Augustine "Gus" Sbrogna, Jr.

” After a period of declining health, Augustine (“Gus”) Sbrogna, Jr., at age 98, died on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, at UMass Hospital, surrounded by his family.  

Gus was born in Worcester, the son of Augustine Sbrogna, Sr., and Philomena (DeMalia) Sbrogna and lived for over 90 years in the house where he was born on Shrewsbury Street, in Worcester’s Italian neighborhood. More recently he spent all but the summer months at his home at Traveler’s Rest in Dade City, Florida. Gus graduated from Commerce High School where he was an outstanding track athlete, winning many races both locally and nationally. After High school he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served, post WWII, for three years in Japan.  Upon discharge, and return home, he worked as an engineer at American Optical and later for many years as an Industrial Arts teacher in the Worcester Public School system. 

 His loving wife, and best friend, Vera (Paolino) Sbrogna died in 2012. He is survived by his loving sister, Lena (Sbrogna) Adamski and many nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grandnieces. In addition to his wife and parents, two sisters, Antoinette (Sbrogna) Tortora, and Anna (Sbrogna) Coscia and eight brothers, Ralph, Emilio, Vincent, Phillip, Anthony, Joseph, Andrew and Domenic, all predeceased him. 

 Together Gus and Vera travelled on numerous adventures throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with their many friends of the Air Stream Travel Club. He enjoyed playing music (Harmonica and organ) dancing, traveling, cooking and entertaining family and friends. Gus always cherished his family and his Italian heritage.   

The family would like to thank the staff at Notre Dame Long Term Care for the kindness, comfort and compassion shown to Gus in his final days. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the Hernandez family, Phil, Candy and their four children for welcoming Gus into their home for extended stays on many occasions and treating him as a family member, and to his Dade City friends, particularly Jodie and Tony Shipe, Tom and Debbie Etchill for all the many years of kindness and friendship, shown to Gus. 

 A period of Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Mercadante Funeral Home, Plantation Street, Worcester, followed by a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, Worcester, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am. Gus will be buried with full military honors, alongside his loving wife Vera, at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that you consider a memorial donation in Gus’s name to Our Lady of Loreto Parish, 37 Massasoit Rd. Worcester, 01604 “