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