Joseph C. Sharameta, Sr., 89, of West Boylston, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 12, 2014, in his home. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Tubert Sharameta, on May 21, 2006, the love of his life whom he was married on August 24th, 1952.. He is survived by his son, Joseph C. Sharameta Jr. and his husband John M. Doherty, and grandsons Daniel Doherty and Kyle Sharameta of Bridgewater and his daughter Juli Sharameta Giannetta and her fiancé Erik Johnson and grandson Jacob Joseph Giannetta, of West Boylston, with whom he lived. Also survived by sisters, Josephine Talbot and her husband John of Grafton, Dorothy (Dottie) Kuczka of Millbury, and Karen Drouin of Florida, cousin Richard Sharameta, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. . Predeceased by his brother-in-law Ronald Drouin of Florida, Stanley Kuczka of Millbury, brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Shirley Fitzgerald of Boylston, , brother and sister-in-law John “Jack” and Martha Tubert and uncles Jozef and Antoni Sharameta.
Born in Worcester in 1925, he was the youngest child and only son of Charles (Kazimierz Szarameta) and Frances (Franciszka Gryszkiewicz) Sharameta. His father and mother are mentioned often in the Images of America series book, The Polish Community of Worcester, with many pictures in the book shared by his sister Dorothy ” Dottie” Kuczka, without whom most pictures , memories, family history and facts would have been lost. Joe was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving in Washington, DC during WWII. He attended Wentworth College, leaving to assist his father Charles in running the former Charles Restaurant of Millbury Street in Worcester, which was famous for its lobster and seafood. He was assisted there by his wife Pat as his “Hostess with the Mostest”. One of his fondest memories was when Henry Mancini dined there and graciously posed for pictures. Joe had a love of the music of Mancini, Sinatra, and all Big Band Era and classical jazz music. He loved to listen to the “Jazz Brunch” on WICN. He was a fine golfer, enjoying playing at the Wachusett Country Club, which was for many years owned by he and Pat’s best friends, the late Edward Marrone Sr. and his wife Shirley who were godparents to his son, Joseph Jr. He spent many years on hunting trips to Anticosti Island with his friends, although Joe tended to hunt with his camera. He was fascinated by the “Old West”, and was quite a marksman. He loved to answer his grandson Jacob’s questions about WWII and about firearms, and instructed Jacob in target shooting and gun safety. Being with Grampy was always a pleasure for Jake, Dan, and Kyle, as Joe was a quiet man, with sweet moments of his quiet sense of humor making appearances. Joe was a long time member of the Worcester Pistol and Rifle Club, and a proud member of the NRA. He worked for a number of years for AMI in Worcester. He was a very talented photographer, developing many of his own pictures in his basement darkroom, fondly referred to as “Dad’s Room”. Many family members and friends are proud to have Joe’s pictures framed and hung in their homes, as he truly was talented. He was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. Joe recently spent his 89th birthday with his son Joe Jr. and his beloved son-in-law John at Mohegan Sun, where he always enjoyed a plate of oysters and his shot of whiskey.
A special thanks to the many nurses and therapists who served him through the VNA of Worcester, employees of Summit Eldercare of Worcester, the kind nurses at the St. Vincent’s Hospital dialysis unit, and most especially thank you to Dr. Robert Black of St. Vincent’s Hospital, and Joe’s home health care assistant Nadine Taylor, who aided him for a number of years and was adored by Joe and his daughter Juli.
At Joe’s request funeral services will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave., #2, Norwood, MA 02062 – www.kidney.org or to a charity of one’s own choosing.
