19 February, 2024
Henry “Hank” Peter Allessio, 83, of Hopkinton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 16, 2024, after years of being affected by blood-related cancers. He was born in 1940, to Henry Paul and Adele Margaret (Pozzetta) Allessio in Pittsfield, MA.
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.
In Pittsfield, Hank attended public schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1957. His education continued with a Mechanical Engineering BS from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1961, and after military service, he earned an MS 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 US Army as an ROTC Signal Corps officer, duty stations included Fort Gordon, Georgia, DaNang, Viet Nam, and Okinawa. He was promoted to Captain while in the Army Reserves. Over the years Hank appreciated the medical care he received from the VA (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 NY Telephone Company in Manhattan, NY. Hank became a management consultant for William E. Hill Co. where he developed an expertise in the vehicle aftermarket parts business in the US, Europe, and Asia. He later co-founded Easton Consultants and finally Walden Consultants. He was frequently published in trade journals, invited to be a guest speaker at industry gatherings, and 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, NY, before moving to Hopkinton in 1984. Here 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” aired on HCAM, the photo gallery with over 600 uniformed Veterans, and emceeing the Senior center’s Vets breakfast on the 1st 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, SC, Suzanne Allessio Senesac (Steven) of Colchester, VT, and Henry Paul Allessio of Hopkinton. He is also survived by his sister Claire (Allessio) Velyvis of Madison, WI, and grandchildren; Shannon, Keira, and Megan Mulcahy, Joshua Allessio, David, and Michael Mansfield-Allessio of Colchester, VT. Also nephews John and Peter Velyvis, and niece Kristen Velyvis-Zinnen.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton. Burial will take place on Wednesday, February 21st at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, 22 Pecks Rd. Pittsfield, MA. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hopkinton Senior Center Veterans Breakfast, c/o Amy Beck, or to a non-profit Veterans organization of one’s choice.
