Peter Louis DeMeo
Peter Louis DeMeo, 85, of 85 Notch Road died yesterday at Sweet Brook Care Center in Williamstown. He was a well-known area businessman and musician.Born in North Adams on April 7, 1917, a son of Giacomo and Erminia Santoro DeMeo, he was educated in local schools. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a bugler in Pensacola, Fla., and in New Orleans.
Mr. DeMeo was owner and operator of DeMeo Sales Co., selling sundries and pharmaceuticals, for seven years until selling his company and joining Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Pittsfield. He retired in 1981 with 15 years of service. He also had worked for the former Arnold Print Works, Model Laundry and Quadland's Flowers and, after the war, for Cariddi Sales Co. for 15 years.
A horn player, he started his musical career with the Charlie Trudeau Orchestra in the 1930s, and during the war, played in New Orleans jazz bands and appeared at Preservation Hall. In 1945, he formed the Pete DeMeo Orchestra and toured Western Massachusetts and New York state. He played at the 1896 House restaurant in Williamstown, for the annual Policeman's Ball at the North Adams Armory and for the annual Christmas dinner at the American Legion.
Mr. DeMeo was a lifetime communicant of St. Anthony's Church, where he led the congregation in singing, served as a lector, and was a former member of the parish council and a volunteer for the annual bazaar. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians and was honored in 1987 for 50 years of service to the organization by North Adams Local 96, of which he was a longtime trustee and officer. He also was a member and junior vice commander of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and a member of the BPOE Elk Lodge and of the Sons of Italy. A self-taught craftsman, he was well-known for the fine furniture he built and refinished. He enjoyed traveling.
He and his wife, the former Anne F. Cariddi, were married July 6, 1940, in St. Anthony's Church. Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Noella M. Carlow of Adams; a son, Peter J. DeMeo of Haverhill, and five grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE --The funeral for Peter "Pete" DeMeo will be Tuesday at 9:30 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 at St. Anthony of Padua Church Parish Center, 68 Marshall St., by the Rev. Daniel J. O'Hear, pastor.
Burial will follow in the family lot in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday from 4 to 8. Donations to the St. Anthony Centennial Fund or the Peter DeMeo Scholarship for Music in North Adams Public Schools in care of the funeral home.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Noella M. and Thomas B. Carlow of Adams; a son and daughter-in-law, Peter J. and Lisa E. DeMeo of Haverhill; five grandchildren, Jennifer K. Carlow of Somerville, Elizabeth A. Carlow of Adams, Robert A. DeMeo, James M. DeMeo and Laura M. DeMeo of Haverhill, and nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two sisters and a brother, Philomena DiTursi, Jennie Mastroianni, and Louis DeMayo.