“The Man. The Myth. The Legend.” Joe D’Ambra, 73, of Worcester, passed away peacefully with the family he loved gathered at his bedside on Thursday, April 21, 2022, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Joe was a true warrior and was his family’s rock. He was a dedicated husband, father, and a doting grandfather. He always brought a smile to everyone’s face, and never ceased to make people feel loved and supported. Joe was admired by so many for his grit, perseverance, and contagious sense of humor.
Joe worked for more than twenty years as a Sergeant with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The last several years he spent as the department’s community liaison, interacting with the senior community. When not working for the Sheriff, Joe became involved as a member of the St. Peter-Marian community, where his children, and later his grandchildren, all attended high school. Whether driving the varsity football bus or handling odds and ends around the school, Joe truly became a fixture of daily life at SPM. In addition, Joe worked as a funeral assistant at Mercadante Funeral Home.
Joe was born in Boston; his parents were the late Michael and Mary (Latino) D’Ambra. In 1973, Joe married the love of his life Cheryl Agbay, and began raising their family with love, dedication, and devotion.
Joe is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl; his daughter, Tara Mara, and her husband Daniel of Worcester, who was like a second son to Joe; his son Joseph D’Ambra Jr. of Ft. Myers, Florida; his best friend and grandson DJ, and granddaughter Bella, who was the apple of his eye; a grand-dog Sonny; a brother, Michael D’Ambra and his wife Lulu of Boston; two sisters, Diane Nelson and Margaret “Peggy” Sarette; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Joe is pre-deceased by his two sisters, Dolores Pilling and Linda Marcelonis.
Cooking was Joe’s passion and his wife’s necessity. His favorite dish to prepare was his Sunday sauce and meatballs. Whether it was cooking on family vacations or for the guys at work, Joe did it with pride. Joe was an avid golfer (or so he thought). He spent more time throwing his clubs than getting the ball into the hole. Above and beyond everything, Joe was a family man. He loved watching his granddaughter Bella play softball and was her number one fan. He also loved bringing along his grandson DJ to the community events, from which they formed an unbreakable bond. He was extremely proud of DJ’s recent commitment to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where he will be studying Politics in the fall.
The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude for the care and compassion Joe received over the years from Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. They would like to thank the Notre Dame Hospice nurses for the outstanding care they provided to both the family and Joe.
Calling hours for Joe will be held Tuesday, April 26th from 4 pm to 8 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street. His funeral will be held Wednesday, April 27th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Providence/St Bernards Church, 228 Lincoln St where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Joe’s name can be made to the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriffs Association, 240 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
4:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Our Lady of Providence (Saint Bernard Church)
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