August “Gus” D’Ercole

August “Gus” D’Ercole, 86, former Mayor of Norwood passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Beloved husband of 64 years to Gloria (nee Marino) Devoted and loving father and father-in-law of Denise and Vincent Rinaldi, Deborah and Kenneth de Graaf and Suzanne and Ray DeBiasa. Cherished grandfather of Kristin Rinaldi-Favaloro and her husband Jojo, Danielle Rinaldi-Guiterrez and her husband Christopher, Vincent Rinaldi and his wife Alison, Daniel de Graaf and his wife Anna, Ashley de Graaf-Buckley and her husband Brian, Christy de Graaf-Plescia and her husband David, Raymond and Christopher DeBiasa. Proud great-grandfather of Christopher, Giuseppe, Gianna, Cole, Francesca, Vinny and Joseph.

Gus was predeceased by his sisters Adeline DiRienzo, Josephine Maschi, Phyllis Prodigo and Lucy Lissi. Survived by his beloved sisters and brothers Marie DiBlasio, Anna Fleury, Carolyn Everson, Lawrence, Frankie, John and Joey D’Ercole, their families and all of his many nieces and nephews.

The proud son of Carmela (nee Grassi) and Frank D’Ercole, Gus worked from the young age of 8 on a farm which he would eventually turn into D’Ercole Farm and Garden Center in Norwood. Everyone knew “The Farm” where customers would walk in as strangers and leave as family.

His love for Norwood naturally led him to become active politically. Gus served as a councilman for 3 years, the Board of Adjustment for 15 years, the Planning Board for 20 years and ultimately Mayor where he proudly served for 20 years.

A gentleman in every sense of the word, Gus was admired and loved by many. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. 

Due to the current world health crisis, funeral services are private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

pizzifuneralhome.com

Comments

  1. Rich & Judy Libonati

    Rich and I send our very sincere condolences to the family. Gus was loved by Norwood and by our family. We have fond memories of Gus while we lived in Norwood.
    God bless.

  2. Mary Louise Cerbasi

    Gus you were wonderful to my family. You will be missed. May you Rest in Peace. Prayers for your family at this most difficult time.

  3. Thomas E.Simpson

    Rest in Eternal Peace Gus. You were a mentor and Friend
    You will be missed

  4. Joanne and Murray Bass

    Rest In Peace Gus

  5. He was a wonderful man, with a wonderful family. May he Rest-In-Peace. God bless all of his family.
    With Love and Condolences, Eileen & George Leocata & Fa.

  6. Catherine Kuhn

    He will be missed by so many

  7. RIP Guss a great man and true friend to many!!

  8. Hey Gus, You were loved by me and Grace and our kids too. We lived at and for the farm we loved so much. You were a great friend and a great Mayor. Norwood was a great town because you. Our prayers to all in the family, especially to wife and kids. We left Norwood about 10 years ago but never in our hearts. Grace passed away about 6 years ago so maybe she’s with Gus right now. God bless all especially, Larry, Joey and John. They are our family still.

  9. John & Joanne Rooney

    Gus was a wonderful and generous mentor and friend, and will be missed terribly. It was Gus who got me involved in politics, and it was evident very early, of his love and commitment to Norwood. His greatest love though was for his warm and loving wife Gloria, and the families of his beautiful daughters. Rest peacefully my friend, your family will always be in my prayers,
    God Bless

  10. Chris and Gina Tietjen

    To the Dercole family,
    Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to each and every one of you. We’ve know Gus and his family for many years and have wonderful memories of him greeting us up at the farm. He was a kind and loving man and he will be dearly missed. God Bless you Gus and may you Rest In Peace.

  11. Jody Bozdech-Calabrese

    On behalf of MaryLee, Mark & Jody Bozdech and our Families we are sending our condolences to Gloria and the D’Ercole Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gus was a big part of our lives along with our parents Joe and Lillian, and brother Greg. May he Rest In Peace

  12. John & Joanne Rooney

    Gus was a wonderful and generous friend and mentor who’ll be terribly missed. It was Gus who got me involved in local politics, and it was evident very early, of his love and commitment to Norwood. His greatest love however, was for his loving wife Gloria, the beautiful families of his devoted daughters, and his siblings.
    Rest in peace my friend, your family will always be in my prayers.
    God Bless

  13. Kathleen Kelly Kennedy

    Prayers to all the D’Ercole Families. The farm made us all feel like we were a part of something special. Rest In Peace

  14. Geraldine Grassi Devlin

    May the happy memories of Gus be a comfort during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed. God Bless

  15. Riposi nell’eterna pace sindaco. Eri un gentiluomo gentile e laborioso. Hai contribuito a rendere il nostro piccolo comune un luogo incantevole in cui vivere. Le nostre preghiere e condoglianze alla tua famiglia. JAN

  16. Elizabeth Corsetto

    Fond memories of Uncle Gus and the “farm” will stay with me. Deepest sympathy to Aunt Gloria and all the family. I know my father Vito will miss him. “Beti” Elizabeth Proia Corsetto

