Constance “Connie” M.(Rogers) Charette 80, of Leominster, died Tuesday, August 6, 2013, in her home surrounded by her loving family, after a long illness. She was born on March 20, 1933 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the daughter of Ernest and Jeannette M.(Girouard) Rogers. She was a graduate of Becker Jr. College. Connie worked for Victory Supermarkets for 20 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster. She liked music and dancing and going to the Bay Path Country Line Dance, and also liked going to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens. Her devotion was to her children and grandchildren, who she shared her love for life. Connie brought much joy to her family. She is survived by her two sons Stephen D. Charette, Scott G. Charette, her two daughters Brenda M. Rogers and LouAnn Pichierri and granddaughter Kelly, who lovingly cared for her and with whom she lived. She also leaves thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Connie was predeceased by her husband, Gerard O. Charette, who died in 2002.

Burial was in St. Cecilia Cemetery, Leominster.

Candido J. Caligaris 1933 - 2012

Candido Joseph Caligaris, former owner of Monty's Garden Restaurant of Leominster, MA, passed away on Dec. 20, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 79 yrs. old.

Candido is survived by his dedicated wife of 57 years, Phyllis M. (Lanza) and loving children, Steven P. Caligaris, and his wife, Deborah of Worcester; Brian J. Caligaris and husband, John of Leominster; Lynn M. Vorse and husband, Robert of Leominster; Sandra L. Osborne and husband, Richard of Lunenburg; Leslie A. Frechette and husband, Robert of Rhode Island, and Christine B. Caisse and husband, John of Westminster.

He leaves 15 grandchildren, Sasha Fortunato, Scott Caponi, Nick Caponi, Bobby Vorse, Olivia Osborne, Richard Osborne, Alaina Reardon, Justin Frechette, Felicia Caligaris, Juliana Caligaris, Steven Caligaris II, Max Caligaris, Mia Caligaris, Lauren Caisse, Haley Caisse; and great-granddaughter, Aria Fortunato. Candido also leaves a twin brother, Conrad Caligaris and his wife, Barbara of Franklin; and many nieces and nephews. An older sister, Levia Fratturelli predeceased Candido in 2011.

Candido was born August 25, 1933, in Leominster, MA, son of Joseph and Josephine (Bello) Caligaris. Candido lived most of his life in Leominster before moving to Fitchburg in 1997. Candido graduated from Leominster High School serving as Vice President of the class of 1951. He later graduated from Becker Jr. College in 1953 with as Associates Degree in Accounting.

Candido enlisted in the Army after graduation and attended the U.S. Army School of Finance at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. Candido served during and after the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant E-5 in the U.S. Army from 1953-1960. Assignments were in Ft. Niagara N.Y., Fort Devens, MA, and Camp Darby, Livarno Italy, where he was assigned to the SETAF Support Command. Their main function was to assist NATO countries during times of crises, in particular the housing of the Hungarian refugees during their uprising of 1957.

After being honorably discharged in 1960, he eventually became the third generation owner of Monty's Garden Restaurant where he worked for 37 years. He held membership and volunteered at the Leominster Historical Society, Friends of Sholan Farms, The American Legion of Cleghorn Post 429, and the Leominster Sons of Italy Lodge #186 where he was a trustee. After lodge #186 disbanded, he joined the Fitchburg Sons of Italy Lodge #169. He also was a charter member of the Italian Cultural Center, serving as chairman of the board of directors from 1986-1988.

During his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, playing bocce, socializing with friends and playing cribbage with family members, who very seldom beat him. His greatest pleasures came from being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He also enjoyed sitting under the grape arbor drinking a glass of wine with his good friend, Cirro Ermini.

A funeral Mass will be held on Fri., December 28, 2012 at 11 am in St. Anna's Church, Lancaster St., Leominster. Calling hours will be from 4-8 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012 in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg. Flowers may be sent or donations may be made to The New England Center for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02108 c/o Michael Grace, or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

PETER D. NIXON 1933 - 2009

 Peter D. "Pete" Nixon, aged 76, died December 13, 2009 at the Hartford Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Concord, MA on October 3, 1933, to Louis G. Nixon and Alice Williams Nixon. He excelled in basketball and baseball at Leominster High School- modeling his basketball play after the great Bob Cousy of Holy Cross. He then matriculated at Wesleyan University in Middleton, CT, where he again excelled at basketball, graduating in 1955. He earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration at Northeastern University in Boston in 1968, and there served as Assistant Basketball Coach. Bob Cousy, at the time, coached Boston College's basketball team, and Pete became a friend, as well as a great admirer, of his coaching rival.

While employed by the New England Power Company in Littleton, NH, he played basketball for the Littleton Town Team. During his life, he also worked as a manufacturer's representative throughout the New England States, gaining many friends among utility and electric company employees and officials. After retiring from Fleet Electric Company he enjoyed golfing in New England and in Florida, with his relatives and friends. He was a good man, always willing to help others, and enjoyed many friends because of his broad knowledge of current events, athletics, and basketball in particular, and also his great sense of humor.

He is survived by his son, Michael Peter Nixon, of Bolton Valley, VT, his dear friend and companion of many years, Alyce Carella of Hartford, CT, his former wife, Rosemary Nixon of Boca Raton, FL, his brother, David L. Nixon, of Manchester, NH, his nieces, Leslie C. Nixon, of New Boston, NH, Melanie D. Nixon, of New Boston, NH, and Wendy W. N. Branch, of Northwood, NH, his nephews, David L. Nixon, Jr., of Missoula, MT, and Louis G. Nixon, II, of New Boston, NH, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Burial was in the Eastwood Cemetery, South Lancaster, MA, where Pete's parents are buried.

Joseph J. Perla, 75, of 5 Argentine St., died Wednesday, Dec. 27, in the River Terrace Healthcare Center, Lancaster.

Anthony E. Armillotti Leominster DPW retiree, Korean War vet; 75 LEOMINSTER Anthony E. Armillotti, 75 years old, of Leominster, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, in Health Alliance Leominster Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Anita P. (Fantozzi) Armillotti; his son, David A. Armillotti and his wife, Julie Armillotti of Winthrop, ME; his 3 daughters, Jean M. Aubin and her husband, Gregg Aubin of Sterling, Joyce L. Aubin and her husband, Barry Aubin of Hubbardston, and Marie A. Armillotti of Leominster; his sister, Rose Normandin of Leominster; his brother, Frank Armillotti of Florida; and 8 grandchildren. Mr. Armillotti was born in Leominster, on April 24, 1933, son of Frank and Eleanor (Julian) Armillotti, and was a lifelong resident. After graduation from Leominster High, where he played on the school football team. Anthony served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He had worked in the Water Division of the Department of Public Works in Leominster for several years, and had also owned and operated the former A & A Variety on Mechanic Street in Fitchburg. He was an avid sports fan and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 from the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster with a mass at 9:00 am in St. Anna's Church. 194 Lancaster St., Leominster. Burial with military honors will be in St. Leo's Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009 from 4-7 pm in the funeral home. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net