Mr. Peter D. Rigero, Esq. former Clerk Magistrate of Uxbridge District Court, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at Knollwood Nursing and Rehabilitation in West Boylston, after a period of declining health. He was 84.
Born in Worcester on June 29, 1933 to the late, Dominic P. and Mary A. (Roncone) Rigero, Mr. Rigero was a life-long resident and a 1953 graduate of North High School. He continued his education at Colby College, graduating in 1957 and went to Boston College Law School, where he obtained his J.D. in 1962. He subsequently passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam and engaged in private Practice of Law in the city for nearly seven years.
In 1967, Clerk Magistrate William D. Flemming appointed Mr. Rigero to the Central District Court of Worcester, where he held various positions including Assistant Clerk and Remand Clerk. He was also appointed as the Clerk of the Western Division Appellate Court of the District Court Department.
In 1975, Mr. Rigero was appointed by former Governor Michael S. Dukakis to the Uxbridge District Court as Clerk Magistrate, serving nearly thirty-one years until his retirement in May of 2007.
During his tenure on the District Court Committee on Judicial Standards, the Committee caused to be published six manuals in the following areas of law: Arraignments; Pretrial Release; Trials and Probably Cause Hearings; Sentencing and Other Dispositions; Abuse Prevention Proceeding and Inquest Proceedings.
Mr. Rigero was former member of the U.N.I.C.O. Club of Worcester, the Colby and Boston College Alumni Associations. A devout Catholic, he was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Worcester.
Mr. Rigero was a true public servant, devoting his life to the court, the community, and the Commonwealth. His enjoyments included spending time with his family, gardening, and traveling to Europe.
He is survived by his brother, William B. and his wife Paula (D’Errico) Rigero of Worcester; two nieces, Susan B. (Rigero) Pace and her husband Paul of Worcester, and Deborah J. (Rigero) Silver of Millbury; a nephew, William B. Jr. and his wife Beth (Norvell) Rigero of Hubbardston; five great nephews, Matthew Pace, Joshua Pace, Benjamin and Nicholas Silver, and Dominic J. Rigero; and his longtime friend, Dorothy V. Rhodes of Shrewsbury.
Calling Hours for Mr. Rigero will be held on Monday, December 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His Funeral will be on Tuesday, December 12, departing the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Entombment will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum.
Flowers may be sent or donations in his memory may be made to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Knollwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, 87 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606 or to Notre Dame Hospice, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
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