Alphonse C. Piermarini, 91, of Leominster, passed away on Wed., April 29, 2015, at Apple Valley Center in Ayer, MA.

Born in Leominster, Al was the son of Clito F. and Lucy (Tocci) Piermarini. A lifelong musician, he was the co-composer of the Leominster High School Alma Mater with his friend and classmate, Robert Cormier.

After high school, he volunteered for service in WWII, serving in the Army Air Corps.

He married Rita M. Brosseau in 1946, who was the love of his life for 51 years until her death in 1997.

After the war, he joined his uncles in business at Plastic Academy in Leominster, which eventually became Tucker Housewares, serving as plant manager and later credit manager until his retirement in the 1980s.

An accomplished pianist, Al's 83 year-long music career began as a tap dancer and accordionist. In high school, he joined the Frankie Dee Orchestra, with whom he would tour, record and perform for many years. Later, he formed the Al Pier Quartet, which performed locally until 2010, his specialty being strolling through the audience with his accordion, singing their special requests. Other area ensembles which benefited from his sublime musicianship were Group 70, the Joint Venture Orchestra, the Stardusters, and the Leominster Colonial Band. He especially enjoyed sharing his talents with his children, who all enjoyed his expert accompaniment.

Al was a longtime member of the Leominster Lodge of Elks, where he served as organist and directed the choral group which made numerous visits to entertain at local nursing homes. He was a life member of Local 173 of the American Federation of Musicians, past president of the Leominster High School Band Boosters, former chairman of the Leominster Chamber of Commerce and formerly served on the Leominster Hospital Board of Trustees.

His friends and family will always fondly remember carefree summer days spent at the family cottage on Spec Pond, where impromptu concerts and sing-alongs would invariably break out.

Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Ally Piermarini, Jr.; his sister Mary DePasquale and brother, Paul P. Piermarini, Sr.

Al is survived by his daughter, Norma Jean Marshall and her husband, Robert Marshall of Lancaster; sons, Martin Piermarini and his wife, Victoria Marrama, Carl Piermarini and his wife, Tina, all of Leominster, and son, Steven Piermarini and his wife Judy of Acton; his brother, Clito F. Piermarini, Jr. and his wife, Cherol of Las Vegas, NV, nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He also leaves his dear friend, Claire Trainque of Fitchburg, and his daughter-in-law, Chris Piermarini of Leominster.

Al was a communicant of St. Anna's Church in Leominster, where he also served as organist many years ago. Burial followed in Saint Leo's Cemetery.

Edward J. Palumbo       1922 - 2010

Edward J. Palumbo age 87 passed away July 1, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. “Eddie” was born in Leominster, the son of Aniello and Anita ( Pascarelli ) Palumbo. He served in the United States Navy Seabees from 1942 to 1946, stationed in Mariana and Aleutian Islands. He was a United State Navy Veteran of WWII have attained the rank of Yeoman Third Class, he also was a bugler in the Navy, he earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with 1 star, & the Good Conduct Medal. Returning home, he met his wife of 63 years Anne A. (Armillotti) Palumbo.

Eddie was an enthusiastic musician playing trumpet in area bands since his high school years. He was also a former member of the Leominster Colonial Band; In addition he was a Boy Scout Leader and active in Junior Achievement. He and his wife Anne were avid dancers and former members of the Bay State Square Dance Club and Round Dance Club. In his retirement years he enjoyed wood working and making gifts for family & friends & toys for children.

He is predeceased by his son Edward Mark Palumbo, Brother Ralph Palumbo, and two Sister Nina Pollastri, & Gorizia Letters. Eddie was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish is survived by his beloved wife Anne; daughter and grandson Jane P. Lord and Timothy J. Lord, Erminia Breault and Lola Proietti and much loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday July 7, 2010 from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St in Leominster, with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Church 1400 Main St Leominster, Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Leo’s Cemetery Leominster. Calling hours will be Tuesday July 6, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home, www.Wright-RoyFuneralHome.com

Herbert C. Peaslee Jr.      1922  -  2008

Fitchburg - Herbert C. Peaslee Jr., 86 of Fitchburg, MA died November 8, 2008, in Golden Living Center, Fitchburg. He was born in Newburyport, MA, May 27, 1922 the son of Herbert C. Peaslee Sr and Sarah Torrie (Goodwin) Peaslee. Herbert spent his younger years (7 to 15 yrs.) at the New England Peabody Home for Crippled Children in Newton Center, MA. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1942 and later married Rita (Rust) Peaslee, June 24, 1944. Herb was an avid fisherman and sportsman, and spent several summers as a pitcher for the Pawtucket Red Sox Minor League Baseball Team. Herb was Treasurer for the Townsend Bowling League, Scoutmaster in both Leominster and Townsend. He was employed as a production manager at Sanders Association in Nashua, NH. He then became an insurance agent for John Hancock.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rita (Rust) Peaslee, a daughter Cynthia (Peaslee) Truitt of Nebraska, a son Gary Peaslee of Townsend, two grandchildren Bethanie and Hanna Truitt. Burial was in St. Anthony's Cemetery

1925 -2008

Louis J. Cocci, 85 years old, of Leominster, died Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Highlands in Fitchburg after an illness. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Patricia M. (Rist) Cocci, his 2 sons, Steven L. Cocci and his wife Beth of Leesburg, FL, and William D. Cocci and his wife Eileen of Sterling, his daughter Cynthia L. Bennett and her husband Mack of Leominster, his sister Gladys Iannacone of Leominster, 7 grandchildren and a great grandson. He was predeceased by his 5 brothers, John Cocci, Emilio Cocci, Alfred Cocci, Augustus Cocci and Albert Cocci and his sister Bernice Brideau.

Mr. Cocci was born in Leominster on April 4, 1924, son of Dominic and Santarella (DiMarzio) Cocci and was a life long resident. He was a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater and during the Korean conflict. Lou had been Plant Supervisor at Standard Tool in Leominster, where he worked for 31 years. He then worked a few years at Nypro in Clinton, before retiring in 1979 due to health problems. He was a former member and past president of the Pioneer Valley Section of the Society of Plastic Engineers and a former board member of the Plastics Museum in Leominster. Lou was a life member of the Leominster Lodge of Elks, where he was a longtime member of the Cribbage League.

On Veterans Day 1999, Lou along with other World War II Veterans, received his Leominster High School Diploma.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11 AM in the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster. Burial was in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. at a later date. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 9:30 - 11 AM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Highlands Activity Fund, 335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420.