Haverhill: Americo V. "Mecco" Colleto, age 72, a retired Haverhill Police Officer and lifelong resident of Haverhill, died Monday, December 19, 2016 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, following a long illness.

Born, raised and educated in Haverhill, son of the late Antonio and Evangeline (Fisette) Colleto, he graduated from the former Haverhill Trade School in 1963 and attended the Massachusetts Police Academy and Northern Essex Community College.

Officer Colleto was first employed at Hamel Leather Co. in Haverhill and later as a mechanic at the former Lafayette Square Gulf Station and at Owens –Illinois before joining the Haverhill Police Department in 1971. He served the city for over thirty years before retiring in 2002.

A member of the Haverhill Police Patrolmen's Association, he was also a lifelong member of All Saints Parish of Haverhill. He enjoyed maintaining his yard and home, working on his tractors, traveling and camping around the United States with his family and bird feeding. He was especially devoted to his family and was proud and honored to care for his elderly relatives.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of forty-eight years, Janet M. (Langlois) Colleto, his son Anthony V. Colleto of Haverhill, two daughters and a son-in-law, Trina S. and Edward McGowan of Lavonia, MI, and Penny A. Colleto of Haverhill, a brother and sister-in-law, Antonio P. "Tony" and Roberta Colleto of Ward Hill, and several nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters, Theresa Zingale, Dolores Musso, and Stella Pews.

Relatives and friends may call TODAY, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from 2 to 5 p.m. at BERUBE- Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The ARC of Haverhill/Newburyport, 57 Wingate St., Haverhill, MA. To send a message of condolence to the family or to find directions to our home, please visit www.berubecomeau.com .