John A. Proietti

Leominster - Lifelong Leominster resident John Alfred Proietti, 98, died June 19, 2024, at his home a mile from the Lincoln Terrace house where he was born April 16, 1926.

A wake is planned for 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, at Wright-Roy Funeral Home, 109 West St. in Leominster, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Anna Parish, 199 Lancaster St., and followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery at 357 Main St.

Proietti was a Navy veteran of World War II and a retired tool and die maker who had worked for Standard Tool; Crown Tool; Crisci Tool & Die; Foster Grant; and ESP Lock. He retired in 1988.

He married Dorothy Welch, adopted daughter of Percy and Ethel Johnson, after meeting her at Leominster High School upon returning home in 1946 following two years of military service. They were members of the LHS Class of 1947 and married June 4, 1949.

Dorothy died in 2020 just weeks before their 71st wedding anniversary. John was also preceded in death by his son Paul in March 2019; his parents, Concetta and Augusto Proietti; six siblings and their spouses: Europeo (Genevieve Brennan and Rita Girouard); Albert (Lola Palumbo); Dario (Marjorie Grossi); Antonia (Alphonse Fiandaca); Gino (Phyllis Pignata); and Rita (Anthony Gonelli); and brother-in-law Ciro Ermini.

He is survived by five children and their spouses Michael (Laura), Linda Grossi (Richard) and Deborah Carbone (Joseph), all of Leominster; John Jr. (Barbara) of Ashby; and Matthew (Varina) of Penn Valley, California; 14 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by a sister, Clara Ermini of Leominster. He will be buried with the ashes of his wife and son, and looks forward to seeing his family, friends and acquaintances in the afterlife.

He loved family and cherished time at home. For many years he was a dedicated gardener, finally giving that up in his mid-eighties. He had a sharp memory that served him well in a volunteer position on the Leominster Historical Commission in his later years. He was also a dedicated bird watcher, participating in Cornell University's annual bird count for 35 years.

John had been a member of St. Anna's since its founding in 1937 and, in lieu of flowers, requested donations be made to the parish at 199 Lancaster St., Leominster MA 01453, or via https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-1375?tab=home.

To leave a message of condolence visit: www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John A. Proietti, please visit our floral store.