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Gary Giofreda Obituary
SHREWSBURY - Gary Paul Giofreda "Jeep" 62, died May 31, 2014 in UMass Memorial Medical Center after a long illness, surrounded by his family and friends.
Gary was born in Worcester and was the son of the late Ralph and Mary (Hawes) Giofreda of Shrewsbury.
He is survived by his son Gary Paul Giofreda Jr. and his former wife Jennifer (Simoncini) O'Malley, his brother Brian Giofreda and sisters Susan M. Monaghan and Marianne and her husband Robert O'Brien, a close cousin Sheryl and husband Dr. William O' Connor,an aunt Margaret Hawes, nieces and nephews; Jenny Hitt, Jillian Doan, Julie Clark, Anthony Andrews, Joshua Adams, Christopher Giofreda and Alex O'Brien, and many devoted cousins and friends.
Gary served in The United States Army in Vietnam. He became a Professional Firefighter for the Town of Shrewsbury for over thirty years.
He was a member of The Brown Square Civic Club, the Biscee Club and I ATSE Local 96 Stagehands Union. He was an avid outdoorsman, New England sports fan and gardener. He participated in many rides on his motorcycle, including Rolling Thunder 2006 and the rides for "The Worcester 6"
The greatest joy in Gary's life was his son.
Visiting Hours will be held from 4:00-8:00PM Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral will be held Thursday from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated at 10:00 AM in St. Anne's Church, 130 Turnpike ?Road Shrewsbury. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park.
Donations may be made to: Support Our Fine Arts Foundation (S.O.F.A.) c/o Burncoat Middle School, 135 Burncoat Street Worcester, MA 01605
To send a condolence message to the family or to view the Book of Memories visit
brittonfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Giofreda
Darius Omidbakhsh
June 8, 2014
Gary, you were an amazing man! Big D wanted me to tell you Thank you for being so nice to him and for giving him your sons old toys, your rule was one each time we cam over! He always left there in a better mood than when he arrived, and it wasn't because of his new toy. You treated us like we were family and we loved you like you were a part of mine! Your service was beautiful and your son is one brave kid. I told him that I am here for him if he ever needs anything (and I meant it with all of my hear)!! I admired the way that you never lost your great personality and kept positive! I miss you already my friend! Much love!
John Donas
June 5, 2014
Gary, I would always remember a great sense of humor you had. RIP, one of my best uncles.
Ann M Shrewsbury CU
June 4, 2014
Gary Jr.
I'm sorry about your Dad. He was very proud of you and loved you a lot.
Buddy Cummins
June 4, 2014
Rest in peace my fellow Firefighter and Vietnam vet. Gary, you will be missed. It was an honor and adventure serving with you on the SFD.Time to rest now my friend.
Capt Buddy Cummins (ret)
Tracy Houston
June 3, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to the Giofreda family and friends.
June 3, 2014
My old friend god bless u and your family..Maryann all saints will empower you!! RIP. XO
June 3, 2014
I am deeply saddened to hear about Gary's passing. He was a kind gentle soul and a gentleman. He had a beautiful smile. Sincere, honest and one of a kind. We shared the same birthday. We had some great times together my old friend. You're an angel in heaven. Elaine (O'Connor, Quercio) Ettenberg
Buddy Beckwith
June 3, 2014
Sorry to hear on Gary's passing .
A. old friend from the old neighborhood many years ago .
Buddy Beckwith
Anthony Andrews
June 3, 2014
Goodbye Uncle, I will miss you.
judy (molinari) gohs
June 3, 2014
so very sorry to hear of gary paul
passing...my deepest sympathy to all of the giofreda family
may he rest in peace
June 3, 2014
I, too, am deeply saddened at the news of Garypaul's passing. That's what I called him when we were on the fire department together, and I said it as one word. He was the one who urged me to get together with a Worcester firefighter, who has also passed away. I will be forever thankful for that small act of kindness.
Jim Willoughby
SFD ret.
June 3, 2014
Forever and Always Unc.....Heaven has truly received an angel full of laughter, joy, and generosity....we take comfort in knowing you will be watching over and protecting us....xoxo....Julie,Ade, Julius, Josephine
Mike Giordano
June 3, 2014
Great guy , will be missed
June 3, 2014
RIP Gary.
Linda Vuona Broders
June 3, 2014
Very sad to hear this news. An old friend that brought much laughter. "Jeep" you will be missed.
Marie Vuona Flanagan
June 3, 2014
"Jeep", a childhood and lifelong friend. No matter the distance or time between seeing each other, he always had the biggest smile and was genuinely happy to see ya. Great guy, great friend, great dad to his pride and joy; Gary Paul Jr. My deepest sympathies to Gary Paul Jr., Susan, Marianne, and Brian. May God grant you strength and comfort at this most difficult time. Rest in Peace my friend,,, you fought the good fight.
barbara apholt
June 3, 2014
i will always remember your kindness and that beautiful smile
John Grande
June 3, 2014
Great guy, good friend you will be missed...Rest in Peace
Larry Williams
June 3, 2014
Rest my brother prayers to your family
C Pratt
June 3, 2014
My heart felt sympathy for Gary and his entire family.
Rest in Peace you will be missed.
June 3, 2014
Uncle , I will never forget your contagious smile and the countless laughes we shared, and cries. I am so blessed to have been able to have had the relationship we shared . I will miss you everyday . Maddie will take good care of your garden and Gram and Pap will take care of you now xoxoxo
Jenny, Madison and Dave
Debbie Magnuson Robinson
June 3, 2014
So very sorry for your loss. Gary was the best! I will always smile when I think of him. I wish you all peace.
Roger Kreft
June 3, 2014
Gary was a Friend!! He was a Vietnam Veteran...Air Cav and a good firefighterRest in Peace my Friend...til we meet again!!!
Bob Jerszyk Sr.
June 3, 2014
Sorry to hear about Gary. We worked for IATSE together years ago. Too young to go.
Mark Skiesto
June 3, 2014
To The Entire Giofreda Family
May Gary now Rest In Peace
And watch over us as now the newest Angel above.
Paul Kenary
June 2, 2014
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Gary. I shared many happy times with him while on the police dept.my deepest sympathy to his family.
Diane & Paul Venuti
June 2, 2014
Gary, you put up one hell of a fight. You were a great Dad and a great friend. You will be missed. Rip Gary.
Much love to Gary Paul Jr, Brian, Susan and Marianne and to all his awesome friends that stayed by his side till the end.
Jay Marcimo
June 2, 2014
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing, he was a good friend to many and will be missed. my Sympathy to his entire family and to his brothers from the SFD. RIP my friend.
June 2, 2014
A best friend who will be truly missed, forever loved and never ever forgotten.Please rest in peace, Forever in our hearts.. Moe and Sally
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