Deacon Bruce R Vidito

Deacon Bruce R. Vidito, 73, of Leicester, MA, a Catholic deacon with the Diocese of Worcester, most recently St. Stephen’s Church in Worcester, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family and close friends. To his family he was lovingly known as Pop or Dad and to the parishioners and students of St. Stephen’s he was known as Deacon Bruce.

Deacon Bruce was born in Concord, Mass, the son of Charles “Bud” and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Vidito. Bruce has two sisters, Betty (Vidito) Farfaras and her husband Billy; Bruce was predeceased by his sister Judith (Vidito-Mannion-Nordstrom). Raised in Concord he graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School as a football standout. Following graduation, Bruce attended North Texas State University until he was drafted and then served his country as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam Era. In July of 1967, Deacon Bruce married his love, Pauline M. Mucciarone and they began their almost 52-year life together with Faith, Love and Devotion. Together they raised their 5 children: Felicia Vidito, Bruce R. Vidito, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Adam Vidito and his wife Eve, Vicki (Vidito) Lyons and her husband Chris, Amy (Vidito) McCubrey and her life partner Thomas Eldred; seven grandchildren with whom he found so much joy and pride: Brittney, Aaron, Dustin, Sophia, Jacqueline, Grady, and Maggie; Nieces, nephews, extended family and friends including Jim Ridick, Bob Chiarvalotti, and Reverend Ed Chalmers.

Deacon Bruce has worked in many capacities to provide for his family. For many years he worked as a carpenter and he also worked as an insulation installer. On April 22, 1995, Bruce was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Paul’s Cathedral by then Bishop Daniel J. O’Reilly. Prior to his ordination he worked as an employee of the Worcester Diocese, providing caretaker and groundskeeping services to Barlin Acres in Boylston, MA for 14 years until the venue closed. After that he spent 26 years as the maintenance supervisor, custodian, and groundskeeper for St Stephen’s Church and School. In addition, Deacon Bruce served the Diocese as a deacon at St. Margaret Mary’s church from 1995 to 2008, St Joseph’s Church in Auburn from 2008 to 2011 and St. Stephen’s Church in Worcester from 2011 to 2018.

Over Bruce’s entire life, his Catholic faith and belief in people were his driving forces. He cherished his time with his family, he was very devoted to the Church and he loved all the kids, faculty, and staff at St. Stephen’s School. Bruce found great joy from the fishing trips with his sons to the lakes and rivers of upstate N.Y. Bruce loved gardening, skiing Okemo and Sugarloaf Mountains and he was an avid fan of the New England Patriots.

Deacon Bruce will lie in state and receive Clergy, friends and relatives from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, April 15, 2019 in St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton St. A vigil service will follow at 7:00 pm in the church. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 16th at 11:00 am in St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton St. Worcester. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deacon Bruce’s name to St. Stephen’s Church Restoration Fund, 357 Grafton St., Worcester, MA. 01604 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105, or you can plant a tree, bush, or plants in Pop’s honor. Deacon Bruce also requests that colorful attire be worn for his Celebration of Life Services. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to assist the family with arrangements.