Deacon Gerald M. Montiverdi Sr., 84

    Gerald M. Montiverdi Sr., 84, a deacon with the Diocese of Worcester and retired Worcester Police chaplain, died  April 3 at UMass Hospital, with his family at his side.
    Deacon Montiverdi is survived by the love of his life and best friend, his wife of 62 years, Veronika “Bunky” E. (Bandilla) Montiverdi; three children, Lisa Marie Fortin and her husband Patrick of Marlborough, Gerald M. Montiverdi Jr of Worcester, and Christopher M. Montiverdi and his wife Annmarie of Leicester; daughter-in-law, Sue Montiverdi of Worcester; two sisters, Nancy Leary and Elaine Feodoroff, both of Worcester; eight grandchildren, David, Andrew, Megan, Peter, Amanda, Eric, Paige, and Chad; many nieces and nephews, his best friend who was more like a brother, John Mahan and his wife Mary, and their daughter Erin.
Deacon Montiverdi was born in Worcester, one of seven children of Joseph A. and Virginia R. (Sposato) Montiverdi Sr. He was predeceased by four brothers, Michael “Mickey,” Victor, Vincent, and Joseph Montiverdi Jr. 
He graduated from Commerce High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.
His strong faith led Mr. Montiverdi to join the diaconate program for the Diocese of Worcester. He was ordained June 5, 1981, and served his first Mass on Saturday, June 6, 1981, on the eve of Pentecost Sunday. His devotion to St. Francis Xavier and St. Jude was strong and he spent many hours in prayer to their causes. He served as deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Our Lady of Loreto Parish for the entirety of his diaconate.  He also served as a chaplain at UMass Hospital for 33 years, devoting his time and prayers to the pediatric department.
    Deacon Montiverdi worked for many years as the senior store clerk for the Worcester Police Department, retiring in 2017, having previously worked as assistant director of transportation for New England Grocers.  He was appointed chaplain of the Worcester Police Department in 1997 by Chief Edward Gardella and Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan, and for many years, Deacon Montiverdi offered prayers and spiritual guidance to members of the department. One of his greatest honors was being able to read “The Policeman’s Prayer” at the annual Worcester Police Memorial Sunday services. He also served as chaplain of the Worcester Police Relief Association. He was also a member of the Central MA Critical Incident Debriefing team. In 2011, Police Chief Gary Gemme presented Deacon Montiverdi with the “Chief of Police Citation” award for his dedicated service to the department.
    Deacon Montiverdi was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto where he served on several church committees and was a 4th degree Knight with the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed reading, golf, and sharing his ministry.  He was a former member of the Singletary Rod and Gun Club.  
    He was devoted to his faith and to his family; he was a man of grace and dignity and was never one to complain. He always put others’ needs first and would always find time to provide whatever good counsel was needed to help those in need. Life, his church ministry and most importantly family were God’s gifts and he cherished them entirely, his family said.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the VNA of Worcester; specifically, Sue, McKenzie, Kelly, and Keely for the wonderful, compassionate care he received from them over the past two years. 
Calling hours for Deacon Montiverdi will be held at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester, Monday, April 10, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 11, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Loreto Church. (Please go directly to church.)  Interment will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Building Fund, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA 01604, or to the Pediatrics Department at UMass Hospital, in care of UMass Memorial Office of Philanthropy, 365 Plantation St., Biotech One, Worcester, MA 01605, specify your gift is for “Children’s Medical Center Greatest Needs” or by visiting www.ummhealth.org/giving.