U.S. Marine served in Korean War
Published in the June 21, 2017 edition
GLOUCESTER — Albert R. “AI” Carrasco, 87, of Gloucester, husband of Anne M. (Simon) Carrasco, passed away, on Saturday, June 17, 2017, with his loving family at his side.
Al was born in Roslindale, Massachusetts on January 14, 1930, and was the son of the late Rossiter C. and Frances V. (Richter) Carrasco. He was a graduate of Roslindale High School with the Class of 1947. Al enlisted with the U.S. Marines, attaining the rank of Sgt., and was extremely proud to have served our country during the Korean War. He married Anne on his birthday on Jan 14, 1956 and had been her husband for 61 years. They had an unbreakable and loving bond throughout their marriage. Before opening and operating his own glass business in Gloucester with his wife for the last several decades, he had worked at LePages, O’Donnell Usen Fisheries, ARC Appliance and Cape Ann Glass.
Al was an avid bowler and enjoyed having his own team. He and Anne enjoyed several years of square dancing with the Gloucester Skippers, with whom many long time friendships were made. In later years, Al traveled to Florida with Anne spending winters in the sun. Everyone knew Al because of his great sociality and love of life. He belonged to many clubs in the past, the Elks, VFW, AMVETS and the Lebanese Society. Al was an avid New England sports fan and never thought he would see the Red Sox and Patriots win once let alone multiple times. He lived at the Central Grammar Apartments for the past seven years and made many new friends. He was Mr. Fixit, Mr. Dependable, loved his early mornings with the Boston Herald and a cup of coffee. He was always smiling, but Big Al could be tough and stubborn. The best times in his life were the times he got to spend with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild. He was all about family and loved spending all the time with them that he could. A very loving, dear, wonderful man has left an indelible impression on his family, as well as his friend’s lives and he will be missed so much.
He is survived by his wife Anne. He is also survived by his three daughters, Joanne Levesque and her husband, Robert, of Salisbury; Frances Tower and her husband, Richard, of Middleton; and Linda Rugato and her husband, David of Lynnfield. He is also survived by his brother, James H. Carrasco of Chelsea. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Marissa Levesque of New York; Heather Levesque and Kristen Levesque, both of Brighton; Tanya Archer and her husband, Ray of Boxford; Nicole Tower of Seabrook, New Hampshire; and Carl and Alex Rugato of Lynnfield. He is also survived by one great grandchild, Jack F. Archer, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Ellen Aldous and his brother Ralph Carrasco.
Formal services will be at a later date, but there will be a Celebration of His Life at his former business site of “AI’s Glass,” at 242 Main St. Gloucester, on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Golden Living Center, 272 Washington St. Gloucester, MA 01930. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, MA. Online condolences may be given at www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
