Matthew Michael DiBara

Matthew Michael DiBara, 63, of Gardner passed away peacefully at Mass General Hospital on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. He was the first son born to Pasquale J. and Esther J. (Lorusso) DiBara on June 23, 1960, in Worcester. 

Matthew was a twenty-two year veteran of the Fitchburg Police Department and proudly served his community until he retired in 2011. Additionally, his dedication to civic responsibility extended to serving as a volunteer officer for the wreckage cleanup at ground zero for a month. Matthew was also an accomplished stone mason that began with the establishment of DiBara Enterprises, a business that was started with his dad and brother, Michael, when they were teenagers. With his love for the outdoors and history, masonry became a second profession that Matthew continued to enjoy until 2017 and much of his work focused on restoring historic monuments throughout Massachusetts including the Newton Square Memorial in Worcester.  Matt was proud of his masonry work that honored the generations before him with his paternal grandfather, Matteo, and father, Pasquale, being skilled masons and continues with his son, Matthew, Jr. 

In his spare time, Matthew enjoyed the simple things . . . a good meal, gatherings with family and friends here at home and in Brazil, and walks with his dog, Crystal.  He also enjoyed trying his luck at Foxwoods and other local casinos and could occasionally report that he won! Matthew was a faithful member of the Maranatha Christian Church in Gardner where he found comfort and strength during his recent illness. 

Matthew is survived by his beloved wife, Suely (Rodrigues) DiBara, his loving children, Matthew Michael DiBara Jr. and his fiancé Marjorie, Melinda DiBara-Bergeron and her husband Andrew, and Sofia Gabriela Neves; his adored grandchildren, Madison, Jace, Julian, Maelynn, and Olivia; his cherished siblings, Mary Lorusso-DiBara and her husband James Harrington, Josephine DiBara Fox and her husband Glendon, Michael Matthew DiBara and his wife Lisa, Darlene DiBara O’Connor and her husband Neil; his caring nieces and nephews, Ryan, Dana, Eliza, David, Eva, Sophia, Matthew, and Daniel. 

Matthew’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion during his illness.  

In Latin, Matthew’s name means “gift of God”.  To honor and remember the gift of his presence in our lives, calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 9:00am to 11:00am with a Funeral Service beginning at 11:00am at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Interment will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

Matthew had battled chronic Lyme Disease and co-infections for more than a decade. Memorial donations may be made in Matthew’s honor to the Northeast Lyme and Associated Diseases Resource Foundation, www.nelad.org.