Thomas P. Misuraca Sr., 93, of Gloucester, husband of Phyllis A. (Scola) Misuraca, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was born in Gloucester on January 20, 1925, son of the late Gaetano and Giovannia (LoPiccolo) Misuraca. Thomas attended Gloucester Public Schools.
At 14 years of age he left school to be a commercial fisherman, fishing on numerous Gloucester mackerel highliner seiners and offshore trawlers. After 15 years of fishing, Tom wanted to be home for his young family and started his door to door seafood delivery business, “Tom’s Fresh Fish”. Tom successfully operated the business throughout the Northshore for more than 30 years.
One of his passions and many talents was on full display in his significant vegetable garden. Affectionately known as “Papa”, Tom spent hours in his garden where he single handedly produced enough tomatoes and an assortment of vegetables to “feed an army”. And an army he did feed.
Tom got great joy from sharing the fruits of his labor with friends and family for half a century. Tom loved cooking for and feeding his family. Sunday dinners, holidays and barbecues with family and friends was a great joy throughout Tom’s life.
Tom loved watching his grandchildren play in his yard or in organized sports. An avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, Tom also loved to fish for mackerel and to walk the Jodrey State Fish Pier. Well into his 92nd year on this earth he could be seen walking the pace of a man half his age.
He loved taking rides to New Hampshire with his wife and stopping at the Clam Box in Es on the way. Tom was a classic example of the “Greatest Generation”. Strong, independent, dependable, compassionate and competitive.
Tom was all of the above. Until his passing Tom was the oldest surviving Greasy Pole Champion. He was a 3 time champion and swept the event in 1953.
A veteran serving two years in the US Army during the Korean conflict, Thomas was a lifelong member of the Amvets, Gloucester Post #32 and a member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, Gloucester American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis Misuraca of Gloucester; 2 daughters, Jenny Giacalone and her husband Vito, Pauline Coleman and her husband Bob all of Gloucester; 4 sons, Thomas P. Misuraca Jr. and his wife Karen, Lawrence Misuraca and companion Kim Keen, a special daughter in-law Jackie Misuraca, Paul Misuraca and his wife Cheryl, Peter Misuraca and his wife Cathy all of Gloucester; 12 grandchildren, Christopher, Vito, Nicholas and Marc Giacalone, Stephen Skinner, Alex Coleman, Elizabeth and Lawrence Misuraca, Brandon, Paul and Angelina Misuraca and Michelle Coyne; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Parisi, Grace Favazza, and Cathy Wallius all of Gloucester; brother, John Misuraca and his wife Polly of Florida and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by 2 sisters, Vincie Vaiarella and Helen Misuraca; brothers, Vito, Natalie, Samuel and Joseph Misuraca. His funeral will be held from the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass celebrated in St. Ann’s Church, Holy Family Parish at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home will be held on Sunday, December 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. For online condolences, please visit www.
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