Memorials

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Beverly M. (Wiles) Macdonald     1928  -  2011

LEOMINSTER -- Beverly M. (Wiles) Macdonald, 82 years old, of Leominster, died Saturday, January 29, 2011 in the Life Care Center of Leominster. She is survived by her husband Robert D. Macdonald, her children Dr. Kenneth R. Macdonald and his wife Connie of Potomac, MD, Alan R. Macdonald and his wife Ardi of Leominster, David C. Macdonald of Leominster, Robert G. Macdonald of Lancaster and Janice E. Macdonald of Leominster, grandchildren Megan Davitt and her husband Mike, Ross Macdonald and his wife Alicia, Jason Macdonald and Wiles Chiasson and his wife Sara, great grandchildren Kaden Chiasson and Alexandra Chiasson and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Donna L. Macdonald in 1988.

Beverly was born in Worcester on November 7, 1928, daughter of George A. and Alice (Conrey) Wiles and had lived in Clinton/Lancaster area several years, before moving to Leominster. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1946 and had worked several years at the Leominster Savings Bank. She was a long time active member of the First Baptist Church in Leominster, where she taught Sunday School and hosted bible studies for many years.

She enjoyed doing craft work, was an avid knitter and seamstress. She loved traveling, ski trips and summers on Cape Cod for many years. Beverly and Bob were married for over 60 years and enjoyed a wonderful life together. She had great compassion for those in need and a beautiful smile for everyone.

MACDONALD -- A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 4, 2011 at 11 am in the First Baptist Church, 23 West Street, Leominster. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 23 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453. The Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

Shirley Mary (Mullan) D'Onfro    1928  -  2010

Shirley Mary (Mullan) D'Onfro, 82 years old, of Leominster, died Saturday, September 4, 2010 in her home after an illness. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Donald A. D'Onfro, 3 sons, William D. D'Onfro and his wife Charlene of Westminster, Robert J. D'Onfro and his wife Emily of Westminster, and Scott A. D'Onfro of Fitchburg, 4 grandchildren, Jeffrey D'Onfro of Westminster, Gregory D'Onfro of Westminster, Danielle D'Onfro of Westminster and Allison D'Onfro of Fitchburg.

Mrs. D'Onfro was born in Leominster on January 3, 1928, daughter of William and Birchman (Lambert) Mullan and graduated from Leominster High School in 1946. She was a member of St. Leo's Church in Leominster, was an avid weaver and was a member of the Lexington Weavers Guild.

Funeral services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Care Network & Hospice, Development Office, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608-1280. The Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mildred L. (Mitchell) Benoit             1927  -  2009

Mildred L. (Mitchell) Benoit, 81 years old, of Leominster, died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at her daughter Michelle's home, after an illness. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Paul J. Benoit; her 2 daughters, Michelle Cotton and her husband, Robert of Leominster, and Jacqueline Benoit of Spencer; her son, Paul Benoit and his wife, Shannon of Lancaster; her 3 brothers, Lawrence Mitchell and Joseph Mitchell, both of Leominster, and George Mitchell of Fitchburg; and her 5 grandchildren, Chad, Shannon and Sean Cotton and Hannah and Lilliana Benoit. She was predeceased by her 2 sisters, Gertrude Pranouskas and Mary Mitchell, and by her brother, Hugh Mitchell. Mrs. Benoit was born in Leominster on July 27, 1927, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Mohan) Mitchell, and lived in Leominster most of her life. She was a 1946 graduate of Leominster High School and attended the former Worcester Business College. She was formerly employed by Doehla Greeting Card Co. of Fitchburg and Nashua, NH, and Service Greeting in Webster, MA, where she was employed in quality control, as well as performing time studies. She was a member of St. Leo's Church, and enjoyed sewing.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a Mass at 10 am in St. Leo's Church, 128 Main St., Leominster. Burial will be in St. Cecilia's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 5-8 pm in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 108 Main St., Leominster, MA 01453, or to St. Leo's School, 120 Main St., Leominster, MA 01453 or to a charity of your choice. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net  (No Yearbook Photo)

Marcel X. "Jack" Rocca

Marcel X. "Jack" Rocca, 75, a well-educated entrepreneur who owned and ran a Washington language school and translation service, among other ventures, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Oct. 28 at his home in Bethesda.

Mr. Rocca's idea for a commercial language school came to him while he was tutoring foreign students in English as a graduate student at Georgetown University in the mid-1950s. He started the Institute of Modern Languages of Washington in 1960. The commercial language school, among the first of its kind in Washington, opened a branch in Mexico City and expanded its services to include language translation for government agencies and private companies. Its students included government officials and foreign diplomats, including the current president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez.

1929  -  2004

Bought out by American Express In 1969, Mr. Rocca, continued to head the school before leaving to start his second company, Transemantics Inc., which he sold in 2003. The new business, though similar, began to produce multilingual recorded audio tours of Washington, and he opened a private high school called the Washington Academy.

He also started an advocacy group called the Organization for the Advancement of Small Independent Schools. Mr. Rocca was a trustee of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va., and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout master.

In the 1980s, he dusted off his trumpet-playing skills and formed the Metrotones, a Dixieland jazz band, which performed at Washington area restaurants and retirement homes through the 1990s.

