STURBRIDGE - Attilio “Artie” Paparazzo, 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2016 in UMASS Medical Center, Worcester, surrounded by his family. His first wife of 17 years, Joyce (Thibodeau) Paparazzo, died in 1989.
He leaves his wife of 13 years, Denise M. (Polewarczyk) Paparazzo of Sturbridge, MA; 2 sons, TJ and his wife Rita Paparazzo of Hopkinton, MA, and Neil and his wife Tania Paparazzo of Stamford, CT; three grandsons, Gavin, Maddox and Logan Paparazzo; 3 siblings, his brother, Vito Paparazzo and his sister, Rose Paparazzo both of Bristol, CT, and his sister, Carmella Papatola of Reggio di Calabria Italy, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his next 2 grandchildren.
Artie was born in Olivadi, Reggio di Calabria, Italy on March 18, 1947, a son of Salvatore and Antonina (Ceneviva) Paparazzo. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 11 and settled in Bristol, CT. He graduated from Saint Paul’s High School, Bristol, CT, class of 1965 and attended the University of Hartford.
Mr. Paparazzo proudly served his adopted country as a sergeant in the United States Army, from 1966 to 1968 at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Artie raised his family in Webster, with his late wife Joyce. He continued to spend time with his family in Bristol, CT. After marrying his wife Denise, they lived in Clinton before finally settling in Sturbridge.
Artie spent more than 35 years in the insurance industry, working right up to the time of his illness. He first worked for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in the early 1980’s, rising to the position of district manager. He was then promoted to Regional Vice President, with an office in the Hancock Tower in Boston. He later became a Life Specialist insurance broker and spent the last 20 years with All State Insurance Company. As a Life Specialist, Artie met many wonderful people and could do what he did best – socialize, make friends and lend a helping hand! Many of his clients became lifelong friends. Artie was known for his kind heart, sense of humor and larger than life personality. There was never a dull moment when Artie was around. Artie enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Artie's hobbies were working in the yard, cooking and playing games in his backyard with his grandchildren. He relished the time he spent playing cards on Thursday nights with his “Cops & Wops” card group. He was an avid Yankees fan, who loved to tease the Red Sox fans in his family. He enjoyed listening to music, especially Frank Sinatra & Dave Matthews. He adored life and those around him. His greatest joy came from the time he spent with his family and especially his grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to the Sturbridge EMS, Police and Fire, as well as the Trauma Unit and the ICU at UMASS/Memorial Medical Center for their care and compassionate support.
A celebration of his life will be held Friday, July 15, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Road, Dudley. Entombment will be in Notre Dame Mausoleum, Worcester. Calling hours will be Thursday, July 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the funeral home. The family requests that flowers be omitted and donations in his memory be made to either: Greyhound Friends, 167 Saddle Hill Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or to UMASS Medicine Office of Advancement, Cancer Research, 330 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.