Henry Allessio
Henry “Hank” Peter Allessio, 83, of Hopkinton passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Feb. 16 after years of being affected by blood-related cancers. He was born in 1940 to Henry Paul and Adele Margaret (Pozzetta) Allessio in Pittsfield.
It was in Pittsfield where he married Judith Pezzini more than 53 years ago. He loved Judi’s risotto Milanese, which she learned from Hank’s mother. As a young teenager, Hank was often seen walking his 4-H “baby beef” steers on the streets of his Lakewood neighborhood. Other memorable activities included raising poultry and vegetable gardens to exhibit at country fairs, playing high school football, and his lifelong love for the game of baseball. To his friends, he was known as a loyal Yankees fan and a renowned grower of heirloom tomatoes, which he tended to from seed.
Hank attended public schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1957. His education continued with a mechanical engineering B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1961, and after military service, he earned an M.S. in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1965. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and earned varsity lacrosse letters.
In 1962, Hank entered active duty in the U.S. Army as an ROTC Signal Corps officer. Duty stations included Fort Gordon (Georgia), Da Nang (Vietnam) and Okinawa (Japan). He was promoted to captain while in the Army Reserves. Over the years, Hank appreciated the medical care he received from the Veterans Administration. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His professional career began in 1965 as a field supervisor with the New York Telephone Company in Manhattan. Hank became a management consultant for the William E. Hill Company, where he developed an expertise in the vehicle aftermarket parts business in the U.S., Europe and Asia. He later cofounded Easton Consultants and finally Walden Consultants. He was frequently published in trade journals and invited to be a guest speaker at industry gatherings, and he served as a board member of the Auto International Association, where he was awarded the highest honor — a place in the AIA’s Hall of Fame.
Hank and Judi started their family in Pelham Manor, New York, before moving to Hopkinton in 1984. In Hopkinton, he was an active member of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, where he lectured for many years, and he served on several town boards. Hank’s passion and mission was to honor our veterans, most noteworthy being “Veterans Remembered” that aired on HCAM, the photo gallery with over 600 uniformed veterans, and emceeing the Senior Center’s Veterans Breakfast on the first Friday of the month for the past 18 years.
Hank is survived by his loving wife, Judith (Pezzini) Allessio, and children, Darlene Allessio Mulcahy (late husband Daniel) of Summerville, South Carolina, Suzanne Allessio Senesac (Steven) of Colchester, Vermont, and Henry Paul Allessio of Hopkinton. He also is survived by his sister, Claire (Allessio) Velyvis of Madison, Wisconsin, and grandchildren, Shannon, Keira and Megan Mulcahy; and Joshua Allessio, David and Michael Mansfield-Allessio of Colchester, Vermont. Also, nephews John and Peter Velyvis and niece Kristen Velyvis-Zinnen.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton. Burial will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, 22 Pecks Road, Pittsfield. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hopkinton Senior Center Veterans Breakfast, c/o Amy Beck, or to a nonprofit veterans organization of one’s choice.
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Judy, Paul, and Family: Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Though we competed on opposing teams in high school, Hank and I became friends later in life. I enjoyed often traveling to the monthly veterans breakfasts at the Senior Center and socializing at your home afterwards. Participating in Hank’s annual pilgrimages to historic Wahconah Park also produced great memories. Through God’s grace, may your own memories provide solace in this time of sorrow. RIP Cpt Hank!