Albert Pizzi

MARLBOROUGH - Albert Peter Pizzi, 87, of Marlborough, formerly of Hudson, MA, passed away at home peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Sept. 10, after a long struggle with cancer and other illnesses. He was the husband of Gloria Beverly (D'Amico) Pizzi, who died on January 6, 2011.
The couple lived most of their lives in Hudson, having moved there from Dorchester in 1963. Albert was a loving husband and father, and a hard worker, holding as many as three jobs at a time to save the down payment for the family home on Stratton Drive. He was an extremely generous person, with his time and resources, always thinking of others.
Born in Ansonia, CT, to the late Carlo and Albina (Cerrano) Pizzi, Albert enlisted in the United States Navy upon graduating from high school, and was a Korean War era veteran, having served as a torpedoman aboard the Gearing-class destroyer U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts, DD-823. From his enlistment in 1948 until his discharge in 1952, he spent 44 months at sea. Albert was proud of his naval service and relished telling stories from his years at sea, travelling to more than 15 countries.
Having met Gloria at a USO dance in Boston, they married in October 1952 and settled in Ansonia, CT. They left Ansonia for Dorchester after the 1955 flood caused by back to back hurricanes Connie and Diane.
Albert worked for Raytheon Corp. for more than 30 years, until his retirement as a foreman of the ceramic grinding shop, where he made precision parts for many defense applications as well as the space shuttle program. Before being made foreman, he was the shop steward for IBEW Local 1505, and had a perfect record in grieving issues for his fellow union members.
In his spare time, he loved fishing and woodworking. He took great joy from making many wooden toys for his two grandsons. Both he and his wife were excellent cooks, and enjoyed preparing traditional Italian Sunday dinners with the family for many years. He was a lifetime member of Hudson-Concord Elks Lodge 959. He was also a member of Tin Can Sailors, The National Association of Destroyer Veterans. He loved growing flowers, vegetables and fruits, and continued to grow potted tomatoes at his assisted living home, Christopher Heights of Marlborough.
He is survived by his son, Douglas P. Pizzi, and his wife, Anne Marie (McKenna) Pizzi, two grandsons, Brian C. Pizzi and Michael J. Pizzi, and his beloved great granddog, Bailey, all of Marlborough. He is also survived by a sister, Louise Patterson, and her husband, Donald, of DeLand, FL, and a brother Joseph "Bill" Pizzi, and his wife Joan, of Ansonia, CT, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his older sister, Doris Ferraro. The family would also like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Albert's primary care physician, Dr. Li Ming Hu, who provided Albert with outstanding and compassionate medical care for many years.
Arrangements are under the care of Tighe-Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson. Calling hours and a service at the funeral home will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. Burial at the Forestvale Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Albert's memory to Tin Can Sailors, Inc., PO Box 100, Somerset, MA, 02726, or through their website, www.destroyers.org. Please include Albert's name and membership number 13942 with your donation.