Bartholomew A. Vescera

Bartholomew A. “Bart” Vescera, 93 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Born and raised in Worcester by the late Andrew and Anna (Scarano) Vescera, Bart was a lifelong resident of the city where graduated from Commerce High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 where he proudly served his country in the Korean War and earned a National Defense Service Medal. Following his service, he went on to become a dedicated member of the Norton Company as a lift truck operator for many years before retiring.

To know Bart was to know that he was fiercely stubborn, yet in the most endearing way. He insisted on doing things his own way, whether it was getting his scratch tickets from the gas station down the street or sticking to well-worn daily routines. Independent to the very end, he lived life on his terms and he lived it well. His mix of quiet grit with gentle sweetness made him easy to love and hard to forget.

To know him was to also know his first true love–playing ball. From his younger years of baseball into his senior years of softball, he played with the same level of passion he put into being a dedicated father, husband and teammate. So much passion that it earned him an MVP Award at the young age of 75. When he couldn’t be on the field, Bart scratched his itch by keeping up with the Red Sox-whether it was from the comfort of listening in his car or watching all 9 innings from the couch.

When he wasn’t playing or watching the sport he loved, he found simple pleasures in meeting with his friends for coffee at McDonald’s, spending Tuesdays with his granddaughters: Kristina, Angela, Julia and Kathryn and decorating his house for holidays to light up West Boylston Street. He was a longtime and devoted member of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, where he enjoyed many memorable bus trips. He shared decades of love and laughter with his beloved wife and best friend of 35 years, Carole (Lombardi) Vescera. Their marriage was filled with taking trips to the casino as avid regulars of Foxwoods and Atlantic City, dining at the Wonder Bar and Ronnie’s and sharing a mutual love for the Red Sox. Since her passing in March, not a day went by where he hadn’t missed her. Now as they reunite, they rest peacefully together hand in hand, just how they were meant to be.

He is survived by his devoted daughter, Lorrie DeCillis and her husband James of Worcester; three step-daughters, Kathleen Trainor and her husband John of Holden, Linda Grenache and her husband Roger of Holden and Jeannie Goyette of Worcester; three step-sons, James DiGioia of Paxton, Kevin King of Worcester and Jamie Chenard of Worcester; fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Bart is predeceased by a brother, Gennaro Vescera and a sister, Josephine Macaruso.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mary, Kimberly and the entire care team with the Summit Eldercare PACE Program, as well as the team at UMass University Campus for their unwavering care and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in remembrance on Friday, July 25, 2025, with calling hours from 10:00–11:30 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605, in honor of Bart’s service and lifelong pride in being a veteran.