WORCESTER, Mass. — Paul Giorgio, a Worcester publisher who once advanced overseas trips for Vice President Al Gore and later built a pair of magazines devoted to the city’s arts and LGBTQ+ communities, died Saturday, Sept. 26. He was 75.
Giorgio died surrounded by loved ones, according to his obituary from Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.
His partner of 48 years, Bernard Whitmore, described their lives as closely bound. “Like most spousal relationships, everything we did was intertwined,” Whitmore told MassLive. “He was my gateway to Worcester.”
Born in Worcester to the late Joseph F. and Rose (Arena) Giorgio, he graduated from North High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from what was then Assumption College and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Clark University.
Giorgio’s political work took him to Washington, where he served on the White House staff organizing international travel for Gore and helped plan events for the 52nd presidential inauguration, according to the obituary. He was also a member of the Democratic State Committee.
After returning to Worcester, he became president of Pagio Inc. and held business and real estate interests in the city. He chaired the board of the Worcester County Food Bank and sat on the board of the Worcester Business Development Corp. He also served with the Worcester Housing Authority and helped found the Shrewsbury Street Merchants Association.
Giorgio created Pulse Magazine, which spent more than two decades covering Worcester’s arts, entertainment and dining scene. He later launched Central Mass Pride magazine to serve the region’s LGBTQ+ readers. He recently sold both titles to Merit House Media, a Worcester company backed by Rucker Investments, according to the Worcester Business Journal. The Beverly-based investment firm is run by Worcester Railers owner Cliff Rucker and his wife, Susan.
Mayor Joseph Petty paid tribute in a social media post, calling Giorgio a dedicated public servant. “His commitment to our city, his generosity toward others, and his love for this community will not be forgotten,” Petty wrote.
Former Worcester Mayor Konstantina Lukes, writing on the funeral home’s tribute page, said she met Giorgio 40 years ago and called his political advice invaluable. “It will be a long time, if ever, that a political force like Paul’s will emerge on the political landscape,” she wrote.
In addition to Whitmore, Giorgio is survived by his brother Ronald Giorgio and Ronald’s wife, Dolores, of Shrewsbury; a nephew, Michael Giorgio; and a niece, Alexandra Kelly, her husband, Tim, and their children, Jack, Evelyn and Luke.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. A celebration of life will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the funeral home. Burial beside his parents in St. John Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Central Mass Housing Alliance, 18 Chestnut St., Worcester, MA 01608, or online at cmhaonline.org/donate.
It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my longtime friend, Paul Giorgio.
Paul was a proud lifelong Worcester resident who dedicated so much of his life to our city and to the Democratic Party. He was a tireless campaign worker, a member of the Democratic City and… pic.twitter.com/tyLLnihX2k
— Joe Petty (@MayorJoePetty) September 27, 2026
Image courtesy of Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.
