Dante J. Quercio

Dante J. Quercio February 17, 1929 - October 28, 2011 Dante J. Quercio, 82, of Shrewsbury, died peacefully after a long illness on Friday, October 28, 2011 in the care of his loving family. Dante is survived by: his devoted wife of 62 years, Rose (Morano) Quercio, his loving children; a son Dante F. Quercio of Auburn, and a daughter Maria D. Quercio and her partner Jane Saunders-Mills of Hyannis, three grandchildren of whom he was so proud; Jamie M. Quercio, Dante A. Quercio and his wife Michelle, and Marisa Leigh Dailey and her husband Ryan, four great- grandchildren: Abigail, Nicholas, Seamus, and Ella, a sister Gloria Franciosa, two brothers, Marino Quercio and his wife Tammy of West Orange N.J., and Benny Quercio and his wife Lorraine of Las Vegas, a former daughter-in-law Elaine Ettenberg, and many nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces. Dante was predeceased by a son Peter J. Quercio who died in 1985, and six brothers: Leo, Michael, Gerry, Albert , Matteo and Frederick Jr. Dante was born in Worcester, the son of the late Frederick J. Quercio Sr. and Maria (Candelma) Quercio and lived in Shrewsbury most of his life. He was a graduate of Commerce High School and attended Worcester State College. He proudly served his country during WWII in the United States Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Little Rock and The U.S. S. Amphion, and was an Underwater Demolition Diver. Dante worked for the Commonwealth Gas Company in Worcester for 45 years as a Surveyor and Senior Advisor before he retired. He loved being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed creative writing, working on several inventions of his own, and tinkering in his woodworking shop. But his most precious times were those spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on Cape Cod. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Dante was a long- time member of St Anne's Church in Shrewsbury, the Knights of Columbus Pope John Council 5481, and the East- Side Post #201 American Legion. Dante's funeral will be held Thursday from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME &CHAPEL 370 Plantation St. with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00AM in the Church of St. Anne 130 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, Calling hours in the funeral home are from 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Wednesday. Entombment will be in St. Johns Cemetery Mausoleum. Member's of the Pope John Council will meet at 6:30pm for their ritual, and members of the East Side Post #201 will meet at 6:45 for their ritual.