Michael C. Pezzetti, Sr.

RUTLAND Michael C. Pezzetti, Sr., 84, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Mike was referred to as a “good man” by all. He succumbed peacefully to Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a rare form of dementia, on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at his home surrounded by his devoted family. He was born to J. Chester Pezzetti and Anna (Moriarty) Pezzetti in Southbridge, MA on May 13, 1939. Mike married Ada Tieri in Southbridge on June 22, 1963.

Mike graduated from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. He began his career with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on the Jefferson National Forest in Roanoke, VA in 1963. He was transferred to the White Mountain National Forest in Laconia, NH in 1966 and then to the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests  in Rutland, VT from 1967 until 2005, when he retired after a career spanning 42 years solely with the USFS. You may be familiar with some of his design projects such as the wooden walkway around the boulders at Deer Leap, the staircase along Thundering Falls, and the many roads and bridges within the National Forest.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, skiing, gardening, biking in Florida, the ocean and generally being outside. Hunting included making sure that he had the latest copy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac and a fried egg sandwich with pepperoni and ketchup as part of his hunting gear! For over 50 years he truly loved camping in Maine at Seawood and then Stadig’s, walking along the beach and searching for lobster trap rope at Drakes Island and on the jetties and seawalls in Wells, ME. His meditation was then untangling them!

Mike was active in his civic community and volunteered for many years in various roles for Dismas House and at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church where he was a Minister of Communion and was dedicated to ongoing projects with the “IHM Geezers Club”! He was diagnosed with PPA in 2014 which gradually curtailed his activities.

Mike was pre-deceased by his parents. Remaining to carry on his legacy are his loving family: wife, Ada, sons Michael Pezzetti, Jr and Annette (Catellier) of Vernon, CT, Stephen  Pezzetti of Alexandria, VA, David Pezzetti and Karen (Mazzariello) of Rutland Town;  daughter Gina Pezzetti Carlstrom and Justin of Mendon; grandchildren: Rebecca (Pezzetti) Maas and William of Deering, NH, Michael Pezzetti, lll of Nashua, NH, Anthony Pezzetti of Vernon, CT, Gianna Pezzetti of Rutland Town, Ruby  Carlstrom of Mendon and great–grandchild, William Maas of Deering, NH. Also his brother-in-law, Arthur and Margaret (Madore), sister-in-law Sylvia Dunne of Sturbridge, MA, nephews, nieces and close cousins; Robert, Lisa Champagne of Tolland, CT and Christopher Champagne of Rodondo Beach, CA.

We are deeply grateful to BAYADA Hospice, At Home Senior Care, and especially his wonderful health care aides, nurses, our pastor, Msgr. Bernard Bourgeois and to all our dear friends and extended family who have prayed for Mike and our family throughout these past 2 years. We truly could not have done it without you. May God richly bless you.

The Celebration of Life Mass will be at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 18 Lincoln Avenue, Rutland VT 05701on January 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the Spring, at Saint Mary Cemetery, Southbridge, MA. Mass will be live streamed on Facebook Page:

Rutland - Wallingford Catholic Community

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to: Rutland Dismas House, 103 Park Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701, Rutland-Wallingford Catholic Community, 66 South Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.