Anthony “Tony” J. Verga Sr., 87, of Gloucester, husband of the late Adrienne M. (Pothier) Verga, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023, at the Beverly Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was born in Gloucester, MA on April 26, 1935, son of the late Dominic and Giovannina (Nicastro) Verga.

Tony was a graduate and the Class President of Saint Ann’s High School, Class of 1954. He also was the Captain of the Basketball Championship team.

He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War era.

Tony enjoyed visits and sharing stories with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as his siblings. He looked forward to springtime and planting his vegetable garden. He would often have an abundance of tomatoes to share with his visitors. He was a lifelong fan of Boston sports teams, and he could often be heard yelling at the TV when the games weren’t going so well.

Tony was a life member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, Gloucester American Legion, AMVETS Post #32, DAV Gloucester Chapter #74, Gloucester Lodge of Elks #892, Tin Can Sailor Association, USS Mole 698 Association, St. Peter’s Club, Gloucester Fraternity Club, and the Holy Name Society.

He was elected to the Mass House of Representatives in 1994, where his work for military veterans was a labor of love. He was appointed as the first House Chairman of the state Legislature’s newly created Veterans & Federal Affairs Committee, for which he would later serve as co-chair. He sponsored and championed “The Welcome Home Bill” that was nationally recognized as the most generous state benefits package in the country for military and veteran families. Rep. Verga’s “Welcome Home Bill” was signed into law on Veterans Day by then-Governor Mitt Romney and has become a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s services for veterans, National Guard members and military families.

Tony was recognized for his landmark legislation and was presented with the Legislator of the Year Award from the National Korean War Veterans Association as well as The United States Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association of the US.

Tony was also one of earliest champions calling for better care and resources for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He believed that PTSD was the signature injury of the Global War on Terrorism and led the charge to create the state’s first Commission to Study the Hidden Wounds of War. He was dedicated to caring for those who served both on and off the battlefield.

Tony’s beautiful smile, his sense of humor, his wonderful singing voice, and his warm, welcoming personality will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his children, Mick Verga and his wife Ping, Jeanmarie Chartier and her husband Glenn, Peter Verga and his wife Geraldine, Anthony Verga and his wife Linda Vaughan, Matthew Verga, Kevin Verga and his wife Charlene, Steven Verga and his wife Almiris, Mayor Gregory Verga and his wife Kellie; 14 grandchildren, Paul Catania, Rachel Estevez and her husband Gregory, Abigail Ragusa and her husband Stephen, Monique Verga and her fiancé Bobby Hopkins, Patrick Verga and his partner Emma Strubell, Benjamin Tavares, Jacob Verga, Alexandra Verga, Hannah Verga, Mariah Verga, Julia Verga, K.C. Verga, Joseph Verga and Amanda Verga; five great grandchildren, Josephine Estevez, Gabriella Estevez, Vinny Estevez, Cameron Ragusa and Angelina Ragusa; sister, Nina Francis and her companion, David LaPorto; brothers, James Verga and his wife Rosalie, Joseph Verga and his wife Paula; brother-in-law, Alan Pothier and his wife Anne, and his lifelong best friend and “brother” Joseph Lovasco.

He was predeceased by his sister, Frances Carcia and her husband Tony, Grace Scola, and her husband Thomas; brothers, Salvatore Verga and his wife Angelina, Philip Verga, and his wife Mary; brothers-in-law, Philip Francis, and Gerald Pothier; sisters-in-law, Shirley Pothier, Theresa Pothier; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Friday, March 17 at 9:30 a.m. A private burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Memory of Anthony Verga to Cape Ann Veterans Services, Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 Attn: Veterans Services.

Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. For online condolences please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com