1927, a member of the greatest generation and the last surviving child of the first generation of the Biancheria and Pedone families. His parents Annibale and Aggripina (Falcioni) Biancheria were Italian immigrants of the town of Fano, province of Pesaro, Italy, settling in the Italian neighborhood off Shrewsbury Street. Their children Drops, Amilcare and Palma were surrounded by family members and neighbors, together forming a tremendous amount of lasting and happy memories. Drops graduated from Commerce High School, joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served as a member of the occupation forces in Korea. Anteo is survived by his three children, Brenda E. Raffa and her husband Donald “Chip” Raffa; Worcester School Committee Member Dianna L. Biancheria and her life partner, Michael Perro; and his son John A. Biancheria – all of Worcester; his two grandchildren whom he cherished, Anthony Raffa and Stephanie Raffa-Watson and her husband Eric; his precious great- granddaughter Cataleya Evelyn, as well as devoted nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. These family members and friends could regularly be found with Anteo and Ellen in their home and the neighborhood. In addition to Ellen, Drops is predeceased by his brother Amilcare “Mick” Biancheria; his sister Palma “Palmina” Valeri; his nephew Damien Biancheria; his in-laws Frank “Duke” Rana and his wife Grace; Frank Silvestris and his wife Anna Marie; Peter Arena and his wife Mary; Marino “Marty” Palermo and his wife Yolanda; Julio “Junks” Pedone and his wife Barbara. Anteo, an accomplished ornamental plaster craftsman began his career working as a plasterer for Anzo Tonelli and AJ Prunier Company before accepting a position with the Worcester Housing Authority, where he served the City of Worcester for over 18 years until retiring as a foreman in Anteo renewed and repaired the many ornamental fixtures of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church over the years. At one time in his youth, Drops also served as a window designer for the former Denholm & McKay company. He was part of the original crew of plasterers who helped build and restore significant structures throughout the city, such as Mechanics Hall, the Ecotarium and Mt Carmel Church. In his later years, he was a highly sought-after, talented artist in his trade of ornamental plastering. He was called upon to help restore the very same structures he helped build, including the historic building which now houses Worcester’s Hanover Theatre. Throughout his life, he was politically active and an avid participant in the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood community. Anteo was proud to serve as the official Treasurer of his daughter Dianna’s School Committee campaign. Drops, with an enormous personality and an ability to be a friend to all, was a founding member of the Columbus Civic Association; co-chairperson of the Columbus Civic Reestablishment of the Columbus Day Parade; and co-organizer of its men’s golf league where he was notably awarded the best-dressed golfer at Green Hill Golf Club. He was a respected and influential lifetime board member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union Local 3, holding the position of recording secretary. He was a member of Eastside Post 201, American Legion; Post 3, Italian American War Veterans; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel recreation center bowling leagues, and the neighborhood gang of Mel’s Lunch. Drops enjoyed many fine cigars, good red wine, playing cards, the aromas of Ellen’s Italian home-cooking, hosting family, friends and neighbors. In addition to his Worcester memories, he particularly enjoyed his time and memories from the family Cape Cod home in West Yarmouth, holidays, special occasions and especially the sunny times at Sea Gull Beach. He was an avid fisherman and spent many years enjoying deep sea fishing and surf casting at many Cape Cod beaches. Anteo truly believed that faith, family and friends were the most important parts of his life. He was very generous with his love, time, talents and resources, helping anyone he could, whenever he could. Ellen, his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter always came first in his life, and he remained the backbone of his family, devoted to them through life. Friends, relatives and neighbors are invited to calling hours, Thursday June 8th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street. His funeral will be held Friday, June 9th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Road, where his nephew, Reverend Monsignor Stephen Pedone will celebrate his funeral mass at noon. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, where he will be buried with his beloved wife and other family members.