Gloria Angela Arcaro Gelineau died peacefully in her sleep at home on Feb 20th.
Gloria was born in 1939 in Manchester England, the only child of Lucia (Sinacola) Arcaro of Manchester England and Frederick Arcaro of Wakefield England.
Gloria immigrated with her parents to Massachusetts in 1949, first settling in Roslindale before moving to Mission Hill. In 1957 Gloria became a U.S. citizen and graduated from Holy Trinity High School. After graduation Gloria worked at AT&T in Post Office Square as a punch card operator – she thoroughly enjoyed her time working in the city, going out with friends, and attending musicals with her mother.
In 1965, the desire to purchase a car led to the offer of help by a son of her mother’s friend and so Gloria met Donald Gelineau of Brighton, her Donny. They were married in 1966 and shortly after moved to a new house in what was then the little town of Franklin.
Together Gloria and Donny raised two daughters in Franklin – with Donny upgrading the little ranch house over the years to expand the home they shared under Gloria’s watchful eye. Gloria was a homemaker, working outside of the home as time permitted – in early days she worked at the Foxboro Company, in later years at the Franklin Public Library and at Franklin Senior Center where she and Donny enjoyed a full social life surrounded by many friends.
In between, Gloria enjoyed taking art and language classes locally. Gloria leant her beautiful alto voice to many local musicals and singing groups, including the Franklin Singers, Charles River Chorale, Yuletide Carolers, and, more recently, the Silvertones at the Franklin Senior Center. She was a member of the Dante Alighieri Society. She and Donny enjoyed years of active engagement in the Franklin Quattro Eroi Sons of Italy lodge. She and Donny traveled extensively together, from Hawaii to Europe and enjoyed small trips to local casinos.
It was with great sadness that her Donny preceded her in death in 2020. Besides her beloved Donny, Gloria was predeceased by her parents, her aunt Maria Sinacola Wilkes, her uncle Ralph Sinacola, and most recently by her best canine friend, Gerti.
Gloria leaves behind daughters Angela Gelineau and Gina Gelineau Huber and her husband Jon Huber, grandsons Christophori Dowd and Joseph Dowd, as well as Elaina and Bryn Huber, numerous cousins both here and in England, and many dear friends including Claire Lombardi and Joyce Covell.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Wed. Mar. 1st at 10AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square Franklin at 11AM.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Calling hours are Tues. from 4-7PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Franklin Senior Center 10 Daniel McCahill St. Franklin, MA 02038.
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com