Obituary of Louis J. Sbrega

LOUIS J (GINO) SBREGA

SOUTH HADLEY- Gino passed away at the age of 88 surrounded by his loving family in Holyoke Medical Center on November 4th as a result of a fall. His family is indebted to his Case Manager, Jessica; physician, Kevin Snow, and the other compassionate 3rd floor staff who were with them at that time. Gino will be so missed by everyone who knew him!

Gino was born in Fano Italy in August of 1933, emigrating with his family at the age of six. He was drafted into the Army upon graduation from Holyoke High School in 1952 to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return, he married the love of his life, Nancy Horrigan, whom he called Cupcake. He was devastated by her passing in February of this year.

Gino was a devoted family man. He and Nancy cared for his widowed mother and mentally disabled brother in their home for many years. He called his beloved sister, Barbara (Rena) Downey of Chicopee, every evening at 7:15.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Michele; his brother, Gilbert (known as Junior), and an infant son, Jerome Gilbert. He leaves his brother, John and his family John and Nico Sbrega of Arizona; his sister Barbara (Rena) Downey; his pal and sister-in-law, Marcia Durell of Holyoke, nieces Megan Durell and Heather (his friend, Kurt) Palmateer and grand nieces, Sierra and Brenna Skaza; as well as many dear friends, including Bob Peloquin and Barbara Bernard.

Gino loved people & brought joy into every room he entered with his smile & the twinkle in his eye. At any kind of social gathering, he and Nancy were always the last to leave! He called Bingo for years at St. Rose de Lima Church & at the Knights in Columbus in Chicopee, both for the benefit of Sunshine Village. He was also a 4th Degree life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, Chicopee 4044.

Extremely clever and handy, he helped friends and family members around their homes as well as doing yardwork alongside Nancy.

He got real pleasure from working so that after his retirement from AT&T, he was employed at Monsanto as a part-time phone installer.

Gino and Nancy lived in a magical neighborhood. They were recipients of friendship, good times, as well as casseroles and soup during Nancy’s illness from Caz and Julie Janocha, Trish and Alan Tabin, and Dave and Toby Daly.

He and Nancy were always very grateful for the kind professional and personal care they received from Dr. Robert Fishman; Bob Stern, his son Nick, and Mary Glaser; John Pietras, Mike Siddall, and Father Michael Twohig, priest at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church.

Gino’s Memorial Mass will take place at St. Theresa’s, 9 E Parkview Drive, South Hadley on Saturday, November 13th at 10 a.m. For those wishing to attend the Mass virtually, please use the link https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3754898454. There will be a brief visiting time at the church before the service from 9:30 to 10. Burial will take place immediately following at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley. All attending are required to wear masks and maintain social distance.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to Sunshine Village, 75 Litwin Lane, Chicopee MA 01020.