Gary Vecchio, head of the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association and a well-known voice on issues in the city, died Monday after a brief battle with cancer. Vecchio, 68, was a lifelong Worcester resident who became an educator and a visible presence in city politics and matters relating to Shrewsbury Street.

Vecchio would walk the neighborhood every day and let city officials know of any issues he found. He died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, according to his obituary. Vecchio attended Adams Street Grammar School and North High School before earning a bachelor's degree of science and a master's degree in education at Worcester State.