Francesco “Frank” D’Eramo, 80, formerly of 69 Alvarado Ave., passed away peacefully, Sunday, June 10th in the St. Francis Home.

   Francesco was born in Anversa, Province of Abruzzi, L’Aquila, Italy on May 3, 1927, the son of Antonio and Consolata (Farinelli) D’Eramo.  He came to America on March 11, 1947.  In 1950 before becoming a citizen, Frank was drafted into the U. S. Army.  He served this country in the 70th Tank Battalion honorable during the Korean Conflict, receiving the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the U.N. Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for service in Japan.  Shortly after becoming a citizen on March 13th 1953, Frank married his wife of 54 years Stella H. Lelis on June 28, 1953 in Haverhill, MA.

   Frank was employed by several construction companies including Hayeck Construction Company and Valente Construction where he worked many years before retiring.  In 1999, Francesco was awarded a certificate and special membership card for fifty years of continuous membership in the Laborers International Union of North America, where he continued to be a member for eight more years.

   Frank is survived by his wife, Stella D’Eramo; three sons, Frank A. and his wife Marcia of Webster, Dennis N. and his wife Kathleen, Ronald P. and his wife Deborah all of Worcester; eight grandchildren, Gina, Christine, Julianne, Matthew, Amy and Lisa D’Eramo, Matthew and Melissa Drainville; a sister, Concetta D’Eramo in Pescara, Italy; a nephew, several nieces, many cousins including a very close and special cousin Maria Ranalli.  Francesco was a unique person who always had a smile and made people laugh.  During the summer months you would find him working hard in his garden, where he would share the fruits of his labor to all who visited.  He will be lovingly missed by his family, friends and remembered by all who knew him.

   The funeral will be held Thursday, June 14th from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Margaret Mary Church, 75 Alvarado Ave.  Burial with military honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.  Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13th in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central MA Regional Office, 128 Providence Street, Worcester 10604.