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NATICK – Jerry J. DiGeronimo   World War II Veteran, Attorney, Sailor, Instructor, Avid Reader

Jerry recently passed away after a short illness in Cape Cod Hospital. He was 97.

Jerry was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish, when he served as an altar boy, and graduated from its parochial school in 1938.

After his graduation from Natick High School in 1943, Jerry joined the United States Army, landed in North Africa and then served in the Italian Campaign with the 5th Army, 88th Division, 310th Medical Battalion in 1944 from Monte Casino through the liberation of Rome. His brothers Rocco and Michael also served in the Army. Michael was killed in action in 1944 in France. Jerry served overseas for two years and was honorably discharged in 1946, receiving the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with two Stars.

After the war he returned to Italy and married the love of his life Lydia Bisani who he met in Rome before the war ended. They were married in 1946 in Rome He continued his employment with the United Nations Relief Mission, aiding concentration camp refugees as a Medical Administrative Officer.

Returning home, he attended Suffolk University and Suffolk Law School, receiving a JD in 1953.

Jerry was a member of the Allen Harbor Yacht Club, Harwichport, for 15 years. He enjoyed sailing on his 28ft Cabin Cruiser Sailboat he named the ROMA. It was his passion all his adult life to sail.

He lived most of his early life in Natick, with his wife Lydia and raised their three daughters. He always loved the sea and purchased a home in Dennisport, MA. where he spent as many weekends and vacations as he could with his wife and family. He eventually sold his house in Natick and moved permanently on the Cape.

Jerry was a member of the law office of Saliba and DiGeronimo in Boston and opened his own law office in Natick.

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He served as the Town of Natick’s legal representative for 13 years and served as Middlesex County Public Defender, covering the district courts of Natick, Framingham and Marlboro.

In addition, Jerry was a participating attorney for the UAW. GMC Legal Program for the area, served as special Town Counsel for the Town of Ashland, and one of three nominees for the local judgeship, served in the private bar volunteer program and was a member of the Board of Bar Overseers.

He was also employed by the State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston and Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis, in Boston.

Jerry was deeply involved in community activities, including the Natick Lodge of Elks, South Middlesex and Massachusetts Bar Association, Natick Rotary, Speakers Bureau of the Holy Name Society, the New Natick Committee, Sons of Italy, Italian American Citizens Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jerry also served as Chairman of the New Natick Advisory Board of the Shawmut Community Bank. He was the senior Instructor of the Dale Carnegie Associates for 36 years.

His wife predeceased him in 1969. He leaves three daughters, Linda Walsh, husband Stephen Walsh of Shrewsbury, MA., Pamela Carpenter, husband Kenneth Carpenter Jr., of Rutland, MA., and Geraldine McGrath, husband Paul McGrath of Bellingham, MA., five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He will be truly missed by our family.

Funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., Natick on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 9 a.m.

Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 144 Central St., Natick, at 10 a.m.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. 

Visiting hours will be held at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, on Monday morning, April 10, 2023, from 8-9:15 a.m.

Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 180 Pond St., Natick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

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By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.