Joseph D. Cericola, age 100, a former longtime resident of Natick, currently of Dennis Port, died at Cape Cod Hospital on February 5, 2017, after a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Ann (Russo) Cericola for 39 years.
Born in Boston, he was eldest son of Guy and Clementina (Finemore) Cericola. The family lived in Everett until Guy’s untimely death when Joe was 15 years old. The family moved to Somerville, where the boys all finished high school under Joe’s watchful eye. He worked as a barber to help support the family and was working at a shop in Havard Square at the outbreak of WW II.
Joe entered the Army in April of 1943, and served in the North African and European Theatres. The 34th suffered terrible casualties in Italy and Joe was among the wounded. He convalesced at the home of relatives in Italy before rejoining his unit. In March of 1944, Joe was wounded again, but this time would not rejoin brothers in arms. After a prolonged recovery at Greenbrier in West Virginia, Joe earned a BS in accounting from Northeastern University. He joined the Raytheon Corporation as an auditor and remained with them for 50 years.
Joe married the former Ruth Cove and settled in Natick during the 1950s. Ever the family’s center, he and Ruth entertained siblings and their young children whenever possible. Ruth died in 1969 after a short illness.
After retirement, Joe enjoyed golf, and spending time with Ann, whom he had married in 1972. Ever the “glue,” his growing extended family still gravitated toward him, and he remained strong and independent until the end. Joe was proud of each of his family members and was ever a loving and encouraging patriarch.
Predeceased by Ann in 2011, he is survived by his brother, Donald and his wife Joanne of New Port Ritchie, FL, and William and his wife Grace of West Yarmouth; many nieces and nephews, Guy Cericola, Linda Furgala, Paula Dowd, Diane Fields, June O’Toole, Ann Camerato, Donald Cericola, John Cericola, Joseph and Raymond Cericola; and their families. He was also predeceased by a brother, Paul and his wife Teresa; and nieces Donna Bates, Mickey Campanile, and Carol Cericola.
Relatives and friends may gather at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Saturday, February 11th at 10:00AM and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick at 11:30AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.