Joseph J. Pellecchia

Joseph J. Pellecchia; 91 of Fitchburg/Leominster FITCHBURG Joseph John Pellecchia, 91, of Fitchburg, and formerly of Leominster, died Wednesday, December 10, at UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, surrounded by loving family members. "Joe" was born on October 23, 1917, in Leominster, son of the late David Pellecchia and Maria (Isopo) Pellecchia. He was a graduate of Leominster High School (1936), and the former Saxton Trade School graduating in 1940, as a machinist. Joe served his country in the US Army Air Force during WWII, having attained the rank of Corporal, earning the WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal while serving with the 129th Army Air Force Base Unit. While in the military, Joe attended Radio Mechanics School and was taught the theory and mechanics of radios and did actual maintenance and repair work on all types of radios as Electronics Technician. He and his family were founders of Blocks, Inc. of Leominster for many years (1946 to1968), where he invented D'Pelco Glazed Concrete Block. He also owned his own construction business, Pellecchia Masonry Contracting (1968-1972) and the Concrete Pumping Service (1972-1982). Joe was an avid sports fan, having run track and played baseball and football while in high school. He then was one of the founders of the semi-professional Leominster Lions football team where he played offensive center and defensive linebacker. He was responsible for bringing Little League Baseball to Leominster when he founded the Leominster National Little League. He along with some of his brothers also built the first American Little League baseball field off Marguerite Avenue. He also assisted communities of Springfield and Milton. He spent many years of service for the Nashua Valley and Monadnock Councils of Boy Scouts of America. He built an outside ice skating rink in downtown Leominster in the 1960's for area youth and families. He may be best known for his efforts to bring the "International Multi-Cultural Dome" to the former Fort Devens. For many years, he contacted Presidents, Governors, and legislators from numerous cities and states in his efforts. He even had a building plans and estimated how much it would cost and how much income it would bring to the area. He enjoyed politics and ran for Mayor in both Leominster and Fitchburg over the years, and served on the original committee to promote the Leominster School Building Program. His goal in life was to spend his lifetime organizing programs to help people get more living out of life. He certainly did just that with a long list of associations and accomplishments some of which included: the Lions Service Club, Amvets Post 38, Boy Scouts of America, Leominster Recreation Center Incorporator, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Leominster Little League, Italian American Citizen's Club, Friends of St. Anna's School Association, Wachusett Grange, Leominster Historical Commission, and was a member of the Massachusetts Silver Haired Legislators (Representative). Joe enjoyed tinkering with electronics and loved music. He started a 50 piece military marching band while in the Army. He played saxophone and clarinet. Joe also was a member of the Leominster High School Orchestra, the Italian Colonial Band, Eagles Drum Corps and a member of the musicians Mutual Association Local No 173. Joe served on many other organizations to promote the well being of the community. He also was a life long member of the National Concrete Masonry Association and local unions. Joseph is survived by six sons, David Pellecchia and his wife, Norma of Leominster, Phillip Pellecchia of Petersham, Vincent Pellecchia and his wife, Carol of Fitchburg, Richard Pellecchia and his wife, Terri of Beulah, Colorado, and Stephen Pellecchia of Hallowell, ME, Robert Pellecchia of Fitchburg; five daughters, Frances George of Worcester, MA, Lelaine Sicard of Leominster, Maria Richardson and her husband, Gary of Leominster, Cynthia LeFleur and her husband, Roger of Fitchburg, and Jennifer Pellecchia of Fitchburg. He also leaves 26 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He leaves one brother, Settimio "Babe" Pellecchia and his wife, Tina of Leominster; and a sister, Olga Valera. He was predeceased by six brothers, Isolino and Dalmazio (infant deaths) Enrico, Isolino, Charles, Dalmazio "Red"; and two sisters, Elmarinda and Lena. All of his siblings were from Leominster. PELLECCHIA The funeral will be held on Monday, December 15, 2008 from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home, 109 West St., in Leominster with a Funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anna Church, 199 Lancaster St., in Leominster, Burial will be in St. Leo's Cemetery in Leominster. Calling hours are today, Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Little League Baseball Organization of your choice.