Francis Raymond D'Angelo, Sr.

Francis Raymond D'Angelo, Sr., 94 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. Francis is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Emma Teresa (Santacroce) D'Angelo; his daughter, Sandra J. Shilansky of West Roxbury, MA; his son, Francis R. D'Angelo, Jr. and his wife Francesca of Rutland, MA; granddaughter, Tara J. (Shilansky) Merrill and her husband Paul; grandsons, Andrew and Nicolas D'Angelo and great grandson, Angelo Francis Merrill. His brother, Anthony D'Angelo and his wife Lela also survive him. Francis is predeceased by a brother, Alfred D'Angelo; four sisters, Carmella Mayo, Virginia Chandler, Stella DesRoches and Lena Patriac. Francis was born in Worcester, a son of the late Gioachino and Annina (Forcucci) D'Angelo. Mr. D'Angelo graduated from North High School in Worcester in 1936 and then took post-graduate courses in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. He worked at Prager Wallpaper Co. Francis served three and half years in the United States Army in the South Pacific during World War II where he received the Bronze Service Medal of Honor in 1945 for saving the lives of his full regiment, by alerting them and returning initial fire against enemy forces when they infiltrated the battalion's night defenses. After the war, Francis worked for the United States Post Office for twenty-five years, retiring in 1983. He was also a member of the Greendale Men's Club for Retirees. A private viewing will be held for immediate family at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, 76 North Main St., West Boylston, MA. 01583.