Claire M. Piaggi, 73
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Claire Marie Piaggi, 73, of The Spruces, 87 Emerald Lane, died Friday, June 17, 2005, at North Adams Regional Hospital after being stricken earlier at her home. She was the former publisher of the North Adams Transcript and later general manager of the Eagles Times of Claremont, N.H., and its sister publication, The Argus Champion of Newport, N.H.
Born in North Adams on Dec. 22, 1931, daughter of George Frederick "Dusty" and Mary Rose Perreault Rhodes, she attended the former St. Joseph's schools North Adams and graduated from St. Joseph High's School.
In her younger years, she was employed at the soda fountain of the former J.J. Newberry's store on Main Street and later with the former Sprague Electric Co., the former C.H. Cutting Clothing Store on Main Street and the business offices of the former Windsor Motors and Shapiro Motors, all in North Adams.
In 1961, she joined the business office of the Transcript and was appointed assistant business manager in 1962. She was appointed business manager in 1971 and general manager on Sept. 23, 1980. She was publisher from September 1981 until she resigned in 1990, with more than 29 years of service.
She moved to Claremont, N.H., and, in 1993, was named general manager of the Eagle Times and The Argus Champion of Newport, retiring in 1996. She returned to North Adams at that time and moved to Williamstown in 1997.
Mrs. Piaggi was a longtime communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church of North Adams. She was a member and past president of the Berkshire County Traffic Association, a former member and past president of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce, a member and past president of the New England Newspaper Association, former member of the Advertising Media Credit Executives Association and a former member of the Mark Hopkins School Advisory Board.
In 1982, she was selected as Woman of the Year by the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women's Club. She was a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1983, she was given a certificate of appreciation for award-winning scrapbooks of auxiliary activities by the Frank Stiles Post 125 American Legion Ladies' Auxiliary.
In 1978, she began her volunteer service for many years as Mrs. Santa Claus, delivering Christmas presents with the Adams Alert Hose Company and its former Fire Chief Arthur Hathaway. She also was a longtime co-chairman and past president of the North Adams Santa Fund. While a resident of New Hampshire, she was a member of the board of directors of the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce, a member of the steering committee of the New Hampshire Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and a member of the advisory committee of New Hampshire Technical College.
Her husband, Edmund Victor Piaggi, whom she married Sept. 10, 1960, died May 18, 1994.
She leaves a daughter, Denise M. Piaggi, with whom she resided; a son, Wayne Victor Piaggi of Williamstown; a daughter-in-law, Faith Piaggi of North Adams; three grandchildren, Brenden Piaggi and twins Carrie Piaggi and Katelyn Piaggi, all of North Adams; two sisters, Eleanor M. Felix and Rita Cullen, both of North Adams; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by a sister, Geraldine Lanoue, and a brother, Frederick Rhodes.
FUNERAL NOTICE - Funeral services for Mrs. Piaggi will take place Wednesday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St, North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 64 Marshall St., North Adams, by the Rev. Michael Twardzik, pastor of St. Francis' Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, June 21, from 4 to 8. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Cystic Fibrosis or Cerebral Palsy associations through the funeral home.