Pasquale "Patsy" Rinaldi

Pasquale “Patsy” Rinaldi, 100 years old, of Worcester, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, in the comfort of his residence at Homestead Hall.  He is reunited with his beloved wife of seventy-three years, Lucy H. (Losapio) Rinaldi, who predeceased him in September 2021.

Patsy was a proud Veteran and retired Firefighter for the City of Worcester.  He was recognized by the Fire Department at his 100^th Birthday with a proclamation making December 11 “Pasquale Rinaldi Day”.

Patsy is survived by his loving family, including a daughter, Patricia Nemeth of Northborough; three sons, Richard Rinaldi and his wife Linda, Louis Rinaldi and his wife Susan, and Paul Rinaldi and his wife Judy, all of Worcester; a brother, Tom Rinaldi of Shrewsbury; six grandchildren, Peter Rinaldi and his wife Jessie of Douglas, Orion Nemeth and his wife Alina of Northborough, Jessica Cappuccili and her husband Mike of Rhode Island, Anthony Rinaldi of Worcester, Brianna Troiano and her husband Anthony of Worcester, and Joseph Rinaldi in California; five great grandchildren, Jacob and Lillian Rinaldi, Leah  and Jack Capuccili, and Sophie Troiano; nieces and nephews.  He was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Jaclyn Rinaldi in June 2022, and by a brother, Frank Rinaldi.  Patsy was born in Worcester, son of the late, Luigi and Marie (Babastefano) Rinaldi and has lived here all his life.

Patsy graduated from Worcester Boys Trade in 1942 as a welder.  While in high school he was a three sport All-City All-Star in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.  Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served during World War II.  He was serving aboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean headed toward Guam, when the Ship Captain realized that he was a welder and consulted him about modifying long range machine guns mounted to the ship, giving them shorter range with the ability to protect against close enemy attack.

Upon his return from the Navy, Patsy played for a semi-pro baseball team sponsored by the former Villanova Restaurant, that won the State Championship and later played in the National Championship tournament in Kansas.  He was inducted into the Sons of Italy Sports Hall of Fame.

Patsy was a firefighter for the City of Worcester for thirty-two years, retiring in 1981.  He also worked as a welder for Ace Welding for 25 years.  He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Eastside Post 201, and enjoyed travel, gardening, and golfing.  He loved to listen to Frank Sinatra and “The Boys” and dancing to big band and jazz music.  Up until recently, he continually tried to teach staff and residents Homestead Hall how to “dance that swing”.

He's now dancing in glory with Lucy and Jesus.

Calling Hours will be on held in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, on Thursday morning, Feb. 2, from 9:30 a.m. until his Funeral Mass begins at 10:30 a.m.  Interment beside is beloved Lucy will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Veterans Inc, by visiting www.veteransinc.org or to the Worcester Fire Funeral Committee in care of WFCU, 34 Glennie Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

The family has entrusted Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.

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