Joseph L Dirico

Left Formation May 1997

MARLBORO - Joseph L. DiRico, 74, of 191 Essex St., a retired municipal employee, died Wednesday at the University of Massachusetts Hospital, Worcester, after a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 49 years, Lillian M. (St. Thomas) DiRico; three sons, John T. DiRico of Apple Valley, Minn., Robert F. DiRico of Newton and Joseph E. DiRico of Wakeeld; four daughters, JoAnn DiRico Trautman of Hasting-on-Hudson, N.Y., Christine M. Orzeck of Northboro, Maria T. O'Reilly of Madison, N.J., and Elizabeth A. Leonard of Marlboro; a brother, Peter DiRico Sr. of Marlboro; a sister, Theresa Trombetta of Marlboro; 13 grandchildren; many nephews and nieces. He was born in Marlboro, son of Paul and Pasqualina (Marino) DiRico. He graduated from Marlboro High School in 1941 and Stockbridge School of Agriculture, now University of Massachusetts School of Agriculture, in 1949.

He was a World War Army Air Corps veteran serving in the 412th Squadron of the 95th Bomb Group. He was held as a Prisoner of War and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received in action in Eastern Asia in 1943.

Mr. DiRico worked for the city of Marlboro from 1947 until his retirement in 1989. He served as a Superintendent of Forestry and Parks for many years. After his retirement, he remained a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and continued as the tree warden for the city, both positions which he held at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Ann's Parish, both in Marlboro. He was a avid gardener, traveler and outdoorsman. He was a life member in many organizations including the Massachusetts Tree Warden's Association, the Veteran's of Foreign War, Colleary Post 638, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Ex-Prisoners of Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, Salvatore Padula 82, the 95th Bomb Group (H) Association, the BPOE Hudson Lodge 959 and the Italian American Veteran's Club.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Ann's Church, Lincoln St.. Burial will be in the National Veteran's Cemetery, Bourne. Calling hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Slattery Funeral Home, 40 Pleasant St. Memorial contributions may be made to the veteran's organization of the donor's choice.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) - Friday, May 9, 1997