Patrick M DiPierro

Patrick DiPierro of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, formerly of Holden and Worcester, died peacefully on January 19, 2022 surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. He was born in Worcester on May 8, 1940 to his father Domenic and mother, Nellie (Hofski) DiPierro. Pat graduated high school from St. John’s on Temple Street in Worcester. It was there he captained and excelled on the baseball diamond and more importantly attributed four years at St. John’s as transforming him from a tough Southbridge Street city kid with no study skills to a young man with a thirst for knowledge and learning. After graduating from St. John’s, Patrick went on to further his baseball and academic career at Assumption College. Many of Patrick’s closest friendships that endured until his passing came from his time at both St. John’s and Assumption.

Pat is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Anne Marie (Rafferty) DiPierro, with whom he shared the fullness of life’s journey and the immeasurable joy of being a parent, a grandparent, and in his last years, a great-grandparent; his son Mark DiPierro of Harwich; three daughters Kathleen (Brian Weiner) of Harwich, Elizabeth (Steve Tibbetts) of Smithfield RI, and Patricia (Thomas Hart) of Harwich; two stepsons, Thomas Rafferty (Morgan) of Worcester, and Joseph Rafferty (Karol) of Houston who he considered to be his own children; grandchildren, Rachel Collins (Zachary), Alison Manikowski (Brian), Taylor Tibbetts, Brett Tibbetts, Isaac Hart, Olivia Hart, Reagan Rafferty, Sloane Rafferty, Ronan Rafferty, Anne Marie Rafferty, Harvey Rafferty, and Vivian Rafferty along with his great granddaughter Charlotte Collins, made his every moment being “Boppa” indescribably special; a sister, Pauline Charbonneau. Patrick’s life was blessed by scores of aunts, uncles, and cousins…a gift he returned with equal zeal to his many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. All who loved him always met him with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. He was truly a gentle soul. For those who knew him, it can be said that Patrick had no enemies, as he was special to every life he touched. Accordingly, lunch at the Press Box may never be the same now that Patrick has passed, and corned beef will never taste quite as good ever again. Patrick was predeceased by his father, Domenic; his mother, Nellie; his stepmother, Mary; his half-brother, Domenic, Jr., his brother-in-law, Richard Charbonneau; and his mother-in-law, Margaret DeFeudis.

In addition to being a loving husband and an irreplaceable father and stepfather, Patrick DiPierro was also a passionate fan of Boston sports, and most assuredly, every cat’s best friend.

Pat’s passions included the ponies, movies, weather, geography, garment shopping, casinos, golf, and all things related to numbers (Rain Man like). As he would often say, “I don’t follow fashion, I create it”. He had an amazing ability to remember dates to the point he could regularly recall what he was doing on a specific date years ago. His memory was second to none as was his world geography and movie knowledge. Aside from spending time with his family, there was no place he’d rather be outside of a golf course or a horse track (preferably Saratoga where he and Annie spent many summer weekends at the “races”).  It was in high school where Pat was first introduced to the game of golf by his father at Wachusett Country Club. Shortly after graduating college, Pat joined Wachusett Country Club. Over the years, Pat held memberships at Holden Hills, Pleasant Valley, Worcester Country Club, Sterling Country Club (charter member), Bent Tree Country Club (Sarasota, FL), Bass River and Bayberry Hills. His love affair with golf lasted his entire lifetime as he played weekly up until his passing with his wife, neighbors, son, daughter, nephew and stepsons often complaining he could no longer make par 4’s in regulation.  His only hole-in-one was on the 6th hole at Bass River where it was unofficial due to his beloved wife Annie leaving the course once the rain and wind set in. Up until the last few years, Pat and Annie spent the previous twenty years wintering in Florida on both coasts in Sarasota, Naples, West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach.

Together with his father and son, Patrick owned Produx Company in Worcester. Immediately after graduating from Assumption, Pat built Produx from a one machine injection molding operation to a sizable business enterprise where he worked until it was sold in the early 2000’s upon his retirement. 

For his devoted family and his many friends, Pat’s life did not end at 81 with his death on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. Those of us who love him and miss him dearly know he’s now started his next chapter. We take comfort in the knowledge Patrick was most assuredly greeted in Heaven by his maker along with his parents and all his relatives who predeceased him as well as every cat and kitten that he once fed whipped cream and shrimp to for breakfast. Patrick now rests in eternal peace. We love you.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 28th from 4-7 PM at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 29th at 11AM at St. John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester. At the request of the family and as a city of Worcester mandate, masks will be required at all services for Patrick.
As much as he loved flowers, the family requests that people make donations to: St. John’s Food Pantry, 20 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604. www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org. Live streaming of Patrick’s services will be available beginning at 10:15 am Saturday January 29th at www.mercadantefuneral.com/liveservices.