Thomas A. Piggott

Thomas A. Piggott, of North Attleboro, former Mayor of Attleboro, passed away peacefully at the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. He was the beloved husband of Eugenia “Jean” (Abeyounis) Piggott to whom he was married for sixty-four years.
Tom was the son of the late George and Carrie (Brown) Piggott of Pawtucket, RI. Born on December 9, 1922 he was raised in Pawtucket graduating from Pawtucket High School, Class of 1940. Tom grew up in the Depression Years and along with his sister Carolyn sold newspapers on the street corners. During his high school years he would leave school to work at the Hempell Manufacturing Corporation.
At the age of nineteen Tom enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served four and a half years during World War II. After W.W.II he also served two years in the Marine Corps Reserve in Providence receiving an honorable discharge. After basic training he was sent to Cherry Point, NC for communications training. On a 72 hour pass he traveled to Greenville, NC a college town where he met his future wife, Jean. From Cherry Point he was transferred to Norfolk, VA Naval Base and was chosen for flight training and attended Louisiana State College and Texas Christian University, receiving his Sergeant’s stripes. After this phase of training he returned to Greenville, NC where he married his wife Jean at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Reporting to Memphis, he decided not to continue flight training and was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA with the 5th Marine Division, 27th Regiment. He was later transferred to Hawaii and was part of the first landing in the assault and capture of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1941 serving 31 days as a communications specialist and helped to secure the airfield of Matayama, which was later used for returning aircraft from Japan. After the Battle of Iwo Jima (receiving his Staff Sergeant’s stripes) he returned to Hawaii in anticipation of returning to the states for officer’s candidate school when the war ended in August of 1945. Officer’s candidate school was deferred and he was transferred to the Second Marine Division serving one year in Kyushu, Japan managing a hotel during the occupation. He received several medals of honor including the Asiantic Pacific Campaign, Occupational Service in Japan, American Campaign and the Zeal and the Fidelity and Obedience Medal. After his discharge, November 1946 he returned to Rhode Island with his wife Jean and entered Brown University in the Fall of 1947 under the G.I. Bill of Rights graduating in 1951 with an English and French major. Some of his writings are preserved in the archives at Brown University.
After Brown University he worked for U.S. Steel Corporation several years and later moved his family from Pawtucket to South Attleboro in 1953 and became a partner in Art Screen Process Printing.
In the Spring of 1965 the political climate in Attleboro had become heated and he was drafted as a candidate for Mayor of Attleboro serving three terms from 1966 thru 1971. Many called him the man with the silver tongue because of his ability as a speaker. He was able to bring diverse groups together focusing on common ground which helped to bring life to Attleboro. During his administration he enlisted many groups and residents, professional and private to update the Master Plan for the City.
His many accomplishments as Mayor include the completion of the South Attleboro Junior High School, an addition to the Attleboro High School that included a swimming pool which continues to serve many generations, a new water tower on Ides Hill, secured funds for water and sewer treatment plants which enabled future administrations to extend services through out the City. Tom also played a major role in helping to attract industry and bring jobs to Attleboro and the Industrial Park located on lower County Street. He helped to secure funds for the new Brennan, Hyman Fine and Hill Roberts Middle Schools through acquisition of land and purchased the Armory, now the Recreation Center in the center of Attleboro for the purchase price of $ 1.00.
Tom was a strong supporter in favor of building the Spatcher Pool on North Avenue having spoken on behalf of the project at Beacon Hill. On several occasions he traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby and secure funds for the City. As Mayor he maintained an open door policy towards all media.
He was elected President of the Massachusetts Mayors Association serving one year. After his Mayoralty he worked two years as a lobbyist for the League of Cities and Towns and during this time helped to bring about revenue sharing for cities and towns. He later established Precious Wire and Cable Corporation in North Attleboro and worked 15 years until his retirement.
Tom was a lifelong member of the South Attleboro American Legion Post #312, an honorary member of the Lions Club and a member of the City Retirees Association.
In his youth Tom sang in the boy’s choir at St. Luke’s Church in Pawtucket. During his lifetime he teamed up with his wife Jean performing and directing Minstrel Shows at St. Theresa’s Church in South Attleboro and performing and singing at nursing homes and senior groups. Tom sang and played a ten string ukulele entertaining his fellow marines during the war and continued entertaining family and friends throughout his entire life. He was very proud of his large family and had a great influence on them for their love of music. Tom enjoyed crossword puzzles, was an avid reader, a song writer, wrote poetry and wrote all of his public speeches. His sense of humor and warmth came naturally whenever he spoke to you. He wrote the lyrics to a Christmas song with his wife Jean called “Best Time of the Year” in 1957 which was later copyrighted.
In addition to his loving wife, Jean, Tom is survived by his five beautiful children and their spouses: Thomas D. Piggott and his wife Marilyn of St. Petersburg, FL, Donnelle Cryan and her husband Michael of Attleboro, George Piggott and his wife Cynthia Eddy of Attleboro, Paula Gibeau and her husband Carl of Seekonk; and Shelley Roberts and her husband Bill of Weymouth, MA; twelve grandchildren: Christopher Piggott, Carrie Ford, Tammy Bottomley, Jeffrey Huntet, Jennifer Charron, Nicole Costa, Ryan Gibeau, Neal Gibeau, Joel Piggott, Mallory Piggott, Nathan Roberts and Danny Roberts; twelve great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Tom is also survived by a sister: Betty Maliandi and her husband Joseph of Tom’s River, NJ; a brother-in-law: George Abeyounis and his wife Phyllis of Wilmington, NC; and two sister-in-laws: Pauline Burkett of Wilmington, NC and Barbara Piggott of RI. He was predeceased by two sisters: Carolyn Knapp and Edith Kuhnle and a brother: Burton Piggott.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, October 10, 2008 from 4 PM – 8 PM in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro. A funeral will be conducted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 9 AM from the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Mark’s Church, 105 Stanley Street, Attleboro Falls celebrated by the Rev. Thomas A. Frechette, Pastor.
Mr. Piggott will be laid to rest with full military honors in North Purchase Cemetery, 825 North Main Street, Attleboro.
Following committal services, an invitation is extended for all to return with the family to St. Mark’s Church Hall (lower level of the church) for a time of continued friendship and fellowship. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his memory may be made to: Attleboro Public Library Trust, 74 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. Attention: Walter Stitt. An on-line guest book for family and friends to express condolences and additional information may be found at: www.duffy-poule.com.