Philip J. Grillo Sr.

BARNSTEAD, N.H. — Philip James "Chickie" Grillo Sr., 61, of 497 South Barnstead Road, died at his home Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 of natural causes.

He was born July 3, 1948 in Lawrence. the son of Charles and Josephine Grillo. He was educated in Lawrence schools and was a graduate of Lawrence Technical High School in 1966. He held track records at the Tech for many years. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1966 to 1969 when he was honorably discharged. He was married to Katherine (Bunce) in St. Monica's Church in Methuen Jan. 11, 1969. He was employed as a tool and die maker by Lucent Technologies in North Andover, for over 30 years, retiring in 1999. He was an active member of St. Basil's Christian community where he served as an Eucharistic minister. He was the chairman of the Annual Chirstmas Fair and served in the cursillo ministry for many years. He moved to New Hampshire in 1997 and has been a Barnstead resident since 2005. He had served as a Selectman since 2008, and served on several committees in town. His goal was to be the voice of the people and to extend compassion and fairness to those who needed it most. He was always offering a kind word or funny antidote in any difficult situation.

As an example of his compassion, and a long serving community commitment, he led an effort to restore vandalized headstones in a cemetery in Lawrence, in the 1970s. Many of those affected were elderly and unable to pay. The event was chronicled in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune and that spurred many benefactors to contribute to the effort. He was an avid golfer and handyman, but he devoted most of his time to his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Katherine (Bunce) Grillo of Barnstead; a son, Philip J. Grillo Jr and his wife Heidi of Chichester. 3 Daughters, Lori Nolin and husband Tom of Chichester, Kerri Grillo-Berard and husband Jeff of Lowell, and Ellen Grillo-Moore and Dan Moore of Barnstead; five grandchildren, Laci Grillo, Juliana, Abagale and Jeffrey Grillo-Moore and Tyler Nolin; a brother, Charles Grillo Jr of Ft. Meyers, Fla. and two sisters, Francis Whal of Ft. Myers and Joanna MacPherson of Evansville, Ind.

ARRANGEMENTS: A visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Center Barnstead Christian Church on Route 126. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Main St. Salem, N.H. In lieu of flowers, please make cash donations to the Barnstead Childrens Toy Drive C/O Dawn McCartney or drop off unwrapped gifts at the Barnstead Elementary School. To sign an online guest book go to perkinsandpollard.com. The Perkins and Pollard Memorial Home, Pittsfield, is assisting with arrangements.