Nicholas A Astrella

Nicholas Astrella 85 of Worcester passed away surrounded by the ones he loved Wednesday, January 9^th, 2019 after a period of declining health.    

Nick was born and raised in Worcester, one of ten children of Italian immigrants James and Josephine (Vinzi) Astrella.  After graduation from High School, Nick joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War serving his country honorably for two years.  Upon, discharge from the service and in September 1958, Nick married the “Love of his life’ Irene M. Seaver and together began a 60-year marriage of family, Love and devotion.   Nicholas provided for his family by joining the UAW, United Auto Workers Union, as an employee for the General Motors Auto Plant in Framingham for the next 28 years before retiring in 1989.   Too young and energetic to just retire, Nick then cared for the maintenance needs of Our Lady of Lourdes church in Worcester for several additional years.

Nicholas is survived by his love, Irene; his two children, Michael N. Astrella and his wife Karen, and Diane M. DiCicco all of Worcester; four grandchildren he truly adored, Nicholas and his wife Marleny, Ashley and her husband Shawn, Stephen and David; three great grandchildren, Ayla, Gianna and Mason; a sister, Delores Rossetti of Shrewsbury; Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Four brothers, Frank, Andrew, Rocco and James Astrella and four sisters, Anne Ducharme, Phyllis Vacca, Victoria Gonya and Josephine Evangelista all pre-deceased him. 

Nicholas was a member of Our Lady of Loreto Church, The United Autoworkers Union, and the Benedict Counsel Knights of Columbus.   A former Landscaper, Nick loved putting around the house, tending his yard, as well as those of his son, daughter and neighbors.  It was a labor of love for him.  He enjoyed the family vacations to Hampton Beach and Cape Cod, cruises with Irene, their trip to Italy, watching the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.   In Nick’s life, nothing came before his family, especially his children and grandchildren.  A dedicated father and grandfather, Nick was always present for his sons Hockey games, grandsons Baseball games, his daughter and granddaughters Dance Competitions and every activity his family was involved in.  He was always there for them.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Sunday, January 13^th from 3 pm to 6 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.   His funeral will be held Monday, January 14^th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto church, 33 Massasoit Rd where, his friend and former Our Lady of Lourdes church, Pastor, Father James O’Shea will celebrate his Mass at 10:00 am.  Entombment with military honors will follow in St John Mausoleum.