George R. Spadea

George R. Spadea, 84, formerly of Oxford, passed away, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, in Beaumont of Northbridge. His loving wife, Ida (Vinzi) Spadea, passed away in 1999.

George is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Spadea of Oxford; a son, Gregory Spadea of Brookfield; a brother, John Spadea, Jr.; two sisters; Margaret Galipeau and her husband George, and Mary Spadea; a grandson, Jonathan Robidoux; a great granddaughter, Hanna Robidoux; two sisters in law; Dolly Shay and her husband Artie, and Mary Abbruzzese; two brothers in law; Angelo Vinzi and Rocco Vinzi and his wife Barbara; many nieces and nephews. George was born in Worcester, son of John and Margaret (Amato) Spadea; later graduating from a Worcester high school.

He served his nation proudly, during World War II, in the United States Coast Guard-Merchant Marines. He served aboard several ships in the Mediterranean-Middle Eastern War Zone, including U.S.S. James E. Haviland, U.S.S. John F. Appleby, U.S.S. Patrick Henry, U.S.S. Samuel A. Fabens, and U.S.S. George Abernethy. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained as a result of a torpedo hit on the U.S.S. George Abernethy, where he was thrown overboard and then was adrift for seventeen days in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mr. Spadea worked as a chemical engineer for West Dudley Paper Mill for many years, before he retired. He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church.

The funeral for George will be held today, Friday, February 27, at 11 a.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours were held Thursday, February 26, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, by visiting www.parkinson.org, or The Peace Team at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, 85 Beaumont Drive, Northbridge, MA 01534.