Thomas M. DiReda

Thomas M. DiReda, 92, peacefully passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.

He was the husband of 65 years to the late Mary A. (Leo) DiReda who passed away in 2017.

Tom was born in Worcester, July 28, 1926; a son of the late Salvatore and Grazia (Ricchuiti) DiReda. He graduated from Commerce High School in 1947. Mr. DiReda enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country during World War II. Upon his return, he began work at the former Sessions Funeral Home and enrolled in the New England Institute of Sanitary Science where he graduated in 1949. He received his Funeral Directors and Embalmers License from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and began working for Callahan Brothers Funeral Home where he was employed from 1951 until his retirement in 2005.

A devout catholic, Mr. DiReda was a parishioner of St. Anne's Church in Shrewsbury. He was a member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. Tom enjoyed golfing and was a member of Greenhill Country Club where he played in the Greendale Men's Club League for many years. He also enjoyed playing bocce for the Sons of Italy where he held membership as well as the Friday night bocce group with our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Special moments were spent visiting family and friends in Mystic, CT as well as their annual visits to the southern Maine coast. Proud of their Italian heritage, Tom enjoyed special trips with his wife Mary to Italy where their parents were born. In his younger years, Mr. DiReda was an avid bowler and played in the Adams Hillside League. Tom was also a member of the Biscegliese Men's Society and the East Side American Legion Post 201.

Mr. DiReda leaves behind a sister, Linda (DiReda) Sacco and her husband, Pasquale of Worcester; many nieces and nephews and extended family members and friends. Besides his parents and wife, he is predeceased by his daughter, Diane M. DiReda; a brother, Joseph A. DiReda and a sister, Ida A. DiReda-Allen.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, December 26th from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. The members of the Worcester Lodge #168 Order Sons of Italy in America will conduct a ritual at 6:00pm and the East Side American Legion Post 201 will conduct their ritual at 6:30pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00am Thursday, December 27th at St. Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial with military honors will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester.

The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the staffs at The Oasis at Dodge Park and Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center for their compassion and wonderful care.