NATICK: Guy P. “Benny” Troccolo, age 100, a lifelong Natick resident and World War II veteran, died peacefully on Thursday morning, April 7, 2016, at Mary Ann Morse Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was the devoted husband of Alice (Ghilani) Troccolo for 74 years.
Angelo and Louisa (Roberto) Troccolo immigrated from Italy and settled in Natick to start a family. They had three children, Guy, Angela, and Jerena. Louisa and Jerena both perished during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918. Fortunately, the heavily Italian “Navy Yard” section of Natick was a tight knit community and Guy experienced a very active and happy youth shared with many friends. He was dubbed “Ben” or “Benny” for his ability to cross his eyes like silent film star Ben Turpin.
Benny was employed at the Horn and Short Shoe Factory when he and Alice were married on November 23, 1941, two weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon entering the Navy, Benny’s talent as a saxophone player was recognized and he was transferred to the Navy Band, principally stationed in Puerto Rico. He was among those played in the New York City victory parade.
After the war, Benny worked as a plasterer during the post war construction boom. From 1960 until he retired, he was a courier and truck driver with the Cushing Hospital in Framingham. Benny continued to play gigs with local bands and had been very active with the Natick League Red Sox. He coached his sons and together they followed the Boston Red Sox. They were in the stands for Ted Williams’ last game and witnessed the home run that capped his long and illustrious career.
Benny remained active with his old Navy Yard friends in civic affairs, and very much enjoyed being with his family, particularly his seven grandchildren.
He is survived by Alice; their sons, Guy A. Troccolo and his wife Susan of Shrewsbury, and Robert Troccolo and his wife Leslie of Natick; and grandchildren Sara, Kristen, Jessica, Brianna, Melina, Christopher, and Nicholas.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Thursday, April 14th at 9:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00AM. Burial with military honors will follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, 4 – 7PM. Donations may be made in Guy’s memory to the Mary Ann Morse Employee Fund, Business Office, 45 Union Street, Natick, MA 01760.