Carol Verrochi
Berkley, MA- The family of Carol A. (Bancroft) Verrochi, 70, sadly announces her death on Wednesday, June 28, in her home, eight months after she was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Born in New Bedford, Carol graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 1970 and studied nursing at the Faulkner Hospital. After graduating in 1972, she worked as a registered nurse in various settings, including public schools, hospitals, and home care.
Her true passion, she would discover, was in event planning. She donated hours of her time and talents to charitable fundraising events, including Cribs to Crayons, St. Bernard’s Harvest Festival, Friends of St. Anne’s Hospital events, and fundraising events at her grandchildren’s schools. Her passion for bringing people together shone brightest at the annual Arthur D. Bancroft Golf Tournament, a golf and dinner event bringing the extensive Bancroft family together to play mediocre golf in celebration of family and friends. Although the golf event has ceased, the family continues to gather in September because family is always number one.
Loving to travel, Carol enjoyed trips to Switzerland, Florida, Bermuda, and the Caribbean whenever she could, accompanied by friends and family. Even after becoming ill, she traveled to Florida for more time with her grandchildren.
Carol and her husband discovered a love of southern Vermont when they decided to introduce their grandchildren to skiing and snowboarding at Mount Snow in West Dover, VT.
New friendships sprouted in the Green Mountains, and Carol again found her niche in bringing people together. A casual meeting with her future friend, Donald Richard, led to the formation of a nonprofit designed to help first responders cope with job stress. The Strengthen Your Mind Initiative is perhaps Carol’s greatest gift.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, William H. Verrochi, and their three daughters, Maureen (Verrochi) Curran, of West Hartford, CT; Cheryl (Verrochi) Arbello (William), of Trumball, CT; and Kristen (Verrochi) Geltman (Michael), of Madison, CT. She and Bill were blessed with six grandchildren: Caitlin, Mairin, Hailey, Zachary, Victoria, and Liam.
Carol is also survived by her mother Claire (Rocheleau) Bancroft; sister Laurie Mandly (James); sister Diane Zuspan (E. Jay); sister-in-law Vicki Abbott Bancroft; and brother-in-law John Verrochi.
Carol was preceded in death by her father Arthur D. Bancroft and her brother Stephen P. Bancroft.
A large extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces, all of whom enriched her life, remain, representing what Carol embraced most–her family.
Due to her expansive interests, Carol amassed many friends in southeastern Massachusetts and southern Vermont, who will miss her dearly.
A Mass of Christian burial was held on Thursday, July 6, at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Bedford. Burial followed at the Fox Cemetery in Berkley.
Remembrances may be made to Strengthen Your Mind Initiative via www.strengthenyourmind.org or sent via mail to Cheryl Arbelo, 4 Highwood Place, Trumbull, CT 06611. For the online condolence book visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