Born in Belleville, N.J., and raised in Leominster, Mass., Mr. Rocca was educated in public schools but also earned academic scholarships to attend summer sessions at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., and Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. He went on to Harvard University, where he counted Henry Kissinger and James Schlesinger among his classmates. Mr. Rocca graduated from Harvard with a degree in English and American literature, then attended Harvard Law School for a year before entering the Army at the time of the Korean War. He served in Japan on grave registration duty. After fulfilling his military duty, Mr. Rocca spent a year working in Taiwan as an information officer for the U.S. Information Agency. He received a master's degree in Japanese studies from Georgetown University in 1956. He received a law degree from Catholic University in 1967.

Survivors include his wife, Maria-Luisa Villar Borda of Bethesda; three sons, Francis Xavier Rocca of Rome and Lawrence Edward Rocca and Maurice Alberto Rocca, both of New York; two sisters; a brother; and a grandson.

Angela M. (Valeri) Pizzuti

Angela M. (Valeri) Pizzuti, 77, of 543 Pleasant St., died Sunday, Jan. 1, in her home. She was born in Leominster on July 18, 1928, the daughter of Angelo and Domenica (Piccolomini) Valeri and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1946 and had been active in her class reunion committee.

Mrs. Pizzuti worked as a bookkeeper for the Leominster Housing Authority for several years before retiring and was working part-time as the office manager at Cristina’s Restaurant in Leominster.

She was a member of St. Anna’s Church, the St. Anna’s Society, and the Order of the Sons of Italy, all of Leominster. She was a member of the former Italian American Cultural Society in Leominster.

Mrs. Pizzuti is survived by two brothers, Dr. C. Robert Valeri of Marblehead and David A. Valeri of Leominster; a sister, Corinne R. Lanzillo of Troy, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, Richard P. Pizzuti, died in 1993; and a brother, John A. Valeri, died in 1987.

Burial was in St. Leo’s Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours are Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the funeral home.

1928  -  2006

Joan Wright

1928  - 2006

Joan Wright, 78, of 6 Beth Ave. in Leominster, formerly of Carriageway Drive and Washington Street, died on Dec. 31 in HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster.

She was born on Aug. 29, 1928, in Leominster, the daughter of Thomas F. and Helen (Lovelace) Wright Sr.

Miss Wright was a graduate of Leominster High School Class of 1946. She then graduated from the Chandler Business School in Boston. She was employed as a military clerk for the United States Army at Fort Devens. She was also a member of St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster.

Miss Wright is survived by a brother, Thomas F. Wright Jr. and his wife, Regina, of Marshfield; her godchild and caregiver, Maureen (Crowley) Donatelli, of Leominster; two nieces, Elizabeth Soukhanov and her husband, Alex, and Erin Kovalchuk and her husband, Gregory; a nephew, Michael Wright; a great-nephew, Connor F. Kovalchuk.

 Burial was in St. Leo’s Cemetery in Leominster.

 

Murie T. (Arsenault) Pulsinelli, 78, of 51 Crestfield Lane, died Wednesday evening in HealthAlliance/Hospital/Leominster after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Pulsinelli was born in Leominster on Jan. 26, 1928, daughter of Henry and Sophie (Melanson) Arsenault, and graduated from Leominster High School. She had been a telephone operator for the Bell Co. in Fitchburg and worked as a hairdresser several years ago. She was a member of St. Anna’s Church in Leominster, volunteered for the American Red Cross and she loved to dance.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Anthony M. Pulsinelli; a daughter, Dian T. Grote, of Leominster; a sister, Gloria Gerbino of Miami Beach, Fla.; and two granddaughters, Karen L. Grote of Fitchburg and Kristina M. Grote of Leominster.

Funeral services and burial in Evergreen Cemetery were private.

Murie T. Pulsinelli

1928  -  2006

Newell J. "Newt" Dyer

1928 - 2008

Newell J. "Newt" Dyer, 79, of 219 Whalom Road, Lunenburg, died September 15, 2008. Two brothers, Charles H. Dyer Jr. and Donald J. Dyer, and nieces and nephews Martin, Lori, Shawn, Carrie, Robert, Danny, and Richard. A sister, Virginia predeceased Newt in 1997. Newt was born on October 26, 1928, the son of Charles H. Dyer and Valentine (Papillon) Dyer.

He served in the U.S. Army and was in the Korean War. While in the Army he received the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan Korean Service Medal w/5 Bronze Service Stars, Distinguished Unit Emblem, Presidential Unit Citation, and a Republic of Korea United Nations Service Medal.

Newt was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (Local #004) & he was a heavy equipment operator before retiring in 1990.

Francis B. Crowley    1928 - 1994

Dr. Francis B. Crowley Jr., 66, a lifelong resident of Leominster, died Friday at Leominster Hospital after an extended illness.

For 33 years Dr. Crowley was on the staff of Leominster Hospital and had his own private practice in the city.

Dr. Crowley graduated from Leominster High School in 1946 and from the College of the Holy Cross in 1950. He attended Tufts University Medical School, where he was president of Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society. He graduated in 1954 with highest honors.

He completed his residencies in internal medicine and cardiology at Worcester, Boston City, and West Roxbury Veterans Administration hospitals.

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