Victor "Perry" Sacco

Victor A. “Perry” Sacco, 100, a lifelong Worcester resident, and Del Ray Beach, Florida “snowbird” passed away peacefully with loved ones gathered at his side, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, after a brief illness.   

Born and raised in Worcester, Perry was the son of Joseph and Pasqua (Martocchio) Sacco.  He graduated from Commerce High and joined the U.S. Army during World War II.  Perry was assigned to a Field Artillery Battalion with the 1st Army, 7th Corps, notably taking part in many major battles in Europe including, D-Day Normandy Beachhead, Northern France, Rhineland, the Ardennes, St. Lo, Battle of the Bulge and Belgium.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, European Medal, the Legion of Merit from the French Government and 5 combat Battle clusters.  Upon discharge and return to Worcester, he married the “Love of his life “ and business partner for the next 70 years, Rita Vuona, before she left his side on March 10, 2018.  Perry continued to be an active presence in the Worcester Community until this day.  They are  reunited “together forever” now in heaven.

Perry and Rita purchased a Worcester restaurant, that they guided and nurtured into a “Worcester Dining Institution”, “Dino’s”, one of Worcester’s “Best” Italian restaurants, owing its success to its use of many original family recipes.  They owned and operated Dino’s for the next 20 years before retiring in 1982.  Perry then guided family members with two other food establishments Monti’s Pizza and Bambini’s both in Northborough.  

Perry and Rita spent their retirement summering in Worcester with family and wintering in Del Ray Beach, always entertaining friends and relatives who came to visit.   He enjoyed life with Rita, his weekly lunches with Judge Abdella, Thursday coffee time with the McDonald’s Crew, the Ancients, friends, and relatives in Worcester and Florida. Perry loved to travel around the world with Rita, as well as the 30 Tours of Duty made around the World with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, a military organization he greatly loved and was a well-respected member of.  

Perry shared his wisdom and knowledge with everyone he encountered and always made you feel special and like you were the most important person in the room.  His bright smile, quick wit, giant heart, and ability to become friends with you instantly, were noteworthy.   He was loved by all and will be missed terribly.     

Perry is survived by a sister-in-law, Mary “Pat” Sacco; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, extended family and friends including his best friend the Honorable Charles Abdella, whom he dearly loved, many other friends both in Massachusetts and Florida. In addition to his love Rita, and parents, Perry is reunited in heaven with two brothers, Graziano “George” Sacco and his wife Beverly and Alfred J. “Freddy” Sacco as well as Rita’s brothers and sisters, Helen Taddeo, Mary Argento, Rose Salvidio, Henry, Frank, James “Ted”, Louis, John “Jack” and Joseph Vuona.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel/ Loreto Church, as well as a Mass attendee at Saint Peter’s Church and Immaculate Conception Church. Perry was also a member and lieutenant with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and Worcester area Ancients,  the Worcester Lodge #168, Order Sons of Italy, the Italian Cultural Society in Florida. At one time, Perry was a member of the Board of Trustees of Quinsigamond Community College.  For the last three years, Perry was honored by the Worcester Red Sox, on opening day as part of its, “In Debt to a Vet” program.  

 The Sacco family would like to thank the Woo Sox organization for celebrating Uncle Perry with the “In Debt to the Vet” program 3 years in a row.   

Friends and relatives are invited to Calling Hours on Tuesday May 23rd from 4 pm to 7 pm at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street.  His Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, May 24, at 11:30 am in the funeral home.  Entombment in Saint John’s Mausoleum Chapel, with full military honors will follow.  

In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances may be made to Saint John’s High School/Abdella Center for Ethics or the St Peters Food Pantry, 929 Main St. Worcester.