WEBSTER – Charles R. Puliafico, 86, of 36 Highland Street, died Thursday, March 6, in Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Westborough.
He leaves his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline D. (Leboeuf) Puliafico; a daughter, Denyse E. Ruggeri and her husband Edward J. of Dudley; a son, Mark C. Puliafico and his wife Kathleen of Woodstock, CT; a brother, Salvatore Puliafico of Buffalo, NY; a sister, Rose Stewart and her husband Les of Barre; six grandchildren, Mark Ruggeri and his wife Leslee of Woodstock, CT, Heidi Ruggeri of Dudley, Angela Puliafico of Woodstock, CT, Maura Drake and her husband David of Webster, Lindsay Puliafico of Woodstock, CT, and Alicia Puliafico of Venetia, PA; two great granddaughters, Mariangela and Mia Ruggeri, both of Woodstock, CT; a brother-in-law, Rocco Locantore of Harwich; 22 nephews and nieces; cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his sisters Frances Rich and Josephine Locantore and by his granddaughter Rebecca Ruggeri.
He was born in Barre Plains, a son of Tindaro and Carmela (Genovese) Puliafico. He moved to the Webster area when he married his wife Jackie on August 7, 1944. He graduated from Barre High School in 1940 and from Lowell Textile Institute, now UMass Lowell, in 1944.
In 1956, Mr. Puliafico founded Webco Chemical Corporation in Dudley. He was the Chairman of the Board at the time of his death.
All of his life, Charles actively participated in community groups and projects. He was a member, Vice-President and eventually President, in 1955, of the Webster-Dudley Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, Hurricane Connie flooded Webster and surrounding towns. When the Quinebaug-French River Manufacturers Association was formed to fight for adequate flood control construction, he was elected President. As a result of the group’s efforts, five flood control dams in Southern Worcester County and Northeastern Connecticut were constructed.
In 1958, he served on the original fund drive to establish the Webster-Dudley Boys and Girls Club. He was an Incorporator of Old Sturbridge Village. He was a longtime member of the Webster Lions Club. He was once a member of the Board of Directors of Worcester County National Bank. He also served on the Advisory Board for the Town of Webster.
An enthusiastic golfer, he was a charter member and President for 5 years of Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton. He served as Chairman of the Scoring Committee for many PGA events there. He was a member of the executive committee of the Massachusetts Golf Association and served as an official at the Mass. Open and Amateur Tournaments. He belonged to Pleasant Valley Country Club, and the Raceway, Quinnatisset and Ballen Isles Golf Clubs.
Mr. Puliafico was a Corporator, Director, Vice-President and President of Hubbard
Regional Hospital. He served as chairman of the building committee that oversaw the construction of the Gladys B. Hubbard Wing. He was instrumental in the restructuring of the hospital in 2004.
He loved the Boston Red Sox. When he was 68 years old, Charlie went to the Red Sox Fantasy Camp. In the championship game, he led off with a single against pitcher Luis Tiant. He also greatly enjoyed woodworking, building furniture out of pine and cherry for family and friends.
In 1980, he established the Rebecca Ruggeri Memorial Scholarship at Bartlett High School.
At UMass Lowell, he was a founding member of the university’s Athletic Scholarship Development Committee. Charlie and Jackie established scholarships to benefit students of athletics, nursing, music, chemistry, chemical engineering and also donated funds to the University itself. In 2000, they were presented with the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Circle of Distinction Award. In 2002, they received the Distinguished Alumni Award.
He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. He was the chairman of the Forward in Faith Campaign for the parish in 1999-2000.
In 1973, Charles was chosen Man of the Year by the Webster-Dudley Chamber of Commerce. In 1976, he was selected as Small Business Person of Massachusetts. He was then voted the New England Regional Small Business Person. On the national level, he was chosen second runner-up.
In 1971 he became a grandfather. Since then he has spent endless hours of enjoyment attending sporting events, golf, concerts, holiday gatherings and entertaining his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Monday, March 10, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main Street. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours are from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 PM Sunday, March 9, in the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or donations made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 18 East Main Street, Webster, MA 01570.