Richard Alliegro

Richard Alan Alliegro

Northborough - Richard Alan Alliegro passed away on November 26, 2016. Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was raised on long island by Emilia (Vitale) and J. George Alliegro and graduated from Malverne High School. He attended Kenyon College in Ohio and earned a Master's degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University. While in college he was an avid sportsman and played football and lacrosse and earned the prestigious Blue Key for academic achievement.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Barbara (Harney) Alliegro and his children, Diane Albano and her husband Dennis Albano, Rick Alliegro, Deborah Hayes, Bob Alliegro and his wife Kellie Alliegro, James Alliegro and Terri Moretti, and Donna Franklin and her husband Andrew Franklin, and his grandchildren, Kathryn Hayes and her fiancé Thomas Thompson-Flores, Julianne Albano and her fiancé Dr. Nicholas Boschetti, Frank Alliegro, Molly Tuller, Jennifer Hayes, Brendan Tuller, and Emilia Alliegro. Dick's beloved grandson Michael Albano passed away on August 21, 2016. He is also survived by his sister Robin Cirino and her husband Edward, and his brother George Alliegro.

Dick had a tremendous love of the outdoors, boating, fishing, camping with his family, golfing, and traveling. He loved spending time with his wife and family. He was a Boy Scout leader and was a third degree in the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Alliegro served in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

Dick had a long and esteemed career at Norton Company and developed thirteen patents for the company. He retired as Corporate Vice President of the High-Performance Ceramics Division. Dick developed the first military ceramic armor used to protect personnel in helicopters and in ground forces. The armor was and is still used by the U.S. Military. The armor system he invented saved countless lives in the Vietnam War and other conflicts since then. He had overall responsibility for establishing a new igniter manufacturing facility located in Milford, NH. This development was highly valuable for the appliance industry. Dick was also responsible for design and construction of Norton Company's new advanced research facility in Northborough, MA. Key examples developed through this venture were components for gas turbine engines and wear resistant components for various types of machinery. Dick was an active member of the American Ceramic Society for over 50 years and received various awards and recognitions.

The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday December 1, 2016 at 10am at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church at 266 Main Street in Northborough, MA. Burial with military honors will follow in Howard St. Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held at Hays Funeral Home at 56 Main Street in Northborough, MA from 4-7pm on Wednesday November 30, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made in Dick's name to St. John's Food for the Poor at www.foodforthepoor.org or St. John's Food for the Poor at 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01064. For online condolences, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com