Albert W. Ritacco, 89, of 19 Rosemary St., passed away Febrauary 12, 2010, in Marlboro Hospital. His wife of 56 years, Mary D. (Perla) Ritacco, died in 2003.

     He leaves a son John A. Ritacco and Mary V. Girard of West Boylston, MA, with whom he resided since his wife’s passing in 2003, and a daughter, Marion J. Ritacco of Worcester, MA; a brother Nicholas Ritacco and Nancy Ritacco of Worcester, MA, a sister Marie Gengarelli of Millbury, MA, a sister-in-law, Julie Ritacco of Worcester, MA, a brother-in-law Henry Perla and Betty Perla of Leominster, MA, a brother-in-law Robert Perla and Pauline Perla of Leominster, MA; also many nieces and nephews.; four grandchildren, John A. Ritacco Jr. and Joanne Ritacco of Shrewsbury, MA, Tracie M. Hammond and Richard Hammond of West Boylston, MA, Tina M. Freedman and Dov Freedman of Shrewsbury, MA. Katie E. Raffa of Worcester, MA; eight great grandchildren of whom he and his wife Mary adored, Alyssa M. Ritacco, Cara S. Freedman, Jake R. Hammond, Dominic A. Ritacco, Michael S. Freedman, Talia M. Hammond, Angelo J. Ritacco Jr, Mary D. Ritacco.  He was predeceased by Brother William J. Ritacco and Rina Ritacco, Angelo C. Ritacco Jr., Arthur N. Ritacco and Mary D. Ritacco all of Worcester, MA; a sister Evelyn R. Wickson and John E. Wickson of Worcester, MA; sister-in-law Geralda Perla and sister-in-law Christine Perla both of Leominster, MA; a brother-in-law Salvatore Perla and Francis Perla of Leominster, MA; a brother-in-law Jack Gengarelli of Millbury, MA.  A niece Debbie Walls of Millbury, MA; his father and mother in-laws, Nazzareno and Elvira (Spinelli) Perla of Leominster, MA, and, Concetta Perla of Leominster, MA.
    
     Albert was born July 27, 1920 in Worcester, MA, son of Angelo J. Ritacco and Mary (Mangiatordi) Ritacco, both of Worcester, MA, predeceasing Albert. Mr. Ritacco was a master brick mason and a Life, Gold card member of 50 years of the International Union of Bricklayers/Allied Craftsmen of Local 1/Local 6 working for various contractors throughout Massachusetts.    

     Mr. Ritacco was a World War II United States Army veteran serving in the Pacific theater as a sergeant and a proud Disabled American Veteran with various citations and ribbons. He was with the 98th Infantry Division, Nickname: Iroquoise Division within the 390th Infantry Regiment and wore the blue background, orange head and orange border Indian Chief Patch with the five feathers representing the five Indian nations – Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, Mohawks and Oneidas.  Their mission in the Pacific in Hawaii was secret.

     He was a 50 year member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Bishop O’Reilly Assembly and 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Pope John XXIII Council.   
    
     He was a founding member with his wife Mary of Our Lady of Loreto Church in Worcester, MA, and actively volunteered his services with his wife to Church activities, functions, the leisure group, the senior group including past president, and, was a Communicant/Eucharistic minister and liturgical reader at Mass. He also built additions as needed at the parish, the new design of the Altar, the Church Hall entrance and windows reinforcements, and, he designed and built the Church Informations Cross in front of the Church.
    
     He volunteered his services at Worcester Medical Center for many years since its inception and prior the St. Vincent’s Hospital, Friends of Worcester Senior Center, Boy Scouts of America and Foothillls Theater, and, was a member of the Retired Men’s Club of Greendale, and Brown Bag luncheons at Mechanics Hall. He loved music and played the guitar, ukulele, banjo, trumpet, and harmonica, and enjoyed crafting, whittling, building, gardening, and donated his time with his wife Mary to rosary bead making for the needy.
    
     He especially loved, and his greatest passion, was being with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and, all his family.  He was a generous person with his time helping all and everyone that needed his services, but, especially, and above and beyond, being there for his “family” that he loved, with his wonderful wife Mary, so much.
    
     The funeral will be held on Thursday. February 18, 2010 from Louis Fazio & Sons Funeral Home, 9 Branch St., Worcester, MA, with a Holy Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA. Entombment will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, MA.
    
     Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday, February 15, 2010 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. At 6:30 PM The Knights of Columbus will recite a ritual. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzhelmer’s Association and the American Heart Association.