    • Michael & Denise Kaplan

      Our Deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the D’Ercole family on their loss.
      Michael & Denise Kaplan

  17. Doris Falkenstern Folineo

    Gus was a stellar man who served our beloved town of Norwood for his whole life. As a little girl, I remember my dad taking me to Gus’ parents house. They sat at the kitchen table and made us feel so welcome. We all loved the farm and I remember going their every Christmas to get our tree. Gus made everyone feel like family. He will be remembered with much love. Deepest sympathies to all the family. ❤️

  18. It is a sad day when Norwood loses a life long resident.Gus served Norwood faithfully as Mayor for 20 plus years and carefully guided the growth of Norwood helping it to be the best town in the Valley.The D’Ercole family, under Gus’s leadership, has been extremely generous to our Church,ICS School,and Norwood. I believe that our Lord welcomed Gus with loving arms and shared a glass of the very best home made wine.I can just imagine the great conversation he is having right now with Ray,Tom,Bob,Bill and the other old timers. Salut!

  19. George & Marie Cerbasi Jr

    Gus will be greatly missed. He was kind and a very generous man. I will always be grateful for his, his family’s and the Farm’s generosity the fire department and so many others. God bless the D’ercole family.

  20. Philip & Josephine Tierno

    Dear Gloria and the entire Dercole family.Josephine and I express our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy for your loss of Gus. Gus was one of the most decent, kind and humble men I have ever known. He was a generous person both at the farm as well as with his time. He gave 20 years to the community he loved as Mayor of Norwood, and its citizens were the better for it. We wish you find inner peace and strength and comfort from all of the wonderful memories he has left to you and all your beautiful family.

  21. Brother -John

    Arriverdigi Fratello. We will meet again in heaven. You are one of my four heroes your memory lives on

  22. To the D’Ercole Family:

    My husband Marty and I were blessed in our friendship with Gus, Gloria, and the family. Marty held a deep admiration and love for Gus, his political mentor and personal friend. Indeed, Gus has a place in all our hearts. May God bless him, and all of his family, who have lost their patriarch.

  23. Jack and Angie Gianfrancesco & family

    Sending our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the D’Ercole family. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

  24. Sam and Lorie Koscica

    Our Deepest Sympathies

  25. Jeanne Beaugard

    My father, Henri Beaugard, really enjoyed visiting your farm to select plants for his garden. We were treated like royalty with open arms.

    Condolences,
    Jeanne Beaugard

  26. Alexandra Shea Norwood

    Gus D’Ercole was a good and principled gentleman. He and his beloved wife, Gloria, passed this system of values onto their children, who inspired their children and grandchildren with the same teachings. The ethics of hard work, sense of duty to family, community and country, the grace to help those less fortunate, a kind word and a warm smile seem to be unanimous D’Ercole traits! My daughter, Samantha, now almost 25, was a student of Kristens, at Holy Family Parish school. Kristen was adored by all the kids and parents. I have been a “frequent flyer” at the farm for two decades. When you say Norwood, you think D’Ercole and vice versa.
    God bless you all, and Gus, keep the coffee and donuts fresh for us up there eh ?!

  27. Kathy Minetto Coscarello

    Rest In Peace. You will be missed.

    The Family of Orlando Minetto

  28. Alan, Jim, Frank and Larry Barnes

    When I was in grade school, I found a roto-tiller in the trash. I got it running and Gus Bought it from me. My parents wanted me to pay for half for a new bicycle which I was able to ride for the next 15 plus years.

    You also married my brother Larry

    Thank you Gus, we will miss you.

  29. Uncle Gus, the farm and the clan will always be among the fondest memories from my childhood.
    My deepest sympathy to you all on his passing.

  30. Fred & Amy Hoehn

    Dear Gloria & Family,

    Please accept our sincerest sympathy for your loss. May God bless you and watch over you all.

  31. To the entire D’Ercole family, my heart is
    Heavy because of the loss of Gus, a gentlemen, a friend, a true good man, not only to his wonderful family but to everyone who ever walked through his life.
    RIP, and don’t work to hard assisting the the good LORD.
    God Bless the entire D’Ercole family
    Bob Linton

  32. Dear Gloria & family,
    I was so sorry to hear that Gus had passed. It is truly a hard thing to go through, but take it from me, your memories of all the good times and the love of your children and grandchildren will get you through. The huge procession of cars yesterday just proved how loved and respected Gus & the entire D’Ercole family is in the eyes of so many people! Take care.

  33. Barry J. Cohen

    About 36 years ago, I worked for a developer and my job included having to listen and take notes at every Norwood meeting. Mayor D’Ercole knew why I was there. Despite the antagonistic issues raised by the developer, the Mayor always treated me with total respect and humor. He made a tough job a pleasure. From then on, every time I drove through Norwood I thought of those evenings in the early 80s… Take comfort in knowing that he made an impression on many and not just Norwood residents . He will be missed.

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