Pasquale J. DiBara

Pasquale J. (Pat) DiBara, 84, of West Boylston, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 18, 2017, at UMass Memorial Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Pat was born in Worcester, the youngest son of the late Italian immigrants, Matteo and Mary N. (Iannoli) DiBara, where he graduated from Commerce High School in 1950.  Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy proudly serving his country in the Korean War.  He was a Teleman Petty Officer, 3rd Class, serving on the USS Vesole and was the proud recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  Pat was honorably discharged in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Esther Lorusso, on April 14th that same year.   After spending ten years in Worcester, they moved to West Boylston in 1965 where they raised their five children.  Upon his return from the military, Pat was co-owner with his brother, Peter, of the former Flying A Service Station on Greenwood Street in Worcester for 10 years. He then worked as a supervisor for the Division of Youth Services of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in both West Boylston and Worcester, retiring in the early 90’s . After retirement, Pat assisted his sons in establishing DiBara Enterprises, where he worked as an accomplished stone mason.  Pat was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Worcester and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  After retirement, he and Esther enjoyed cooking their traditional Italian favorites together, visiting the local casinos and having annual yard sales that became well-known throughout the town.  He loved being involved in his grandchildren’s activities and was a guiding presence in their lives.  Pat was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan and felt fortunate to witness many of their successes.  In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, fishing and metal detecting. Pat’s wife of 59 years, Esther J. (Lorusso) DiBara, passed away on October 12, 2013.  He is survived by his five children, Mary Lorusso-DiBara and her husband James Harrington of Portsmouth, RI, Josephine D. Fox and her husband Glendon of Shrewsbury, Matthew M. DiBara and his wife Suely of Worcester, Michael M. DiBara and his wife Lisa of Rutland and Darlene D. O’Connor and her husband Neil of Rutland; two brothers, Peter DiBara of Worcester and Anthony DiBara of East Brookfield; a sister, Mary Laurence of Worcester; eleven grandchildren, one great grandchild, many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by a brother, Charles DiBara, and a sister, Mildred DiBara. Pat’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center for the outstanding care and compassion given to him over the past year. A period of calling hours will be held on Friday, February 24, 2017, from 4-7 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Peter’s Church, Main St., Worcester. Entombment with Military Funeral Honors will follow at Notre Dame Mausoleum, Worcester, where he will be reunited with his wife, Esther. Memorial contributions in memory of Pasquale may be made to: Central Mass Lyme Foundation, 210 Park Avenue, Suite 143, Worcester, MA 01609, Pasquale J. DiBara Scholarship Fund, c/o Boys and Girls Club, 65 Tainter Street, Worcester, MA 01610-2520 or St. Anne’s Shrine, 16 Church Street, Fiskdale, MA 01518.  To share your thoughts, memories or prayers with Pasquale’s family, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.