William Carlo

William "Duke" Carlo

WORCESTER - William H. "Duke" Carlo passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Mass General Hospital in Boston. He died the way he lived, strong and fighting.

Duke was born at Fairlawn Hospital in Worcester on March 5th, 1935. He was the son of Vera I. (Sutherland) Carlo and Anthony J. Carlo. He grew up in the Greendale area of Worcester and attended Worcester Boys Trade High School.

Duke was an exceptional athlete. He played basketball and was "All-City" in football. He loved motorcycles and owned and raced several Harley Davidsons.

As a young man Duke was a very gifted mechanic. He drove and fixed all kinds of trucks and heavy equipment. He drove for Teamsters Local 170 but was self-employed most of his life. At one point in the 1970s, he had several trucks hauling fill from New Hampshire to Boston, helping to complete the runway expansion at Boston Logan airport.

He also owned or was involved in several local area restaurants including the Edgemere Lodge in Worcester with his parents in the 1950s, The Blue Jay Lobster Pond Restaurant in Sutton with his wife Genevieve in the 1980s, Barney Googles on Harding Street in Worcester in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Dukes Place Pub on Green Street Worcester with his son J.P. at the turn of the century.

Duke was married three times; to Genevieve Szewerenka, Cynthia Shadbesian, and Gail O'Connor.

Duke loved people. He had a big heart and larger than life personality. He was very generous and always tried to stick up for and help those who were down.

He is survived by his brother Anthony J. (Chucky) Carlo of Worcester, his three sisters, Jerrelyn (Jerry) Hesselton of Worcester, Elizabeth (Liz) Verdelino of Worcester, and Joanne I. Smith of Rhode Island, his two daughters Diane Lee Moscynski of Rome Georgia, Deborah Ann Patella of John's Creek, Ga., and son Jean P. Anthony (J.P.) Carlo of Uxbridge; his grandson Jeffrey Stanley of Worcester, his granddaughter Lacey M. Atkins of Rome, Ga., his grandson Matteo G. Carlo of Uxbridge; great grandsons Caden, Jack, and Brax; nieces, nephews, his girlfriend, who he loved, Elizabeth (Betty) Jew, and so many close friends.

A very bright light has gone out in Worcester and he will surely be missed.

Duke's family would like to thank Dr. V. Patel, Sharon E. Brackett RN, and the nurses and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as those at St. Francis Rehab in Worcester for their devoted care. Thank you for giving him the chance to fight. He almost made it thanks to you.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are on Wednesday, February 15, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. with a service to follow at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home. A mercy meal will follow at PNI Club, 290 Millbury St., Worcester from 7 to 10 p.m. After cremation, burial will be private.