Obituary

Spiro V. Prifti, of Summer Street died Monday, May 5, at home.

He leaves his wife of 56 years, Dee E. (Butka) Prifti; one son John M. Prifti of Shrewsbury; and one daughter, Paula J. Prifti of Grafton, and two grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Three brothers, James, Peter, and Norman, and one sister, Persefoni predeceased him. He was born in Floqui, Albania, son of Vangjel and Alexandra (Visar) Prifti and lived in Shrewsbury for 35 years.

He graduated from Albany High School in Albany, NY and University of Massachusetts School of Baking in Amherst. He was head baker at Worcester City Hospital from 1964 to 1980. Previously he owned and operated Liberty Lunch with his wife in Worcester for more than 16 years. He was a Staff-Sargent in the U.S. Army during World War II serving in the Pacific theatre.

He was a member of St. Mary's Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, and its Sons of St. Mary in Worcester. He was a three-time golden glove-boxing champion as well as a three time high diving champion – both in Albany. As a high diving champion Mr. Prifti was featured on two occasions in the National Geographic magazine.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 9, in St. Mary's Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester. Burial with military honors will be in Hope Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours are 5-7 P.M. Thursday, May 8, in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester. A Trisagion Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 8 in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Heart Association, Massachusetts Affiliate, Inc., 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701-4688.