John J DiIorio

John J. DiIorio, aka, “John Da Barber” 93, of Worcester, prominent local business owner, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away at home, surrounded by the family he loved, Tuesday, August 22, 2023. 

John was born in Utica, NY, the son of Italian immigrants, Gerardo, and Bridgetta (Alicandro) DiIorio. Raised in upstate NY, John because of family medical needs moved to Worcester, and never left. As a child, he asked his father for a bike and his father being a barber made him promise that he would become a barber also. In 1950, John proudly, joined the U.S. Navy serving his country he so loved during the Korean War.  He began cutting hair on his ship fulfilling the promise he made to his dad. 

Shortly after discharge and return home, John met his soon to be wife Congetta Papagni, roller skating when she pinned him. So, on April 25th, 1953, John married the “Love of his Life” Congetta Papagni. A short time later, on October 14th, 1954, John opened a small barber shop called “John’s Barber Shop” Over time, he and his family worked together, turning his 3-chair shop to a 25-chair hair salon known as “DiIorio’s Hair Salon”.  A place where his entire family worked, and he considered his employees family as they did him, lovingly calling him Pops or Papa. His love, Connie left his side on August 9, 2016, after 63 years of marriage, family dedication, devotion, and hard work. 

John leaves the family he cherished, his children, Nancy DiIorio, twin sons, Jerry DiIorio and his wife Laurie, John DiIorio, and Bridget L. DiIorio all of Worcester, and Guy Anthony DiIorio of Vero Beach Florida, and a daughter, Julie Papagni Saska of Peabody; 14 grandchildren, Robert, Marc, Ariann, Keslee, Sasha, Tommie, Dominic, Anthony, Brianna, Xavyer, Dantay, Gyovanni, Jessica and Eddy. He also leaves eight great grandchildren; many nephews, nieces, extended family, notably Brian Walsh a longtime employee who considered him his second father. In addition to his parents, and his wife, Connie, he was also predeceased by a sister, Agnes DiIorio. 

John was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the Greendale retired Men’s club, Eastside Post 201 American Legion, and a founding member of the Columbus Civic Association. In 2010, John was honored by the Columbus Day Parade committee as Grand Marshall. Connie and John notably could be found on Saturday nights with friends dancing, dining, and enjoying each other’s company. Sundays were always reserved for family dinners, rides in the car to Hebert’s Candy Mansion, out for ice cream, a long ride to Mount Wachusett, or a real treat to McDonald’s on Main Street. John enjoyed Bowling, spending time talking to and entertaining his customers about solving the world’s problems. His sense of humor made people laugh. In later years, you could find John and Connie in their Falmouth home or in Sebastian Florida with friends. He from time to time enjoyed his homemade wine or his Crown Royal. 

Friends and family, are invited to calling hours Friday, August 25th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be celebrated Saturday, August 26th, departing the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. in procession to a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Rd., Worcester.  Burial with Military honors will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. 

In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in his name can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. [email protected].

The family would like to thank John’s doctors, Wendy Bergman, Bradley Switzer, Khalid Aziz, Kevin at Framingham MetroWest and The Salmon Hospice for the care, comfort, and compassion they gave to our dad.